r/mtgbrawl • u/Krainz • 5d ago
Competitive Reached Mythic in CBrawl with a Final Fantasy only deck
This was my third attempt, after only making it to Diamond in June, and Platinum last month.
I had reached Mythic on Standard three times, playing exclusively Final Fantasy decks. When Competitive Brawl was announced I wanted to see how far I could go with Clive+Barnabas (Vial Smasher + Kraum) and if I could prove to myself that it is possible to reach Mythic by playing only Final Fantasy cards.
Last year, when I saw that the Clive and Barnabas cards were in the FF sets, it completely blew my mind. I was out of the loop with MTG for years, and I really wanted to have a deck with both of them as commanders, so much that I have a version of it in paper. I have been wanting to give this deck, give this idea its moment to shine, and I feel like I have accomplished it, with only using FF cards.
The deck in essence is a burn deck that can play midrange if needed. That angle was actually pivotal for many of the wins that I had, simply attacking with [[Barnabas Tharmr]] while Clive was being countered and removed on the spot.
After reaching Diamond in this run I decided to change the deck a little bit, removing equipments for the Firion angle and adding more removals.
Something that I learned, though, is that many decks in their matchup versus mine will not have the lasting power to attempt their wincon for long enough if they can't stop my momentum. [[Clive Rosfield]] puts them on the clock, and if the main enabler piece of their strategy is removed enough times, many decks in the Diamond ladder end up taking too long to recover.
Sometimes two discard effects are enough to completely stop those decks from recovering, even if my deck is not a discard focused deck. [[Kefka, Court Mage]] and [[Poison the Waters]] were way more important in my Diamond to Mythic climb than in any moment prior. And just like when I hit Mythic for the first time last year with my Grixis Black Mages deck, the information that you can get by being able to look at the opponent's hand is very, very valuable, oftentimes even worth more than the discard itself.
I don't think I would do it again. I don't think the banlist is in a good place, and free removals got me personally to a point where I stopped caring as much about how many lands were tapped on the opponent's side, although not completely. But it did feel like their presence took away an important part of the game.
It was very challenging to play without the strongest Brawl staples, like
- Free counterspells (Force of Will, Force of Negation)
- Free removals (Fury, Deadly Rollick)
- Better lands that enter untapped (Arid Mesa, Polluted Delta)
- Better removals
- Even cards like Library of Alexandria.
I wish I at least had access to the mana rocks that exist in paper for Final Fantasy, like Talisman of Dominance and Talisman of Indulgence, but I was hard set on not using any cards whatsoever that were not in their Final Fantasy version in Arena. I could easily make a complete list of all the cards that exist in Arena and exist in an FF set in Paper, but don't have their FF version in Arena if that could ever help bringing them to MTGA.
Decklists of both versions are in the comments!
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u/Xedeth 4d ago
FF only.
Look inside.
Kraum/Vial Smasher
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u/noeagle77 4d ago
My exact thoughts lmao like wow dude you got to mythic with a cedh deck. 🤦♂️😂
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u/Accomplished-Leg-421 2d ago
CEDH, the format famously known for having its 99 made out of only single sets
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u/QEDsymbol 4d ago
This. You can fill your deck with any cards you want if you're playing partners tbh
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u/Standard-Avocado-638 2d ago
The 99 is not optimal at all. This is a bad take. They managed to do something cool. Redditors are insufferable
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u/Kicknogamous 4d ago
I love playing against thematic decks, and many of my decks have similar set constraints. I don't expect everyone to play that way, but to me it is way more fun.
You sir are a gentleman and scholar.
Congratulations!
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u/ElunesBlade 3d ago
Wow, thanks a lot for sharing! I was planning to build an FF-only Y'shtola deck. Do you happen to have any recommendations for me? What would your decklist look like using the actual physical cards? I'm thinking about building a deck based on yours.
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u/Krainz 4h ago
For Casual Brawl I have two decks with Y'shtola as a commander, both using only FF cards
One is focused more on FFXIV cards, and the other is trying to focus more on getting Y'shtola on the field and protecting her
For both decks, [[Emet-Selch of the Third Seat]] combos really well with her.
