I love the off the cuff budget brews that are usually featured on budget magic but seeing this budget approach to an established deck is awesome. It would be great to see something like this every now and then. Also, lets see that esper dragon control deck you've mentioned wanting to do!
Do more like this Seth! It's so great to start at $100 and then oh, you saved up or traded for a cavern or vial? Throw it in! Such a good way to start budget and work your way up to competitive play.
DrakkonVulture that was my idea for Slivers... turns out it’s not so budget. I eventually landed on 8-Rack as my best deck. Still without Lilis or Bridges, but it takes a good amount of games. Especially game one. Game two... well... hope they’re not boarding Leyline... :-/ I apologise. That anecdote was longer than I intended.
If you are looking to improve the budget deck, look at NikachuMTG's budget merfolk video because it specifies what cards you should take out with each upgrade. It's really helpful!
I don't think conclave would work as well because of how much the deck needs mana to be untapped. My first and only modern deck is 8 whack. I refuse to say it's good, but it's fun as hell haha. Hopefully gonna save up for mono red prison soon though.
NikachuMTG made a similar video to this about a week ago and makes great content on how to play merfolk in modern. If you liked watching this video you will definitely like watching his videos as well!
Thank you for making this video I think that we need more of these and you should turn it into a series! It's such a good way for new players to get into an awesome format with a price wall like modern. It's how I got into modern but I did it with burn. I bought the core burn cards and slowly aquired guides and a good Mana base then slowly upgraded the sideborad
That's exactly how shit works, bud. Wizards can print cavern just as easily as they can print a basic plains. Cavern could have easily been in place of the new crappy cavern, and then we wouldn't have humans destroying the modern meta.
@@Drakksy you sound like you don't know what you're talking about because if you think a) they can, or will, reprint an $80 card until it's $20 or b) that Humans is somehow negatively impacting the Modern meta, those are both false statements. It's too expensive to reprint in Standard, at least not at rare. It'd have to be printed at mythic, and if that brought the price to below $30 I'd be shocked. The other route is printing it in multiple master's sets in a 3-4 year span. And even Dark Confidant, which was printed in each of the first two master's sets, is $60 median for the newest version. Moral of the story, the card is a staple in both eternal formats, even a Standard reprint will put it at maybe $30, and that's just until the supply starts running thin again. I won't even address the Humans statement because anyone who plays Modern would agree that deck is fine.
I love the idea of today's budget Mana. One of my favorite episodes of this series is the trading Post Tron deck and it caused me to buy and 2 years later I have the non-budget build.
That 8th Edition Island art is really on point, those basics have such wonderful artwork on them. I use 8th Ed. Island #337 for my Tropical Merfolk deck's basics
I've noticed since making videos that I tend to build the same or similar decks as other creators kinda by happenstance. But I also take from MTGGoldfish and SBMTG all the time too.
Seth, did you change the decklist after your games? Echoing Truth isn't in your initial breakdown nor is it on the sidebar...though it shows up in the sideboard for game 1.
As an enfranchised player in paper and somewhat new to magic online - I like this feature very much as I don’t want to buy the decks I’ve already spent so much on
There's some reasons to play lords post combat, especially against control (where Cryptic counter the lord + tap your team is a lot worse than Cryptic tap your team + draw a card).
I think you should reconsider your tendency to always show the first printing of a card in the deck tech. You can barely read that Lord of Atlantis in the video, and the oracle text reads a lot differently sometimes. I like original printings for style points during a game, but for a deck tech, clarity is the most important thing in my opinion.
Yeah this wasn't the really best example since the lord is pretty simple and most people know that card. Better example is like last week for the wall combo deck tech - he was talking about the walls that care about the defender keyword, but on the screen is the original printing of wall of roots from before defender was a keyword. Just could be a little more clear if it was a recent version, you know?
As a Merfolk player, I will support Seth when he says the humans match-up is near impossible. It's no fun. Glad you got to see the power of the deck in other match-ups tho!
Also worth pointing out that with Aether Vial/Caverns and Mutavault\Fairy Conclaves, the UWX match ups are a whole lot easier. I wouldn't say the budget version really demonstrates the power of merfolk against control here. Jund is more a nightmare.
