I just made a similar comment a moment ago I am so confused I thought the point was making it less cumbersome to have access to multiple creatures on less cardboard😅
Really happy that those decks each include one Shock Land, genuinely hoping this helps reduce the overall cost of single Shock Lands, which would be great for Pioneer in general!
Not enough of them will be printed in these to make the price go down. With the new players these bring in, and the demand they create, those prices might even go up!
The Shock Lands are nice but is seems that they keep reprinting the same Shock Lands instead of spreading them around. Steam Vents was in 2020's Allied Fires Challenger Deck; Stomping Grounds, Godless Shrine, and Watery Grave were all in Eldraine's Brawl decks along with Hallowed Fountain. 2019's Deadly Discovery had Overgrown Tomb. Now the Japanese only Challenger decks may have had a couple Sacred Forge and a Breeding pool but they're no the English card and are still amoung the highest priced one.
including only 1 shock land will not help reduce the price. In order to reduce the price it would need to include a playset of every shockland of the used colors of the deck.
This video made me remember there are still people who love magic who work at Wizards. The love I feel in Gruul Stompy and Orzov Humans is heartwarming.
I enjoyed this video! I really liked the quick walkthrough of how the decks play as that helps me as a new player understand what to expect/the play experience I want. I also really appreciated the run down of how well the decks play and the potential upgrading paths!
Prof I just wanted to let You know that I passed your English test, in the Dimir upgrade suggestions you stated you would add " Cave of the Eye Tyrant ", the actual card is called " Hive of the Eye Tyrant ", the other being Cave of the Frost Dragon. Yayy I passed 😃 👏👏. Good test tho 😁
I’ve always liked buying the challenger decks of the past even the Standard ones. I like tearing them apart for pieces for commander because they always have some goodies.
as a new player to MTG i am happy to see some shocks getting reprints in something that is going to be widely available and hopefully make them a little more affordable.
I still love how strictly honest the professor is. Each time I watch his videos it makes me step back and analyze my own stuff. Not to mention his accessory reviews that have kept my decks in pristine condition throughout the years
There have actually been a couple of UB control lists that are competitive recently, either by combining Narset with Days Undoing and Geier Reach Sanitarium to hardlock the opponent from ever drawing cards, or by accruing a lot of card advantage and eventually finishing the game with Shark Typhoons and man lands. They use a lot of the cards in the precon (Sinister Sabotage, Consider, Cling to Dust, etc) but you definitely have to put extra effort into the deck to make it work, more than for the other 3 precons. I agree the UB precon is extremely light on winconditions as it is, but I think it's a better starting point than was said in this video
I might actually get into Pioneer with one of these decks, Phoenix and Stompy look like solid fun to me. Thanks for the review, Prof, helpful as always!
Prof I gotta say I’m glad to see how much this channel has grown. I started playing back in 2014-15 came across the channel and it helped a lot. It’d be wrong to say the quality has improved because you’ve always provided quality. I gotta say though the quality HAS IMPROVED! clean editing, lighting, cameras. I’m glad you’re still around. I’m just now getting back into the game and brothers war has me hype. Excited to watch more content from you. Congrats on the channel.
A really cool idea would be to replace that bulky divider that makes you feel like you're opening a bag of potato chips that is mostly air. Then include 75 sleeves with the image of the flagship card. Also include a nice little code card for arena.
Hey Prof, I just wanted to let you know that a dimir control deck has started to appear. Gabriel Nassif has been playing a UB control deck that runs Narset and Day's Undoing to lock people out of the game. It doesn't look exactly like the pre-con obviously, but it's in the same ballpark.
I've been watching a bunch of Gab's pioneer videos ever since the decklist for Dimir control was spoiled, since he also brewed with versions of it, but that Day's Undoing list he's been running is pretty sweet! Might shift my own control list to it at some point.
Sorry I just don't see how that could help. Wizards doesn't value or equate success and popularity the same as profitability or vice-versa. As far as effectively building a bridge into a format at a reasonable level, price point and competitive nature.right out of the box. The Modern event deck was one of The best products WotC has ever produced imo. At the time I purchased B/W Tokens.I had a 0% foothold into the modern format. After purchase and with all my competitive upgrades still in the mail. I sleeved it up out of the box and went to my local weekly Modern event/tournament. I didn't play against a single person that wasn't playing the most competitive version of their deck they could be. I ended up taking first place that week. I was so pumped... not only because I took down a veritable who's-who of the best players/decklists in my multi-LGS (greater Seattle/King County area), but that I did so on the back of the bare minimum financial investment I could make in a format. Roughly $100 other than that the only other thing I invested In was some time playing friends Modernt decks VS other friends Modern decks to ascertain who the heavey hitters in the format were, both deck and cardwise. My favorite play of that event was versus Affinity in the second round 2nd game. My experience was super limited but I knew enough to be able to figure out Kataki would probably be a solid sideboard threat/decent against Affinity. Got her in my opener and blew my opponent out so hard that I'm fairly positive it left them tilted for the rest of the event. Anywho, Event Decks, Challenger Decks....These Advanced/Intermediate level products have been or were the lead up to some of my fondest memories in magic competition. I really hope they pull their heads out of their collective ass and fix what could be a flagship product. I think these decks, with the right team of people behind them, could be for "entry level competitive" what the commander decks have done for expanding, defining and shaping the format of Commander and the products that support it.
I wish Dimir was as strong as Azorius control nowadays. I always felt it was kind of lame that Azorius became the de facto control colors for both modern, legacy and pioneer, like I think it was cool that there were different control colors.
I mean. Its not at the same level of Azorious. But Gabriel Nassif has been finding success in UB and 5-0 league dumps feature at least one UB list. But they did forget to put in the win conditions in this list.
