Subject: B/R deck Forsaken Stalker Date: 20 Apr 98 15:36:08 +0100 From: "David Eastman" To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Hi Frank, After you put up "Forsaken Edict" in the workshop, I thought I would post a very similar deck as I have already used it in one tournament where it worked fine. The idea is to concentrate on removing creature threats while using Forsaken Wastes and also the Stalker to damage the opponent. You can only place the Wastes down when you have succesfully dealt with threats, and are not at any significant life disadvantage. There is a lot of efficient creature control, as this is essential. The key non-creature control cards are Choking Sands and Stupor, which help to both damage your opponent and disable combo decks. The strength of the deck is way it nullifies so many deck types. As you don't need to attack, Propaganda is useless. Reactive decks and Necro hate Forsaken Watses. Obviously you cannot play the Wastes against Sligh decks. As for Stronghold cards that could improve the deck, Shock is the only one that comes to mind. I have not produced any definitive sideboard, though Rain of Tears is needed to replace the Sands against some mono black decks, similarly the Terrors can be replaced more Edicts. Pyroblast and shatter also seems sensible. Forsaken Stalker ---------------- 4 Choking Sands 4 Stupor 4 Forsaken Wastes 2 Edicts 2 Terror 2 Pox 1 Infernal Harvest 2 Urborg Stalkers 2 Shadow Guildmage 1 Nektraal 4 Incinerate 3 Earthquake 1 Kaerveks Torch 2 Mindstone 15 Swamps 5 Mountains 3 Quicksands 2 Sulphouros Springs 1 Cinder Marsh Some notes: 1. The Mindstones work extremely well when you need to grab some creature control, or after a Pox. Remember to sac it before you play the Stalkers upkeep ability. 2. If you get attcked by a Fanatic and a Ball Lightening, you'll quickly realise why Terror is better than Edict in a defensive deck. 3. Sadly in a tournament situation, Cinder Marsh is too slow to use in absolute preference to Sulphurous Springs. 4. No, Drain Life isn't good. It's inefficient as creature control, and pointless after the Wastes are down. 5. If your opponent isn't playing blue, you can replace Torch with Fireball. But as so many decks splash blue, the Torch is a more efficient damage balancer or finisher. Earthquake is prefereable in most situautions. 6. The Stalker is both defence and attack at the same time. It combines excellently with Earthquake. The Guildmages excel as turn one or post Pox creatures, and work well alongside Quicksands. Nektraal's first strike ability is the reason it gets a slot as opposed to a third Terror. 7. With a Stalker down, Cursed Scroll is more likely to help you. David Eastman UI, Repository, Java Tools Group and other things too. Tel 0118 92 45127 Thames Valley Park, ORACLE, Reading