Mono Gearsmith or Gearsmith/Archanist?

[Tanis143]

Ok, getting ready for invitationals, and I've got a mono gearsmith deck I've been tweaking, but wondering if I should go with a little archanist backup. Here is the deck as it stands now:

13 Elitism
2 Elitism starting

4 Basic Node
4 One Legged Hopping Pogo Bear
4 633fy 31f
4 Contriving Engineer
4 Schproingamajig
4 MSC
4 T Force 5 Megascoutmajig
4 Morphamajig
4 700160x e1f
4 Guardforce AlphaPrime 31f

4 Lutoderm Prototype
4 Jacques Trap

4 7331
4 Precise Sabotage
4 ESP

Now, this deck gets biggies out fast. However, with all the control going around I've run into many a times where I'm stalled out enough that my opponent can nickel and dime me to a lose. So, per a suggestion I got I'm think of these changes:

13 Elitism
1 Elitism
1 Obsession

4 Basic Node
4 Contriving Engineer
4 Schproingamajig
4 MSC
4 T Force 5 Megabrutemajig
4 700160x e1f
4 Guardforce AlphaPrime 31f


4 Lutoderm Prototype
4 Jacques Trap

4 7331
4 Precise Sabotage
4 ESP
4 Quotidian Assassination
4 Air Travel
4 Violating Interference

If I had Unnatural Alteration I would use those to get my fatties out faster, but alas, dont have them. I like having those cards to help me prevent or get rid of annoying things like Deceptive Muddler or Torential Bleeder but I dont know if I like replacing characters with tactics, kinda goes against the whole aggro theme.

[La_Sin_Grail]

Napiform Protuberance?

[Tanis143]

Nah, that would be ok in a control deck, but this deck is supposed to be aggro. The only reason I was looking into splashing Obsession is to help against other control decks. So far I dont see it helping much though, play tested it some today, and not only was I not drawing those cards with too much success, if I held them I would have to reserve some resources in order to use them effectively, slowing my aggro rush down. At this point I'm not convinced yet that adding just a splash of control is worth it so will probably tinker my mono gearsmith deck a bit.

[Hordak]

Voidal Interference is the card you mean I think (as opposed to the violating kind of interference :) ). Out of curiosity, why'd you switch down to Alpha Primes from Morphmajigs?

[La_Sin_Grail]

you underestimate the power of protuberance. It takes out blockers so fast it's not even funny. Pillaging pirate? Dead on arrival. heist planner? same thing. Don't forget it reduces speed, too, which can help you force damage through by killing their guys before they can deal damage.

Agro doesn't mean don't play removal, it just means you need cheap removal that doesn't give them life- and tuberance fits the bill. I would hands down say that it goes in over jacque's trap in an agro deck, and I don't see why you would possibly play the purely defensive removal instead of one that can play D or O.

Everything Hordak said, as well.

[s0b3k]

you underestimate the power of protuberance. It takes out blockers so fast it's not even funny. Pillaging pirate? Dead on arrival. heist planner? same thing. Don't forget it reduces speed, too, which can help you force damage through by killing their guys before they can deal damage.

Agro doesn't mean don't play removal, it just means you need cheap removal that doesn't give them life- and tuberance fits the bill. I would hands down say that it goes in over jacque's trap in an agro deck, and I don't see why you would possibly play the purely defensive removal instead of one that can play D or O.

Everything Hordak said, as well.
He is right... protuberance is great in your deck JT is bad if you want to be aggro

[Hordak]

JT discourages them attacking you, meaning more open blockers. You should encourage the attack and use unexpected combat tricks to stymie them, rather than telegraph "DO NOT ATTACK WITH A VALUABLE DUDE!". Protuberance is only good because it hits speed as well.

[Tanis143]

I see your point, however there are so many other ways to get around that (bounce, which is big in my local meta).

And yes Hordak, I meant voidal, I was tired when I posted that list heh

Actually though, I'm scrapping the Obsession idea for something else. Will test it out and post back here what I'm going to do. Basically, why play defense? I'm working on different ways to push mega damage through while having some good removal effects....

[Hordak]

Basically, why play defense? I'm working on different ways to push mega damage through...

MEGA DAMAGE!?!

But, that's a ratio of approximately 1000:1 of normal damage...this tech I HAVE to see.


EDIT: to keep on topic, I look forward to your alternate idea.

[La_Sin_Grail]

Obsession gives you outlets to two cheap removal spells at one thresh, three if you count Quotidian Assasination. Because gearsmith is great with creatures but not so hot with removal, why would you scrap the obsession?

Anyways, I would investigate rogue if I were you, you can play various impeccable timings, bipolar sarcophyles etc. on one threshold.

[Tanis143]

Ok, here is what I came up with today. Play tested it a lot earlier, and basically I've got to play test it more as removal is still my bane (as is most gearsmith decks).

13 Elitism
2 Rage starting

4 Basic Node
4 Deadly Striker
4 Flaming Barduse
4 Contriving Engineer
4 Schproingamajig
4 MSC
4 T Force 5 Megabrutemajig
4 700160x e1f
4 Guardforce AlphaPrime 31f

3 Lutoderm Prototype
1 Dethmurderbludgeon, the Craghammer

4 Shriever Attack
4 1337
4 Hammer Smash
4 ESP
4 Dragon Juice

The only downside is no turn one tool to DMB, however I was tinkering with the idea of splitting my start resources to 1 Elite and 1 Rage, then run 7 Elite and 6 rage. It shouldn't be too hard to get at least 1 elite and 1 rage, or 1 rage and a contriving. There are multitude of ways I can get my second Elite. But, not sure if I'm too keen on this idea. One of the guys I was playtesting with suggested I flip the resources, but that takes out Contriving. I could put something in like plodding brute or Rudo, but that move slows my deck down.

[Hordak]

fun aggro deck. I look forward to playing this :)

[La_Sin_Grail]

I assume you mean two rage starting...

Anyways, it looks to me like a SiN list but without SiN. It's just a little more supersized on some fronts than normal SiN- more expensive but more imdependantly powerful. What makes you want to play this over SiN?

Scout?
Menacing Mauler?

Good luck with this deck.

P.S. it's 1337 not 7331.

[Tanis143]

Blah, I shouldn't post after midnite, my thinking goes to hell in a hand basket. Corrected above typos. And SiN, though a good deck has many flaws, one that you pointed out, individually the characters aren't much, and they take a while to make a good sized board. Same reason I didn't put together a node deck, takes a while to setup. With this I throw down some biggies, start stomping and keep the biggies coming. With the creature removal I do have it should help stop some threats from ruining my board.