Welcome to the new year! 2024 kicked off slowly for Legacy Magic — a nice change of pace from the frantic prepping and testing that occurred before Eternal Weekends worldwide. What a series of events! Eternal Weekend proved that eternal Magic is alive and thriving. Beyond that, it showcased our own Bryant Cook in the Top 8 with our favorite Storm deck (check out our YouTube channel for two recorded matches of The EPIC Storm)!
Digging into the Legacy meta, a few things that have changed since Eternal Weekend. Sultai Beanstalk has risen in popularity, thanks to Jeff White (Pokimoki) and Brian Coval’s Eternal Weekend testing. See our article with Jeff about the deck on our website! [[Witherbloom Command]] is a perennial favorite of this archetype that has smoother mana, a hodge-podge of removal, and a spicy [[Stifle]] here or there to be bigger than Grixis Delver but smaller than 4C Control.
Temur Rhinos has increased in popularity, Infect has seen a slight uptick, and [[Broadside Bombardiers]] has been tearing it up in Goblins, Moon Stompy, and Boros Initiative. Other than that, it’s been a calm couple of months!
The EPIC Storm v15.6 has stayed strong and is exactly what the team wants to combat the current metagame. Our game plan is clear — be flexible! That might seem challenging for a deck that singularly wants to increase Storm count for a payout, but Storm is a tool leading to any number of possible outcomes.
From simple [[Galvanic Relay]] turns to game-dominating [[Gaea’s Will]] lines, there are several options available each turn. That’s why The EPIC Storm is so much fun to pilot. While The EPIC Storm can be challenging to pilot well — reps and a concerted effort to improve make a difference. Let’s improve our game this month with three awesome scenarios — one was submitted from a supporter of the site! Can you find out which situation it is?
Special Guest
Michael Reed
(Twitter: @Eureka22422_MTG | MTGO: Eureka22422)
I am Michael Reed (Eureka22422 on MTGO) and I pretty much only play Legacy. I am from Saint Louis and have played Legacy since around 2010.
Besides my initial start with Merfolk and dabbling with a variety of decks, I almost exclusively play [[Dark Ritual]] decks. I started playing The EPIC Storm and had played ANT up until 2018. Recently, I have been playing [[Doomsday]].
I prefer Combo decks, especially Storm, because every game feels like a puzzle to solve. The power of [[Ancient Tomb]] pushed me towards [[Doomsday]] for access to [[Force of Will]] in my [[Dark Ritual]] Combo deck. I can never stay away from Storm, though, as it will always be my favorite Legacy archetype.
the epic Storm
- 4 [[Ponder]]
- 4 [[Brainstorm]]
- 4 [[Burning Wish]]
- 4 [[Beseech the Mirror]]
- 3 [[Galvanic Relay]]
- 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
- 1 [[Song of Creation]]
- 1 [[Gaea’s Will]]
- 4 [[Veil of Summer]]
- 2 [[Thoughtseize]]
- 4 [[Dark Ritual]]
- 4 [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]
- 4 [[Lotus Petal]]
- 3 [[Chrome Mox]]
- 3 [[Mox Opal]]
- 2 [[Cabal Ritual]]
- 4 [[Misty Rainforest]]
- 3 [[Bloodstained Mire]]
- 2 [[Underground Sea]]
- 1 [[Volcanic Island]]
- 1 [[Bayou]]
- 1 [[Taiga]]
- 2 [[Abrupt Decay]]
- 2 [[Carpet of Flowers]]
- 2 [[Boseiju, Who Endures]]
- 2 [[Thoughtseize]]
- 1 [[Consign // Oblivion]]
- 1 [[Grapeshot]]
- 1 [[Galvanic Relay]]
- 1 [[Empty the Warrens]]
- 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
- 1 [[Echo of Eons]]
- 1 [[Peer into the Abyss]]
SITUATION No. 1 — Mono-Red Sneak Attack
The niche archetype of a [[Sneak Attack]]-based Stompy deck is not new nor expected in the metagame. Regardless, it can still show up and you need to be prepared for it! [[Chalice of the Void]], [[Trinisphere]], and [[Blood Moon]] combined with accelerated mana prop up an unconventional strategy. Instead of playing a smaller game like Moon Stompy (see below for our overview of that deck), Mono-Red [[Sneak Attack]] leverages the destructive power of [[Emrakul, the Aeons Torn]]. [[Sneak Attack]] and [[Through the Breach]] enable the horrific Eldrazi to show up way ahead of schedule and is often enough to immediately end the game.
