Playing Counter-Meta in a Meta-Driven World

Mastershake1983 August 6, 2019 8 min

The signal here again with another dose of old man curmudgeon-ness for you. I have daily frustration regarding how dominating the internet has become in controlling my favorite game (and yes, I realize the irony of writing this on an internet site devoted to assisting in the development of said game, but stick with me for a bit on this). I grew up playing Magic sans-internet. I remember going to the local nerd store on Saturday mornings for tournaments, my carefully (and poorly) constructed deck in hand, rubber band bending my cards that I had no idea how valuable they would become. I also remember getting my head kicked in my older and much wiser Magic players who didn't play all counterspell, powersink, and clone decks (what did I plan on cloning if I countered everything? How could I counter everything without drawing? I don't know. I was 12). I would lose and lose and lose, every time sending me packing with new ideas about how to make things better. What about red/blue counter/burn/clone? What about....anything? The world was open and we were driven by failure and creativity, spending hours sifting through cards, playtesting over and over and over. When I finally got my first top 8 (like 96? My memory gets fuzzier by the day), I did it with a deck I made myself with only playtesting and sweat behind its carefully crafted, if slightly bent by poor card care, construction. I was so proud of it, though. I went on to be fairly competitive throughout high school using this method, consistently finishing top 8 - sometimes even 1st or split top prize if I felt like it - and all the while without knowing the word META. I didn't encounter the word, really, until Gencon in 2001, the summer I graduated high school. Growing up in a small town and playing against the same 30 or so players every weekend left me pretty limited in experience and Gencon really opened up my eyes to how big the game really was. I managed to play .500 or so that weekend in Indy - with a lot of people playing the same deck. I asked an older player why so many people were and he, of course, said it was the Meta standard and proceeded to ask me why I wasn't playing it. A lot of players gave me kudos, though, for playing something different. Those compliments stuck with me a lot more than the chastising I received from the people who made fun of my lack of knowledge and I continue to be Anti-Meta to this day. I do not know how many of you are out there - those like me who reject the standard and instead forge their own path of frustration and, let's face it, a bit of masochism - but I want to discuss my own process and how I go about countering what everyone else does. Maybe this will help some of you who get bored playing the same thing over and over again, maybe not, but I think it's worth a hearty discussion over a couple beers.

First - I start with the current Meta standard decks. Now that Arena is here, I end up just catching on after playing the same thing 2000x over, but before Arena, I would go on Aetherhub and just look it up. Currently, there are 9 decks that truly dominate the Meta on Arena. They are as follows:

Mono-Red Aggro

Main 60 cards (12 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (19)
$0.22€0.150.03
$0.26€0.180.03
$0.20€0.100.03
$0.34€0.230.04
$0.30€0.140.02
Planeswalker (1)
$0.50€0.340.02
Creature (20)
$0.20€0.130.03
$0.99€0.470.02
$0.86€0.650.02
$0.20€0.100.03
$0.20€0.120.03
Land (20)
$0.15€0.030.05
Side 15 cards (7 distinct)
$0.49€0.280.02
$0.75€0.500.02
$0.24€0.070.03
$0.25€0.190.03
$0.25€0.170.03
$0.50€0.340.02
$0.25€0.110.03

Bant Ramp

Main 60 cards (17 distinct)
Creature (26)
$5.50€2.270.02
$0.50€0.670.03
$1.04€1.100.06
$0.20€0.110.03
$0.25€0.190.03
$0.38€0.360.02
$1.93€1.701.04
$0.45€0.932.50
Planeswalker (8)
$3.73€2.440.02
$3.95€5.305.39
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (1)
$1.01€0.660.02
Land (25)
$0.39€0.230.02
$10.12€9.740.24
$16.37€15.090.17
$8.24€9.460.17
$1.10€0.970.02
$0.19€0.020.03
Side 15 cards (9 distinct)
$0.24€0.110.03
$0.38€0.360.02
$0.38€0.210.02
$0.22€0.120.03
$6.90€6.235.34
$0.25€0.090.04
$0.30€0.210.02
$0.70€0.530.02
$0.20€0.170.03

Esper Hero

Main 60 cards (21 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (10)
$0.44€0.290.02
$0.25€0.100.03
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.25€0.140.03
Creature (14)
$0.25€0.170.03
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.23€0.080.03
$0.47€0.260.02
$0.38€0.360.02
Planeswalker (11)
$7.50€12.440.17
$0.83€0.740.04
$1.36€1.000.02
$3.95€5.305.39
Land (25)
$2.67€1.800.02
$13.50€13.600.29
$10.02€9.660.07
$1.10€0.970.02
$8.24€9.460.17
$1.67€1.320.02
$0.15€0.100.04
$0.15€0.110.04
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
$0.20€0.060.03
$0.46€0.270.03
$0.30€0.210.02
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.39€0.240.02
$0.50€0.460.15
$0.44€0.290.02
$1.36€1.000.02