Love your videos! They keep me up to Date on mtg! I moved recently, and made a new friend who got me back into magic (stopped in high-school in 2008 during 5th ed)Ed. I play commander, and love the precon decks. I got legends legacy and coven counters, love them. I built a deck around Tasha, as I really like her character. So much fun, even though I'm bad!
I was brewing an Izzet deck for Pioneer when I saw this was getting printed just a few months out so I've been excitedly waiting on it to combine with what I already had!!
Thank you Prof! I’ve been really wanting to get into Pioneer, and I had been considering getting one of the Gruul Stompy Challenger decks. I thought it might be a bit disreputable since I saw the Izzet Phoenix decklist was skimping on the phoenixes, but thanks to your review, my fears have been dissuaded!
I honestly don't expect wizards to give us anything, they've already proven they just don't care, and want the secondary market prices high to boost profit.
I actually just bought the mono-red pioneer deck so I can play when I have more money for the $5 "buy in". Love my lgs too. Staff is friendly, they have a bit of everything and they have several magic nights for various formats! If you're in the Kingston, PA area, check out Dragon Knight Games for sure.
Hey Professor. I notice you use terms like Pioneer, Modern, Standard, Pauper, etc. quite a bit, but for noobs like me is there a video you have that can break down what these formats consist of and pros/cons of each format? I realize there may be outside sources but your delivery of MTG knowledge is exemplary. Figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Wow! I blindly picked up the Orzhov Humans and Gruul Stompy decks to try out Pioneer with a friend and it looks like I ended up with the best of the precons, nice! I only didn't want Dimir control because we're playing to learn not to get controlled out of the game, and I just didn't feel like playing even more red/blue than I already do in commander. Great Video and reassured me of my choices, thank you Professor!
Can't wait to get the Gruul deck and put some Marauding Raptors, Ripjaw Raptors, Regisaur Alphas and Ghaltas in there. One of my most favorite decks on Arena right now.
Me and my brother picked up a deck each (Izzet and Gruul) for less than thirty pounds each! Its his first time playing magic and we had a great time! Great video and informative as to gow we can upgrade what we already have
I've always appreciated your scrutiny with this game it makes me a lot more comfortable as a new player. I'd definitely make a few regretful purchases otherwise. Buying singles is the way!
Nice video Prof! Hope to see the "is it worth it to buy the october superdop". Even it would be cool to see the is it worth it to buy countdown kit even It's not available anymore lol I love these "worth" videos
Gruul Stompy and Izzet Phoenix look really fun to me, although obviously Phoenix need the upgrades. Interested to see how the prices are gonna translate over here in the UK.
I preordered the Gruul deck about 3 weeks ago on one of the bigger sites. They were only charging around $35 for it. Until this most recent rotation, I'd spent the last two years keeping a mono-green standard deck updated. I already have the 4 chariots and loads of other good green cards to fill it out with. The mana base will be a little work but I'll only use it with friends so I'm in no hurry. I'm sick of swapping cards in my mono-red modern deck to set it up for pioneer matches, so I figure this'll work as a more permanent solution. Thanks for covering it all, Prof. It makes me feel even better about my order :)
My main problem with phoenix, and the reason I would probably give it a C, is that most of the pre con cards which are actually playable in a decently competitive phoenix list are essentially bulk. Opt, consider, pieces of the puzzle, treasure cruise and lava axe are not expensive cards. Doing the math you would spend around the same amount of money if not less (just over 50) if you were to buy singles of the playables from the challenger deck. Essentially there’s not additional value outside of the other bulk which would incentivize you to buy the challenger deck instead of just putting 50 towards a real phoenix list
There is a Dimir control deck in pioneer, but it's mainly built around Narset/Day's Undoing. Gab Nassif has been playing it alot on his channel lately.
Thanks Prof for always being true to the game of MTG and never licking the boot of Wizards. You're like the underdog/bluecollar champion of this game. Thanks for being you Prof.
I have been wanting to get into pioneer to play more actively at my LGS, but between struggling with understanding current meta considerations, and how expensive many of the core essential elements to the decks are (such as land bases and out of print cards like rending volley or thing in the ice), I struggled to commit to finishing any particular deck. Seeing these and knowing I could easily upgrade them with a few cards I already have to make a reliably competitive deck is really appealing. Even at 50 dollars, I was about to spend roughly the same amount to buy about 20 cards to round out the pioneer deck I thought up, but this saves me the wait time on shipping.
im like 2:30 into this and I already agree, I dont even play magic, i play yugioh, i got into modern yugioh through Master Duel, and found myself feeling the need to socialize, so I put together a deck and went to a lgs that accommodates my work schedule and am now happy to go regularly to play with people in person, and it's super fun. It would have been infinitely more affordable and ready to do that if I could have maybe, bought a structure deck that I could redeem in MD to get those cards and then have something I could play in person with till i got something else together and have some nice staples that could be used in MD that are in the structure deck and I would have been able to do it sooner.
These look like a nice on-ramp to the format, especially considering it seems to have supplanted Standard as the tournament format of choice these days👍
I've always been a sideline fan of MTG, and play every now and then when visiting friends back home who can provide a deck for casual fun. I've been starting to get into Arena recently, and I'm very reluctant to spend money on digital packs. But if I could get a digital code for an Arena pack with a paper booster or premade deck, brother they'd definitely be getting my money.
I suppose it will. The prices dropped with its reprint in a Baldur's Gate Commander Precon quite a bit for a short amount of time. The Pioneer Challenger rwprint should at least provide the samw effect.
There were a couple videos of Gabriel Nasiff playing Dimir Control deck, he seems to be doing quite well with it. It does need those extra typhoons, but the archetype is out there.