If The EPIC Storm can survive the initial onslaught of prison pieces (with [[Thoughtseize]] and sideboard removal/bounce spells) then their combo can be raced. Recognize that hands comprised of cantrips and [[Galvanic Relay]] are not good. The goal is quick and clear lines to unprotected combo attempts. In pre-board games, there is little Mono-Red [[Sneak Attack]] can present to disrupt us. Speed is what matters and we have that flexibility.
[[Chalice of the Void]] with one counter — such an annoyance! We have a pair of one-mana value spells in our [[Galvanic Relay]] pile, an extra in hand, and a land drop available. In this pre-board game, how do establish an advantageous gamestate?
Special Guest
Michael Reed
In the first scenario, we have a pretty clean [[Gaea’s Will]] kill. [[Cabal Ritual]] is doing most of the heavy lifting. If we fetch to six cards in graveyard and throw any one-drop into the [[Chalice of the Void]] (Storm 1), that achieves Threshold for [[Cabal Ritual]]. With Threshold, cast [[Cabal Ritual]] (Storm 2) leaving use on [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Storm 3) bargaining [[Chrome Mox]] to tutor [[Gaea’s Will]] (Storm 4). Cast [[Chrome Mox]] from the graveyard (Storm 5) imprinting the [[Galvanic Relay]] from hand. We still have Threshold for [[Cabal Ritual]]. Using the floating and the [[Chrome Mox]], cast [[Cabal Ritual]] (Storm 6) giving . Cast [[Lotus Petal]] (Storm 7), any one-drop into the [[Chalice of the Void]] (Storm 8), and [[Beseech the Mirror]] to Bargain the [[Chrome Mox]] (Storm 9) for a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]].
#TEAMTES
Jordan Karim
Who says you need spells to resolve against [[Chalice of the Void]]? Purposely play a one-mana spell into the [[Chalice of the Void]] and use [[Bloodstained Mire]] (fetching any land) to achieve Threshold for [[Cabal Ritual]]! Using the , cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] sacrificing [[Chrome Mox]] for Bargain to tutor and cast [[Gaea’s Will]] (Storm 4 | ). From our graveyard, cast [[Lotus Petal]] and [[Chrome Mox]] (Imprint [[Galvanic Relay]]). Cast another one-mana spell into the [[Chalice of the Void]] and cast [[Cabal Ritual]] with Threshold (Storm 8). Finally, [[Beseech the Mirror]] with Bargain to tutor a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]]. Eat your heart out [[Chalice of the Void]]!
Bryant Cook
Play the [[Bloodstained Mire]], fetch a land, and cast a one mana value spell at random from one of the zones into [[Chalice of the Void]] for Storm — but really for Threshold for [[Cabal Ritual]] (Storm 2). Cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] (sacrificing [[Chrome Mox]] for the Bargain cost — Storm 3) to tutor [[Gaea’s Will]] (Storm 4) with floating. Replay [[Lotus Petal]] (Storm 5), [[Cabal Ritual]](Storm 6) with Threshold, cast [[Chrome Mox]] (Storm 7), [[Dark Ritual]] (Countered by [[Chalice of the Void]] — Storm 8), [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Sacrificing [[Chrome Mox]] for the Bargain cost — Storm 9), and finally [[Tendrils of Agony]] (Storm 10).