Esper Control

Main 60 cards (21 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (20)
$0.25€0.140.03
$0.44€0.290.02
$2.93€2.670.02
$0.39€0.240.02
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.50€0.450.02
$3.04€1.860.04
$0.56€0.480.02
$0.30€0.440.57
Planeswalker (12)
$3.95€5.305.39
$65.35€68.1410.06
$0.83€0.740.04
Creature (2)
$0.23€0.080.03
Land (26)
$0.18€0.020.03
$13.50€13.600.29
$0.20€0.020.03
$1.67€1.320.02
$8.24€9.460.17
$10.02€9.660.07
$1.10€0.970.02
$2.67€1.800.02
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
$0.45€0.330.02
$0.20€0.100.04
$0.46€0.270.03
$0.21€0.100.03
$0.56€0.480.02
$0.44€0.290.02
$0.24€0.100.03
$0.50€0.750.02

Bant Scapeshift

Main 60 cards (28 distinct)
Creature (15)
$0.25€0.160.03
$0.38€0.360.02
$0.20€0.090.03
$1.04€1.100.06
Planeswalker (4)
$3.95€5.305.39
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (12)
$20.67€13.020.15
$0.83€0.450.03
$0.30€0.270.03
Land (29)
$0.20€0.090.03
$0.20€0.120.03
$1.15€0.870.02
$0.20€0.110.03
$0.39€0.230.02
$16.37€15.090.17
$0.20€0.100.03
$8.24€9.460.17
$0.18€0.070.03
$10.12€9.740.24
$2.68€2.030.02
$1.10€0.970.02
$0.20€0.090.03
$30.32€23.520.12
$0.49€0.380.10
$0.16€0.100.03
$0.47€0.180.03
$0.15€0.150.03
$0.22€0.140.03
$0.78€0.570.02
Side 15 cards (7 distinct)
$0.55€0.670.03
$0.38€0.210.02
$0.22€0.120.03
$3.04€1.860.04
$3.19€1.990.02
$0.30€0.210.02
$0.29€0.150.03

Simic Flash

Main 60 cards (16 distinct)
Creature (19)
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.55€0.310.02
$0.62€1.000.03
$0.24€0.110.03
$0.23€0.160.03
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (18)
$0.25€0.110.03
$0.25€0.120.03
$0.21€0.090.03
$0.19€0.060.03
$0.22€0.140.03
$0.20€0.040.03
Land (23)
$0.39€0.230.02
$0.15€0.020.03
$1.15€0.870.02
$0.16€0.100.03
$16.37€15.090.17
Side 15 cards (7 distinct)
$0.25€0.140.03
$0.24€0.120.03
$0.38€0.210.02
$6.90€6.235.34
$0.28€0.220.04
$0.25€0.120.03
$0.35€0.220.02

W/B Vampires

Main 60 cards (15 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (8)
$0.30€0.440.57
$3.13€3.620.02
$0.50€0.460.15
Creature (26)
$1.53€1.610.03
$0.28€0.230.03
$0.23€0.110.03
$0.52€0.500.02
$0.50€0.640.03
$0.45€0.400.02
$0.25€0.160.03
Planeswalker (4)
$13.00€14.181.85
Land (22)
$0.19€0.030.05
$0.15€0.150.03
$1.67€1.320.02
$10.02€9.660.07
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
$0.50€0.460.15
$0.20€0.100.04
$0.20€0.080.03
$0.46€0.270.03
$0.24€0.100.03
$0.25€0.150.03
$1.00€0.880.02
$1.25€1.070.03

Boros Feather

Main 60 cards (16 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (19)
$0.25€0.180.03
$0.20€0.040.03
$0.86€1.480.03
$0.24€0.110.03
$0.18€0.080.03
$0.20€0.210.03
Creature (19)
$0.23€0.270.03
$0.25€0.160.03
$0.75€0.500.02
$1.10€1.310.24
$0.75€0.500.02
Land (22)
$0.18€0.160.04
$0.35€0.220.02
$17.00€14.830.76
$0.15€0.150.03
$1.00€0.790.02
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
$1.20€0.970.02
$0.75€0.500.02
$0.25€0.190.03
$0.22€0.120.03
$0.20€0.150.03
$0.24€0.070.03
$0.15€0.040.03
$1.00€0.880.02

I have to admit, the current Meta is extremely fun. There is a lot of diversity and a lot of room for creativity in those 9 decks. My stubbornness, however, prevents me from playing those decks. Now I have taken these decks and modified them for my own playstyle and used them before, but this article is about how to brew your own counter to a Meta, not how to take the Meta and manipulate it to your own. 