Just getting back to MTG after 20 years... When I was a kid and couldn't afford to buy my decks I only could pick up a couple of them and some boosters for one of my birthdays, turns out when I've been looking up for those cards last week they are the least favorite of the community : Prophecy & Nemesis, but I loved them at the time haha (and still do) But 22 years after it's really confusing getting back, with all those formats, editions, different products, ways of playing, etc... Thankfully I found this channel, but only after ordering randomly some stuff haha (bundles mostly, of different editions : Strixhaven/Modern Horizons 2/Dominaria United/Zendikar/Theros, and not knowing the difference between draft and extension/set boosters, but at least now I have learnt a bit more and I surely won't get scammed by their 30th anniversary BS that I wouldn't be able to afford anyway). If I had a request as a couple of videos for you to make, it would be something for us "false beginners" that get back to the game after years : - one especially with tips and tricks on how to build a deck from different editions, maybe advices on which ones work together with synergies and all ? - maybe a recap of all formats and their rules and origins and what you'd adivse for false/new beginners to dive into first ? (when I'm seeing terms like Pioneer, Challenger, Commander, Draft, etc... I'm like WTF are all of those ?? I just wanna build a deck and play with people haha !) I've been watching a lot of your videos since last week and from what I took away is that you advocate a lot for buying singles, but as someone who loves surprises and not necessarily knowing what I'll get then building something from that, I'd quite be up for some tips and suggestions about building decks from boosters of different editions (although I'm quite sure when I'll get better I'll end up getting singles at some point and craft some more intended decks, but for now I like going back into childhood and opening things not knowing what I'll get, somehow reuniting with the magic I felt at the time). [and I don't quite care about what's banned, on the reserved list or what's not legal, I'm just looking to play for fun not for competition] So well, if anytime you feel like making such a video that'd be awesome ! Thanks and keep up the great content :)
Same here. I've been running across various MTG videos on youtube and it hit the nostalgia nerve and has me wanting to play again. Played from 1997 - 2003/2004 and sold all of my cards off shortly thereafter. Have just played some of the PS3 game back in the day and Arena here and there with the free decks they give you (just against the PC, not other people). I didn't play in tournaments back then, so just casual with friends, but seeing all of the formats these days and seeing videos of strategies in tournaments over the past decade+ is crazy, like the win conditions people go for over the way I used to do it by brute force. I liked getting theme decks back in the day, had one from Prophecy I think (Slither?), Urza's Saga Special Delivery was my favorite, had a few others as well (Gravedigger from Torment expanded the horizons a bit for me by making use of the graveyard). So I figured I'd look at theme decks now. I was looking at the Gruul Stompy in both Standard and Pioneer, and saw this video. Not sure I'd actually make it out to any mtg nights, but would mostly sit on them until my kids get older and I convince one of them to play the game with me, haha. So the cheaper standard is probably fine, but if I did want to get off my butt and go somewhere to play, Pioneer would be better it seems. I dunno. The only cards I have so far is the 2022 Starter Kit. Man, that new card smell is the same as it was 20+ years ago, but I probably should not be breathing the chemicals in, haha. I did go on card kingdom to order the cards to make that Urza's Saga Special Delivery theme deck again since I built off that and used it a lot back then, and have been eyeing bulk sales of older cards to thumb through and make decks for the fun of it. I even got a sealed copy of the Portal starter kit on the way like I had back in 1997 and learned to play from. But ya, it is a lot to catch up on. Vintage vs Modern vs Standard, and then the Pioneer, Draft, Booster, etc., it seems like a lot to figure out. I think the Jumpstart packs are a cool idea, just buy 2 boosters and combine to make a quick 40 card deck. I may just stick with Arena for a bit and try to figure out things there, I just hate the idea of buying digital decks instead of them giving you a copy of a prebuilt theme like these. The 2022 Starter kit I got did come with codes for the 2 decks that it comes with in Arena and an extra code for a friend to get the 2 decks as well.
I bought the Izzet Phoenix deck and it plays exactly how I enjoy playing magic. On payday I’m buying gruv stompy and the orzov humans too. Will pass on the Dimir as I already have a top end Dimir commander deck. Pioneer has a healthy selection of cards! Edh and Pioneer are so fun!
I am actually interested in Pioneer and that Gruul deck looks nice! the phoenix one also looks cool but there is something calling me in that gruul one
I bought dimir control for the singles, typhoon, 1 shock, fatal pushes mysticals dispute, always good Narsets, Gearhulk... these cards can be really scarce where I come from, specially the uncommon ones
How do these hold up 6 months later? I only really play edh, but i want to try Pioneer and the gruul stompy looks fun. Has there been any changes to the format that makes it less worth it?
Ive just purchased 2 of the blue black decks. Mostly cos I needed a lot of the cards (new mtg player) and I’ve fully changed the deck list for my win con to be sheoldread using cards like blood packs (draw 2 burn for 6) days undoing (burn for 14) and plainswalkers like Liliana and Sorin for more disruption. Added a ton of better lands and thoughtsieze. Think I’ve used 20 of the cards from the 75, but will have a lot of cards I can use to help upgrade my other decks.
Yes it's my weekly format. Although these days I am more consistent in my wednesday night commander group more, i've been enjoying my dice-rolling one since Unfinity came out.
I don't really play dimir control, I play grixis "control" with a very similar deck. The main difference is I use thing in the ice to bounce gearhulk to loop burns and removal. But I'd assume replacing murderous rider with thing in the ice would help the deck alone.
I picked up Phoenix. I have been a Delver player in Modern for a long time and I feel comfortable in that deck style. The Humans deck looks solid though.