47:56 there are not the times people think you scoop too early on. Usually the biggest early scoop I've seen you do is to preserve information when the information gained is minimal and when aggro will beat you in a few turns and you don't see a way out when the slightly increased amount of play time is trivial.
Hey seth, after playing this, how good/needed do you think is vial? I never liked it, because while it cheats on mana and gives you strong nut draws (like the humans first game) its also a very dead card when drawn out of turn1 turn 2, its horrible in multiples and it lowers your creature count (or interaction count). I know that is a true and tried staple in many moderm decks, but I'm not so sure that the payoff is worth the risk. In the humans deck it was insane, but in the goblins game, it was decent tho not really game breaking.
I think it really depends on the matchup. Against Humans I felt like we lost because they had Vial and we didn't. I don't think it's that important in every matchup though.
I know this is a little more work but it would be cool on budget magic if you can add the price under each card to give us a idea of were the money comes from in a deck
38:57 the elementals do die to the chainwhirler. It pings everything on the screen, including the 2/1 masters, which makes the elementals die! :o you gotta pump the masters of waves first to */2s
Cutting 2 islands vs the UW control decks is definitely correct. you are going to get pathed or settled. it's not uncommon to finish those games with 12+ lands in play
Normally the UG build is Aether Vial based too, although some lists play CoCo and not Aether Vial (I haven't seen any optimal lists that play both, since the cards make each other worse).
This deck has a ton of problems. One is: Play Aquitetect's Will instead of spreading seas. The most important thing is the island walk enabler. not the pseudo-land destruction, since the opponent can still use is as a generic mana source if he doesnt play blue. Will saves you one mana and you are better on curve. Concerning TRON, I play more counter spells and will always have counter back up. This works well since aether vial does the creature summoning stuff.
Needs green merfolk at the very least play mistbinder and deepwater elite you can splash for those on check lands and fast lands and a few Unclaimed Territorys.
12:00 - Attacking with the other lord actually ends up exactly the same. They block the damaged lord with the 1/1 and the other one with the 2/1 and they still both die. Personally I'd say you "should have" just attacked with the 4/4, but that's a judgement call.
No, that's what I'm saying. If you attack with both lords, it ends up exactly the same. They block both lords instead of double block the one lord and both lords still die without getting in any more damage.
So why don't any merfolk decks use Aquirect's will? Its cheaper then spreading seas for the same effect as long as you control a merfolk. I guess the land could still tap for other colors but if islandwalking is the only goal. Then why not Aquitect's Will??
I'd have to look at the situation. Do you remember any matches? There are some good reasons for post-combat lords, especially against Cryptic Command (trying to avoid counter + tap the team).
@@randallferguson1981 no in general. If my opponent let's me spend 6 mana on a lord then I've already won. I'll take another 1 drop since were low on turn one plays
very intellectual reply glad to see you have actual evidence to support your claim. without aether vial this budget build only has 4 curse catcher in the deck to use as a proactive turn one play and one vapor snag as a reactive play that you likely wont use one turn one. Merfolks biggest weekness is it is often a turn behind because it doesnt have many turn one plays even with curse catcher and aether vial. so instead of giving yourself more turn one plays with mist caller that can be useful against graveyard strategies such as living dead or used against aether vial to slow my opponent down im going to use a 6 mana lord that doesn't see play in the full build of the deck while mist caller does see some play in certain variants?
We've played Elves in the path, but maybe we'll revisit it with more of a focus on the upgrade path www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/budget-magic-85-45-tix-modern-beatdown-elves
@@MTGGoldfish Sweet, i wasnt around at that time. Might still be interesting to revisit with the recent elves printed. Maybe, im still new to the game. Wouldng have gotten back into it without you guys, big thank you for all your work on the site and this channel :)
Sure, but being able to Vial in Reejerey is how the deck explodes out of nowhere. Just casting it and expecting it to live until you untap isn't nearly as good.
Actually in game one, it wouldn't have made a difference if you had attacked with both lords or just the one. Both lords still would have died. So not really a punt.
A 1/1 in front of the merlord having taken two, and a 2/1 in front of the merlord who hadn't taken any would have given the same results. 0 more damage would have gotten through.
