Where's the Beef - CHK Block

[realmlord]

I got this deck-list from a Thread on StarCity and started playing it. It can make life very hard for nearly any deck in Kamigawa Block. I will be playing it throughout block season and at GP Minneapolis, only alternating to play my Tora-Reanimator at GP Salt Lake City.
I have a Block FNM on June 3 and a GP Trial on June 4 so I have just over a month to perfect it.

Where's the Beef? 3 Color Control
Creatures (14)
4 Sakura-Tribe Elder
3 Kokusho, the Evening Star
2 Keiga, the Tide Star
1 Azusa, Lost but Seeking
1 Meloku, the Clouded Mirror
1 Kira, Great Glass Spinner
1 Uyo, Silent Prophet
1 Yukora, the Prisoner

Spells (23)
4 Time of Need
4 Kodama's Reach
3 Sensei's Divining Top
3 Sickening Shoal
4 Horobi's Whisper
3 Genju of the Cedars
2 Reweave

Land (23)
10 Forest
5 Swamp
3 Island
2 Tendo Ice Bridge
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
1 Okina, Temple to the Grandfathers
1 Shizo, Death's Storehouse

Sideboard:
3 Cranial Extraction
4 Wear Away
3 Hideous Laughter
4 Hisoka's Defiance
1 Boseiju, Who Shelters All

This deck is another of the "toolbox" types I like so much. My favorite thing to do is Use the Azusa/Uyo or Azusa/Meloku combos. Yukora is a house that can trigger your dragons if he dies. Reweave is an answer to Jitte as well as Making a 1/1 spirit token into a Keiga or Uyo or some other Legendary bad-ass.

Splice tricks are abundant in this deck with Reach, Whisper, Reweave and Shoal. With all of the Shuffle effects, the Top actually makes this deck super consistent. I have never been without either the card I need or a way to get to it. Time of Need is perfect for getting just the right Legendary hotness at just the right time.

[ExaltedShadowmage]

i have a quick question: why aren't you playing Jitte? if there is a good reason, great, but Jitte is amazing in every deck and i see no reason why it shouldn't be here. however, if there is a reason please alert me to it.


also, i think that removing a Yukora for a 4th Kokusho would be good. i am not that big a fan of Yukora because when he dies, all of your other creatures die too. add to that that the formats #1 card, Jitte, doubles as fantastic removal ;that can hit Yukora.

just my 2 cents

[realmlord]

Jitte is most useful in aggro decks. Yes, it is a sick card that can be amazing in many cases. This deck is focusing on control elements with a big finisher.

I don't see the benefit of using mana on Jitte + equip when that same amount can drop Yukora or Kira or play Reach etc.

Once the creatures start raining down on your opponent, the Jitte becomes just a "win more" card. If you can't get the creatures out, since most are pretty costly, then the Jitte is a dead card.

With the amount of removal this deck packs, the opponents who use Jitte may never get any counters on it. Also If I can get Kira and Yukora out, then he is very hard to remove. Horobi's Whisper can't hurt Yukora, Rend Flesh can't hurt Yukora...most decks have to resort to bounce to force him to leave play.

I have been considering a 4th Kokusho, but with all of the tutoring I can do it seemed too much.

So, to recap:
1. Jitte is excellent as a card, but unnecessary in this deck. It takes away from the deck's focus.
2. Yukora is a cheap monstrous creature that is hard to remove and can help make games end very quickly.
3. 4 Kokusho, while not a bad idea, is more than we need since we can tutor for any Legendary creature.
4. You should really put this deck together and just try it. It is fun.
5. NO GIFTS UNGIVEN....HeHeHeHe

[Billtacular]

What's Tora-Reanimator?

[realmlord]

Tora-Reanimator is described in the Thread called "Kami Block: Reanimator Breach"

[ExaltedShadowmage]

hmmmmm

wow yo

thanks for giving me that really thorough explanation;i really appreciate it. it really helps me see where you're coming from.

if that is the case, is one Yukora enough? should there be one more just to make sure that you can get your beat on? i think it might be justified

[realmlord]

I only run one because I only have 1, but I agree that 2 would be more ideal to make sure that Yukora can start kicking some ass.

Maybe -1 Genju, +1 Yukora?

[ExaltedShadowmage]

actually i have one and am able to trade it at the PTQ to you if you are still coming.

that would proabbly work out

[realmlord]

that is definitely sweet. I'll make sure to bring my trade stuff.

[Jameson]

steve, are you able to come to a store in columbia once in awhile on saturdays? that is where a lot of the munchkins go every week.

and bringing your trade stuff to the PTQ is a good idea. i found a bunch of good trades there. you just have to remember to stay focused on what you need and what you know you won't regret trading and it works out well. i know i'm bad at bargaining, so i'm in the process of teaching myself to say "no" and making sure not to trade for stuff i THINK i'll use. that's one of the biggest reasons why my crap binder is, well, crappy. and large. but i'm fixing that now.

[ExaltedShadowmage]

yean man thats why i only brought a few things to the PTQ

However, Steve man i fyou need or want that Yukora, please, i'm your man and i know we can reach an EQUITABLE deal. if thats how you spell it right

[realmlord]

What store in Columbia?
I may be able to make it This Saturday or maybe one after the PTQ.

[ExaltedShadowmage]

the store is called Comics To Astonish and is located on Snowden River Parkway.

but don't go this saturday cause i won't be there

do the one after the PTQ

[realmlord]

Ok, I think the first Saturday after this one I can come will be 5/21.....shoot, that is Pre-release. After that I will be an official Corn-holer...husker from Nebraska.

On 5/7 and 5/14 I'll be on house hunting in my new territory.

[ExaltedShadowmage]

ah don't worry about it then.

however, if you can go to the PTQ, that would be sweet

and again, good luckwith the whole house thing