To be fair there is a control dimir Day’s undoing pile floating around. It runs censor, narset, shark typhoon fatal push, so day’s undoing wouldn’t be a bad upgrade for the pile for a pseudo-lockout condition but still a lot of upgrading to make it good control.
I'm in the process of converting my kitchen table Simic Merfolk deck into a pioneer one. Only things Im really missing are CoCo and probably some better lands. But I don't really have the budget for that.
Love your content and absolutely love your support for local games stores. Your video made me think a little bit. The inclusion of expressive iteration on a deck means that these lists are designed probably a long time ago, trying to somehow predict the metagame. Maybe they actually thought that there would be a competitive dimir deck? Or is this just sloppy work from Wizards as usual?
Due to -sheer incompetence- ongoing supply chain issues, these are delayed for their release in Europe. Odd, I thought they can overcome such issues given the fact that they intend to sell a few packs of cardboard proxies for 1000$.
Im so glad Pokémon products come with codes for online, very important considering now are physical decks with really good cards in them, almost fully competitive decks i have to say. I wish they made the same with most mtg products.
The bridge you mentioned that would come from digital redeem codes on physical products is huge, I really think it needs to be looked into... No like they do non secret lairs im talking give us digital copies of cards not card sleeve or alternate art.
I'm somewhat new to the community, but as of now; I've been just printing proxies and making carda with friends. Only real cards I own are the warhammer sets and two neon kamigawa sets, with some random ones here and there. After seeing the 30th anniversary and how pricey cards seem to have been, printing cards with friends and just having fun is what has been making memories for me. I don't think I'll be buying anything magic in the future, the only magic I need is the magic of affordable proxies and the fun I have with my friends.
All cards that do not have a printing with the current rules text or current card frame have that symbol. Same thing happened with Lurrus and hidden strings.
That’s the generic expansion symbol used by Secret Lairs, Judge Gifts, and Game Day Promos. Chandra, Torch of Defiance’s original printing was back when there was a difference legend rule for planeswalkers and didn’t have the “Legendary Planeswalker” in the type line.
Hello Professor and his students! I am late to this post but I am looking to get into pioneer with my friends and was wondering what you substitute in the gruul stompy deck for the upgrades provided? If anyone knows and could share I would be extremely greatful.
Spice8Rack’s Villainous Modern Discard Deck | Shuffle Up & Play #13: ua-cam.com/video/WYno2OlTT-g/v-deo.html
Good idea just to get the Gruul one for the stompy ground? Some of the other cards would also be nice, but mostly for the land.
I'm 32 and just got into MTG. Your videos are so fun to watch, thanks for everything you do for the community!
Ayy same. Only I'm only 31, you old bastard. :)
Welcome HExi! Good journeys through the multiverse ^^
I hope you have fun, know the company you are buying from hates you.
oof not a good time to start giving money to a company that hates you, wotc is straight up crackheads now.
@@sergiolandz6056 I only bought one deck. Then i built another. I'm avoiding giving them as much as possible.
I knew this was coming. Thanks as always for the review. Your unwavering honesty is more valuable than any mtg product
It's a good thing you get all those human/human tokens
right. At least they could have had them with different art or something, yikes
I had to rewind that bit. Surely it couldn't be what it looked like...
I just made a similar comment a moment ago I am so confused I thought the point was making it less cumbersome to have access to multiple creatures on less cardboard😅
@@originofsin2605 I think I found where the additional cost went
Really happy that those decks each include one Shock Land, genuinely hoping this helps reduce the overall cost of single Shock Lands, which would be great for Pioneer in general!
Omg are you the guy who makes the funny posts on the duel links subreddit?
Not enough of them will be printed in these to make the price go down. With the new players these bring in, and the demand they create, those prices might even go up!
The Shock Lands are nice but is seems that they keep reprinting the same Shock Lands instead of spreading them around. Steam Vents was in 2020's Allied Fires Challenger Deck; Stomping Grounds, Godless Shrine, and Watery Grave were all in Eldraine's Brawl decks along with Hallowed Fountain. 2019's Deadly Discovery had Overgrown Tomb. Now the Japanese only Challenger decks may have had a couple Sacred Forge and a Breeding pool but they're no the English card and are still amoung the highest priced one.
Way ahead of ya
including only 1 shock land will not help reduce the price. In order to reduce the price it would need to include a playset of every shockland of the used colors of the deck.
This video made me remember there are still people who love magic who work at Wizards. The love I feel in Gruul Stompy and Orzov Humans is heartwarming.
I think the opening music followed by "many magic the gathering players ask the question" might be the best part of magic the gathering.
I enjoyed this video! I really liked the quick walkthrough of how the decks play as that helps me as a new player understand what to expect/the play experience I want. I also really appreciated the run down of how well the decks play and the potential upgrading paths!
Prof I just wanted to let You know that I passed your English test, in the Dimir upgrade suggestions you stated you would add " Cave of the Eye Tyrant ", the actual card is called " Hive of the Eye Tyrant ", the other being Cave of the Frost Dragon. Yayy I passed 😃 👏👏. Good test tho 😁
A+
9:17 also it’s Karplusan not Karpulsan. I pass too!
I’ve always liked buying the challenger decks of the past even the Standard ones. I like tearing them apart for pieces for commander because they always have some goodies.
as a new player to MTG i am happy to see some shocks getting reprints in something that is going to be widely available and hopefully make them a little more affordable.
Magic are smart and don't affect the secondary value of cards too much
Fatal push too. That's a huge one
They won’t be. It’s too low of a print tun and these sell with high enough regularity, their cost won’t drop to have a major impact.
@@matthewradabaugh1635 Cost might even go up with the new players these bring in and their added demand for more of these.