"i shouldnt over extend into an anger of the gods, oh but what the hell, lets do it anyways, oops anger of the gods, maybe i shouldnt of done that" ? lol, you think ?
I love the off the cuff budget brews that are usually featured on budget magic but seeing this budget approach to an established deck is awesome. It would be great to see something like this every now and then. Also, lets see that esper dragon control deck you've mentioned wanting to do!
I completely agree! I love taking a proven to work set up, but taking a budget-friendly approach to it.
Do more like this Seth! It's so great to start at $100 and then oh, you saved up or traded for a cavern or vial? Throw it in! Such a good way to start budget and work your way up to competitive play.
DrakkonVulture that was my idea for Slivers... turns out it’s not so budget. I eventually landed on 8-Rack as my best deck. Still without Lilis or Bridges, but it takes a good amount of games. Especially game one. Game two... well... hope they’re not boarding Leyline... :-/
I apologise. That anecdote was longer than I intended.
If you are looking to improve the budget deck, look at NikachuMTG's budget merfolk video because it specifies what cards you should take out with each upgrade. It's really helpful!
I don't think conclave would work as well because of how much the deck needs mana to be untapped. My first and only modern deck is 8 whack. I refuse to say it's good, but it's fun as hell haha. Hopefully gonna save up for mono red prison soon though.
NikachuMTG made a similar video to this about a week ago and makes great content on how to play merfolk in modern. If you liked watching this video you will definitely like watching his videos as well!
Gavin Sheppard Yes , he is awesome!
Yeah it's almost like this video ripped that one off...
As a merfolk enthusiest and merfolk subreddit user I strongly advise all players to put deprive in their merfolk sideboards.
Wumbo why so?
I started with budget 8rack and have been slowly upgrading, it’s very satisfying to slowly put together a deck like that
love this idea! please keep making more of these style budget magic videos! so important for a format like modern
Thank you for making this video I think that we need more of these and you should turn it into a series! It's such a good way for new players to get into an awesome format with a price wall like modern. It's how I got into modern but I did it with burn. I bought the core burn cards and slowly aquired guides and a good Mana base then slowly upgraded the sideborad
Thanks! I'll try to do some more of these in the future.
I really appreciate this type of budget Magic. I wish you would do this morning
I'll try to throw some more into the mix!
You did this with Mono-red Hallow one and that was my entry into modern. Love these videos! Please keep making them.
Cavern needs to be 20$, wotc needs to print it at rare in 7$ masters set, the current price is absurd
Well that's just not how shit works bud.
It’s expensive because it’s a very good card and is played in almost every tribal deck. Has tons of value in competitive and casual Magic
That's exactly how shit works, bud. Wizards can print cavern just as easily as they can print a basic plains. Cavern could have easily been in place of the new crappy cavern, and then we wouldn't have humans destroying the modern meta.
Also, it would be nice if fetches were in the $5-10 range.
@@Drakksy you sound like you don't know what you're talking about because if you think a) they can, or will, reprint an $80 card until it's $20 or b) that Humans is somehow negatively impacting the Modern meta, those are both false statements. It's too expensive to reprint in Standard, at least not at rare. It'd have to be printed at mythic, and if that brought the price to below $30 I'd be shocked. The other route is printing it in multiple master's sets in a 3-4 year span. And even Dark Confidant, which was printed in each of the first two master's sets, is $60 median for the newest version. Moral of the story, the card is a staple in both eternal formats, even a Standard reprint will put it at maybe $30, and that's just until the supply starts running thin again. I won't even address the Humans statement because anyone who plays Modern would agree that deck is fine.
Continue making these kind of videos. Budget builds of tier modern decks are a great way for people to get into modern
I love the idea of today's budget Mana. One of my favorite episodes of this series is the trading Post Tron deck and it caused me to buy and 2 years later I have the non-budget build.
Games @ 9:44
Thank you!
Really like this concept of budget version of tier decks
It works well for some decks, although some decks are really hard (or impossible) to budgitize.
