Faithless Brewing MTG: Modern and Pioneer for the Spike Rogue

Uro vs. Kroxa: Clash of the Titans

Theros Beyond Death, Episode 5: Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath
 
Kroxa made his case last week for early release from the underworld of Theros, taking a bite out of the competition in both Modern and Pioneer. The hungry fellow has been making inroads into 5-0 lists, but has yet to enjoy the success of his greener, bluer, more wrathful sibling. This week, the clash of the titans comes to a head, as we pit our results with Kroxa against new lists featuring Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath.
 
Already boasting a Players Tour championship, Uro seems to have all the makings of a multi-format star. Simic colors? Check. Useful in many strategies? Check. Mythic rare, costs 1UG, rapidly increasing in price? Check, check, and check. Three letter name, two of which are vowels, followed by a title description? Welcome to my decklist, Oko left the seat warm for you.
 
There's no denying that Uro is a powerful and wildly successful card. Unlike Kroxa, Uro's draw and lifegain abilities create both time and resources to play a longer game, while also giving you land drops to go nuts with all of your extra material. Uro has so many abilities that even now players have only begun to scratch the surface of what it can do. A repeatable Growth Spiral is great. A repeatable Reviving Dose is also great. A giant creature that comes out of the graveyard without costing you a card, and generates value turn after turn, is starting to get a little crazy. This is a card that we are going to be seeing a lot of for the foreseeable future, so let's see what else Uro can do!
 
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Roundup: Pioneer Between the PTs
 
Czech House Niv-Mizzet (Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa)
 
BW Auras (Ken Yukuhiro)
 
Sultai Delirium (Joel Larsson)
 
Lotus Breach (Brent Vos)
 
Dimir Inverter (kanister)
 
Flashback: Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
 
Pioneer
 
Grixis Kroxa Midrange (Damon): 7-8 leagues
 
Grixis Kroxa Midrange (David): 2-3 league
 
Rakdos Kroxa Cat (David): 3-2 league
 
Modern
 
Jund Hungry Zoo (Dan): 3-2 league
 
Grixis Renegade Kroxa (Dan): 2-3 league
 
T-Rex on the Titanic (test deck): not recommended for league play
 
 
Brew Session: Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath
 
Pioneer
 
Blood for Bones Reanimator: 8-2 leagues
 
Simic Ramp (Sketch)
 
Sultai Uro Oven (Sketch)
 
Modern
 
Wrenn and Uro (by MrRaeb, 5-0 league)
 
Uro's Weirding (by Nephtyz, 5-0 league)
 
 
 

Still Hungry: Kroxa in Modern and Pioneer

Theros Beyond Death, Episode 4: Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
 
Freshly escaped from the underworld of Theros, Kroxa is at the peak of his powers. 6/6 is nearly as big as it gets. Two mana is nearly as lean as it gets. A true titan of the game, Kroxa packs a punch and delivers value coming and going, but he's not resting on his laurels. No, King Kroxa is still hungry, and he's coming for that 5-0 in Modern and Pioneer. 
 
Mechanically speaking, Theros's titans are fairly complicated under the hood. As pseudo spell effects, they are somewhat reminiscent of the Evoke and Adventure mechanics, but the similarities only go so far. The upshot is that the turn you spend two mana for a Raven's Crime is a very bad turn. The turn you spend four mana for a 6/6 with a positive ETB and attack trigger is a very good turn, and you can have that turn multiple times in a game. Kroxa's power level seems to lie somewhere in the middle, if we are just taking the card at face value. But what if we break the mold and cheat on Kroxa's hidden costs? Can we skip the Raven's Crime turn by putting Kroxa directly into the graveyard? Or how about the two mana 6/6 body that is briefly on the battlefield, what if we make extra use of that? The possibilities are as endless as Kroxa's appetite, so let's start brewing!
 