Each deck has its own strength that allows it to dominate consistently. Usually, these are specific cards that either have a synergy together or are individually so strong that they can be a win condition on their own. I approached each deck in the following ways when I sat down to create my own deck that could be competitive with them (and wrote all of this down by hand becuse I'm an analog idiot like that):

Mono Red - This deck is all about synergy, speed, and consitency. I have to admit, at its strongest, Mono red is fairly difficult to beat no matter what you are playing against it. Turn 1 hits you with Fanatical Firebrandimage more often than not and turn two leads to Runaway Steam-Kinimage or Viashino Pyromancerimage. There is burn to back all of that and pump the Steam-Kin in following turns, with Goblin Chain-Whirler helping shut down other aggro. The only way to really counter this deck is to disrupt later turns when it tries to exile cards to play with Chandra, Fire-Artisan or top deck cards with Experimental Frenzyimage. Even then, Mono Red tends to have you at 9 or less life by turn 4 and you're worried about burn to the face. 

      Answers (With cards I like to include):

                     Life gain - Bishop of Wingsimage Enter the God-Eternalsimage Oath of Kayaimage

                     Disruption - Thought Erasureimage Unmoored Egoimage 

      Now it would be a knee-jerk reaction to go to counter or creature kill here, but there's just too much value. Mono-red just doesn't care that you Cast Downimage or Shockimage to their creatures. If it's the pyromancer, they already got their value out of it anyway. You have to outlast Mono-Red, which is also why counters does not work particularly well unless you're playing

Mono-Blue Tempo

Main 60 cards (13 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (21)
$0.25€0.190.03
$0.29€0.250.03
$0.21€0.090.03
$0.25€0.100.03
$0.25€0.140.03
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.69€1.220.03
Creature (18)
$0.40€0.320.02
$0.25€0.150.03
$0.41€0.410.03
$0.25€0.810.03
$0.62€1.000.03
Land (21)
$0.16€0.040.05
Side 15 cards (8 distinct)
$0.25€0.120.02
$0.23€0.140.03
$0.35€0.220.02
$0.28€0.220.04
$0.25€0.130.03
$0.25€0.090.04
$0.83€0.740.04
$0.25€0.100.03

or Simic Flash, both of which are really just Meta decks. So if you're trying to go down that route, you leave yourself back where we started, you copy of a copy of a copy similucrum you. So resist that urge. 

 

Temur Elementals - This deck is also about synergy and speed, with mana ramping and Risen Reefimage helping you get your Omnath, Locus of the Roilimage and Cavalier of Thornsimage out on the board. Turn 1 is hopefully Llanowar Elvesimage, turn 2 Risen Reefimage or another mana dork. This is difficult to stop once it gets started. If they have Omnath or Cavalier out turn 3, you're probably up the creek without a paddle as there isn't a whole lot to do. 

     Answers:

                    Board Wipe - Kaya's Wrathimage Time Wipeimage Ritual of Sootimage Cleansing Novaimage Flame Sweepimage

                    Tempo/Counter - Frilled Mysticimage Voracious Hydraimage

I wanted to list burn here, but I really haven't had a lot of success burning away this deck. You have to get it after they've already played their creatures - which is difficult, I know. I've had success playing Tempo against this deck as it is semi-combo-y. 

BANT Ramp - Honestly, play this deck the same way you play Elementals as it's a similar format. It ramps into Voracious Hydraimage and Hydroid Krasisimage, though, instead of elementals and has Nissa, Who Shakes the Worldimage, possibly turn 3. 

Esper Hero/Esper Control - I hate Esper in any form, personally, but it has been an extremely successful archetype in the current Meta. With cards like Teferi, Hero of Dominariaimage and Teferi, Time Ravelerimage, it is difficult to beat once the pieces are in play. Hero is the more difficult of the two to take on as it has tempo elements that mix very well with control elements. Turn 2 Hero of Precinct Oneimage followed by turn 3 Deputy of Detentionimage can be extremely effective against the current meta, removing a person's turn three threat from the board and gaining value with a 1/1 token. The control version doesn't have the same tempo synergy but does contain tempo/card advantage elements that keep cards in your opponents hands while also limiting your ability to get cards on the board. The only answer for these decks is to create your own advantages and out tempo the control elements, somehow. If they get Narset, Parter of the Veils out, it creates a lot of issues for other decks. 