I still love how strictly honest the professor is. Each time I watch his videos it makes me step back and analyze my own stuff. Not to mention his accessory reviews that have kept my decks in pristine condition throughout the years
There have actually been a couple of UB control lists that are competitive recently, either by combining Narset with Days Undoing and Geier Reach Sanitarium to hardlock the opponent from ever drawing cards, or by accruing a lot of card advantage and eventually finishing the game with Shark Typhoons and man lands. They use a lot of the cards in the precon (Sinister Sabotage, Consider, Cling to Dust, etc) but you definitely have to put extra effort into the deck to make it work, more than for the other 3 precons. I agree the UB precon is extremely light on winconditions as it is, but I think it's a better starting point than was said in this video
Thanks so much for this review! I'm interested in getting in to pioneer and was wondering if any of these deck were good pickups, now i know!
Ty for enriching the richer of us
I might actually get into Pioneer with one of these decks, Phoenix and Stompy look like solid fun to me. Thanks for the review, Prof, helpful as always!
Gruul Stompy looks phenomenal, and I hate gruul
Prof I gotta say I’m glad to see how much this channel has grown. I started playing back in 2014-15 came across the channel and it helped a lot. It’d be wrong to say the quality has improved because you’ve always provided quality. I gotta say though the quality HAS IMPROVED! clean editing, lighting, cameras. I’m glad you’re still around. I’m just now getting back into the game and brothers war has me hype. Excited to watch more content from you. Congrats on the channel.
A really cool idea would be to replace that bulky divider that makes you feel like you're opening a bag of potato chips that is mostly air. Then include 75 sleeves with the image of the flagship card. Also include a nice little code card for arena.
i always check in with your challenger deck reviews, waiting for the sweet, sweet day we'll get those digital redemption codes
This is cool to see. I'll probably wait on buying any of them - I eventually got the last set of Pioneer decks for pretty cheap.
Hey Prof, I just wanted to let you know that a dimir control deck has started to appear. Gabriel Nassif has been playing a UB control deck that runs Narset and Day's Undoing to lock people out of the game. It doesn't look exactly like the pre-con obviously, but it's in the same ballpark.
I've been watching a bunch of Gab's pioneer videos ever since the decklist for Dimir control was spoiled, since he also brewed with versions of it, but that Day's Undoing list he's been running is pretty sweet! Might shift my own control list to it at some point.
Missed this comment and said the same thing!
It was already a deck, Narset Undoing is just the latest rendition
A decklist closer to the precon literally just won a pioneer challenge on mtgo
Pioneer is my format of choice, and I am absolutely grabbing the stompy and humans decks. Might get some extra ones to fill out some commander decks!
I recently got into Pioneer with a 4 color Elementals build. I've been loving it so far!
Oooh I may get the gruul and/or Orzhov one! I’m excited those seem good to go out of the box!
... on the cardmarket YT channel they did play the decks.
Now dimir decks playing the exact same strategy hinted in the Challenger deck are doing quite well in Pioneer.
As much as it hurts me to say. I think people should hard-core boycott mtg products and let it bottom out. Kill it to save it.
I'm workshopping opening an LGS that explicitly DOESNT partner with WOTC/GW and instead offers on-demand print services 👍
BIG FACTS!
There definitely needs to be some kind of financial blowback for Wizards' consistent anti-consumer decisions.
Sorry I just don't see how that could help. Wizards doesn't value or equate success and popularity the same as profitability or vice-versa.
As far as effectively building a bridge into a format at a reasonable level, price point and competitive nature.right out of the box. The Modern event deck was one of The best products WotC has ever produced imo. At the time I purchased B/W Tokens.I had a 0% foothold into the modern format. After purchase and with all my competitive upgrades still in the mail. I sleeved it up out of the box and went to my local weekly Modern event/tournament.
I didn't play against a single person that wasn't playing the most competitive version of their deck they could be. I ended up taking first place that week. I was so pumped... not only because I took down a veritable who's-who of the best players/decklists in my multi-LGS (greater Seattle/King County area), but that I did so on the back of the bare minimum financial investment I could make in a format. Roughly $100 other than that the only other thing I invested In was some time playing friends Modernt decks VS other friends Modern decks to ascertain who the heavey hitters in the format were, both deck and cardwise.
My favorite play of that event was versus Affinity in the second round 2nd game. My experience was super limited but I knew enough to be able to figure out Kataki would probably be a solid sideboard threat/decent against Affinity. Got her in my opener and blew my opponent out so hard that I'm fairly positive it left them tilted for the rest of the event.
Anywho, Event Decks, Challenger Decks....These Advanced/Intermediate level products have been or were the lead up to some of my fondest memories in magic competition. I really hope they pull their heads out of their collective ass and fix what could be a flagship product. I think these decks, with the right team of people behind them, could be for "entry level competitive" what the commander decks have done for expanding, defining and shaping the format of Commander and the products that support it.
@@andrewsammons9643 how?
I wish Dimir was as strong as Azorius control nowadays. I always felt it was kind of lame that Azorius became the de facto control colors for both modern, legacy and pioneer, like I think it was cool that there were different control colors.
Agreed. Basically we need a Supreme Verdict in Dimir colors rather than just Azorious. An uncounterable Damnation if you will.
White Blue control has been archetype for a long time but I also really like the control elements that black brings to table.
Mono green control when? Target creature counters spell with mana value less than its power, target creature fights target enchantment, etc. 😛
I mean. Its not at the same level of Azorious. But Gabriel Nassif has been finding success in UB and 5-0 league dumps feature at least one UB list. But they did forget to put in the win conditions in this list.
@@xx-cj6ew "Counter target spell if you control a Llanowar Elves and a Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx" for 1 mana.