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Roundup: Modern Brews + Pioneer PTs
 
Modern
 
Turbo Elesh Norn: 4-0* league. Move 4th Leyline to main deck, cut green splash, add SB Burrenton Forge-Tender.
 
 
RG Kiora Ox: 5-0 league. New card grades: Ox of Agonas (B), Phoenix of Ash (B-), Klothys, God of Destiny (C)
 
 
Flashback: Enigmatic Incarnation
 
Pioneer
 
Rhino Incarnation 1.1: 4-6 leagues
 
 
 
Rhino Incarnation 1.2: proposed update
 
 
Enigmatic Uro: 0-5 league. Needed more removal. Rebuild as Chronic Flooding delve/self-mill Oracle deck.
 
Modern
 
Enigmatic Doom: 2-3 league. Add Leylines to the main deck, increase land count, clean up 2-3 mana plays.
 
Brew Session: Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
 
Sketch 1: Grixis Kroxa
 
Sketch 2: Rakdos Sacrifice
 
Reference lists:
 
"Mardu Yacht Club" (by @shakegently)
 
 
Jund Traverse Kroxa (5-1-1, by kaberb)
 
 

Mysteries Incarnate

Theros Beyond Death, Episode 3: Enigmatic Incarnation
 
When you give a card an outlandish name like "Enigmatic Incarnation," you'd better step up and deliver something deliciously and awesomely weird. Luckily, in this case, the R&D and Creative teams came through, offering a truly mysterious new tutoring engine. Superficially similar to Birthing Pod and Prime Speaker Vannifar, Enigmatic Incarnation throws those precedents out the window by triggering only once per turn (on end step) and feeding on one card type (enchantment) while tutoring for another (creature). It is truly a mystery wrapped in an enigma, drawing on an entirely different slice of the card pool and asking brewers to invent their own play pattern if they hope to unlock its power over multiple turns. The decision trees are complex and the rewards are potentially massive. Let's start brewing!
 
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Flashback: Heliod, Sun-Crowned
 
Pioneer
 
Mono-White Owl (Damon): 1-3 league
 
 
UW Teferi Owl (Damon): 3-2 league
 
 
Basic Heliod Aggro (Dan): 3-2 league
 
Modern
 
Turbo Elesh Norn 2.0 (Dan): 4-0* league. Played this league after we recorded this show, so stay tuned for next week's episode for more info on it.
 
Brew Session: Enigmatic Incarnation
 
Pioneer
 
Sketch 1: 4c Rhino Incarnation
 
Sketch 2: Sultai Enigmatic Inversion
 
Modern
 
Sketch 3: Mystery Ponza
 
Sketch 4: Bant Hatching Plans
 
Sketch 5: Enigmatic Conscription
 
 

The Sun God Rises

Theros Beyond Death, Episode 2: Heliod, Sun-Crowned
 
All things must come to an end, and for Mox Opal, that end proved to be a rather unceremonious bludgeoning with the ban hammer in Modern. Also banned are Oko, Thief of Crowns (yet again) and Mycosynth Lattice (thank you, next), the largest shakeup in Modern since... the printing of Throne of Eldraine. The crew pours one out for the fallen victims of last week's B&R, and takes another look ahead at promising new printings from Theros: Beyond Death.
But while the sun sets on an entire era, another sun rises, in both Modern and Pioneer -- specifically Heliod, the Sun-Crowned, who is perhaps the most hotly anticipated printing from Theros: Beyond Death. Heliod's infinite damage combo with Walking Ballista has echoes of Saheeli Felidar, or even (some say) Splinter Twin. Can the new God possibly live up to the hype? In truth, Heliod Ballista is an enormously mana intensive combo, but there are sneaky tools available to shave on mana costs and arrive at a leaner, meaner 1-2 combo punch. In Modern, this can also mean eschewing Ballista altogether, and instead pursuing infinite life with Spike Feeder or Kitchen Finks. And if that fails? Well, nothing says we can't turn our 5/5 indestructible beater sideways. Will any of these decks rise to glory? Let's find out!
 
