Michigan 2016 Regional Winner

Well played! I can't see anything in the deck that surprises me beyond using Raiders and Pirates over Kinsmen. All the other choices I think are iffy are the ones you said are interchangeable (personally I'd swap the Starcannons for 2 x Doom).

Oh, and that Tense Negotiations isn't even considered.

I might have to eat my words about these decks if they see top spots at nationals

If Eldorath is finally competitive, next GenCon it could actually win drawing just 2 cards per turn...

Congratulations on the win! One question, though - does every choice in this deck make sense without Bonesinger? I'm not at all fond of Iyanden Wraithguard or Soaring Falcon at 3 cost. (I know we've discussed this before, but I think the objection still stands.)

Well played! I can't see anything in the deck that surprises me beyond using Raiders and Pirates over Kinsmen. All the other choices I think are iffy are the ones you said are interchangeable (personally I'd swap the Starcannons for 2 x Doom).

Oh, and that Tense Negotiations isn't even considered.

Doom was removed for DDS. With ETC in the deck, I'd only run up to 3 copies total between the 2 cards as my swarm control. Beyond that, I'd like to be drawing cards that help my deck work in other ways.

 

The slightly high cost curve of this deck calls for the Rogue Traders, while the combo pieced call for the Void pirates. The economy is just too important with this deck shape, and I find small combat units like Kinsmen are best in large numbers, but they didn't get much testing tbh.

 

Tense Negotiations is an obviously powerful card, but I just have so many options that I feel fit this deck better. The deck already takes care of most of what the planet abilities have to offer. The final slots of the deck are taken by cards that are just going to have more consistent impact, at least with my style. I think that Foretell would make the list just ahead of Tense Negotiations, actually.

I might have to eat my words about these decks if they see top spots at nationals

They are definitely a thing lol. I thinking that finding the balance is tricky without the end result coming out full-jank. Of all of the decks that I've made, this one required the most playtesting to get right.

Also. Starcannon OP.

Congratulations on the win! One question, though - does every choice in this deck make sense without Bonesinger? I'm not at all fond of Iyanden Wraithguard or Soaring Falcon at 3 cost. (I know we've discussed this before, but I think the objection still stands.)

First, is your list up yet? I have a feeling that we play them differently, even if they look similar. I'm very interested in what and how you play.

I'll re-explain my points for those who weren't there for are other conversations.

 

Thanks for the congrats! I would say yes, they do make sense. As for if those 2 units are the BEST choice, that comes down to how the deck plays, as a whole. I would consider testing them as 2x without the Bonesinger. My personal theory on Bonesinger Choir is that if your deck happens to have 10+ targets for it that already make sense, you should consider it as a 1x or 2x if it will help your deck better than other includes.

 

Without Bonesinger, Iyanden Wraithguard would be minimum 2x due to it's power on a Jetbike. I try to play that attachment as much as is possible and makes sense. My deck relies very much on the threat and versatility of it's movement effects to gain an advantage. Armorbane 4 on a jetbike is a serious threat to a Warlord.

 

The Soaring Falcon is a bit trickier to explain when it can be so easily compared to the lower-cost Trailblazer. For 1 cost (sans Bonesinger), you get 4 HP. So, how do I use this 4 HP? In a lot of minor ways and a couple very useful ways. It's a very flexible unit.

Can't be pinged.

It is surprisingly useful in small combats and can even chase a sniping Warlord away.

It can do much more work than Trailblazer in a battle of attrition (a weakness to my deck) and can occasionally tilt it my way.

Your opponent uses Smasha Gun Battery, Fetid Haze, or (more commonly) Ork Kannon, and your Falcon says "Cool Story, bro."

Drone Defense System. Seriously huge here. Not only can I mobile this over to an opposing Warlord train (like a Trailblazer would do), but the Falcon can take a beating while your opponent exhausts their units to damage it, making the DDS that much more effective. If your opponent spends 3 attacks hitting a Soaring Falcon, you're doing something right.

Soaring Falcon is TOUGH. There is power in movement in this deck. There are many cases where I can have only a lone Soaring Falcon at a planet against several enemy units. With only that as a target for attacks, my opponents attacks are practically wasted. Then, when the timing is right, Jetbikes, Vypers, and Wilderiders move on over and finish the fight against exhausted units.

Are all of these benefits important? I don't think so, but most games these benefits can add up to be useful or just plain game-changing. I could see myself using 2x Soaring Falcon and 2x Trailblazer (with or without Bonesinger), that way I have the Soaring Falcon most of the times that I need it, but can save money when I don't.

Doom was removed for DDS. With ETC in the deck, I'd only run up to 3 copies total between the 2 cards as my swarm control. Beyond that, I'd like to be drawing cards that help my deck work in other ways.

Interesting, I certainly can see your argument for Pirates and Traders as well as possibly Foretell (though Tense has really helped me out).

From my own experience I have found my losses with Eldorath which haven't been down to my play mistakes have all been games where I didn't draw any swarm control (and I have had a couple of games which I turned completely round by drawing into it). For that reason I am looking at having 2 DDS and 3 Doom - the only reason for me being at 2 DDS is that ECT searches for it.

Having said that, if I weren't playing relying on getting the cards, and being more proactive in preventing hordes from turning up, maybe I could get away with less.

Reading your decklist has certainly made me think about a couple of tweaks I can make to mine, thanks!

Report back after some playtesting!

 

My primary method of swarm control is taking all of the cards for myself!
I agree that preventing the swarms from getting going without specific cards is a great way to make deck space. That said, I do miss Doom some days!

First, is your list up yet? I have a feeling that we play them differently, even if they look similar. I'm very interested in what and how you play.

I'll re-explain my points for those who weren't there for are oth

 

Yup, here's my own build at present.

Yup, here's my own build at present.

Looks great, obviously. A lot less heavy hitters than what I'm running, but that clearly doesn't hinder you.