Sardine Deck

Here is a version of Shane Neville's "Sardine Deck", played at PTQ 
Seattle (6-1 / 5-0-2) and PTQ Vancouver (4-3).


4 Manta Rider                   Pissy, but effective.
2 Flood                         Ahem. HUGE.                                
2 Rootwater Diver               2/2, Fetch Scrolls, Arrows
2 Cursed Scroll                 THIS CARD IS WRONG! But >use< it.
4 Lord of Atlantis
3 River Merfolk                 Important. Sligh must kill these.
2 Vodalian Illusionist          Defense, 3/3 with Lord
3 Time Elemental                A MUST KILL for opponent
4 Man-o-War                     Staple.
4 Tradewind Rider               A MUST KILL for opponent
2 Waterspout Djinn              Nice big flyer
2 Control Magic
2 Force of Will


16 Island
4 Wasteland
4 Mishra's Factory


SIDEBOARD                          

1 Control Magic         Big
2 Lifetap               Mono G, Stompy and duals that include G
2 Hurkyl's Recall       Prison
2 Teferi's Veil         U/W Control, Prison (avoids Wrath, Pyro, EQ)
2 Serrated Arrows       vs. River Boa, Priests, etc.
2 Force of Will         probably should be main deck
4 Hydroblast

NOTES AND THOUGHTS:           

- Deck strategy is creature swarm, original version had no counters.
- Do not wreck this deck by putting in 12 counters, then bitching to me
  that it doesn't work. It's a swarm deck. It has 37 attack cards for
  a reason. Do not add 4 duals and a splash a color for Fireballs.
  You're already courting color hose in a monoU deck with 4 Wastelands
  and 4 Mishras. Do not remove Mishras or Wastelands in favor of duals. 
  Wastelands are CLUTCH cards for this deck to win in extended. 
  Mishra's are attack cards.Don't say I didn't tell you so.
- This deck is incredibly consistent with it's draws, and will crush 
  good decks that stumble out of the gate. Can induce mana-screw with
  good wasteland draw for easy beatdown win against slower decks that play
  duals. With a God Draw, you can outrace turn 3 Empyrial Armor. 
  Dwell on that.
- Has 85/15 win ratio vs. mono R sligh before boarding, 100/0 after boarding
  (So far).If you have a lot of sligh and little control in your area, I 
  HIGHLY recommend this deck. This deck has not lost a tournament match vs 
  Sligh. 
- Sided in 2 Force of Will every game. Strong with 4 counters. Probably
  should be 4 Force main-deck.
- Swarm evolves nicely into full board control with Tradewinds and
  Time Elementals. Opponent must deal with these threats IMMEDIATELY
  or they lose on the following turn <Wasteland land, Tradewind land, 
  lock opponent at 2-3 land for rest of game and continue with Merfolk beats>
  and figure that out 12 turns later. 70% this decks' wins are land-bounce. 
  30% are sligh-curve beatdown with Merfolk.
- Ophidians were least useful creatures in beatdown mode, they 
  were removed in favor of heavier creatures (Waterspout and Vodalian Ill's).
- Deck is weak against heavy (10+) counter decks, and Joreal's Centaur.
  2 Vodalian Illusionists <block, phase> were added in favor of
  Ophidians to stop the Joeys. Also, they are 2/2 Merfolk and can
  provide heavy beats with a Lord in play.
- If you have a hard time getting River Merfolk, Giant Tortoises make
  an excellent substitute. =) Stop that Rogue Elephant, Wildfire, or Joey.
  Play more control then.


Play with it, and have fun! Overall, it is a very enjoyable deck to play
and you should do fairly well.

Comments, questions, flames can be presented to

nev@smartt.com
tkelly@direct.ca