TES Infernal Tutoring #60

Samantha Murphy

When I look at this hand, I see we have four mana on the board, with access to two more mana with a land drop plus the second [[Mox Opal]]. I see two lines. We can either play fast with playing the [[Taiga]], then float a mana off the [[Mox Opal]] and play out second copy from exile. Play out the [[Mishra’s Bauble]]. Cast the [[Burning Wish]] getting [[Echo of Eons]]. We can then use [[Wishclaw Talisman]] for a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] and then crack and flash back [[Echo of Eons]], leaving us with a [[Misty Rainforest]] and [[Galvanic Relay]] in exile, and one mana left off the second [[Mox Opal]]. That is six Storm with one mana floating and seven new cards. Since they are at 16, we only need two spells for a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]]. There will be four copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], four [[Lotus Petal]], three [[Mox Opal]], and one [[Chrome Mox]] left in the deck of fast mana we can actually play. There will also be only three [[Burning Wish]] left in the deck. To successfully win the game, we would need to make five more mana and find the [[Burning Wish]], or find another [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] plus a way to [[Echo of Eons]]. This would require two of the eight one-mana sources left, a [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and a [[Burning Wish]] to actually win the game this turn. The big risk if we don’t make it is that wheeling them into another [[Chalice of the Void]] on zero, we are going to struggle to win the game. We do have access to [[Pulverize]], which is why I believe playing the [[Taiga]] is correct to up our [[Mountain]] count, preparing to cast this spell. I think this line requires a really unlikely sequence to happen, and since they only have one attacker and we are at 19 life, we can do a similar line by playing the zero drops into the [[Burning Wish]] for [[Echo of Eons]]. Follow up by casting the [[Galvanic Relay]]. This will only be for four, but this sets us up to have [[Echo of Eons]] rolled up for next turn with more mana and more cards from the second [[Galvanic Relay]]. The big worry is them playing a disruptive card such as [[Elite Spellbinder]] to strip a key card from our hand. They have yet to play another White source so it appears they are unlikely to have one in hand though, so their chance at disruption seems low.

I believe the best chance is to wait until next turn to get a bigger opportunity to win the game, and not force a win this turn. The odds of them following up with meaningful interaction appears to be low, and it is worthwhile to increase your chances of winning by waiting.

Jordan Karim

It is unfortunate we had to cast [[Galvanic Relay]] here as opposed to winning outright, but we got very lucky to not actually pick up any cards that are affected by the [[Chalice of the Void]]. Currently, we can act as if it is not on the battlefield at all. My goal for this turn is to properly set up for a combo turn when we untap next. To that end, I like preparing with another [[Galvanic Relay]]. Our main decision point is how to deploy the pieces we have with the mana available. Using both copies of [[Mox Opal]], there is currently six available mana (as I will suggest later, we need to make sure to play the [[Taiga]] from Exile as our land for turn). Unfortunately, this is one short of casting both of our two mana value cards: [[Burning Wish]] and [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. The ability to convert an [[Echo of Eons]] into a win at this stage of the game is slim. We would also be handing our opponent a copy of [[Wishclaw Talisman]] to use if we fail to win. To me, the [[Galvanic Relay]] is the better option at this stage of the game.

For this turn, we should play out [[Mishra’s Bauble]] and [[Mox Opal]] (not forgetting to tap the first one for mana beforehand) and play [[Taiga]] as our land for turn. This will allow the [[Badlands]] in hand to serve as [[Mountain]] number two for the [[Pulverize]] I want to cast on the following turn. Speaking of which, let’s use the [[Burning Wish]] to find the pink elephant from our sideboard. [[Galvanic Relay]] from exile will provide us with four new cards next turn — one more with the [[Mishra’s Bauble]] that we should “crack” to see what our opponent is drawing. Coupled with the [[Wishclaw Talisman]], we have many avenues to victory. The loose plan is to [[Pulverize]] after casting our [[Wishclaw Talisman]] as protection if we need to pass the turn. Our cards from [[Galvanic Relay]], draw for turn, and draw for [[Mishra’s Bauble]] will have to get there.