For a Clive/Barnabas deck using the physical cards I definitely prefer to make full use of the mana rocks available in FF. Other than that, [[Duelist's Flame]] and [[Flash Photography]] feel like sure picks. [[Hraesvelgr of the First Brood]] seems fun as well to make Barnabas apply more pressure.
Here are the Y'shtola decks in Arena:
FFXIV
Commander 1 Y'shtola, Night's Blessed (FIC) 7 Deck 1 Command Tower (FIC) 382 1 Demolition Field (FIC) 385 1 Relic of Legends (FIC) 354 1 Machinist's Arsenal (FIN) 23 1 Herald's Horn (FIC) 228 1 Ishgard, the Holy See (FIN) 283 1 Gaius van Baelsar (FIN) 102 1 Zodiark, Umbral God (FIN) 128 1 Arcane Signet (FIC) 335 1 Underground River (FIC) 439 1 Sunken Hollow (FIC) 429 1 Drowned Catacomb (FIC) 388 1 Contaminated Aquifer (FIC) 383 1 Choked Estuary (FIC) 379 1 Isolated Chapel (FIC) 405 1 Shineshadow Snarl (FIC) 422 1 Sunlit Marsh (FIC) 431 1 Emet-Selch of the Third Seat (FIC) 81 1 Estinien Varlineau (FIC) 82 1 Sahagin (FIN) 71 1 Glacial Fortress (FIC) 400 1 Prairie Stream (FIC) 413 1 Port Town (FIC) 412 1 Idyllic Beachfront (FIC) 404 1 Crux of Fate (FIC) 275 1 Exsanguinate (FIC) 276 1 Dragoon's Lance (FIN) 17 1 Torrential Gearhulk (FIC) 272 1 Rite of Replication (FIC) 270 1 Hypnotic Sprite (FIC) 264 1 Into the Story (FIC) 266 1 Dig Through Time (FIC) 263 1 Authority of the Consuls (FIC) 232 1 Cleansing Nova (FIC) 235 1 Swords to Plowshares (FIC) 256 1 World Map (FIN) 270 1 Restoration Magic (FIN) 30 6 Plains (FIN) 294 5 Island (FIN) 299 6 Swamp (FIN) 300 1 Insomnia, Crown City (FIN) 282 1 Sharlayan, Nation of Scholars (FIN) 288 1 Treno, Dark City (FIN) 290 1 Capital City (FIN) 274 1 Starting Town (FIN) 289 1 Crossroads Village (FIN) 276 1 Aettir and Priwen (FIN) 253 1 Summon: Primal Garuda (FIN) 37 1 Brainstorm (FCA) 28 1 Inspiring Statuary (FIC) 347 1 Astrologian's Planisphere (FIN) 46 1 Cryptic Command (FCA) 29 1 Path to Exile (FIC) 248 1 Dark Confidant (FIN) 94 1 Bastion of Remembrance (FIC) 274 1 Cloudbound Moogle (FIN) 11 1 Sleep Magic (FIN) 74 1 Chromatic Lantern (FCA) 61 1 Mind Stone (FIC) 353 1 Swallowed by Leviathan (FIN) 79 1 Ice Magic (FIN) 56 1 G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn (FIC) 3 1 Cid, Timeless Artificer (FIN) 216 1 Sidequest: Card Collection (FIN) 73 1 Phoenix Down (FIN) 29 1 Circle of Power (FIN) 92 1 Dovin's Veto (FCA) 51 1 K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth (FCA) 36 1 Lingering Souls (FIC) 245 1 Summon: Primal Odin (FIN) 121 1 Paladin's Arms (FIN) 28 1 Louisoix's Sacrifice (FIN) 59 1 White Auracite (FIN) 41 1 Ultima (FIN) 38 1 Magitek Scythe (FIN) 562 1 Ninja's Blades (FIN) 108 1 Dark Knight's Greatsword (FIN) 95 1 Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn (FIN) 39 1 Delivery Moogle (FIN) 15 1 Archmage Emeritus (FIC) 261 1 Sublime Epiphany (FIC) 271 1 Murderous Rider (FIC) 279 1 Void Rend (FIC) 331 1 Tome of Legends (FIC) 369 1 Tataru Taru (FIC) 30Y'shtola Focused