Love your videos! They keep me up to Date on mtg! I moved recently, and made a new friend who got me back into magic (stopped in high-school in 2008 during 5th ed)Ed. I play commander, and love the precon decks. I got legends legacy and coven counters, love them. I built a deck around Tasha, as I really like her character. So much fun, even though I'm bad!
I was brewing an Izzet deck for Pioneer when I saw this was getting printed just a few months out so I've been excitedly waiting on it to combine with what I already had!!
Thank you Prof! I’ve been really wanting to get into Pioneer, and I had been considering getting one of the Gruul Stompy Challenger decks. I thought it might be a bit disreputable since I saw the Izzet Phoenix decklist was skimping on the phoenixes, but thanks to your review, my fears have been dissuaded!
Now I don’t follow Pioneer but I hoped Ledger Shredder or Meathook Massacre would show up at least ONCE, especially with a Dimir deck.
I was extremely disappointed too. Temporal Tresspass, Massacre and shredder and even fable to ease the price-pressure, but well. Its 2022 ill guess :D
I honestly don't expect wizards to give us anything, they've already proven they just don't care, and want the secondary market prices high to boost profit.
They design these decks based on previous year's meta. Fable and Shredder did not exist on 2021. 🤷♂️
Exhibit A: those 2x expressive iterations
Extremely disappointed on this decks. Big sad. Only value is braking them apart.
@@enricomassignani Well, then let me phrase it like this: Their Method suck. *shrug*
I actually just bought the mono-red pioneer deck so I can play when I have more money for the $5 "buy in". Love my lgs too. Staff is friendly, they have a bit of everything and they have several magic nights for various formats! If you're in the Kingston, PA area, check out Dragon Knight Games for sure.
Hey Professor. I notice you use terms like Pioneer, Modern, Standard, Pauper, etc. quite a bit, but for noobs like me is there a video you have that can break down what these formats consist of and pros/cons of each format? I realize there may be outside sources but your delivery of MTG knowledge is exemplary. Figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.
Wow! I blindly picked up the Orzhov Humans and Gruul Stompy decks to try out Pioneer with a friend and it looks like I ended up with the best of the precons, nice! I only didn't want Dimir control because we're playing to learn not to get controlled out of the game, and I just didn't feel like playing even more red/blue than I already do in commander. Great Video and reassured me of my choices, thank you Professor!
Thanks
Welcome
Can't wait to get the Gruul deck and put some Marauding Raptors, Ripjaw Raptors, Regisaur Alphas and Ghaltas in there. One of my most favorite decks on Arena right now.
Me and my brother picked up a deck each (Izzet and Gruul) for less than thirty pounds each! Its his first time playing magic and we had a great time! Great video and informative as to gow we can upgrade what we already have
I've always appreciated your scrutiny with this game it makes me a lot more comfortable as a new player. I'd definitely make a few regretful purchases otherwise. Buying singles is the way!
Nice video Prof! Hope to see the "is it worth it to buy the october superdop". Even it would be cool to see the is it worth it to buy countdown kit even It's not available anymore lol I love these "worth" videos
Maybe after we see what is revealed. Crazy how fast it sold out and we only know five cards.
@@grenadesonfire the full list was reveled before the sale started
He's talking about the October drop. The Warhammer one. Not the 30th anni SL....
@@breeze7464 i'm talking about both products
@@Starlord_2147 the 30th anni SL didn't even release in October though.....?
Gruul Stompy and Izzet Phoenix look really fun to me, although obviously Phoenix need the upgrades. Interested to see how the prices are gonna translate over here in the UK.
I preordered the Gruul deck about 3 weeks ago on one of the bigger sites. They were only charging around $35 for it. Until this most recent rotation, I'd spent the last two years keeping a mono-green standard deck updated. I already have the 4 chariots and loads of other good green cards to fill it out with. The mana base will be a little work but I'll only use it with friends so I'm in no hurry.
I'm sick of swapping cards in my mono-red modern deck to set it up for pioneer matches, so I figure this'll work as a more permanent solution. Thanks for covering it all, Prof. It makes me feel even better about my order :)
My main problem with phoenix, and the reason I would probably give it a C, is that most of the pre con cards which are actually playable in a decently competitive phoenix list are essentially bulk.
Opt, consider, pieces of the puzzle, treasure cruise and lava axe are not expensive cards. Doing the math you would spend around the same amount of money if not less (just over 50) if you were to buy singles of the playables from the challenger deck.
Essentially there’s not additional value outside of the other bulk which would incentivize you to buy the challenger deck instead of just putting 50 towards a real phoenix list
There is a Dimir control deck in pioneer, but it's mainly built around Narset/Day's Undoing. Gab Nassif has been playing it alot on his channel lately.
great to hear your thoughts, just ordered the set from my LGS
0:50 OMG! How is this guy just so good? How is he so funny? What a legend… professor never fails to impress
my local game stop had all of these on sale for only 27$ :D
This is the first time I get to be an early adopter of a Prof video, happy to be here
I bought a couple Arclight Phoenixes a while back, so…looks like all I need now is the deck!
Thanks Prof for always being true to the game of MTG and never licking the boot of Wizards. You're like the underdog/bluecollar champion of this game. Thanks for being you Prof.