Alex McKinley
The objective is to achieve Threshold. Crack [[Bloodstained Mire]] for [[Underground Sea]]. Cast [[Brainstorm]] to get it into the graveyard. With Threshold, [[Cabal Ritual]] makes five mana. [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Storm 3, Floating), [[Gaea’s Will]] (Storm 4, Floating), Chrome Mox (imprint [[Galvanic Relay]], Storm 5, Floating), [[Lotus Petal]] (Storm 6, Floating), [[Cabal Ritual]] (Storm 7, Floating), [[Dark Ritual]] (countered for Storm 8, floating), [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Storm 9) into [[Tendrils of Agony]] is lethal!
Oliver Everhard
By “establish an advantageous gamestate”, you mean “kill the opponent”, right?
Play and crack the [[Bloodstained Mire]] — the land we get shouldn’t matter. Cast [[Thoughtseize]] into [[Chalice of the Void]], giving us Threshold for [[Cabal Ritual]]. Cast [[Cabal Ritual]] for and Storm 2. [[Beseech the Mirror]] from exile, bargaining the [[Chrome Mox]], tutor and cast [[Gaea’s Will]] — floating, Storm 4, 10 cards in graveyard. Re-cast [[Chrome Mox]] imprinting one of the remaining cards in hand, [[Cabal Ritual]] with Threshold — , Storm 6. Re-cast [[Lotus Petal]], any one-drop spells in the graveyard to build up Storm, re-cast a bargained [[Beseech the Mirror]] tutoring [[Tendrils of Agony]] for lethal.
SITUATION No. 2 — Moon Stompy
Moon Stompy has quickly become one of the de facto best decks in Legacy, taking advantage of [[Ancient Tomb]]. One of the biggest updates Moon Stompy has seen is [[Broadside Bombardiers]], a new card from the Commander release of Lost Caverns of Ixalan. Many players want to dome an opponent for seven after attacking with [[Broadside Bombardiers]] and [[Fury]]!
While not usually playing Initiative creatures like [[Caves of Chaos Adventurer]], Moon Stompy’s advantages come in the form of broadstroke lock-pieces: [[Chalice of the Void]], [[Trinisphere]], and the “Moon effects” of [[Blood Moon]] and [[Magus of the Moon]]. [[Goblin Rabblemaster]] and [[Fury]] present fast clocks and [[Fable of the Mirror-Breaker]] smooths everything out. This strategy has been dominating the Prison archetype for a years and it will continue to for the foreseeable future.
The EPIC Storm has often struggled against [[Trinisphere]] and [[Chalice of the Void]] decks. However, the situation is not quite as dire as it once was. While the lack of [[Pulverize]] can sometimes be felt, the an entire playset of [[Thoughtseize]] provides much needed disruption, granting The EPIC Storm enough breathing room to start the engines. [[Beseech the Mirror]] is a lower-resource engine and win condition.
Regardless of how improved the matchup may be, it still is not overly positive. Winning game one is critical since winning two post-board games (one being on the draw) is next to impossible.
SIDEBOARDING:
+2 [[Thoughtseize]], +2 [[Echoing Truth]], +2 [[Boseiju, Who Endures]]; -4 [[Veil of Summer]], -2 [[Galvanic Relay]]
A mid-[[Beseech the Mirror]] situation? That’s usually reserved for [[Brainstorm]]! What can we do here? Our opponent has a [[Chalice of the Void]] with no counters on it. We have floating, two copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] in play, and a land drop available. What card should we tutor for and cast with [[Beseech the Mirror]]? How does this turn play out?
Special Guest
Michael Reed
In this scenario, we have many options. Unfortunately, chaining [[Beseech the Mirror]] into [[Tendrils of Agony]] or [[Burning Wish]] is only Storm 6, which isn’t lethal. We can [[Beseech the Mirror]] for [[Burning Wish]] and crack both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to [[Peer into the Abyss]] but with [[Chalice of the Void]] on zero, we don’t have any good lines from there.
