TES Infernal Tutoring #48

Jarvis Yu

So, assuming that this is the deck we’re facing, I do not believe they actually have [[Karn, the Great Creator]] and they only have access to four [[Force of Will]]s in Game One.

Given that, we have access to 7 mana this in turn (4 lands + 2 [[Lotus Petal]] + [[Rite of Flame]]).

You can lead off by casting [[Prismatic Ending]] on [[Portable Hole]] tapping the [[Tundra]]. If it resolves, I would cast [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Burning Wish]]. I would get [[Echo of Eons]] from the [[Burning Wish]] and get [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] from [[Wishclaw Talisman]].

After this, there are way too many seven card hands that come out to determine what to do. Without accounting for duplicate cards, an upper bound is 53,524,680 different hands (i.e. 46!/(7!*39!)).

The alternative line of play is to not cast [[Burning Wish]] and cast [[Ad Nauseam]] instead.

Let’s actually look at this from a mathematical perspective real quickly and compare the two cards.

From my quick computation, the Expected Mana Value should be the sum of all of the nonzero mana costs of the 46 cards remaining divided by 46 (removing [[Ad Nauseam]] as well) which works out to the following:

• 2 [[Burning Wish]]
• 3 [[Wishclaw Talisman]]
• 3 [[Brainstorm]]
• 4 [[Ponder]]
• 1 [[Tendrils of Agony]]
• 1 [[Echo of Eons]]
• 4 [[Veil of Summer]]
• 2 [[Orim’s Chant]]
• 3 [[Rite of Flame]]
• 4 [[Dark Ritual]]

This works out to (2*3+2*3+3*1+4*1+1*4+1*6+4*1+2*1+3*1+4*1) / 46 = 0.91304347826.

The expected number of cards you get from this is therefore 11 / 0.91304347826 = 12.0476190476 (you can’t pay 12 life, but you can certainly pay 11).

So the real judgment call here is if using all of your mana to cast [[Ad Nauseam]] for 12 cards versus having 2 extra mana with [[Echo of Eons]] for 7 cards is better.

My instinct is that the [[Echo of Eons]] is better but it would be an enormous computational task to compare the two directly (an upper bound of hands for 12 cards from a 46 card deck is 38,910,617,655 (46!/(12!*34!))).

With regards to playing around hate, I don’t belive waiting is worth it when your opponent has [[Emry, Lurker of the Loch]] plus [[Urza’s Bauble]] in the graveyard. Every turn that passes they draw two cards, which is just many more looks at a [[Force of Will]].

Jordan Karim

In my mind, removing the [[Portable Hole]] is how we start this turn. While removal of the [[Kaldra Compleat]]-equipped [[Germ Token]] can buy us time to further sculpt our hand, I want to go off this turn.

By starting with [[Prismatic Ending]] on [[Portable Hole]], we can [[Rite of Flame]] into two [[Lotus Petal]], play and fetch with [[Polluted Delta]], then tutor and cast [[Ad Nauseam]] from eleven life.

If the [[Prismatic Ending]] is met with a [[Force of Will]], our backup play is a [[Galvanic Relay]] for seven. That should be enough to piece together a combo next turn.

Bryant Cook

I believe that there’s three reasonable choices here:

1. [[Prismatic Ending]] to remove [[Portable Hole]], activate [[Polluted Delta]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], and then use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find [[Ad Nauseam]] from 11 life.
2. [[Prismatic Ending]] to remove [[Portable Hole]], play [[Polluted Delta]], [[Rite of Flame]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Lotus Petal]], [[Burning Wish]] for [[Echo of Eons]], and then use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. At this point, use [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to Flashback [[Echo of Eons]].
3. [[Prismatic Ending]] to remove [[Portable Hole]] to set up a [[Peer into the Abyss]] on the following turn.

The first option is risky because [[Echo of Eons]] and [[Tendrils of Agony]] are still in the deck with only two copies of [[Lotus Petal]] left in the library. This creates greater risk when we need to flip zero mana artifacts in order to win the game.

[[Echo of Eons]] always comes with a little bit of risk. We’re down two “tutor effects” but we’d have three open mana post-[[Echo of Eons]].

The [[Peer into the Abyss]] line intrigues me but you run the risk of leaving yourself open to a second copy of [[Portable Hole]] or a similar effect.

I’d wager there’s a chance they don’t have [[Force of Will]] in the deck in game one, not a guarantee but we’re dealing with an unknown quantity. Because of this, I’d spin the wheel on [[Echo of Eons]]. I’m very tempted by the third option, but casting [[Ad Nauseam]] isn’t something I’d do.