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Roundup: Modern B&R + Theros Previews
 
 
Modern B&R Announcement
 
• Oko: total days legal, by format
 
• Mox Opal: end of era
 
Flashback: Ghirapur Orrery
 
 
Sultai Dredge (David): 2-3 league
 
Simic Lands (David): 2-3 league
 
Simic Midrange (Damon): 3-2 league
 
 
Brew Session: Heliod, Sun-Crowned
 
 
Modern
 
Sketch 1: Soul Sisters Company
 
 
Pioneer
 
Sketch 2: Azorius Owl Midrange
 
Sketch 3: Selesnya Enchantments Ramp
 
Sketch 4: Orzhov Heliod Walkers
 
Bonus Sketch: Boros Reckoner Midrange
 
Bonus Sketch: Bant Vannifar Heliod
 
Bonus Sketch: Bant Heliod Flash
 
Bonus Sketch: Basic Mono-W Heliod
 
 
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Theros Previews & Brew Review #1

Theros Beyond Death, Episode 1: The Brew Review
 
Theros: Beyond Death is upon us! The newest set looks poised to continue the recent trend of Standard-legal expansions massively impacting eternal formats, with a slew of exciting previews to unpack. At the same time, Modern as we know it continues to evolve and change, with results from major tournaments in paper and online giving a final snapshot of the Oko era before the latest round of massive bannings. (Note: this episode was recorded before Monday's B&R, so you can enjoy one last analysis of the Oko metagame as a fun little capsule in time.)
 
For our last episode before taking the plunge into the underworld of Theros, we are debuting a new segment on the show: the Brew Review! Instead of picking a single card to focus on this week, we instead solicited our listeners to share with us some of their spiciest brews in Modern and Pioneer: whether polished lists they've been testing extensively, or wild ideas that came to them in a rapturous fever dream of brewing energy. From End-Raze Forerunners combo, to Fires of Invention Angels, to a comprehensive brewer's guide to Myth Realized, this edition of the Brew Review has something for everyone!
 
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Roundup: Modern Championships + SCG Columbus
 
 
Explore Titan (Matthew Dilks/Will Pulliam)
 
Galvanic Urza (Corey Baumeister / Pete Ingram)
 
Once Upon Eldrazi Tron (xfile, Modern Challenge)
 
Veil of Titanshift (i_b_true, Modern Champs)
 
Soul-Scar Burn (sandydogmtg, Modern Champs)
 
Glittering Niv-Mizzet (Lanny Huang, 7-0 Modern Challenge)
Naya Stonecleave (Ihavethefire, Modern Champs)
 
Liquimetal Urza (Phil England, 6th in Modern Classic)
 
KotR Titan Ramp (Kazuga, 5-2 Modern Challenge)
 
The Brew Review, Part 1
 
 
Mono-red Blitz (by Jiggywiggy) [Modern]
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1825800#online
 
Cryptolith Pod (by Matt Baker) [Pioneer]
https://scryfall.com/@mattybakes/decks/90974e1f-cb95-4206-8456-ea486d20e6b6
 
GW Mentor (by Shane B.) [Pioneer]
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2587692#paper
 
Speed Pigs (by KilgoreTrout503) [Pioneer]
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/speed-bacon/
 
Narset for Days (by unpronounceable) [Pioneer]
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2630393#paper
 
Angel Fires (by Paimon) [Pioneer]
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2565674#paper
 
Esper Mythseize (by Spotred) [Modern]
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/mythseize/
 
 
Bonus Brews:
 
 
GW Gideons (by allfordelilah) [Pioneer]
https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/gideons-support-group/
 
MonoGreen Ponza (by EnderXenocide) [Modern]
https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/mono-green-oko/
 
Blue Bird Arclight Dredge (by Jonathan Walsh) [Pioneer]
https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/blue-bird-arclight-dredge-pioneer/?cb=1578109142
 