     Answers: 

                    Counters - Frilled Mysticimage Dovin's Vetoimage

                    Tempo - Teferi, Time Ravelerimage 

Bant Scapeshift - I love this deck, I am not going to lie. I've already written about it in a different article - I am embarassed how much I love Scapeshift. With the ramp combined with the tempo elements, this a a difficult deck to encounter. Recent PTQ's have shown that it is dominating the current Meta and I don't think it'll stop until the cycle, but you still have to play against it. Turn 1 - Arboreal Grazerimage followed by turn 2 - Growth Spiral and turn 3 - Elvish Rejuvenatorimage is a pain. I really only have one answer for this - disrupt the absolute b-jeezus out of it. Get as many cards into that graveyard as possible. Two cards that I like against Scapeshift are Psychic Corrosionimage and Patient Rebuildingimage. The planeswalker Ashiok, Dream Renderimage can also be particularly effective.

Simic Flash - Good luck. I really mean it. If they get set up, it's done. I've scooped more times to this deck than I care to admit. It really doesn't matter what you're playing against it - it's like they are playing Solitaire - The Magic Edition. I wait out the counters and just hope that I can empty their hand of stuff. Seriously. That's the only success I've had against this deck. If you have tips, please send them to me because once I see it get set up I basically want to go hide in a closet or something. 

W/B Vamps - Oh man, can this deck be effective. Turn 1 - Just full of possibilities. I like Knight of the Ebon Legionimage myself, but Legion's Landing // Adanto, the First Fortimage or Vicious Conquistadorimage is just as good. Turn 2 - Legion Lieutenant. Turn 3 - Win. No, but seriously, it's good. Board wipes followed by prayers. 

Boros Feather - I hate this deck. It isn't even really that great - just Feather, the Redeemedimage, Tenth District Legionnaireimage, followed by pump, protection, and repeat. It either goes off for them or doesn't. Any kind of tempo, disruption, or counter tends to work against this deck, but my hatred comes from how long it takes other people to play it! So many spells, so many passing of priority. Wish I could say this deck is going away, but it'll be Standard for a while. 

 

So after all of that, I sit down and look at which archetypes fit the best to counter the meta. Tempo and Disruption seemed to be the best possible solution - with white/blue being the natural color combination as it has access to board wiping AND tempo. So I created

U/W Jace (Deck your Opponent)

Main 64 cards (18 distinct)
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (28)
$0.87€0.520.02
$0.15€0.040.03
$3.04€1.860.04
$5.08€4.400.03
$0.45€0.480.02
$0.92€1.011.42
$0.65€0.410.02
$0.77€0.480.02
$0.30€0.210.02
Planeswalker (10)
$0.83€0.740.04
$3.95€5.305.39
$5.99€2.840.17
$7.50€12.440.17
Creature (2)
$1.93€1.640.02
Land (24)
$1.10€0.970.02
$8.24€9.460.17
$0.18€0.020.03
$0.15€0.020.03

as an answer. This was after being wrong and thinking that Bolas was the answer, but no one is perfect. I know that decking someone is considered Jank a lot of the time, But I made it to Platinum playing this almost exclusively and no one really sees it coming. Plus, Patient Rebuildingimage turns those xDead decks on their heads and gives you cards in hand while making it harder for them to go off. I also like

Tutor TroNiscience - Possible Infinite

Main 60 cards (18 distinct)
Creature (12)
$0.25€0.160.03
$0.45€0.932.50
$0.25€0.190.03
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (12)
$0.15€0.110.03
$1.49€0.800.02
$0.96€0.600.02
$6.75€6.660.24
Planeswalker (12)
$0.50€0.290.02
$3.99€4.670.06
$4.70€4.852.22
$3.73€2.440.02
$1.25€0.890.02
Land (24)
$0.20€0.040.05
$0.19€0.020.03
$11.95€10.240.15
$16.37€15.090.17
$13.50€13.600.29
$0.15€0.020.03
Side 15 cards (15 distinct)
$0.50€0.260.02
$3.88€2.990.02
$0.87€0.620.02
$0.25€0.140.02
$0.20€0.120.03
$2.34€1.860.20
$0.30€0.150.02
$0.39€0.220.02
$0.50€0.360.02
$0.80€0.270.03
$15.73€11.700.03
$0.55€0.450.02
$8.48€7.820.07
$12.25€9.261.17
$12.92€9.140.02

a combo deck that I built that includes an infinite combo. 

 

That's all for now - this is the Master Shake Signal signing off. 

 

About Mastershake1983:

But Frylock, I am the Leader!

Comments

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3 comments

Longbow99
Great article! Glad I'm not alone in hating the netdecks
Ral
the best way to beat simic flash is to play white and rule of law
forbesti91
The key to beating Simic Flash, play Simic Flash....
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