That 8th Edition Island art is really on point, those basics have such wonderful artwork on them. I use 8th Ed. Island #337 for my Tropical Merfolk deck's basics
Wow that's a really flavorful and colorful island :)
I have played this deck (not budget lol) for coming up on 8 years and that’s crazy to think about I’m so glad to see it’s accessible
I mean I know someone who is dedicated to the deck enough that he has fully foiled out including with unstable islands that top 8'd a pptq a month ago
Seth, was this inspired by Nikachu's recent budget list?
I've noticed since making videos that I tend to build the same or similar decks as other creators kinda by happenstance. But I also take from MTGGoldfish and SBMTG all the time too.
Huge fan of this concept, please do for other decks if possible
Boy have I got news for you
ua-cam.com/video/brsePhJXBHQ/v-deo.html
Seth, did you change the decklist after your games? Echoing Truth isn't in your initial breakdown nor is it on the sidebar...though it shows up in the sideboard for game 1.
I had to look at the deck list like three times to see if I missed it.
Same question.
He traded Unsummons for Echoing Truths somewhere along the line.
Ugh, I think that the overlay/deck list is slightly off.
Oh man. Confusion.
Literally watched the deck tech not even the games and ordered all the cards i needed for the deck !!!
Finally another budget magic about a teir deck
As an enfranchised player in paper and somewhat new to magic online - I like this feature very much as I don’t want to buy the decks I’ve already spent so much on
YES SETH! Thank you! - AND ANOTHER ONE
I dont even wanna count how many post combat lords he played lmao
There's some reasons to play lords post combat, especially against control (where Cryptic counter the lord + tap your team is a lot worse than Cryptic tap your team + draw a card).
THAT ECHOING TRUTH!!! so clutch.
I think you should reconsider your tendency to always show the first printing of a card in the deck tech. You can barely read that Lord of Atlantis in the video, and the oracle text reads a lot differently sometimes. I like original printings for style points during a game, but for a deck tech, clarity is the most important thing in my opinion.
Hmm, thanks for the feedback. I'll consider it for the future.
Learn your classic cards, fng
Yeah this wasn't the really best example since the lord is pretty simple and most people know that card.
Better example is like last week for the wall combo deck tech - he was talking about the walls that care about the defender keyword, but on the screen is the original printing of wall of roots from before defender was a keyword. Just could be a little more clear if it was a recent version, you know?
As a Merfolk player, I will support Seth when he says the humans match-up is near impossible. It's no fun. Glad you got to see the power of the deck in other match-ups tho!
Also worth pointing out that with Aether Vial/Caverns and Mutavault\Fairy Conclaves, the UWX match ups are a whole lot easier. I wouldn't say the budget version really demonstrates the power of merfolk against control here. Jund is more a nightmare.
47:56 there are not the times people think you scoop too early on. Usually the biggest early scoop I've seen you do is to preserve information when the information gained is minimal and when aggro will beat you in a few turns and you don't see a way out when the slightly increased amount of play time is trivial.
Hey seth, after playing this, how good/needed do you think is vial? I never liked it, because while it cheats on mana and gives you strong nut draws (like the humans first game) its also a very dead card when drawn out of turn1 turn 2, its horrible in multiples and it lowers your creature count (or interaction count). I know that is a true and tried staple in many moderm decks, but I'm not so sure that the payoff is worth the risk. In the humans deck it was insane, but in the goblins game, it was decent tho not really game breaking.
I think it really depends on the matchup. Against Humans I felt like we lost because they had Vial and we didn't. I don't think it's that important in every matchup though.
I haven't played Merfolk since about '95 but why no Assassins and War Barges? They were Hell good fun!
After opponent cryptics to tap team. Cast flash merfolk with reejery to untap for lethal. Seems like cool line! He didn't miss it. Just seems cool.
The deck can use faerie Conclave instead of mutavault, it's preeeetty good
I think the fact it comes in tapped is too much when you're trying to be as aggressive as possible
I know this is a little more work but it would be cool on budget magic if you can add the price under each card to give us a idea of were the money comes from in a deck
The Dragon build of Skred won't play bridge.
@40.20 "We just saw the goblins nuts" Oh Seth, got me rofl..
I love the deck. I'm wondering if the deck would be better with green added, even if it isn't budget friendly.