Agent of Duplication (by unpronounceable) [Pioneer]
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2630329#paper
 
Mighty Morophon Sliver Tron (by unpronounceable) [Modern]
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/2630298#paper
 
 
 

You Pick the Card: Ghirapur Orrery

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 15: Ghirapur Orrery
 
The results are in! In the final days before Theros: Beyond Death, we let our listeners choose the card that we would brew around for the week. Many outstanding cards from Magic's past and present were nominated, but in the end, only one could emerge victorious in the patron poll: Ghirapur Orrery! This forgotten gem from Kaladesh hearkens back to the days when we were small children with a poor understanding of Magic's rules: we were convinced, for example, that if you played your last card from hand you immediately got to draw a fresh seven, or that if you declared "fast mana" you could play multiple land drops at once. Well guess what, children: with Ghirapur Orrery in play, now you can do both, and it's not even against the rules! The dream of going nuts with an Orrery is certainly enticing, but to make this card competitive, a lot has to go right. David has some ideas for getting the ball rolling, so let's dive into the lists!
 
Also in this episode: a GP Portland tournament report, 2019 in Review, Theros: Beyond Death Previews, Regisaur testing results, and more!
 
You Pick the Card Poll Results: Summary
 
 
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Roundup: GP Portland + 2019 in review + Theros Previews
 
 
Izzet Flash (Damon): 4-4, GP Portland (Standard)
 
 
Flashback: Rotting Regisaur
 
 
Modern
 
GB Heartless Summoning (Dan): 2-3
 
Reference:
 
"Amulet-less Titan" (bolov0): runner-up, Modern MOCS
 
Urza Charm (VTCLA): winner, Modern MOCS
 
 
Pioneer
 
Golgari Great Hengisaur (David): 5-5 leagues
 
Monoblack Picker (Dan): 7-3 leagues
 
Abzan Evolve (David): 4-1 league
 
Rakdos Vamp Madness (David): 4-1 league
 
 
Follow-ups from previous weeks:
 
Seasons Past / Fires of Invention (Dan): 3-2
 
Scarab God Reclamation (aspiringspike)
 
Blood Moon Niv-Mizzet (Lawson Zandi): 5-3 Modern challenge, 5-0 league, 4-1 league
 
RB Regicleave by Paimon ("Pioneer Death's Shadow)
 
Legacy Kiora Prison by Johan Bang
 
 
Brew Session: Ghirapur Orrery
 
 
Pioneer
 
Sketch 1: Simic Ghirapur Lands
 
 
Sketch 2: Sultai Dredge
 
 
 
 

Now, That's a Zombie!

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 14: Rotting Regisaur
 
Fires of Invention was a real firecracker of a card. Last week's builds saw spectacular successes and spectacular failures across a wide range of strategies, and yet we've barely even scratched the surface of the card. It should be no surprise that Niv-Mizzet Fires is the build that seemed closest to breaking Pioneer, notching another Faithless 5-0 after the banning of Oko and Nexus of Fate. Sometimes all Niv does is win (including delivering Damon a 1st place trophy in his Modern 1K over the weekend). But there's so much more to explore that it's hard to call the book closed on Fires of Invention. I suspect we'll be seeing this card again sooner than later.
 
As for this week's brew-around, what is there to say? It seems almost unfair to theorycraft Rotting Regisaur; thinking too hard feels against the spirit of the card. Spend three mana, get a giant zombie. Discard a card or two. Turn sideways and try not to get turned into an Elk. It's a 7/6 monster that asks very few questions beyond, How would you like to use it? We've got a few ideas in both Modern and Pioneer, let's see which one roars the strongest!
 
