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Preparing for the RIW FEB 3 Pauper 1K

By Kyle Boggemes

Hey everyone!

It’s close to February 3, the RIW Pauper 1K.

Today I’m going to discuss the top decks I need to respect and the broader metagame when updating my weapon of choice, Dimir Terror:

Let’s get to it!

METAGAME UPDATE

Tithing Blade has provided a way to effortlessly add sacrifice effects to decks with Kor Skyfisher and Deadly Dispute effects as card advantage engines.

The ban of Monastery Swiftspear has done damage to red decks. While the red menace still exists, but is nowhere near the prior level of dominance. As a result, an entire spectrum of blue decks can compete. They are sacrificing varying degrees of equity in the aggro matchups to go over the top in mirrors.

GOLGARI GARDENS

As a general rule, I assume the stronger players will gravitate toward midrange decks. The ability to pivot in different matchups can be rewarding if utilized correctly. Golgari Gardens is a great deck if you want dedication to be rewarded. There’s plenty of powerful threats and card advantage; what’s not to like?

Here’s RIW’s own, Nick Norman’s, Golgari Gardens list from a recent Pauper Challenge You can find him crushing MODO Pauper Challenges on the regular as well as RIW’s weekly Weds 6PM Pauper events.

Black with a splash of green is the most popular way to build non-blue midrange.

Crypt Rats threatens to wipe the board while Thorn of the Black Rose and Avenging Hunter generate card advantage.

I can respect Golgari Gardens with Dimir Terror by holding up counters in the mid game. Additional threats are helpful since they won’t stay alive for long.

Mental Note and Thought Scours should be cast responsibly in combination with Brainstorm so I don’t mill too many threats.

MONO BLUE DELVER

If you like tempo decks then look no further than Mono Blue.

Delver and Tolarian Terror are cost effective threats backed by counters and bounce.

Mono Blue operates similarly to Dimir Terror, but is exchanging Gurmag Angler for Cryptic Serpent to remain one color. While the mana is 100% better without any taplands it’s also trading Snuff Out for Snap. A lack of hard removal makes it more difficult to get paid off for surviving to the late game. Both decks are able to perform well in Pauper.

Murmuring Mystic is a concession to Tithing Blade’s sacrifice effect. The 1/1 bird tokens provide sacrifice fodder while also being a great blocker against Affinity’s large threats and opposing Tolarian Terrors. Mystic becomes less potent in post board games once the opponent has access to red blasts.

DIMIR FAERIES

Tempo options also exist with a secondary color. Dimir Faeries is part of the tempo spectrum that sacrifices the streamlined nature of Mono Blue Delver to gain an advantage against opposing blue decks.

As a Dimir Terror pilot I fear the Faeries matchup, but wouldn’t feel equipped to handle the aggressive matchups. The ninjutsu mechanic helps cement an advantage when you’re the aggressor in the matchup.

Dimir Aqueduct is a nice pickup that Dimir Terror can’t play due to the low black card count. It’s not a Swamp for Snuff Out so you must be more dedicated to casting black cards.

Be ready for Spellstutter Sprite with Snuff Out as getting a cheap spell countered and then returned with Ninja of the Deep Hours is a complete blowout.

CAW GATES

Caw Gate is more on the control end of the spectrum. A Blue/White deck taking advantage of pesky creatures to pump with Basilisk Gate.

Counterspell and Journey to Nowhere is the primary disruption that can take down Tolarian Terrors.

Squadron Hawk and Sacred Cat can become threatening thanks to Basilisk Gate, but I don’t want to fire off removal spells willy-nilly. Agony Warps in the sideboard are helpful to neutralize an attack while killing the next threat.

Like most Pauper decks, there’s a 4-drop that’s able to take over the game; Guardian of the Guildpact fulfills that role thanks to the synergy with Basilisk Gate. Again, the second color of Agony Warp can kill the troublesome ⅔.

Prismatic Strands can help in racing situations; another good case for diversifying colors with Gurmag Angler and Tolarian Terror outside of Pyroblast effects.

MONO RED

Mono Red is still thriving despite the Monastery Swiftspear ban.

The presence of Mono Red leads me to playing Dimir Terror instead of a blue strategy that’s centered around card advantage. Establishing a quick 5/5 combined with Unexpected Fangs is the best way to keep up with red.

Remember that Red Elemental Blast in the sideboard will slow down the matchup and make Gurmag Angler the more appealing target for Unexpected Fangs.

AFFINITY

Affinity is the other premier way to attack in Pauper.

Affinity is a proactive archetype, but trades speed for card advantage when compared to Mono Red. Grixis is the slower approach while Azorius speeds up the clock with All That Glitters.

I choose to respect Affinity with Annul over Steel Sabotage to be able to counter Journey to Nowhere against white decks.

Agony Warp provides an answer to a 3/3 indestructible land from Kenku Artificer.

DIMIR TERROR

Without further ado, here’s the list I plan to register:

I’m sticking with Dimir Terror because it’s what I know best. In addition, the presence of Tithing Blade has made it less powerful merely by existing. Every deck has adapted to the increase in sacrifice effects meaning it will only be played in decks that can capitalize on the artifact synergy.

Similar to the move seen by Blue Delver, Murmuring Mystic is adopted to fight sacrifice effects.

Thorn of the Black Rose accomplishes the same goal, but I expect to be attacked against aggressive decks making it a speculative maindeck choice.

I am hopeful I’ll do well with Dimir Terror. It’s a solid choice against the aggressive decks remaining in the format, but can fall short against the Faeries decks. Here’s to dodging Faeries!

CONCLUSION

I’m happy to play Pauper once more as it’s a very fun format. The cards are simpler compared to other formats and it brings us back to a time before planeswalkers. A breath of fresh air and very affordable. Dimir Terror is just under $100.

Thanks for reading!

-Kyle