Post by grumpyoldgamer on Jan 18, 2012 19:27:31 GMT -5
Modern Tokens Primer
1. Introduction
Token-based decks have long been popular amongst casual players. But for a long time, the tools required to make the strategy a competitive one just weren’t there and token-loving players had to keep their decks for the kitchen tables.
When the Lorwyn-Shadowmoor Standard format came around, Black/White Tokens became one of the most effective decks in the format. The tools were now available, and the strategy was poised for success. While the deck remained viable for only a season, the interest remained and with Innistrad bringing its own contribution to the archetype, there is now enough options available to rethink, rebuild and revive the deck and give it life in the Modern format.
2. The Deck
Modern Tokens is an elegant, resilient deck. It doesn’t try to do anything overly complicated or risky, it doesn’t rely on a damaging manabase; it just performs through consistency and a natural propensity toward card economy.
Without Bitterblossom, the Modern deck is usually White-based, splashing Green for the newly printed Gavony Township and a few choicy sideboard options.
The Creatures
The deck’s primary line of attack is through creatures, even though these are usually put in play thanks to token producing spells. The legitimate creature cards found in the deck are usually token-producing themselves, or disruptive beaters (a.k.a. hate bears).
Generally, most Modern Tokens decks will run from 8 to 12 creatures. Soul Warden is an obvious fit in the deck and Ethersworn Canonist is a solid maindeck answer to many of the combo decks in the format, while providing disruption against most other decks. Besides these two staples, we often see a few copies of Blade Splicer, Gaddock Teeg, Grand Abolisher, Kitchen Finks, Mikaeus, the Lunarch and/or Mirran Crusader.
Most creatures do not usually go over 3cmc however, since the deck benefit from having a low mana curve.
The Spells
Most Modern Tokens deck will run between 5 to 8 Anthem-type effects. The newly printer Intangible Virtue is usually the default 4-ofs, with Honor of the Pure and Mikaeus providing the rest.
From there, most spells are token producers, a varied mix of Midnight Haunting, Raise the Alarm, Shrine of Loyal Legion and Spectral Procession. Beckon Apparition is also a solid option, and works well as a hate card against Dredge-type strategies, Snapcaster Mage, and Mystical Teaching.
The Manabase
One of the most appealing aspect of the deck is the resiliency and simplicity of its manabase. Most decks will only run basic lands, Scars Fastlands and Core Sets Buddylands, with the obvious Gavony Township as a reusable creature pumper. Some players also use Ghost Quarter or Tectonic Edge to disrupt their opponent’s mana production, but the deck usually doesn’t run too many, so as not to become too vulnerable to Blood Moon.
One of the most important lands in the deck is Windbrisk Heights, which allows it to sidestep the restriction from Ethersworn Canonist while providing the player with the ability to dig into his library in a fashion similar to the powerful Impulse.
3. The Decklists
Creatures - 10
4x Ethersworn Canonist
1x Gaddock Teeg
1x Mikaeus, the Lunarch
4x Soul Warden
Spells - 27
2x Beckon Apparition
1x Honor of the Pure
4x Intangible Virtue
4x Midnight Haunting
1x Mortarpod
1x Oblivion Ring
4x Path to Exile
4x Raise the Alarm
2x Shrine of Loyal Legions
4x Spectral Procession
Lands - 23
2x Gavony Township
1x Horizon Canopy
8x Plains
4x Razorverge Thicket
4x Sunpetal Grove
4x Windbrisk Heights
Sideboard - 15
1x Creeping Corrosion
2x Disenchant
2x Ghostly Prison
3x Leyline of Sanctity
1x Mortarpod
2x Relic of Progenitus
2x Rule of Law
2x Stony Silence
This is a fairly stock example of the deck. Some players like to run Crusaders with a few swords maindeck for a more aggressive plan of attack, while other will stock up on Honor of the Pure and Intangible Virtue.
4. The Matchups
More to come…
5. The Deck for the Budget Concerned Player
One of the great appeal of the deck is that it’s one of the most affordable in the Modern format. The entire manabase can be put together for the price of a couple of Shocklands, though Windbrisk Heights is rising in price online thanks to the popularity of the Martyr-Proc deck. Except for Ethersworn Canonist, which is currently undervalued and likely to become more pricy by the end of the current PTQ season, everything in the deck is fairly cheap.
The other great selling point is that the deck is fun and versatile. Players are often worried about investing in a specific deck which they will have to stick with. Modern Tokens offers value in that it’s a flexible archetype which can easily be customized to one’s personal likings.