I have been wanting to get into pioneer to play more actively at my LGS, but between struggling with understanding current meta considerations, and how expensive many of the core essential elements to the decks are (such as land bases and out of print cards like rending volley or thing in the ice), I struggled to commit to finishing any particular deck. Seeing these and knowing I could easily upgrade them with a few cards I already have to make a reliably competitive deck is really appealing. Even at 50 dollars, I was about to spend roughly the same amount to buy about 20 cards to round out the pioneer deck I thought up, but this saves me the wait time on shipping.
im like 2:30 into this and I already agree, I dont even play magic, i play yugioh, i got into modern yugioh through Master Duel, and found myself feeling the need to socialize, so I put together a deck and went to a lgs that accommodates my work schedule and am now happy to go regularly to play with people in person, and it's super fun. It would have been infinitely more affordable and ready to do that if I could have maybe, bought a structure deck that I could redeem in MD to get those cards and then have something I could play in person with till i got something else together and have some nice staples that could be used in MD that are in the structure deck and I would have been able to do it sooner.
These look like a nice on-ramp to the format, especially considering it seems to have supplanted Standard as the tournament format of choice these days👍
Great video. Gruul stompy sounds neat. Glad to hear its good.
I've always been a sideline fan of MTG, and play every now and then when visiting friends back home who can provide a deck for casual fun. I've been starting to get into Arena recently, and I'm very reluctant to spend money on digital packs. But if I could get a digital code for an Arena pack with a paper booster or premade deck, brother they'd definitely be getting my money.
I like the reprints of the mutavault, great staple for most tribal decks. Hope it brings it down the price in the singles market
I suppose it will.
The prices dropped with its reprint in a Baldur's Gate Commander Precon quite a bit for a short amount of time. The Pioneer Challenger rwprint should at least provide the samw effect.
There were a couple videos of Gabriel Nasiff playing Dimir Control deck, he seems to be doing quite well with it. It does need those extra typhoons, but the archetype is out there.
Thanks for the review!!
Just getting back to MTG after 20 years...
When I was a kid and couldn't afford to buy my decks I only could pick up a couple of them and some boosters for one of my birthdays, turns out when I've been looking up for those cards last week they are the least favorite of the community : Prophecy & Nemesis, but I loved them at the time haha (and still do)
But 22 years after it's really confusing getting back, with all those formats, editions, different products, ways of playing, etc...
Thankfully I found this channel, but only after ordering randomly some stuff haha (bundles mostly, of different editions : Strixhaven/Modern Horizons 2/Dominaria United/Zendikar/Theros, and not knowing the difference between draft and extension/set boosters, but at least now I have learnt a bit more and I surely won't get scammed by their 30th anniversary BS that I wouldn't be able to afford anyway).
If I had a request as a couple of videos for you to make, it would be something for us "false beginners" that get back to the game after years :
- one especially with tips and tricks on how to build a deck from different editions, maybe advices on which ones work together with synergies and all ?
- maybe a recap of all formats and their rules and origins and what you'd adivse for false/new beginners to dive into first ? (when I'm seeing terms like Pioneer, Challenger, Commander, Draft, etc... I'm like WTF are all of those ?? I just wanna build a deck and play with people haha !)
I've been watching a lot of your videos since last week and from what I took away is that you advocate a lot for buying singles, but as someone who loves surprises and not necessarily knowing what I'll get then building something from that, I'd quite be up for some tips and suggestions about building decks from boosters of different editions (although I'm quite sure when I'll get better I'll end up getting singles at some point and craft some more intended decks, but for now I like going back into childhood and opening things not knowing what I'll get, somehow reuniting with the magic I felt at the time).
[and I don't quite care about what's banned, on the reserved list or what's not legal, I'm just looking to play for fun not for competition]
So well, if anytime you feel like making such a video that'd be awesome !
Thanks and keep up the great content :)
Same here. I've been running across various MTG videos on youtube and it hit the nostalgia nerve and has me wanting to play again.
Played from 1997 - 2003/2004 and sold all of my cards off shortly thereafter. Have just played some of the PS3 game back in the day and Arena here and there with the free decks they give you (just against the PC, not other people). I didn't play in tournaments back then, so just casual with friends, but seeing all of the formats these days and seeing videos of strategies in tournaments over the past decade+ is crazy, like the win conditions people go for over the way I used to do it by brute force. I liked getting theme decks back in the day, had one from Prophecy I think (Slither?), Urza's Saga Special Delivery was my favorite, had a few others as well (Gravedigger from Torment expanded the horizons a bit for me by making use of the graveyard). So I figured I'd look at theme decks now. I was looking at the Gruul Stompy in both Standard and Pioneer, and saw this video. Not sure I'd actually make it out to any mtg nights, but would mostly sit on them until my kids get older and I convince one of them to play the game with me, haha. So the cheaper standard is probably fine, but if I did want to get off my butt and go somewhere to play, Pioneer would be better it seems. I dunno.
The only cards I have so far is the 2022 Starter Kit. Man, that new card smell is the same as it was 20+ years ago, but I probably should not be breathing the chemicals in, haha. I did go on card kingdom to order the cards to make that Urza's Saga Special Delivery theme deck again since I built off that and used it a lot back then, and have been eyeing bulk sales of older cards to thumb through and make decks for the fun of it. I even got a sealed copy of the Portal starter kit on the way like I had back in 1997 and learned to play from.
But ya, it is a lot to catch up on. Vintage vs Modern vs Standard, and then the Pioneer, Draft, Booster, etc., it seems like a lot to figure out. I think the Jumpstart packs are a cool idea, just buy 2 boosters and combine to make a quick 40 card deck. I may just stick with Arena for a bit and try to figure out things there, I just hate the idea of buying digital decks instead of them giving you a copy of a prebuilt theme like these. The 2022 Starter kit I got did come with codes for the 2 decks that it comes with in Arena and an extra code for a friend to get the 2 decks as well.
I’m planning on coming back to magic after a decade+ so this is def a product I’m looking to buy
Dimir control is absolutely a deck in pioneer, all you need to add is some ertai's and days undoing
Thanks for this review; it saved me a lot of trouble.
