UPDC 1.12 Report (and a Time Spiral Block Decklist)

Now, onto something near and dear to my heart: the upcoming switch to Time Spiral Block format for UPDC! I have a special treat for you, since I know not everyone is as keen on the format as I am. This just may re-invigorate your interest in the format:

THE BOUNCER
Proposed by Polyjak for Time Spiral Block

22 Land
10 Island
8 Plains
4 Terramorphic Expanse

20 Creatures
4 Vedalken AEthermage
4 Looter il-Kor
3 Benalish Cavalry
3 Spiketail Drakeling
2 Dream Stalker
2 Shaper Parasite
2 Fathom Seer

18 Spells
4 Mana Tithe
4 Piracy Charm
4 Logic Knot
3 Momentary Blink
3 Snapback

Sideboard
3 Aven Riftwatcher
4 Sidewinder Sliver
4 Sinew Sliver
4 Sunlance

I created this deck mere minutes after being crushed by Boin in a mirror match. I was playing RW Aggro with Slivers; he was playing Sliver Zoo. I remembered hearing people complaining about how rampant Slivers was in our last cycle of block events, so I decided I would make a dedicated anti-Slivers deck. After a couple successful matches against Boin, I tempered the deck so that it could win even in non-Slivers matchups.

The deck is actually very fun to play, and more versatile than you'd initially think. The Æthermage may seem like more of a sideboard card, but with Slivers on the loose, I have a hunch it will prove itself (at least initially) in the main deck. Plus, with Looter on the job, the Æthermage is an easy discard choice if it's not doing you any good.

Even when it's trying to control a Slivers rush, this deck plays fairly aggressively -- which, of course, appeals to my aggro tendencies. Bouncing two islands back to my hand never seemed to slow me down in my test matches, so the Fathom Seer seemed to be a good addition. Shaper Parasite is another great card, though somewhat difficult to cast in this build. He's a good candidate for boarding out between games if you're finding him to be too slow.

Spiketail Drakeling is also tough to cast, but he plays the double role of evasive beater and counterspell, so I wanted to keep him in. The Dream Stalker is actually one of my least favorite inclusions in the deck, but he managed to come in handy in the games I saw him. Still, I'm sure there's a better choice. Maybe Whitemane Lion, or increasing Blink and Snapback to 4 copies each...

The Benalish Cavalry negates a turn 2 Sinew'ed Sidewinder Sliver if you're on the play. In control matchups, you'll be glad to have his quick beats on the board. If you're facing Slivers or burn-heavy aggro, you may choose to board the Cavalry out for Aven Riftwatcher.

Mana Tithe catches players off guard and screws with their mind for the rest of the match.

Logic Knot is easier to cast than Cancel, and with Looter on the board your graveyard should be filling up nicely.

It wasn't a very tough call between Sunlance and Piracy Charm main, but in certain matchups you'll probably want to swap those, too.

Blink isn't in here as much for 187 play as it is simply to save your creatures. With aura-based removal and Tendrils of Corruption out in full force, you'll be glad to be able to blink any old guy. Plus, with flashback, Blink gives you a little extra bang for your buck.

Snapback is amazing, even if you have to remove a blue card in your hand from the game. The surprise factor is immense, and can create some very advantageous plays. (Hence the deck title, "The Bouncer.")

In the board you see some aggressive manpower with the double assault of efficient white Slivers. When you face a control matchup, you can board into even more aggression. I recommend taking the morph guys and the Æthermages out and adding in the 8 slivers.

This deck is fun, fairly straightforward, and capable of winning matches. You just might see it on the other side of the table at UPDC 1.13 this coming Sunday!