Let’s start this off with: I really don’t like Karn. Every deck I brew either struggles against or is invalidated by Mono-Green. On top of that, almost every new set Wizard’s releases has an Artifact theme (thanks to their newfound love of artifact tokens, which I am 100% behind). So as a brewer, I come up with list after list using these exciting new cards that are just unplayable because they are invalidated by Karn’s static.
Suffice to say I was hoping for a Karn ban. But what we got were no bans in Pioneer. With anything like this I try and first view it with a generous lens and after viewing with that lens I am totally ok with this decision.
No deck in the format is dominating in terms of either winrate or share of format. There is healthy churn where at the top of the format is Mono-Green and a rotating cast of other top decks. Each new set brings a couple new highly competitive decks.
Those are all great things. Still why not ban Karn because at this point Mono-Green is clearly the best deck. The issue is that’s kind of opening pandora’s box because Mono-Green, as a tough to interact with combo deck that randomly hates on artifacts, invalidates so many decks; more than any other deck in the format. Part of the appeal of the ban would be opening up all this brewing space that is currently invalidated, but the risk is that we end up in a far worse equilibrium than the healthy churn we currently see in Pioneer.
And personally, I am finding Pioneer to be extremely fun to play currently where it feels like it has simultaneously sped and slowed down. I also continue to have more decklists than I can possibly test. So all in all, I think this is a fine decision.
Brewing State of the Format
Over on the Faithless Brewing Discord, brewer/content creator Monetary Mentor posted a good prompt after the bans.
With no bans, is anyone interested in discussing what the format looks like right now, from a brewing theory standpoint? Like if you're going to brew something successful, what does it have to be able to do? i.e. get under lotus field, answer Greasefang at instant speed, have maindeck answers to Sheoldred, pick off t1 mana elves, etc. What are the truisms y'all put a lot of stock in?
The top decks are going to continue to be Mono-Green and Rakdos Sac. So ideally you’re going for a deck good against both. Though these decks are the top decks for a reason, so I often find myself for settling for ok against these two and then actively good against the rest of the top decks: Rakdos Midrange, Greasefang, Lotus Combo, UW Lotus Control, Mono-White Humans, Spirits, Creativity, and Phoenix (somewhat in that order).
First, all in combo still seems very much alive giving that spread. Aggro less so with Rakdos Sac so popular. But I mostly focus on brewing interactive decks so that is where I will focus here.
In my recent post on Reckoner Bankbuster, I say:
Powerful decks are low curve, don’t run out of gas, pressure the opponent, and have efficient interaction.
Now the question is how do we best achieve that goal against the spread of decks mentioned above.
Strangely, I am going to start with the sideboard. Rending Volley or Ray of Enfeeblement are so important that you are essentially priced into playing one of Red or Black.
Then how are you going to beat Mono-Green. Two options, counterspells or exile removal, but both options need to be backed by a proactive gameplan. Counterspells means Blue. Exile removal means White (Chained to the Rocks, Leyline Binding, Skyclave Apparition, Vanishing Verse) or Red Act of Treason effects (Claim the Firstborn and Akroan War most notably)
Ideally you want to be able to kill Sheoldred for one mana. That means Chained to the Rocks, reliably revolted Fatal Push, Leyline Binding, or Dark Betrayal out of the board. Sheoldred is crazy good, you need to be able to crazy punish it or you’re going to lose to it.
Start playing maindeck Meathook Massacre as it is very good against sac and kind of good against a number of other decks. Or Temporary Lockdown for similar reasons. And if not, don’t mess around in your sideboard. I saw a recent challenge winning list had 4 Hidetsugu Consumes All in the board, that’s awesome.
Ok, some rapid fire:
Don’t play 5+ drops
Only play 3+ power creatures
Seriously consider cutting Fable (see above about 3+ power)
Card advantage should affect the board or cost 1 mana
Have some way to utilize the graveyard, but where it’s a mistake for your opponent to bring in graveyard hate
Try and have a combo that you can get at low opportunity cost, but is plan C or D
Be ready to side out all your artifacts + artifact producers against Mono-Green and if you can’t you likely have a problem.
Have some incidental lifegain
Then make sure you have a gameplan that can both win fast and go long. Again referencing the Bankbuster article. Every deck there is built on the core of 4x Push, 4x Thoughtseize, 4x Bankbuster, 4x Trespasser, 4x Sheoldred. A curve of Seize, Bankbuster, Trespasser, Sheoldred can finish a game very fast. But that same suite of cards can be key to winning a game that goes 14 turns. The Pia deck is probably the newest major deck on the scene and it fits this mold perfectly: sometimes it kills fast on the back of one mana prowess creatures and sometimes it grinds you out winning with 20 cards left in the library.