Faithless Brewing MTG: Modern and Pioneer for the Spike Rogue

Eldraine Previews and Kethis in Modern

Faithless Brewing, Episode 20: Kethis, the Hidden Hand
 
Throne of Eldraine is around the corner and the previews are coming fast and furious. Some look sweet, some look strange, and some look downright broken, including a certain strange woman lying in a pond distributing swords. That's no basis for a system of government.
 
In the meantime, though, we've got unfinished business with Core Set 2020. Kethis, the Hidden Hand had a surprising breakout late in the Standard season, anchoring a slick combo deck full of powerful legendaries. Modern has even more enticing options, but can this bizarre strategy withstand the transition to the lightning-fast eternal format? Or should Kethis be reimagined as the centerpiece of a midrange build? The crew has some ideas, so let's discuss!
 
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Flashback: Kiora and Niv-Mizzet
 
Ramp-less Niv-Mizzet (cavedan): Top 8 SCG IQ
 
Ramp-less Niv-Mizzet (Ihavethefire): 12-0 Modern Playoffs
 
Kiora Dragons: 10-10 leagues
 
Kiora Eldrazi: 11-4 leagues
 
Bonus list: Cat Jesus Returns (sketch)
 
Throne of Eldraine Previews
 
Dave has eight spicy hot takes on exciting new contenders for Modern, and Damon and Dan are eager to prove him wrong. Plus, don't miss our in-depth written article on the most dangerous card in the set, Emry, Lurker of the Loch!
 
Stoneforge Fishstick: A Brewer's Guide to Emry, Lurker of the Loch
 
Bonus list: Emry Ascendancy (sketch)
 
Brew Session: Kethis, the Hidden Hand
 
Sketch #1: 4c Value Kethis
 
 
Sketch #2: Keth-sper Goryo's
 
 
Sketch #3: Project Keth-eX
 
 
Reference lists:
 
Standard Kethis Combo (Ondrej Strasky)
 
 
Kethis "KCI" (Matt Nass, test deck)
 
Abzan Kethis Station (yooisa, test deck)
 
Kethis Erayo (anonymous, test deck)
 
Kethis Emry Combo (Sam Black, test deck)
 
 

Three Challengers for the New Meta

Modern Horizons / Core 2020, Episode 13: Kiora, Niv-Mizzet, Kolaghan's Command
 
Faithless Looting is gone, and our beloved "non-rotating" format is in upheaval once again. Tournament results are trickling in, but in the Magic Online leagues, it's the Wild West: everyone has dusted off their midrange decks, hoping that strategies that have always fared poorly will finally get a chance to breathe in a graveyard-free Modern. It is a great time to be a brewer.
 
With seemingly endless possibilities to explore, this week the crew revisits some old favorites: Faithless Brews that were powerful before Modern Horizons, but couldn't keep up with the madness of Hogaak Summer. We discuss new builds of RG Kiora Dragons, Rainbow Niv-Mizzet, and old school Grixis Control. Are these old challengers ready to compete for the top tier of the new Modern? Let's discuss!
 
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Flashback: Stoneforge Mystic
 
 
UW Stoneblade (D00mswitch): 3-2 league
 
 
Jeskai QuellBlade: 2-3 league
 
 
Bant Devoted Blade (bobinchese): 4-1 league
 
 
Brew Session: New Takes on Old Favorites
 
 
Kiora's Dragons (post-Hogaak update)
 
 
Rainbow Niv-Mizzet (post-Hogaak update)
 
 
Grixis Control
 
 
 

Stoneforge Mistake? A Brewer's Guide to the New Queen of Modern

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 12: The Ultimate Guide to Stoneforge Mystic
 
It was a difficult week for the Faithless Family, as we had to say goodbye to one of our own. Faithless Looting, the best card in Modern, breaker of formats and giver of value, was struck down in the prime of its life, taken from us by a cruel stroke of research and development. Dear Looting, you shall be missed.
 