Bryant Cook

I would take a slightly more conservative line here. I would start on [[Mishra’s Bauble]] and then use it immediately, giving us potential information about a white source to cast [[Archon of Emeria]] or [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]] or even the cards themselves. Assuming that the coast is clear, I would play the [[Taiga]] from exile and then cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Pulverize]]. From here, I would cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and then pass the turn. This line provides us with [[Ad Nauseam]] on the following turn with a [[Pulverize]] to clear us from the [[Chalice of the Void]] or any additional artifact-based disruption.

Alex McKinley

In the dark, I might suspect that this is actually 8-Cast. The opponent not searching [[Mox Opal]] with [[Urza’s Saga]], however, might be a tell that this is initiative right off the bat. Starting this turn by casting [[Mishra’s Bauble]] and looking at their top card to get more information is the best way to start the turn. Still, there is not much to do on this turn. At max, we can make six mana and generate only four Storm. Given that their second [[Urza’s Saga]] is not popping next turn and cannot find [[Pithing Needle]], I would play this turn a touch slow. I would play the [[Taiga]], cast [[Burning Wish]] to find [[Pulverize]] and then [[Mox Opal]] and finish with a [[Galvanic Relay]] to finish the turn.

Alex Poling

The opponent not having White mana is a good sign. It’ll also be a few turns before [[Urza’s Saga]] can find one, so unless they top deck a White source we won’t face any disruptive creatures next turn. The counter argument to that is that if they do draw a White source and play a [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]] it will become hard to win this game. Other than [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]], there isn’t much I fear on their turn, so I would setup to win on my next turn. I would play out the [[Taiga]] and use it with the [[Mox Opal]] to cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Echo of Eons]]. Then, I would play out the other [[Mox Opal]] from exile and the [[Mishra’s Bauble]], and use it to [[Galvanic Relay]] for four. This will setup a combo win for the next turn.

Grant Johnson

Here I think I would just play out our [[Burning Wish]] and [[Wishclaw Talisman]]. We can [[Burning Wish]] for our [[Pulverize]] on the following turn. The other five mana we have access to can cast [[Wishclaw Talisman]] and [[Galvanic Relay]] after we play out all our available zero-drop spells. Between the [[Pulverize]], a new [[Galvanic Relay]] pile, and [[Wishclaw Talisman]] we will likely have a much better chance of winning the following turn after we have removed the [[Chalice of the Void]].

Samantha Murphy

Our UR Delver opponent has a [[Lightning Bolt]] in their graveyard. If they have a fetchland and a draw spell, they seem incredibly likely to have access to that [[Lightning Bolt]] next turn. I would feel pretty strongly that winning this turn if we can is the correct line of play. If we cast [[Mox Opal]], [[Lotus Petal]], and one [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] (Storm 4), we can use the [[Mox Opal]] to cast [[Dark Ritual]]. If we then use the [[Taiga]] and floating to cast [[Burning Wish]] (Storm 6 | ). If this resolves, we can cast [[Thoughtseize]] (Storm 7 | ). If they only have one interaction spell, we can take it from their hand. We then can cast the second [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], cast [[Burning Wish]] using the floating and the [[Lotus Petal]], holding priority and sacrificing both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for . Finally, cast [[Tendrils of Agony]] for lethal. If they have [[Force of Will]] for the first [[Burning Wish]] we can act as if that was the [[Thoughtseize]] being cast and do the same line. I do not believe the extra mana is worth waiting for as we know this line will not get better with a [[Chrome Mox]] in hand and the [[Underground Sea]] untapped because this only allows us to play around [[Daze]] better. They will have more chances to kill us or find more interaction by giving them extra time. Our hand will not be better by waiting while their hand can only improve by waiting.

Jordan Karim

This situation is, thankfully, relatively straightforward once you decide which turn to combo. Seeing that we will not be drawing into cards that do anything for two whole turns, we will be dead before getting a chance to see anything new. If we count up our non-[[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] mana, we can make a maximum of five if we put back two copies of [[Chrome Mox]]. The copies of [[Chrome Mox]] do nothing but add to Storm count. With this five mana, we can cast both copies of [[Burning Wish]] around a single [[Daze]]. Likewise, there is a way to sequence the casting of these spells to use the first [[Burning Wish]] as protection for the second. Let’s break it down with the assumption that both copies of [[Chrome Mox]] get put back.