That leaves us with [[Galvanic Relay]] or [[Empty the Warrens]] out of the board. With Moon Stompy’s configuration and a [[Chalice of the Void]] on zero counters, I like [[Beseech the Mirror]] into [[Beseech the Mirror]], cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Storm 4), sacrificing [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to Bargain to tutor [[Burning Wish]]. Holding priority with [[Burning Wish]] on the stack, sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for to create 12 [[Goblin Token]]s. This turns off the [[Ancient Tomb]] besides next turn and establishes a turn-turn clock that wins if not met met with multiple copies of [[Fury]], as one hardcast [[Fury]] is not enough.
#TEAMTES
Jordan Karim
Making a [[Goblin Token]] army seems like the best bet. Our opponent cannot race the board we can create. Resolve [[Beseech the Mirror]] (with Bargain) to tutor another [[Beseech the Mirror]]. Sacrifice the second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for (Storm 4). Tutor a [[Burning Wish]] to find the sideboard copy of [[Empty the Warrens]] and make a twelve-strong [[Goblin Token]] malignity that will race our opponent, who is clinging to a paltry 14 life.
Bryant Cook
There might be a better line, but I don’t see it: Tutor another [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Storm 4), [[Burning Wish]] (Storm 5) holding priority, sacrifice the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and cast [[Empty the Warrens]] (Storm 6) for 12 [[Goblin Token]]s.
Alex McKinley
Tutor a second copy of [[Beseech the Mirror]]. Holding priority, crack the remaining [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for . The second [[Beseech the Mirror]] tutors [[Burning Wish]] for [[Empty the Warrens]] to make 12 [[Goblin Token]]s.
Oliver Everhard
With the two copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], we have enough mana to do everything needed through [[Chalice of the Void]]. Tutor [[Gaea’s Will]] and hold priority, sacrificing both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for and Storm 2. From the graveyard, re-cast all the artifacts, [[Dark Ritual]] and [[Thoughtseize]] for Storm count — why not? We have more than enough mana and Storm to re-cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] from the graveyard to tutor and cast [[Tendrils of Agony]]. You could also leave a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] around as Bargain fodder for [[Beseech the Mirror]], but all else equal, maximize Storm — my opponent is free to concede if they’re bored.
SITUATION No. 3 — Rakdos Scam
Porting Modern decks into Legacy has seen varying levels of success. Temur Rhinos and (arguably) [[Death’s Shadow]] have both been successful. Rakdos Scam, a deck centered around casting [[Reanimate]] on pitch Elementals like [[Grief]] and [[Fury]], is perhaps less successful. Nevertheless, this highly disruptive strategy still benefits from the “Legacy treatment” in the form of dual lands and more efficient spells. [[Reanimate]] is better than [[Not Dead After All]] and [[Orcish Bowmasters]] is much more effective in a [[Brainstorm]] format. Dimir is typically the color pairing used for Scam decks, but Rakdos has excellent Red cards at the expense of countermagic like [[Force of Will]] and cantrips like [[Brainstorm]].
Without cantrips and countermagic, Rakdos Scam is less effective against Combo decks like The EPIC Storm. Leaning into aggression and hand disruption, Rakdos Scam is weaker against cards like [[Galvanic Relay]] and [[Veil of Summer]] (though they are also great in Blue matchups). In the Combo deck’s position, not having to worry about spells resolving allows for more breathing room when taking aggressive postures. Not playing around [[Daze]] speeds up our timeline and attempting a win without [[Thoughtseize]] or [[Veil of Summer]] is not the gamble it would otherwise be.
SIDEBOARDING:
+2 [[Echoing Truth]]; -2 [[Thoughtseize]]
[[Opposition Agent]] can really yuck our yum. We currently face seven damage on board (not yet lethal, but will be soon) but have several cards in hand. It is our third turn in a post-board game. Our opponent uses [[Ancient Tomb]] and [[Dark Ritual]] to accelerate three-drops into play. They have one card in hand. Can we address the current board and convert a win?