There is no rest for the weary, however, as a new powerhouse has been unleashed upon the Modern format. Stoneforge Mystic has arrived to thunderous applause and is already dominating the MTGO leagues, with no fewer than 27(!) distinct Stoneforge decks appearing in the first 5-0 deck dump. It is a time of wild experimentation, and we are here to guide you through all the different ways to make Batterskull and friends. You won't want to miss this one!
 
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Flashback: Elementals
 
Bant Vesperlark: 5-5 leagues, an acceptable combo deck with a good ability to grind thanks to Risen Reef. Lack of interaction makes it difficult to keep up with aggressive strategies.
 
 
RB Thunder Forger: 5-5 leagues, Thunderkin is massively defanged by the loss of Faithless Looting, and this deck can never defeat a Batterskull. The Shaman core remains surprisingly powerful though.
 
*****
 
Brew Session: Stoneforge Mystic
 
Stoneforge lists from around the web, all from within the first two days of the card's legality. For the full Friday 5-0 deck dump, complete with 27 distinct Stoneforge lists, click here.
 
 
UWx StoneBlade
 
 
UW Stoneblade (Todd Anderson)
 
 
UW Stoneblade (Emma Handy)
 
 
UW Stoneblade (Ben Friedman)
 
 
Jeskai Stoneblade (Todd Anderson)
 
 
Esper Stoneblade (Todd Anderson)
 
 
UrzaBlade
 
 
Esper UrzaBlade (Samuel Graebner, 16-4 leagues)
 
 
UW UrzaBlade (kanister)
 
 
4c Urza (Ross Merriam)
 
 
UW Urza (Bryan Gottlieb)
 
 
 
BW Midrange
 
 
BW SewerBlade (CalebD, 5-0 league)
 
 
BW Ale-Drazi (xjcloud, 5-0 league)
 
 
Existing Combo w/ Stoneforge Support
 
 
Jeskai Saheeli Elementals (Jan Huang, 5-0 league)
 
 
4c Snowheeli Blade (Ross Merriam)
 
 
Bant Devoted Blade (Ross Merriam)
 
 
Bant Midrange
 
 
Bant Snowblade (aspiringspike, 5-0 league)
 
 
Bant Snowblade (SaffronOlive, 5-0 league)
 
 
Bant SpiritBlade (Emma Handy)
 
 
White Aggro
 
 
Mono-W CawBlade (aspiringspike, 5-0 league)
 
 
Mono-W Cawblade (kponce, 5-0 league)
 
 
Miscellaneous Midrange
 
Abzan Midrange (Reid Duke)
 
 
Naya ZooBlade (Wyatt Darby)
 
 
GW EldraziBlade (Ryan Overturf)
 
 
Equipment Combo
 
 
RW Hammertime (CalebD, 3-1 league)
 
*****
 
 

Thunderkin Awakening

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 11: Elementals Week
 
The Elemental tribe is rising from the reef with a host of new printings from Modern Horizons and Core 2020. Thunderkin Awakener has already established itself as a player alongside Lightning Skelemental, but Risen Reef has brewers experimenting with all five colors of the rainbow. The decks are already sweet, and we've barely begun to scratch the surface of what this tribe can do. Will Vesperlark give Altar of Dementia a second chance at breaking Modern? Does Master of Waves push Risen Reef over the top? Can Thunderkin Awakener breathe new life into Rage Forger aggro? Join us this week for a journey to the Primal Beyond, as we discuss all things Elementals with some slick new brews.
 
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Timestamps
 
02:30 Lame Duck Modern + the post-Hogaak Metagame
 
17:40 Elemental Tribal: What We've Seen So Far
 
26:10 Brewing Elementals with the Scryfall Method
 
45:41 4c Vesperlark Value-Combo (Brew #1)
 
57:00 Bant Vesperlark Combo (Brew #1b)
 
1:02:45 RB Thunder Forger (Brew #2)
 
1:09:30 Temur Thunder Vine (Brew #2b)
 
Other lists referenced:
 
• Rakdos Skelemental (LordoftheLobsters, 6-1 Modern Challenge)
 
Skelemental, Thunderkin, Unearth, and Ball Lightning, plus Seasoned Pyro/Faithless Looting + standard B/R spell package, a couple Arcanists thrown in.
 