Alex Poling

I would start by using two of the mana to cast [[Prismatic Ending]] on the [[Portable Hole]]. This gives [[Wishclaw Talisman]] back and I would use my third land to activate it and search for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. I would then play the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], my land, and the rest of my artifact mana and [[Rite of Flame]] to cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Echo of Eons]]. Then I would sacrifice [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to put [[Echo of Eons]] in the graveyard and flash it back. I would not play around anything here.

Alex McKinley

The first step of this turn is to cast the [[Prismatic Ending]]. If the opponent lets it resolve, it feels unlikely that they have a [[Force of Will]] effect and we have 6 mana, a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and a [[Burning Wish]]. I think that things do not get better in this game state and would go off through [[Echo of Eons]]. If the opponent does counter the [[Prismatic Ending]], I would play the [[Polluted Delta]] and then cast [[Burning Wish]] to find [[Peer into the Abyss]] to cast next turn.

Greg Sor

We are one mana short to go to get [[Peer into the Abyss]], one mana short to go [[Galvanic Relay]] protected by [[Veil of Summer]], and [[Empty the Warrens]] is not a good line.

What I would probably do is [[Prismatic Ending]] on [[Portable Hole]]. If our opponent uses a [[Force of Will]], we are free to play our hand out for a [[Galvanic Relay]] for seven that can win the following turn.

If the opponent doesn’t [[Force of Will]] our [[Prismatic Ending]], I would just cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Peer into the Abyss]] the following turn.

Jarvis Yu

I would remember the exact text on [[Orim’s Chant]] and realize we have a [[Scrubland]] in our deck. I would attack with eight [[Goblin Token]]s, say go, use [[Verdant Catacombs]] to fetch up [[Scrubland]] and kicker [[Orim’s Chant]] on my opponent’s upkeep. They are now at six life, and there are many good draws lead to a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] on our turn.

Jordan Karim

This one stumped me at first! I could not find a way to beat the lifelink from the equipped [[Shadowspear]]. [[Orim’s Chant]] stops all combat damage when kicked, making it a drastic improvement from the [[Silence]] that I am used to playing.

Armed with the knowledge that [[Orim’s Chant]] is better than [[Silence]] in the deck, the first step is to attack with the team. We then fetch [[Scrubland]] with [[Verdant Catacombs]] leaving us at three life. In our opponent’s upkeep, we cast a kicked [[Orim’s Chant]]. This also plays around a top-decked [[Dauthi Voidwalker]].

Next turn, we use our [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to fetch [[Burning Wish]] for [[Prismatic Ending]]. Once we remove the [[Shadowspear]]-equipped [[Construct Token]], we have a lethal attack through our opponent’s remaining blocker.

And they say combat math is for Limited players!

Bryant Cook

First, we attack with all eight of our [[Goblin Token]]s. Then we search up [[Scrubland]] with [[Verdant Catacombs]], tap [[Underground Sea]] to activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Burning Wish]], and then pass. In our opponent’s upkeep, cast [[Orim’s Chant]] WITH THE KICKER. On our turn, cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Prismatic Ending]] to exile the [[Construct Token]] with [[Shadowspear]] on it and then attack for lethal. Shout out to Alex for this line, this scenario is really clever!

Alex Poling

I would attack for eight here putting the opponent down to six and just pass the turn. On my opponent’s upkeep I would sacrifice [[Verdant Catacombs]] for [[Scrubland]] and cast [[Orim’s Chant]] with kicker to prevent any spell from being cast or the opponent from attacking. They may play a land and just pass the turn. Then on my turn I would [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to search for [[Burning Wish]] and then tutor for [[Prismatic Ending]] and cast it for zero targeting the token with [[Shadowspear]]. Then I can attack eight goblins into their one blocker and they aren’t able to gain any life to deal seven damage.

Alex McKinley

Despite this looking rather hopeless, there is a fairly deterministic kill here! Use the [[Underground Sea]] or the [[Badlands]] to activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to find [[Burning Wish]]. We then attack our opponent for 8 damage, putting them to 6. In their upkeep, kick [[Orim’s Chant]] to prevent the opponent from attacking us (and gaining life) and casting the [[Karn, the Great Creator]] in their hand. On our next turn, we have eight attackers to their two blockers, which would be not a problem except for the [[Shadowspear]]. Casting [[Burning Wish]] for [[Prismatic Ending]] to remove the [[Shadowspear]] does give lethal!