Nice video as always Seth!! Just a question, isnt a couple of faerie conclave useful since you have less 1 drops(vials) than normal merfolk?
Hmm, could be good flood out protection and not that expensive.
“We don’t really want Terminus back in our deck anyway.”
Jankfolk achieved. 👏
Island tribal sounds good hahaha
Merfolk is my favorite tribe.
I like the echoing truths play in the first game 👍
38:57 the elementals do die to the chainwhirler. It pings everything on the screen, including the 2/1 masters, which makes the elementals die! :o you gotta pump the masters of waves first to */2s
Need a couple echoing truth/ratchet bomb maybe to help it out vs the pyromancer.
Wait you had it in the 75? List on the side didn't have it haha
Cutting 2 islands vs the UW control decks is definitely correct. you are going to get pathed or settled. it's not uncommon to finish those games with 12+ lands in play
Hmm. Non budget is blue green with coco and atherviel right? Replace curse catcher with the other 2 mana land remove silvergill right?
Negative mono blue folk is a different deck altogether. Coco is a pretty legit deck tho
Normally the UG build is Aether Vial based too, although some lists play CoCo and not Aether Vial (I haven't seen any optimal lists that play both, since the cards make each other worse).
MTGGoldfish how do they make each other worse? I thought most coco lists ran aether as well. I’m a standard player clearly haha.
Seth, you put two Unsummons in the sideboard for the tech list, instead of the Echoing Truths.
This deck has a ton of problems. One is: Play Aquitetect's Will instead of spreading seas. The most important thing is the island walk enabler. not the pseudo-land destruction, since the opponent can still use is as a generic mana source if he doesnt play blue. Will saves you one mana and you are better on curve. Concerning TRON, I play more counter spells and will always have counter back up. This works well since aether vial does the creature summoning stuff.
I think that the upside of hosing Tron makes Spreading Seas better than Aquitetcht's Will.
I feel gut shot is a little out of place. If you had the budget, I would suggest putting a Damping Sphere in place of it.
Needs green merfolk at the very least play mistbinder and deepwater elite you can splash for those on check lands and fast lands and a few Unclaimed Territorys.
12:00 - Attacking with the other lord actually ends up exactly the same. They block the damaged lord with the 1/1 and the other one with the 2/1 and they still both die. Personally I'd say you "should have" just attacked with the 4/4, but that's a judgement call.
Yeah, should have attacked with both. That was my bad.
No, that's what I'm saying. If you attack with both lords, it ends up exactly the same. They block both lords instead of double block the one lord and both lords still die without getting in any more damage.
I feel like that goblin deck game 1 was hoping for metallic mimic for infinite damage to your face, but maybe not.
I remember simpler times, before Teferi, Time Raveler and everything other broken card from the last two years.
I love my blue green fish people!
So why don't any merfolk decks use Aquirect's will? Its cheaper then spreading seas for the same effect as long as you control a merfolk.
I guess the land could still tap for other colors but if islandwalking is the only goal. Then why not Aquitect's Will??
That feeling when you have some of the cards
A top deck to remember
Mirror image or any other shapeshifter can become a sudo lord or master of waves as filler until you can get your hands on all the playsets
If you're not playing mutavault it needs 4x tectonic edge (not expensive)
considering he's a guy who hates tron...
I keep looking for the echoing truth in the deck list screen and can't find it.
Is there a reason for no 1 or 2 of Kopala? Seems like a good budget Kira that's also a merfolk...
I think you could play a couple of Kopala's over Coralhelm Commander if you want. I'm not sure how good the soft protection is, but it could work.
The amount of two drops though😂🤣
Psionic Blast seems good to finish some games!
Good call!
I just want to be as excited about anything as Seth was to topdeck a echoing truth.
A couple times Seth attacked and then played a lord second main... any particular reason for missing that point of damage? for my own education.
I'd have to look at the situation. Do you remember any matches?
There are some good reasons for post-combat lords, especially against Cryptic Command (trying to avoid counter + tap the team).
That was probably it... there was one in an earlier match as well I think, but makes sense.
19:30 cardiac arrest confirmed ahahaha
Really hard to beat humans with no vials. they are crucial for that matchup.