 
• Mardu Pyromancers (Kensuke Kato, 6-4 MC Barcelona)
 
Basically the same, but trimming Thunderkins and dropping Ball Lightning to make room for copies of Young Pyromancer, Lingering Souls, Smiting Helix.
 
 
• Jund 8-Ball (Victor Falcone, SCG IQ top 8)
 
8-Balls + Collected Company + Pelt Collector, the worst creature in Modern.
 
 
• 5c Skelementals (Elfkid, 5-0 league)
 
Risen Reef and a random assortment of creatures. Aether Vial + the tribal lands (Cavern, Unclaimed Territory, Primal Beyond) + Smokebraider enable all 5 colors.
 
 
•  5c Risen Reef (perseel, 5-0 league x2)
 
There are 2 more 5-0 "5c Elemental" lists that do not run Skelemental.
 
 
• Bant Risen Company (milikin, 5-0 league)
 
Reef as a value creature in Bant Company, with light Elemental package (mainly Voice of Resurgence).
 
 
• Jund Shamans (Caleb Durward, 5-0 league x2)
 
Rage Forger + a bunch of terrible creatures that happen to be Shamans.
 
 
• All-in Vesperlark Combo (Liam Cahalan)
Turbo mill to assemble Vesperlark + sac outlet + Image/Body Double.
 
• 5c Master of the Reef (Caleb Durward)
Miscellaneous 5c elementals, including Shorecrasher Elemental for increased devotion.
 
• Amulet Reef Combo (u/Jrax)
Play your whole deck with Amulet of Vigor + Risen Reef (explanation here).
 
*****
 

Hogaak Summer, Niv's Got It Lit: Cashing GP Minneapolis with 5c Niv

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 10: Niv-Mizzet Deep Dive
 
It's a Hogaak summer, it is what it is, but Niv's a 5-star dragon and we know he's got it lit. Dan and Damon spread their wings over Minneapolis last weekend with a new build of Rainbow Niv-Mizzet. The deck is sweet, but can you really cash a Grand Prix with a Faithless Brew? Yes, yes you can! Damon notched a 9-4-2 finish in the main event, and the deck is poised to get even better in the post-Hogaak metagame.
 
This week the crew breaks down everything Niv-Mizzet: our testing process, manabase considerations, sideboarding and matchup analysis, and recommendations for the build going forward. You won't want to miss this one!
 
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Niv-Mizzet GP Deck Tech (Damon)
 
Friday MCQ Decklist (Damon + Dan)
 
Saturday GP Decklist (Damon + Dan)
 
Sunday MCQ Decklist (Dan)
 
Hogaak without Leylines (Andrew Wolbers, Sunday MCQ Winner)
 
Unexpected Tron deck tech (Nathan Graves, Saturday round 6 feature match)
 
 
 
 

The Fundamentals of Brewing, Part 1

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 9: Fundamentals of Brewing
 
It's a homecoming week for the Faithless Brewing crew, as we descend on the Twin Cities for Grand Prix Minneapolis. In this episode, we discuss the fundamentals of brewing competitive rogue decks: how do you go from spark of an idea to finished decklist? What are some guidelines for constructing successful brews, and what are the common pitfalls? We are joined by special guest and master brewer Rhett Wilfahrt.
 
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Flashback: Watcher for Tomorrow
 
Watcher Blink: 3-2 league, Ephemerate is very powerful
 
 
 
 

Tomorrow Never Dies: Watcher for Tomorrow and How to Kill It

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 8: Watcher for Tomorrow
 
Look at your top 4 cards and choose the best one. Then, do it again. And again. As many times are you can blink! Watcher for Tomorrow offers selection and value reminiscent of Narset or even Dig Through Time, all stapled onto an efficient creature. The only catch? You have to make him die. The crew thinks they are up to the task, with a few different possible shells. Which ones will have what it takes?
 