First, we need to deploy our artifacts. [[Lotus Petal]], both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], and [[Mox Opal]]. Possible points of interaction would be on either the first [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] or the [[Mox Opal]]. But if either of those eat a counterspell we are even better off. We can then move to [[Dark Ritual]] using the [[Mox Opal]] (Storm 6 | ). Committing to using a [[Lotus Petal]] may convince our opponent to act, something we want to delay until a [[Burning Wish]] is on the stack. Next, without cracking the copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], we can cast a [[Burning Wish]] using some of the floating mana. If this resolves, the target is [[Thoughtseize]] to draw out interaction. Ideally, the [[Burning Wish]] itself eats countermagic because it would cost one less mana and add to Storm. Regardless of that particular outcome, the last thing to do is cast the remaining copy of [[Burning Wish]] with the floating mana, sacrificing both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] (Storm 8 | ). Now, with lethal Storm and more than enough mana to play around [[Daze]], we have forced our opponent to have two points of countermagic in their four-card hand. Hopefully this means a lethal [[Tendrils of Agony]] will soon be put on the stack!

Bryant Cook

We’ll start by putting back the pair of [[Chrome Mox]] off of the [[Brainstorm]] — that’s the easy part of this decision. From there, it’s whether or not you make a move for it. The [[Dragon’s Rage Channeler]] doesn’t have Delirium, how we would lose this game is if our opponent has a second copy of [[Lightning Bolt]] and then hits Delirium off of the Surveil trigger. This would require the opponent to have kept in multiple copies of [[Lightning Bolt]] in post-board against us, which isn’t unheard of, but it is out-of-the-norm. I would set up a pass-the-turn scenario where we try to beat their interaction instead of just losing to a [[Force of Will]]. How the next turn plays out is mostly based on the information we have, if they don’t hit Delirium that means they’re only dealing four damage. This would put us at five life, which is a pretty important number. This would mean that [[Thoughtseize]] would be shut off. That said, if they had [[Lightning Bolt]] I would think they could cast it for Surveil into Delirium. On our turn, I’d like to play out all of our mana into [[Burning Wish]] for [[Thoughtseize]]. After this, [[Burning Wish]] into lethal. By playing out all of the mana first, you incentivize the opponent to counter the first [[Burning Wish]] leaving only one other counter in hand. If they let it resolve, you’re threatening [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Alex McKinley

The beginning of this [[Brainstorm]] is relatively easy to resolve. I would put back both copies of [[Chrome Mox]]. This game comes down to how much one believes that the opponent has another copy of [[Lightning Bolt]] and can reach Delirium with the [[Dragon’s Rage Channeler]]. I would start by casting all of my initial mana sources and then the first [[Burning Wish]], intending to find [[Thoughtseize]]. I would then cast the [[Thoughtseize]] targeting the opponent, play the final two copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], cast [[Burning Wish]] and win with [[Tendrils of Agony]].

Alex Poling

The extra mana by waiting a turn certainly makes a difference as it would allow us to [[Peer into the Abyss]], but I think the risk is too high. The opponent has already cast a [[Lightning Bolt]] when they already had an Instant in the graveyard, so I predict they have another one. Even if they don’t, they could use cantrips and [[Dragon’s Rage Channeler]] to find one, so I think this is the turn. I would start by putting back the two copies of [[Chrome Mox]] back with [[Brainstorm]]. I would then play out both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]], [[Lotus Petal]], and [[Mox Opal]]. I would then use [[Mox Opal]] and [[Taiga]] to cast [[Dark Ritual]] and [[Burning Wish]] for the [[Thoughtseize]] and cast it to clear away any counterspells. From here, I would use the black mana floating and the [[Lotus Petal]] to cast the second [[Burning Wish]] for [[Echo of Eons]]. Once [[Echo of Eons]] is in hand I would sacrifice both copies of [[Lion’s Eye Diamond]] for blue and red and flashback the [[Echo of Eons]] with three mana floating.