I bought the Izzet Phoenix deck and it plays exactly how I enjoy playing magic. On payday I’m buying gruv stompy and the orzov humans too.
Will pass on the Dimir as I already have a top end Dimir commander deck. Pioneer has a healthy selection of cards! Edh and Pioneer are so fun!
I am actually interested in Pioneer and that Gruul deck looks nice! the phoenix one also looks cool but there is something calling me in that gruul one
I would honestly be tempted by this if it came the digital code
Modern player here with a shrinking play market. Definitely want to check out those two A's!
Is that a teaser for an upcoming shuffle up and play episode at the end? Looks amazing!
I bought dimir control for the singles, typhoon, 1 shock, fatal pushes mysticals dispute, always good Narsets, Gearhulk... these cards can be really scarce where I come from, specially the uncommon ones
Another great review. Thanks Professor!
How do these hold up 6 months later? I only really play edh, but i want to try Pioneer and the gruul stompy looks fun. Has there been any changes to the format that makes it less worth it?
Ahh the music, makes me feel like im at the Protectors Enclave in Neverwinter
Def gonna try to grab the big 3 of these decks. Got a lot of parts i need for decks i’m building
Ive just purchased 2 of the blue black decks. Mostly cos I needed a lot of the cards (new mtg player) and I’ve fully changed the deck list for my win con to be sheoldread using cards like blood packs (draw 2 burn for 6) days undoing (burn for 14) and plainswalkers like Liliana and Sorin for more disruption.
Added a ton of better lands and thoughtsieze. Think I’ve used 20 of the cards from the 75, but will have a lot of cards I can use to help upgrade my other decks.
Yes it's my weekly format. Although these days I am more consistent in my wednesday night commander group more, i've been enjoying my dice-rolling one since Unfinity came out.
I canceled my amazon order for dimir control about 2 weeks ago and don't regret it now :D
I don't really play dimir control, I play grixis "control" with a very similar deck. The main difference is I use thing in the ice to bounce gearhulk to loop burns and removal. But I'd assume replacing murderous rider with thing in the ice would help the deck alone.
I picked up Phoenix. I have been a Delver player in Modern for a long time and I feel comfortable in that deck style. The Humans deck looks solid though.
I might get into pioneer with the humans deck, looks fun!
To be fair there is a control dimir Day’s undoing pile floating around. It runs censor, narset, shark typhoon fatal push, so day’s undoing wouldn’t be a bad upgrade for the pile for a pseudo-lockout condition but still a lot of upgrading to make it good control.
I'm in the process of converting my kitchen table Simic Merfolk deck into a pioneer one. Only things Im really missing are CoCo and probably some better lands. But I don't really have the budget for that.
I only wait for new challenger decks to be released just to come and see your review, prof. Always worth the wait.
Thank you for this. I am trying to get into magic
Love your content and absolutely love your support for local games stores.
Your video made me think a little bit. The inclusion of expressive iteration on a deck means that these lists are designed probably a long time ago, trying to somehow predict the metagame. Maybe they actually thought that there would be a competitive dimir deck? Or is this just sloppy work from Wizards as usual?
Thanks to you, I might pick up the best 2!
love these videos! thanks Prof
got 2 izzet phoenix decks for me, going later to my LGS for them!
Wow, for once, a good product ! And there are plenty of good reprints: shark typhoon, poenixes etc...
Would you please give us an update on your deck box? I saw one of your tweets and now want to know the progress. Please and thank you.
Due to -sheer incompetence- ongoing supply chain issues, these are delayed for their release in Europe.
Odd, I thought they can overcome such issues given the fact that they intend to sell a few packs of cardboard proxies for 1000$.
I hope they are decent. I want to get into pioneer down at the lgs by my house so this be a nice start
Im so glad Pokémon products come with codes for online, very important considering now are physical decks with really good cards in them, almost fully competitive decks i have to say. I wish they made the same with most mtg products.
Tempted to get that Gruul pioneer deck for Friday night LGS games.
Thank you. This video was of some help to me.
What's the point of including double-sided tokens if both sides are the same?
The bridge you mentioned that would come from digital redeem codes on physical products is huge, I really think it needs to be looked into... No like they do non secret lairs im talking give us digital copies of cards not card sleeve or alternate art.
I'm somewhat new to the community, but as of now; I've been just printing proxies and making carda with friends. Only real cards I own are the warhammer sets and two neon kamigawa sets, with some random ones here and there. After seeing the 30th anniversary and how pricey cards seem to have been, printing cards with friends and just having fun is what has been making memories for me. I don't think I'll be buying anything magic in the future, the only magic I need is the magic of affordable proxies and the fun I have with my friends.
Didn't even know this was coming. Haven't seen a store carry it
But then again more stores in my area are downsizing mtg
The release date is tomorrow (or Dec 9 if you are in Europe due to supply chain issues)
Why does that Chandra from the Gruul Stompy deck have the judge promo expansion symbol?
All cards that do not have a printing with the current rules text or current card frame have that symbol. Same thing happened with Lurrus and hidden strings.
That’s the generic expansion symbol used by Secret Lairs, Judge Gifts, and Game Day Promos. Chandra, Torch of Defiance’s original printing was back when there was a difference legend rule for planeswalkers and didn’t have the “Legendary Planeswalker” in the type line.
Well, months ago, there was a UB Thing in the Ice Control. Now, UB Control is seeing play again.
Hello Professor and his students! I am late to this post but I am looking to get into pioneer with my friends and was wondering what you substitute in the gruul stompy deck for the upgrades provided? If anyone knows and could share I would be extremely greatful.
I always enjoy these videos.
Oh wow, next SU&P should be a real banger