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Roundup: Pioneer Bans, Theros Previews
 
Oko + Nexus of Fate ban (Announcement)
 
Change to B&R schedule (Announcement)
 
Theros previews (official)
 
 
Flashback: Fires of Invention
 
Modern
 
Gruul Escape 1.0: 2-3 league
 
Gruul Escape 2.0: 3-2 league
 
Gruul Escape 2.1: recommended for testing
 
 
Reference lists:
 
Temur Turns (Daniel Wong): 5-0 league
 
Urza Charm (Urchin Colley): 5-0 league
 
 
Pioneer
 
Niv Fires, pre-ban (David): 7-3 leagues
 
Niv Fires, post-ban (Damon): 5-0 league
 
Temur Elemental Fires (David): recommended for testing
 
 
Bonus list:
 
Abzan Horse (Zyrnak): 5-0 league
 
Brew Session: Rotting Regisaur
 
Modern
 
Sketch 1: Heartless Regisaur (by Ryan from Maine)
 
Sketch 1.1: Heartless Regisaur (David)
 
 
Pioneer
 
Sketch 1: Golgari Hengisaur
 
Sketch 2: Vampire Madness
 
Sketch 3: Abzan Beefy Evolve
 
Bonus Sketch: Varolz Counters
 
Bonus Sketch: Rotten Company
 
 
Reference lists:
 
Rotting Crabvine (Episode 26): 4-1 league
 
Zombies (Kotva): 5-0 league
 
Red-Black Pyromancer (Ivan_Catanduva_Br): 5-0 league
 
Rakdos Regisaur Midrange (Zxrogue): 5-0 league
 
Regisaur 8-Rack (destricted): 5-0 league
 
Melira Rotten Company (Sinisstar619): 5-0 league
 
Sultai Dino Delver (ocelot823): 5-0 league
 
Golgari Adventure (Chris Kvartek): Mythic Championship VII (Standard)
 
 
 
 

We Have the Fires

Throne of Eldraine, Episode 13: Fires of Invention
 
"If it's free, it's me." The timeless words of Bryan Gottlieb teach us to pay close attention to anything that can be cast for free, one of the most powerful and potentially broken effects in all of Magic. Fires of Invention grants that text to any spell in your deck, allowing you to cast it without tapping lands. And then, it does it again. Two free spells every turn, and you still have all your mana available to spend on other effects? Yeah, that's me. Sign us up for a playset!
 
Fires of Invention is Throne of Eldraine's entrant into the "broken four-mana enchantment engine" category, and it has already proven its chops in Standard as well as Pioneer and Modern. More similar to a Wilderness Reclamation than an Experimental Frenzy, Fires offers an insane mana advantage, provided that you can successfully navigate its numerous constraints. This week the crew has some explosive builds designed to do just that. You want decklists? "Just tell us how many you want and get out of the way!"
 
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Roundup: Weekend Results
 
 
Simic Food Ramp (Gerry Thompson)
 
Gruul Kiora (Dan): 3-3, SCG IQ Newington
 
Azorius Approach (Tyler Surovy): 3rd place, SCG IQ Newington
 
 
Flashback: Crested Sunmare
 
 
Modern
 
GW Eldritch Horse: 1-4 league
 
 
Pioneer
 
Orzhov Horse: 3-2 league
 
Abzan Horse: 7-3 leagues
 
 
Brew Session: Fires of Invention
 
Modern
 
Sketch: Gruul Fires Escape
 
 
Pioneer
 
Sketch 1: Temur Elemental Fires
 
Sketch 2: Niv-Mizzet Fires
 
 
Reference lists:
 
Standard
Jeskai Fires (Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa)
5c Niv Fires (Ken Yukuhiro)
5c Golos Fires (Shota Yasooka)
 
 
Modern
Izzet Turns (lsv, 5-0 league)
Izzet Turns (Gfrpaac, 5-0 league)
4c As Firetold (PetyrBaelish, 7-2 PTQ)
4c As Firetold (Runeskjold, 5-0 league)
 
Pioneer
Jeskai Fires Superfriends
 
Lawson Zandi (Niv-Mizzet streams): https://www.twitch.tv/zanman1414