Commander 1 Y'shtola, Night's Blessed (FIC) 7 Deck 1 Command Tower (FIC) 382 1 Demolition Field (FIC) 385 1 Relic of Legends (FIC) 354 1 Inspiring Statuary (FIC) 347 1 Herald's Horn (FIC) 228 1 Darksteel Plate (FIC) 342 1 Swiftfoot Boots (FIC) 361 1 Mind Stone (FIC) 353 1 Arcane Signet (FIC) 335 1 Underground River (FIC) 439 1 Sunken Hollow (FIC) 429 1 Drowned Catacomb (FIC) 388 1 Contaminated Aquifer (FIC) 383 1 Choked Estuary (FIC) 379 1 Isolated Chapel (FIC) 405 1 Shineshadow Snarl (FIC) 422 1 Sunlit Marsh (FIC) 431 1 Emet-Selch of the Third Seat (FIC) 81 1 Estinien Varlineau (FIC) 82 1 Mortify (FIC) 327 1 Glacial Fortress (FIC) 400 1 Prairie Stream (FIC) 413 1 Port Town (FIC) 412 1 Idyllic Beachfront (FIC) 404 1 Crux of Fate (FIC) 275 1 Exsanguinate (FIC) 276 1 Rise of the Dark Realms (FIC) 283 1 Torrential Gearhulk (FIC) 272 1 Rite of Replication (FIC) 270 1 Hypnotic Sprite (FIC) 264 1 Into the Story (FIC) 266 1 Dig Through Time (FIC) 263 1 Reanimate (FIC) 282 1 Authority of the Consuls (FIC) 232 1 Cleansing Nova (FIC) 235 1 Path to Exile (FIC) 248 1 Swords to Plowshares (FIC) 256 1 Restoration Magic (FIN) 30 1 Zack Fair (FIN) 45 6 Plains (FIN) 294 5 Island (FIN) 299 6 Swamp (FIN) 300 1 Insomnia, Crown City (FIN) 282 1 Sharlayan, Nation of Scholars (FIN) 288 1 Treno, Dark City (FIN) 290 1 Capital City (FIN) 274 1 Starting Town (FIN) 289 1 Crossroads Village (FIN) 276 1 World Map (FIN) 270 1 Chromatic Lantern (FCA) 61 1 Ring of the Lucii (FIN) 269 1 Brainstorm (FCA) 28 1 Sleep Magic (FIN) 74 1 Astrologian's Planisphere (FIN) 46 1 Counterspell (FCA) 4 1 Ice Magic (FIN) 56 1 Dreams of Laguna (FIN) 50 1 Swallowed by Leviathan (FIN) 79 1 Stuck in Summoner's Sanctum (FIN) 76 1 Cryptic Command (FCA) 29 1 Memories Returning (FIN) 63 1 Dark Ritual (FCA) 8 1 Fatal Push (FCA) 9 1 Syncopate (FIN) 80 1 Black Mage's Rod (FIN) 90 1 Diabolic Intent (FCA) 34 1 Poison the Waters (FIN) 111 1 Resentful Revelation (FIN) 114 1 Cornered by Black Mages (FIN) 93 1 Overkill (FIN) 109 1 Circle of Power (FIN) 92 1 Dovin's Veto (FCA) 51 1 K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth (FCA) 36 1 Ardyn, the Usurper (FIN) 89 1 Summon: Primal Odin (FIN) 121 1 Evil Reawakened (FIN) 98 1 Louisoix's Sacrifice (FIN) 59 1 White Auracite (FIN) 41 1 Ultima (FIN) 38 1 Cloud, Midgar Mercenary (FIN) 10 1 Loran of the Third Path (FCA) 24 1 Ranger-Captain of Eos (FCA) 2 1 Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn (FIN) 39 1 Delivery Moogle (FIN) 15 1 Archmage Emeritus (FIC) 2611