Special Guest
Michael Reed
In this scenario, we have a kill, but need to remove the [[Opposition Agent]] first. Cast [[Mox Opal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Chrome Mox]] (without an Imprint), and [[Dark Ritual]] via [[Mox Opal]] (Storm 4 | ). Use [[Volcanic Island]] and to [[Echoing Truth]] the [[Opposition Agent]]. Crack the fetchland for a land and use the floating plus the [[Lotus Petal]] to cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] with Bargain, sacrificing the [[Chrome Mox]] (Storm 6). Tutor another [[Beseech the Mirror]] sacrificing the [[Mox Opal]] to Bargain again. Tutor and cast [[Gaea’s Will]]. Re-cast [[Mox Opal]], [[Lotus Petal]], Chrome Mox]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Beseech the Mirror]], bargaining an artifact, to tutor [[Tendrils of Agony]] for 28!
#TEAMTES
Jordan Karim
Artifact mana saves the day! Play land and artifacts from hand, but don’t Imprint the [[Chrome Mox]] (Storm 3). Cast [[Dark Ritual]] via [[Mox Opal]], cast [[Echoing Truth]] on the pesky [[Opposition Agent]] (Storm 5 | ). Fetch for [[Bayou]] and cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] sacrificing [[Chrome Mox]] for Bargain to tutor [[Gaea’s Will]] with a stocked graveyard and a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] line!
Bryant Cook
Play [[Bloodstained Mire]]. Cast [[Lotus Petal]], [[Mox Opal]], [[Chrome Mox]] (no Imprint). Tap [[Mox Opal]] and [[Volcanic Island]] to cast [[Echoing Truth]] on [[Opposition Agent]]. Activate [[Bloodstained Mire]] for [[Underground Sea]], cast [[Dark Ritual]], sacrifice [[Lotus Petal]] to cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] (Sacrificing [[Chrome Mox]] for the Bargain cost) tutor [[Gaea’s Will]].
Alex McKinley
Cast all the mana, then [[Echoing Truth]] the [[Opposition Agent]]. This leaves four mana and and two Bargain-able artifacts in play. Cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] into another [[Beseech the Mirror]] to get everything in the graveyard to [[Gaea’s Will]] for the win.
Oliver Everhard
These deterministic lines make me thirsty. Cast the artifacts (no Imprint on the [[Chrome Mox]]) and use [[Mox Opal]] and [[Volcanic Island]] to bounce [[Opposition Agent]] with [[Echoing Truth]] — Storm 4. Crack [[Bloodstained Mire]] for [[Bayou]], cast [[Dark Ritual]], and Bargain the [[Mox Opal]] to [[Beseech the Mirror]] (sacrificing [[Lotus Petal]] for the needed fourth mana) and tutor [[Gaea’s Will]]. Re-cast the two sacrificed artifacts and [[Dark Ritual]] to net , re-cast [[Beseech the Mirror]] bargaining [[Mox Opal]] or [[Chrome Mox]] to tutor [[Tendrils of Agony]].
Want to see your play?
We’re now allowing for fan-based submissions for “Infernal Tutoring!” In order to submit, please visit the Contact Us page. Attach your screenshot, describe the situation in detail, and press submit!
Disclaimer: Regarding the details of the scenarios, we do not want what the outcome of the situation is. For example, if the question is, “Do I go for it here?” do not tell the team if your opponent had [[Force of Will]] or not. This information honestly doesn’t matter for our purposes and it doesn’t change the answer if it’s correct or not to cast the business spell. Thank you for your understanding.
Instructions
- Use the subject line of “Infernal Tutoring”
- Write what list you are playing and if there’s anything special about your list compared to the current stock version. Scenarios that contain the current list are more likely to be selected.
- If possible, please resize your images to be no larger than 1400px wide and preferably under 125kb. This will make our job easier, if you’re unfamiliar how to do this we’ll do it for you. Still message us with your scenarios!
