The April 2012 Legacy Primer – Part 4

For the next week, we’ll be covering the vast format that is Legacy. We’ll be covering 10 decks a day to help you get familiar with the variety that Legacy has to offer, significant finishes, a small “How the Decks Work” section, some variations, and finally, some sideboard cards that help combat that particular strategy. If we missed anything, feel free to comment and let us know!


So here we are – the last ten decks, but certainly not the least. These decks pack a huge punch in Legacy, so it would be wise to take note of these decks carefully as well. Tomorrow, see our picks for the decks we’ll see at SCG: Phoenix!

Shot in the Dark

AKA: Tezzeret Control, ThopterSword

Sample Decklist

Instants (15)
Enlightened Tutor
Brainstorm
Force of Will
Swords to Plowshares

Enchantments (2)
Humility
Oblivion Ring

Planeswalkers (6)
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas

Artifacts (18)
Chrome Mox
Ensnaring Bridge
Mox Opal
Sword of the Meek
Sensei’s Divining Top
Thopter Foundry

Lands (19)
Academy Ruins
Ancient Den
Ancient Tomb
Island
Plains
Scrubland
Underground Sea
Vault of Whispers
Seat of the Synod
Tundra
Marsh Flats
Flooded Strand
Sideboard (15)
Ensnaring Bridge
Nihil Spellbomb
Pithing Needle
Tormod’s Crypt
Aegis of Honor
Counterbalance
Engineered Plague
Humility
Oblivion Ring
Enlightened Tutor
Academy Ruins

Significant Finishes in 2012:

David Gearheart, 3rd of 153: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7707&iddeck=56060
Jeff Mcaleer, 6th of 118: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7634&iddeck=55422
David Gearheart, 26th of 118: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7634&iddeck=55442

How This Deck Works

Shot in the Dark is a control deck utilizing the power of Enlightened Tutor as a tutor for silver bullets against almost any kind of deck; think of it as a Survival of the Fittest for a creature-less deck. Silver bullets include Humility or Ensnaring Bridge against creature decks or SneakShow, Oblivion Ring against problematic permanents, and of course to fetch the final piece of the Thopter Foundry/Sword of the Meek combo.

The planeswalkers are in there obviously for utility or as a win condition; both planeswalkers offer card advantage as well as protection, and can almost kill your opponent (or put yourself in a very advantageous position) with their ultimates.

Variants: There aren’t really; most decks just exchange the Enlightened Tutor targets to other cards such as Grafdigger’s Cage.

Sideboard cards to consider: Null Rod/Stony Silence, Krosan Grip, Scavenging Ooze/Faerie Macabre (against Sword of the Meek), Gaddock Teeg, Energy Flux, Ancient Grudge

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Low

Show and Tell/Sneak Attack

AKA: Sneak Attack, SneakShow, Sneak and Show, Sneaky Show

Sample Decklist

Creatures (7)
Progenitus
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

Spells (34)
Misdirection
Spell Pierce
Daze
Intuition
Brainstorm
Force of Will
Preordain
Ponder
Show and Tell
Sneak Attack
Lotus Petal

Lands (19)
Mountain
City of Traitors
Island
Ancient Tomb
Volcanic Island
Polluted Delta
Scalding Tarn
Sideboard (15)
Grafdigger’s Cage
Magus of the Moon
Leyline of Sanctity
Red Elemental Blast
Surgical Extraction
Shattering Spree

Significant Finishes in 2012

Joshua Adams, 4th of 264: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7989&iddeck=58195
Richard Centanni, 7th of 116: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7915&iddeck=57650
Kendall Guthrie, 10th of 94: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7757&iddeck=56449

How this Deck Works

Yet another variation on the Show and Tell archetype, this deck seeks to go big. Yes, even bigger than Reanimator. Unable to reanimate big creatures like Emrakul or Progenitus, this deck chooses to cheat them into play using Show and Tell or Sneak Attack. Using Lotus Petal and a sol land (Ancient Tomb or City of Traitors), opponents can see an Emrakul or Progenitus in play as early as turn one. Intuition fetches key pieces of the combo and of course, Force of Will and Brainstorm show up as well.

Deck Variants: Emrakul is a pretty universal inclusion, as is Progenitus, but there is room for variation. Blightsteel Colossus is a fringe choice, ending the game in one hit if your opponent does not have blockers or removal. Most players, however, stick to the Emrakul and Progenitus combination, as these two cards do a pretty good job of protecting itself and killing the opponents at the same time.

Sideboard cards to Consider: Karakas, Wrath of God, Vendilion Clique, Surgical Extraction (on whatever they Intuition for)

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: High

Stax

AKA: $T4KS

Sample Decklists

Spells (32)
Wrath of God
Moat
Humility
Oblivion Ring
Elspeth, Knight-Errant
Batterskull
Chalice of the Void
Crucible of Worlds
Mox Diamond
Trinisphere

Lands (28)
Karakas
The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale
Maze of Ith
City of Traitors
Ancient Tomb
Horizon Canopy
Wasteland
Plains
Sideboard (15)
Leyline of Sanctity
Null Rod
Swords to Plowshares
Faerie Macabre

Significant Finishes in 2012:

Igor Campitelli, 5th of 51: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7790&iddeck=56703

How this Deck Works

Known originally as “The Four Thousand Dollar Solution”, aka Staks, it is a traditional “Prison” deck that locks your opponent out of the game with Chalice of the Void, Trinisphere, Wasteland, and Smokestack. With a Smokestack set to one counter (increasing the number of optional), and a way to break symmetry (Elspeth, Knight Errant, Crucible of Worlds, etc), Smokestack can quickly get out of hand. Mox Diamond and the sol lands (City of Traitors and Ancient Tomb) power out these cards fast.

Deck Variants: There are many, many different variants. Dutch Stax, shown above, is a white splash for the deck. Blue and black splashes are possible due to Jace and Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas, as win conditions. Finally, a newer white version has been introduced into the format, playing cards like Stoneforge Mystic and Hero of Bladehold as win conditions.

Sideboard cards to Consider: Ancient Grudge, Krosan Grip

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Low

StoneBlade

AKA: Blade Control

Sample Decklist

Creatures (11)
Vendilion Clique
Snapcaster Mage
Stoneforge Mystic

Spells (25)
Mana Leak
Brainstorm
Force of Will
Spell Snare
Swords to Plowshares
Elspeth, Knight-Errant
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Batterskull
Umezawa’s Jitte

Lands (24)
Karakas
Plains
Riptide Laboratory
Island
Mishra’s Factory
Flooded Strand
Misty Rainforest
Tundra
Wasteland
Sideboard (15)
Relic of Progenitus
Meddling Mage
Oblivion Ring
Disenchant
Path to Exile
Spell Pierce
Surgical Extraction
Wrath of God

Significant Finishes in 2012
Tom Martell, 1st of 1214: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7872&iddeck=57330
Eric Brown, 10th of 264: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7989&iddeck=58201
Adam Yurchick, 8th of 1214: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7872&iddeck=57331
Sam Roukas, 14th of 264: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7989&iddeck=58205
Tuan Phan, 14th of 116: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7915&iddeck=57657

How this Deck Works

Yet another overpowered Standard deck becomes a Legacy deck. The combination of Stoneforge Mystic, equipment, and Jace, the Mind Sculptor is pretty darn good apparently. Combine these former Standard staples with Legacy staples like Force of Will and Brainstorm, and you have a real winner. The new Esper Stoneblade list, designed by Marijin Lybaert and proven by Tom Martell, incorporates Lingering Souls into the list. The new set of Squadron Hawks makes the deck much more aggressive and helps beat opposing Jaces.

Deck Variants: The Esper Stoneblade deck is the new kid on the block, but don’t count out other color combinations. Red offers Pyroblast/Red Elemental Blast – arguably the strongest sideboard card in Legacy of all time – and Grim Lavamancer. Green morphs the deck into Bant Stoneblade, but you get a powerful tool as well, Knight of the Reliquary.

Sideboard cards to Consider: Krosan Grip, Red Elemental Blast, Sulfur Elemental

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Very High

Team America

Sample Decklist

Creatures (11)
Tombstalker
Delver of Secrets
Tarmogoyf

Spells (29)
Beast Within
Darkblast
Dismember
Snuff Out
Brainstorm
Daze
Force of Will
Stifle
Ponder
Thoughtseize
Sylvan Library
Liliana of the Veil

Lands (20)
Bayou
Tropical Island
Verdant Catacombs
Misty Rainforest
Polluted Delta
Underground Sea
Wasteland
Sideboard (15)
Grafdigger’s Cage
Pernicious Deed
Submerge
Extirpate
Beast Within
Ghastly Demise
Surgical Extraction
Spell Pierce
Massacre

Significant Finishes in 2012

David Grangle, 5th of 49: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7833&iddeck=57029
Javier Arevalo, 4th of 143: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7992&iddeck=58235

How this Deck Works

Team America is a fast, disruptive deck that operates similarly to Tempo Threshold. Before Innistrad, the only two creatures were Tombstalker and Tarmogoyf, but Delver of Secrets has (expectedly) shaken things up a bit. The Stifle/Wasteland/Daze sees play in here, and of course the usual suspects of Brainstorm and Force of Will appear in this blue deck.

Deck Variants: Recently, Team America builds haven’t settled on a set configuration yet (as seen in the variation between the two listed above), but both pack the same punch. Dark Confidant sees play – some even gamble with Tombstalker in the deck as well!

Sideboard cards to consider: Blood Moon, Back to Basics, Submerge

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Moderate

Tempo Threshold

AKA: RUG Delver, RUG Tempo, Canadian Threshold

Sample Decklist

Creatures (12)
Delver of Secrets
Nimble Mongoose
Tarmogoyf

Spells (29)
Thought Scour
Daze
Force of Will
Spell Snare
Brainstorm
Lightning Bolt
Spell Pierce
Chain Lightning
Ponder

Lands (19)
Volcanic Island
Misty Rainforest
Scalding Tarn
Tropical Island
Wasteland
Sideboard (15)
Scavenging Ooze
Sulfur Elemental
Sulfuric Vortex
Ancient Grudge
Pyroblast
Submerge
Life from the Loam

Significant Finishes in 2012

Drew Levin, 6th of 143: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7992&iddeck=58237
Caleb Durward, 7th of 143: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7992&iddeck=58238
Kenny Castor, 2nd of 1214: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7872&iddeck=57326
Simon Sung, 2nd of 174: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7865&iddeck=57258
Jason Abong, 8th of 180: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7511&iddeck=54540

How this Deck Works

One of the pillars of the Legacy metagame currently (the other two are Maverick and Stoneblade), Tempo Threshold uses cheap, undercosted creatures like Delver of Secrets, Tarmogoyf, and Nimble Mongoose to take over the game. The pilot uses cards like Stifle, Wasteland, Daze, and Force of Will to out-tempo their opponents. It is not uncommon for a Tempo Threshold player to cast a turn one Delver of Secrets, flip it on turn 2, and deal 21 damage with it, all while stopping their opponents cold with counterspells. Wasteland supplement the Daze plan, as does Stifle. Nimble Mongoose is a card that gives control decks headaches while Tarmogoyf is well, Tarmogoyf.

Recently, Counterbalance has appeared in sideboards to help beat Stoneblade, and other matchups

Deck Variants: The Nimble Mongoose version has resurged in popularity while the Snapcaster Mage version has fallen to the wayside. Counterbalance may appear maindeck as well. Also, Stifle is waning in and out of favor, but it looks like it will continue to be a staple in Tempo Threshold decks.

Sideboard cards to consider: Surgical Extraction (Wasteland + Surgical can completely cut off a color for some Tempo Threshold decks), Submerge, Red Elemental Blast, Perish

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Very High

The Epic Storm (T.E.S)

Sample Decklist

Spells (47)
Ad Nauseam
Orim’s Chant
Brainstorm
Dark Ritual
Empty the Warrens
Burning Wish
Duress
Gitaxian Probe
Infernal Tutor
Ponder
Rite of Flame
Chrome Mox
Lion’s Eye Diamond
Lotus Petal

Lands (14)
Scalding Tarn
Volcanic Island
City of Brass
Underground Sea
Gemstone Mine
Polluted Delta
Sideboard (15)
Tendrils of Agony
Empty the Warrens
Ill-Gotten Gains
Silence
Thoughtseize
Shattering Spree
Grapeshot
Xantid Swarm
Chain of Vapor
Diminishing Returns
Snapcaster Mage

Significant Finishes in 2012

Joep Verhoeven, 5th of 105: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7787&iddeck=56683
Robin Meeker-Cummings, 5th of 234: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7572&iddeck=55013

How this Deck Works

A variant of Ad Nauseam, TES uses the rainbow lands to have access to a greater variety of cards and consequently, a greater variety of threats. Orim’s Chant is a better Duress – Who cares if they have a Daze if they can’t cast it? Orim’s Chant also gives you the edge in the storm matchup. Burning Wish is another threat TES adds to its repertoire – It can act as a win condition (fetching Tendrils of Agony or Empty the Warrens), as an engine (fetching Diminishing Returns, Ill-Gotten Gains, or Past in Flames), or as a line of defense (fetching Thoughtseize, Silent Departure, or Shattering Spree for example).

Sideboard cards to Consider: Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Mindbreak Trap, Ethersworn Canonist, Leyline of Sanctity

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Low

UR Delver

AKA: UR Burn, Delver Burn

Sample Decklist:

Creatures (15)
Grim Lavamancer
Delver of Secrets
Goblin Guide
Snapcaster Mage

Instants (18)
Daze
Price of Progress
Force of Will
Spell Pierce
Brainstorm
Lightning Bolt

Sorceries (7)
Ponder
Chain Lightning

Lands (20)
Island
Mountain
Arid Mesa
Misty Rainforest
Scalding Tarn
Volcanic Island
Sideboard (15)
Pyrostatic Pillar
Force of Will
Price of Progress
Pyroblast
Smash to Smithereens
Submerge
Surgical Extraction

Significant Finishes in 2012

Andrew Schneider, 1st of 153: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7707&iddeck=56058
Sergey Putilov, 6th of 113: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7741&iddeck=56331
Francesc Blanco, 15th of 113: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7519&iddeck=55370

How This Deck Works

Delver of Secrets is an aggressive card that gets better the more instants or sorceries you play. Burn decks can be almost entirely instants or sorceries. Why not combine them? This fast U/R deck plays out almost identically to a burn deck, but with one main difference: the power of blue. Blue opens you up to Brainstorm and Ponder, filtering out those pesky, useless land late game in exchange for burn. In addition you also get access to Force of Will and Daze to stop your opponent from developing their board.

Deck Variants: Some versions of UR Delver don’t run counterspells main deck in the belief that it hinders their own game plan, and the fact that many opponents assume they are running counterspells anyway is a good enough bluff for them.

Sideboard Cards to Consider: Circle of Protection: Red, Chill, Leyline of Sanctity, Umezawa’s Jitte, Batterskull

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Very High

Zoo

Sample decklist:

Creatures (23)
Grim Lavamancer
Goblin Guide
Kird Ape
Loam Lion
Tarmogoyf
Wild Nacatl

Instants (12)
Lightning Bolt
Lightning Helix
Path to Exile

Sorceries (4)
Chain Lightning

Enchantments (1)
Sylvan Library

Lands (20)
Forest
Mountain
Plains
Savannah
Plateau
Taiga
Arid Mesa
Windswept Heath
Wooded Foothills
Sideboard: (15)
Leyline of Sanctity
Ancient Grudge
Pyroblast
Surgical Extraction
Umezawa’s Jitte
Gaddock Teeg

Significant Finishes in 2012

Andrew Siebert, 8th of 141: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7807&iddeck=56830
Mary Jacobson, 21st of 118: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7634&iddeck=55437
Albert Cuartiella, 4th of 119: http://thecouncil.es/tcdecks/deck.php?id=7519&iddeck=54604

How This Deck Works

Zoo is an aggro deck consisting of the most aggressive colors in Magic: green and red for efficient creatures as well as burn, and white for removal. Wild Nacatl, Tarmogoyf, and Lightning Bolt are some of the most aggressively costed cards in Legacy and Zoo seeks to burn away its opponent’s creatures and swing in for the kill. Zoo is infamous for punishing its opponent’s misplays by capitalizing on the big creatures it has as well as burn and attacking for large amounts of damage.

Deck Variants: Zoo has many different variants. The sample decklist here is better known as a Small Zoo or Fast Zoo, as noted by its Goblin Guide. This plays out more like a burn deck which is more aggressive early game but can have weaker draws late game. A normal Zoo deck is characterized by no Goblin Guides and generally runs Qasali Pridemage and one or two Knight of the Reliquary, sacrificing explosiveness for consistency. Another variation is known as Big Zoo, which runs more Knight of the Reliquariess and is mainly characterized by its use of Noble Hierarch as well as Elspeth, playing a more midrange role than the other two Zoo decks.

Sideboard cards to consider: Umezawa’s Jitte, Perish, Firespout

Likelihood you’ll see this deck: Moderate

http://www.azmagicplayers.com/news/the-april-2012-legacy-primer-part-3/