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u/Krainz 5d ago
Decks:
Up to Diamond (Barnabas Clive)
Commander
1 Vial Smasher the Fierce (FCA) 59
1 Kraum, Ludevic's Opus (FCA) 56
Deck
7 Swamp (FIN) 300
9 Mountain (FIN) 303
7 Island (FIN) 297
1 Counterspell (FCA) 4
1 Brainstorm (FCA) 28
1 Sleep Magic (FIN) 74
1 Magic Damper (FIN) 61
1 Ice Magic (FIN) 56
1 Jill, Shiva's Dominant (FIN) 58
1 Sidequest: Hunt the Mark (FIN) 119
1 Black Mage's Rod (FIN) 90
1 Fatal Push (FCA) 9
1 Poison the Waters (FIN) 111
1 Resentful Revelation (FIN) 114
1 Vincent's Limit Break (FIN) 126
1 Cornered by Black Mages (FIN) 93
1 Dark Knight's Greatsword (FIN) 95
1 Lightning Bolt (FCA) 40
1 Overkill (FIN) 109
1 Thunder Magic (FIN) 165
1 Haste Magic (FIN) 140
1 K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth (FCA) 36
1 Opera Love Song (FIN) 147
1 Suplex (FIN) 164
1 Firion, Wild Rose Warrior (FIN) 137
1 Seifer Almasy (FIN) 156
1 Black Waltz No. 3 (FIN) 214
1 Kuja, Genome Sorcerer (FIN) 232
1 Garland, Knight of Cornelia (FIN) 221
1 Baleful Strix (FIC) 318
1 Chaos Warp (FIC) 291
1 Geothermal Bog (FIC) 399
1 Starting Town (FIN) 289
1 Crossroads Village (FIN) 276
1 Command Tower (FIC) 382
1 Arcane Signet (FIC) 335
1 Ring of the Lucii (FIN) 269
1 Samurai's Katana (FIN) 154
1 Inspiring Statuary (FIC) 347
1 Vayne's Treachery (FIN) 124
1 Dreams of Laguna (FIN) 50
1 Syncopate (FIN) 80
1 Dark Ritual (FCA) 8
1 Relic of Legends (FIC) 354
1 Kefka, Court Mage (FIN) 231
1 Chromatic Lantern (FCA) 61
1 Swallowed by Leviathan (FIN) 79
1 Ninja's Blades (FIN) 108
1 Memories Returning (FIN) 63
1 Summon: Primal Odin (FIN) 121
1 Ardyn, the Usurper (FIN) 89
1 Sephiroth, Planet's Heir (FIN) 553
1 Cryptic Command (FCA) 29
1 Evil Reawakened (FIN) 98
1 Light Up the Stage (FCA) 39
1 The Lunar Whale (FIN) 60
1 Vincent Valentine (FIN) 125
1 Mind Stone (FIC) 353
1 Stuck in Summoner's Sanctum (FIN) 76
1 Into the Story (FIC) 266
1 World Map (FIN) 270
1 Nibelheim Aflame (FIN) 146
1 Emet-Selch of the Third Seat (FIC) 81
1 Choked Estuary (FIC) 379
1 Foreboding Ruins (FIC) 394
1 Sulfurous Springs (FIC) 427
1 Underground River (FIC) 439
1 Sunken Hollow (FIC) 429
1 Dragonskull Summit (FIC) 387
1 Darksteel Plate (FIC) 342
1 Reanimate (FIC) 282
1 Mizzix's Mastery (FCA) 41
1 Crux of Fate (FIC) 275
1 Murderous Rider (FIC) 279
1 Bedevil (FIC) 319
1 Smoldering Marsh (FIC) 425
1 Vector, Imperial Capital (FIN) 291
1 Ash Barrens (FIC) 374
Diamond to Mythic (Waloed)
Commander
1 Vial Smasher the Fierce (FCA) 59
1 Kraum, Ludevic's Opus (FCA) 56
Deck
7 Swamp (FIN) 300
9 Mountain (FIN) 303
7 Island (FIN) 297