1. Introduction
Token-based decks have long been popular amongst casual players. But for a long time, the tools required to make the strategy a competitive one just weren’t there and token-loving players had to keep their decks for the kitchen tables.
When the Lorwyn-Shadowmoor Standard format came around, Black/White Tokens became one of the most effective decks in the format. The tools were now available, and the strategy was poised for success. While the deck remained viable for only a season, the interest remained and with Innistrad bringing its own contribution to the archetype, there is now enough options available to rethink, rebuild and revive the deck and give it life in the Modern format.
2. The Deck
Modern Tokens is an elegant, resilient deck. It doesn’t try to do anything overly complicated or risky, it doesn’t rely on a damaging manabase; it just performs through consistency and a natural propensity toward card economy.
Without Bitterblossom, the Modern deck is usually White-based, splashing Green for the newly printed Gavony Township and a few choicy sideboard options.
The Creatures
The deck’s primary line of attack is through creatures, even though these are usually put in play thanks to token producing spells. The legitimate creature cards found in the deck are usually token-producing themselves, or disruptive beaters (a.k.a. hate bears).
Generally, most Modern Tokens decks will run from 8 to 12 creatures. Soul Warden is an obvious fit in the deck and Ethersworn Canonist is a solid maindeck answer to many of the combo decks in the format, while providing disruption against most other decks. Besides these two staples, we often see a few copies of Blade Splicer, Gaddock Teeg, Grand Abolisher, Kitchen Finks, Mikaeus, the Lunarch and/or Mirran Crusader.
Most creatures do not usually go over 3cmc however, since the deck benefit from having a low mana curve.
The Spells
Most Modern Tokens deck will run between 5 to 8 Anthem-type effects. The newly printer Intangible Virtue is usually the default 4-ofs, with Honor of the Pure and Mikaeus providing the rest.
From there, most spells are token producers, a varied mix of Midnight Haunting, Raise the Alarm, Shrine of Loyal Legion and Spectral Procession. Beckon Apparition is also a solid option, and works well as a hate card against Dredge-type strategies, Snapcaster Mage, and Mystical Teaching.
The Manabase
One of the most appealing aspect of the deck is the resiliency and simplicity of its manabase. Most decks will only run basic lands, Scars Fastlands and Core Sets Buddylands, with the obvious Gavony Township as a reusable creature pumper. Some players also use Ghost Quarter or Tectonic Edge to disrupt their opponent’s mana production, but the deck usually doesn’t run too many, so as not to become too vulnerable to Blood Moon.
One of the most important lands in the deck is Windbrisk Heights, which allows it to sidestep the restriction from Ethersworn Canonist while providing the player with the ability to dig into his library in a fashion similar to the powerful Impulse.
3. The Decklists
Creatures - 10
4x Ethersworn Canonist
1x Gaddock Teeg
1x Mikaeus, the Lunarch
4x Soul Warden
Spells - 27
2x Beckon Apparition
1x Honor of the Pure
4x Intangible Virtue
4x Midnight Haunting
1x Mortarpod
1x Oblivion Ring
4x Path to Exile
4x Raise the Alarm
2x Shrine of Loyal Legions
4x Spectral Procession
Lands - 23
2x Gavony Township
1x Horizon Canopy
8x Plains
4x Razorverge Thicket
4x Sunpetal Grove
4x Windbrisk Heights
Sideboard - 15
1x Creeping Corrosion
2x Disenchant
2x Ghostly Prison
3x Leyline of Sanctity
1x Mortarpod
2x Relic of Progenitus
2x Rule of Law
2x Stony Silence
This is a fairly stock example of the deck. Some players like to run Crusaders with a few swords maindeck for a more aggressive plan of attack, while other will stock up on Honor of the Pure and Intangible Virtue.
4. The Matchups
More to come…
5. The Deck for the Budget Concerned Player
One of the great appeal of the deck is that it’s one of the most affordable in the Modern format. The entire manabase can be put together for the price of a couple of Shocklands, though Windbrisk Heights is rising in price online thanks to the popularity of the Martyr-Proc deck. Except for Ethersworn Canonist, which is currently undervalued and likely to become more pricy by the end of the current PTQ season, everything in the deck is fairly cheap.
The other great selling point is that the deck is fun and versatile. Players are often worried about investing in a specific deck which they will have to stick with. Modern Tokens offers value in that it’s a flexible archetype which can easily be customized to one’s personal likings.