And to play the deck in legacy you'll need to just by 4 daze and force of will
No offence but I think nikachus budget build is a bit better. Mistcaller is better than coralhelm in my opinion.
If through the breach is what youre worried about...
@@randallferguson1981 no in general. If my opponent let's me spend 6 mana on a lord then I've already won. I'll take another 1 drop since were low on turn one plays
very intellectual reply glad to see you have actual evidence to support your claim. without aether vial this budget build only has 4 curse catcher in the deck to use as a proactive turn one play and one vapor snag as a reactive play that you likely wont use one turn one. Merfolks biggest weekness is it is often a turn behind because it doesnt have many turn one plays even with curse catcher and aether vial. so instead of giving yourself more turn one plays with mist caller that can be useful against graveyard strategies such as living dead or used against aether vial to slow my opponent down im going to use a 6 mana lord that doesn't see play in the full build of the deck while mist caller does see some play in certain variants?
Is the decklist in the overlay wrong? Unless I'm blind I don't see echoing truth in the list
it seems he changed his SB a little while playing. the truth replaced say unsummon like
Yeah, it's wrong. He went into game 3 with two echoing truths.
Okay I was really confused when he was begging for an echo and I was like dude, you don't have it lol
I think there's a slight sideboard error with the deck list :(
Who else started chanting along with Seth, "ECHOING TRUTH! ECHOING TRUTH!"?
What is this Mana Curve?
You should splash red for bloodmoon.
Can you please do the same for elves? :)
We've played Elves in the path, but maybe we'll revisit it with more of a focus on the upgrade path www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/budget-magic-85-45-tix-modern-beatdown-elves
@@MTGGoldfish Sweet, i wasnt around at that time. Might still be interesting to revisit with the recent elves printed. Maybe, im still new to the game. Wouldng have gotten back into it without you guys, big thank you for all your work on the site and this channel :)
Reejerey is so sad without Aether Vial.
Aether Vial doesn't trigger reejerey
Sure, but being able to Vial in Reejerey is how the deck explodes out of nowhere. Just casting it and expecting it to live until you untap isn't nearly as good.
Did I miss something, I don't see echoing truth in the overlay to the right
Echoing truth MVP
What are the odds of drawing two 6 land hands with a Merfolk Trickster in it in 5 matches? I'm pretty sure it's low
Considering we only have 21 lands, it has to be pretty low.
@@MTGGoldfish Agreed
i added 4 aether vials, 4 mutavault and 2 biomancers
You make me refrain from my sleep, but that's fine
Damn I could've sworn this said 'Moonfolk' when I clicked it
Actually in game one, it wouldn't have made a difference if you had attacked with both lords or just the one. Both lords still would have died. So not really a punt.
More damage would have gotten through tho
A 1/1 in front of the merlord having taken two, and a 2/1 in front of the merlord who hadn't taken any would have given the same results. 0 more damage would have gotten through.
Seth quit 'Folking around, man!
9:45
Merfolk!
I will never understand the Tormods Crypt to be honest
I read the title wrong and thought it was going to be Moonfolk at first...
a playset of master of waves and playset of lord of atlantis is already almost 40 tickets :C
25:36 a million cursecatchers = 2
Whats with those naste looking lord of atlantis?
Is it just me or was master of waves making twice the number of tokens it’s supposed to in the first few games?
Spreading Seas counts for devotion.
It was counting the blue mana symbols on Spreading Seas.
Seth, I noticed you say "otherwise" alot.
Budget elves would be cool if it works
I did not want to see the Goblins’ nuts.
No budget merfolk has a great matchup vs humans.
Kinda sad to see that he plastered his own name over Nikachu as the builder for this deck, and not even mentioned anywhere in the video
"i shouldnt over extend into an anger of the gods, oh but what the hell, lets do it anyways, oops anger of the gods, maybe i shouldnt of done that" ? lol, you think ?
That sums up that turn pretty well.
Also, board in gut shot against Pyromancer decks
.... cavern of souls?
Yay
@ 19:32 the TRUTH will be revealed!!!!!
I wish Æther Vial was banned in modern imo.