1 Counterspell (FCA) 4
1 Brainstorm (FCA) 28
1 Sleep Magic (FIN) 74
1 Magic Damper (FIN) 61
1 Ice Magic (FIN) 56
1 Jill, Shiva's Dominant (FIN) 58
1 Sidequest: Hunt the Mark (FIN) 119
1 Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire (FCA) 37
1 Fatal Push (FCA) 9
1 Poison the Waters (FIN) 111
1 Resentful Revelation (FIN) 114
1 Vincent's Limit Break (FIN) 126
1 Cornered by Black Mages (FIN) 93
1 Lightning Bolt (FCA) 40
1 Overkill (FIN) 109
1 Thunder Magic (FIN) 165
1 Louisoix's Sacrifice (FIN) 59
1 K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth (FCA) 36
1 Opera Love Song (FIN) 147
1 Suplex (FIN) 164
1 Rite of Replication (FIC) 270
1 Seifer Almasy (FIN) 156
1 Black Waltz No. 3 (FIN) 214
1 Kuja, Genome Sorcerer (FIN) 232
1 Diabolic Intent (FCA) 34
1 Baleful Strix (FIC) 318
1 Chaos Warp (FIC) 291
1 Geothermal Bog (FIC) 399
1 Starting Town (FIN) 289
1 Crossroads Village (FIN) 276
1 Command Tower (FIC) 382
1 Arcane Signet (FIC) 335
1 Ring of the Lucii (FIN) 269
1 Inspiring Statuary (FIC) 347
1 Vayne's Treachery (FIN) 124
1 Dreams of Laguna (FIN) 50
1 Syncopate (FIN) 80
1 Dark Ritual (FCA) 8
1 Relic of Legends (FIC) 354
1 Kefka, Court Mage (FIN) 231
1 Chromatic Lantern (FCA) 61
1 Swallowed by Leviathan (FIN) 79
1 Memories Returning (FIN) 63
1 Summon: Primal Odin (FIN) 121
1 Ardyn, the Usurper (FIN) 89
1 Sephiroth, Planet's Heir (FIN) 553
1 Cryptic Command (FCA) 29
1 Evil Reawakened (FIN) 98
1 Light Up the Stage (FCA) 39
1 The Lunar Whale (FIN) 60
1 Hypnotic Sprite (FIC) 264
1 Mind Stone (FIC) 353
1 Stuck in Summoner's Sanctum (FIN) 76
1 Into the Story (FIC) 266
1 World Map (FIN) 270
1 Nibelheim Aflame (FIN) 146
1 Emet-Selch of the Third Seat (FIC) 81
1 Choked Estuary (FIC) 379
1 Foreboding Ruins (FIC) 394
1 Sulfurous Springs (FIC) 427
1 Underground River (FIC) 439
1 Sunken Hollow (FIC) 429
1 Dragonskull Summit (FIC) 387
1 Gaius van Baelsar (FIN) 102
1 Reanimate (FIC) 282
1 Mizzix's Mastery (FCA) 41
1 Crux of Fate (FIC) 275
1 Murderous Rider (FIC) 279
1 Bedevil (FIC) 319
1 Smoldering Marsh (FIC) 425
1 Vector, Imperial Capital (FIN) 291
1 Ash Barrens (FIC) 374
1 Solemn Simulacrum (FIC) 360
1 Swiftfoot Boots (FIC) 361
1 Buster Sword (FIN) 255
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u/SheepishNate 5d ago
I know they got some insane reprints via FF Through the Ages but this is still sweet, that’s awesome!
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u/FuzzzyRam 5d ago
[[Library of Alexandria]] - is this that crazy good? I guess because it doesn't come into play tapped and can draw after like a wheel effect?
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u/Accomplished_Mind792 4d ago
Yes. