Magic: The Gathering

[Deftscythe]

Baneslayer is main decked in... one Tier 1 deck right now? (in GWB Junk if you call that tier 1. LSV runs 1 maindeck in Boss Naya right now with 1 in the side). Rest sit in sideboards.

There were a total of 6 Baneslayers in the Top 8 of PT: San Diego. 2 of those were in the sideboard.

At World'd and Austin it won at least 2 games pretty much by itself.

[miokomioko]

I can't wait for Alara block to gtfo of Standard.

[Linsivi]

At World'd and Austin it won at least 2 games pretty much by itself.

Correct, but more recently it has not been the powerhouse it's price reflects. Then again, Elspeth is generally a sideboard only card, generally a 2 of, and is still 45+.

Austin was extended, and the format is MUCH too fast for Baneslayer now. Flying, Indestructible 20/20's at the end of opponents second turn seem to do that. That and 12 Kird Ape variants in the format.

[Deftscythe]

Correct, but more recently it has not been the powerhouse it's price reflects. Then again, Elspeth is generally a sideboard only card, generally a 2 of, and is still 45+.

Austin was extended, and the format is MUCH too fast for Baneslayer now. Flying, Indestructible 20/20's at the end of opponents second turn seem to do that. That and 12 Kird Ape variants in the format.

Honest question as I've only come back to the game around 2010, how many top 8 decks have run dark depths?

[oldoldman]

Honest question as I've only come back to the game around 2010, how many top 8 decks have run dark depths?

I think it represented almost half of the day 2 field at GP Oakland and got 2nd.

[Tricen]

What do you expect from a turn 2 to 3 combo that can be consistent.

[Linsivi]

http://www.deckcheck.net/format.php?format=Extended, check the PTQ Top 8's. It's pretty abundant.

[miokomioko]

I kinda' wish Wizards saw that coming when they made Hexmage. They even admitted they didn't see that combo when testing the card. I guess they were too blinded by the mechanic they designed it for, killing Planeswalkers.

[Deftscythe]

I only follow stuff that's actually covered by Wizard's webcasts so I've only seen dark depths in action once. Didn't seem all that impressive.

[Arew]

I kinda' wish Wizards saw that coming when they made Hexmage. They even admitted they didn't see that combo when testing the card. I guess they were too blinded by the mechanic they designed it for, killing Planeswalkers.

MaRo said that during development someone in the office sent him an e-mail that basically said "Combos well with Dark Depths". So someone in Wizards knew what was going on.

Edit: I can't find his article that said that, prettys sure it's in the same one that shows how Lotus Cobra got developed.

[Linsivi]

I only follow stuff that's actually covered by Wizard's webcasts so I've only seen dark depths in action once. Didn't seem all that impressive.

It can make an indestructible flying 20/20 swinging on turn 3.

Also, very disappointed with Noble Hierarch in Zoo right now. But running 12 1 drops really opens you up for Engineered Explosives. Not really sure what to do now.

[Deftscythe]

It can make an indestructible flying 20/20 swinging on turn 3.

Plenty of ways to deal with it as soon as it hits the board if you're playing white.

[Linsivi]

So that isn't impressive? It has a multitude of tutors, counter back up, and it's plan B is the best combo in the format (Thoptor/Sword).

[Deftscythe]

So that isn't impressive? It has a multitude of tutors, counter back up, and it's plan B is the best combo in the format (Thoptor/Sword).

Like I said, I've only seen the version of Dark Depths Dama Da Rosa was running at Austin. It had no such back-up and despite winning 2 games didn't seem that great to me. Maybe these PTQ decks are better.

[Linsivi]

Like I said, I've only seen the version of Dark Depths Dama Da Rosa was running at Austin. It had no such back-up and despite winning 2 games didn't seem that great to me. Maybe these PTQ decks are better.

Oh ok, that explains it. A lot has changed since Austin. They deck has moved to both combos, and is much more effective that way.

Still has issues against Faeries, most of those are running the Thoptor combo now as well.

[miokomioko]

I had read in one of their coverage articles of one of the pro tour thingies that the Hexmage/Dark Depths combo was something along the lines of being "unforseen" in development. But, if Rosewater says he saw it coming, I suppose it was intentional.

[deshende]

So I pulled a Abyssal Persecutor from a pack (and contemplating throwing it in a deck for fun), but his ability reads:
You can't win the game and your opponents can't lose the game.

So how does that work on life totals? While the card is in play, can my opponents go into a negative life total, or do they just stay at 0 if I continue to keep damaging while this is in play?

(Looking at situations where their life could go below zero, but life gain brings them back, all while this card is in play).

[gaimear]

they go into negative life

just bounce it back to your hand to win, or find some way to sac it.

[oldoldman]

As far as the DD discussion goes their God Hand is nearly unbeatable They go:

Turn 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth into Thoughtsieze for your answer then turn two Dark Depths into Hexmage giving you Marit Lage ATTACKING turn 3.

The only answer that can save you is a Ghost Quarter in your opener.

[oldoldman]

Also their god hand is only 5 cards and they're all 4 ofs, not a huge stretch.