Spice Roundup
 
Snowy Niv-Mizzet: 5-1-1, SCG IQ Newington. Promising results with this snow manabase featuring Arcum's Astrolabe, Pillar of the Paruns, Search for Tomorrow and Wrenn and Six.
 
Brewers' Mailbag
 
What is the most competitive Faithless Brewing deck? This question is like an onion: many layered and with lots of tears. The crew peels it back as we ponder deck options for GP Minneapolis.
 
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Flashback: Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
 
The Yawgfather has many talents, from card draw, to board control, to infinite combos with undying creatures. But how much should we lean on this card? Is the undying combo viable as a primary plan, or should that be a secondary angle in a creature based aggro deck?
 
Monoblack Zombies: 2-3 league, was using its recursive creatures too fairly
 
4c Undying Evolution: 6-4 leagues, Neoform + undying allows for a strong aggro plan, but the list can definitely be streamlined
 
Reference lists:
 
Jund Superfriends (lucky_dragon, 5-0 league): an intriguing take on Yawgmoth + tokens for value
 
Brew Session: Watcher for Tomorrow
 
Jeskai Saheeli
 
Bant Blink (Sketch)
 
UW Hatebear Blink (Sketch)
 
Reference lists:
 
Bant Blink (TscheggschDePoegg, 5-0 league)
 
Bant Blink (Gabriel Nassif, Fandom Legends)
 
Eternal Command (Shota Yasooka, Players' Championship 2012)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Doctor Is In: Yawgmoth, Thran Physician

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 7: Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
 
One month after Modern Horizons, the Good Doctor is well on his way to becoming a Modern staple. Free sacrifice outlets are powerful, free card draw is insane, and that's not even half of the card's text box! But is Yawgmoth best used as a value engine, a combo piece, or something in between? Brewers have been succeeding with both approaches, and the crew has a couple ideas of their own.
 
Brewers' Mailbag (New!)
 
Is it better to pick your best cards and play as many copies as you can, or is there value to playing a mix of 1-ofs? Does the equation change for main deck versus sideboard? What about for playtesting a deck versus registering for a tournament?
 
Have a question for us about the brewing process? Send them to us @FaithlessMTG and we will get to your question on air!
 
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Flashback: Brought Back
 
Brought Back for a land and another card is slick, and Brought Back for two lands is the slickest. But the resulting decks necessarily end up being white-based control, and graveyard-reliant on top of that. As great as Brought Back is, the ceiling for this card may just prove to be too low.
 
Bant Midrange v1: 8-7 leagues, functional but weaker than Karn version
 
Bant Midrange v2: 4-6 leagues, stronger, but still needs improvement
 
Sun Titan Control (fincown, 5-3 Modern Challenge): 3-2 league, solid but hard work
 
Abzan Shadow (cavedan, test deck): Brought Back maybe worse than Unearth here
 
Listener-submitted decks with Brought Back:
 
White Amulet (blakfishy, test deck): explosive but fragile
 
Eternal Value (breakfast4dinner911, test deck): needs more disruption
 
BW Smallpox (Matt Young, test deck): interesting planeswalker angle
 
Brew Session: Yawgmoth
 
Monoblack Yawgmoth (Sketch)
 
Yawgmoth Evolution (Sketch)
 
Yawgmoth Zombies (Nick Vallas)
 
Other lists referenced:
 
Unearth Zombies (zorloth, 6-3 Modern Challenge)
 
4c Yawgmoth (TheWillHallExp, 5-0 league)
 
Sultai Aristocrats (visitor636, 5-0 league)
 
Mardu Pyromancer (MisterKite, 5-0 league)
 
Jund Superfriends (lucky_dragon, 5-0 league)