Greg Sor

Attack for eight with all the [[Goblin Token]]s, upkeep fetch for [[Scrubland]], [[Orim’s Chant]] kicked, my turn activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Burning Wish]], cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Prismatic Ending]] removing the equipped [[Construct Token]], attack for win.

Jarvis Yu

Since [[Galvanic Relay]] cleverly leaves the cards in exile, [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] is as good as [[Black Lotus]] this turn.

On board, we have two lands + two [[Lotus Petal]] + [[Dark Ritual]] + [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for access of total of nine mana.

Personally, the worry about passing is mostly [[Meltdown]] (supposing you cast all of your artifacts and say go), so I would try to cobble together something meaningful this turn.

[[Wishclaw Talisman]] can be mana neutral but generates extra storm if necessary by searching up [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]]. You also have redraws if they happen to have exactly two [[Force of Will]]s + two other blue cards.

Considering all of that and careful sequencing (the order is basically the most important thing here since you have so much action)

• Step One: I would lead off by playing [[Scrubland]], [[Orim’s Chant]]. If they [[Force of Will]] it, I would probably cast [[Veil of Summer]] off [[Taiga]]. If they don’t [[Force of Will]] the [[Veil of Summer]], you’re still clear to go versus everything that exists ([[Mindbreak Trap]] joke).
• Step Two: It’s a little complicated because the one mana might matter (it’s not deterministic). We’re short storm for lethal. By my count, [[Orim’s Chant]] plus [[Dark Ritual]] plus [[Brainstorm]] plus [[Wishclaw Talisman]] searching up [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] plus a second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] plus [[Wishclaw Talisman]] searching up [[Tendrils of Agony]] is only Storm eight where Storm nine is necessary since they are at 19.

You should lead with [[Brainstorm]] looking for a way to generate one more Storm. If you fail, you always have the out of using [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Echo of Eons]] plus [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] to reset and try to assemble a kill that way.

Jordan Karim

If we can [[Veil of Summer]] to protect [[Orim’s Chant]] (baiting out one or two pieces of interaction), the game is ours.

Counting it all out, we have a lethal natural Storm line even if we have to cast both of our protection spells.

Start with playing our [[Scrubland]] and casting [[Orim’s Chant]]. If the opponent has counter magic, we use our [[Veil of Summer]] to protect. Regardless of it’s resolving, we can move to developing mana from our exile pile. [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and [[Dark Ritual]] give us .

Next, we cast a [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and use it to find a [[Rite of Flame]]. Cracking our remaining [[Lotus Petal]] gives us (notice all other copies are in our graveyard). Our last [[Wishclaw Talisman]] can be cast and used to find [[Burning Wish]] into [[Tendrils of Agony]] for exactly lethal Storm and using all of our mana!

Bryant Cook

I’d start on [[Scrubland]] into [[Orim’s Chant]] with [[Veil of Summer]] backup. I’d reevaluate what I can do post-protection spells, but it’s likely a natural spell chain to [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Alex Poling

With the opponent only having four cards in hand and having already used a [[Force of Will]] and a [[Daze]], I would put them on having one more counter. I would start with playing the [[Scrubland]] and using it to cast [[Orim’s Chant]]. If it didn’t get countered, then I am clear to combo, but even if it does get countered, I wouldn’t play around another. I would then play the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Dark Ritual]], and [[Wishclaw Talisman]] off the [[Lotus Petal]]. From there, I can sacrifice the [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for three black mana and use that, the remaining mana from [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lotus Petal]] and [[Taiga]] to activate [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and cast [[Ad Nauseam]].

Alex McKinley

As with most situations with [[Galvanic Relay]], it is best to start with the free things! I would start by playing [[Scrubland]] and then casting [[Orim’s Chant]]. Given how this game has progressed, it feels unlikely that the opponent has a [[Force of Will]]. If they do, I would cast [[Veil of Summer]] to protect the [[Orim’s Chant]]. If that happens, there is a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] line through casting both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]], rotating one for [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and the other finding [[Tendrils of Agony]]. If the [[Orim’s Chant]] just resolves, there is a pretty clear [[Ad Nauseam]] line.

Greg Sor

Starting the turn with [[Orim’s Chant]], if they counter we go [[Veil of Summer]], [[Dark Ritual]], [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Scalding Tarn]] for [[Underground Sea]], crack [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for , activate both copies of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for [[Rite of Flame]] and [[Burning Wish]], then [[Empty the Warrens]] for 10. In case they don’t counter after the [[Orim’s Chant]], we start on [[Brainstorm]]. If we find any mana source or lands, we can [[Tendrils of Agony]] for the rest of their life total.