Grant Johnson

UR Delver traditionally sides out some number of [[Lightning Bolt]], so my main fear is passing and they slam a [[Maddening Hex]] or [[Counterbalance. Overall, I wouldn’t wait here. Put back the two copies of [[Chrome Mox]], play out our zero drops, cast our [[Dark Ritual]], cast the first [[Burning Wish]] and pass priority. If it resolves, we grab [[Thoughtseize]] and then we can cast the second [[Burning Wish]] with maximum insurance.

Samantha Murphy

Any non-[[Ancient Tomb]] mana source is going to end the game next turn. If we use this [[Lotus Petal]] to cast [[Brainstorm]], we will end up with two cards in hand and one [[Taiga]] in play. One of the four cards we will look at is an [[Echo of Eons]]. That is not very helpful with a [[Leyline of the Void]] on the battlefield. So it is up to three unknown cards giving us access to two cards total. If we hit a [[Mountain]] and a [[Burning Wish]], we can cast the [[Burning Wish]], finding a [[Pulverize]] and sacrificing both of our dual lands to destroy [[Helm of Obedience]]. There is no way to deal two damage, so the only way to stop them is from stopping them from killing you with [[Helm of Obedience]] from this position.

Jordan Karim

This looks like it was a rollercoaster of a game so far. Presenting a fast clock on the draw only to be met with an even faster clock! First thing is first, we need to move to combat and deal our requisite damage, putting our opponent to two life. Shutting off [[Ancient Tomb]] is huge here. They have to have a pain-free source of mana or else they are dead. A [[Swamp]], [[Chrome Mox]], or [[Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth]] are all live draws. They may even have something in hand. Rather than simply passing the turn and leaving our fate in the hands of our opponent, there is at least one line we can play towards to give us outs to shutting them down.

Unfortunately, [[Brainstorm]] is not able to provide the amount of cards necessary to deal two extra points of damage somehow. Luckily, [[Brainstorm]] can find a line to stop our opponent in their tracks anyway! Using the [[Lotus Petal]], we can cast the cantrip looking for two cards. First, a complementary [[Mountain]] to pair with our [[Taiga]] — any fetch land or either the [[Volcanic Island]] or [[Badlands]] would do. The other card that would need to be found is a copy of [[Burning Wish]]. IF we find both of those cards in the top three cards of our library, we can play the land and cast [[Burning Wish]] for [[Pulverize]]. Casting [[Pulverize]] for its alternate cost of sacrificing two [[Mountain]]s will destroy the opposing [[Helm of Obedience]]. After that, our army of little green men will make short work of the remaining life points of our opponent.

Bryant Cook

Too bad we didn’t sideboard in [[Crash]]! We’re going to use [[Lotus Petal]] to cast [[Brainstorm]]. Ideally, we would find another [[Mountain]] and [[Burning Wish]] for [[Pulverize]]. This would destroy the [[Helm of Obedience]]. After that, a Black source and [[Thoughtseize]] is okay, but still puts us dead to any pain-free land.

Alex McKinley

We are actually in a really good spot here! When we attack the opponent for a dozen as they go to two and cannot tap their [[Ancient Tomb]] to activate [[Helm of Obedience]]. If they have a land, however, they can still win the game. To play around this, I would play [[Lotus Petal]], cast [[Brainstorm]] and look for [[Burning Wish]] and a fetch land or [[Mountain]]. This would allow for [[Burning Wish]] for [[Pulverize]] to blow up the [[Helm of Obedience]].

Alex Poling

We can use the [[Lotus Petal]] to cast [[Brainstorm]] and if we draw a fetchland or [[Mountain]] with [[Burning Wish]] we can put back the [[Echo of Eons]] and another card and then [[Burning Wish]] for [[Pulverize]].

Grant Johnson

Here, I think its best to attack and shut off [[Ancient Tomb]]. That is just happening regardless, but it never hurts to [[Brainstorm]] into [[Thoughtseize]] to take a potential [[Dark Ritual]] that would give them a lethal amount of mana.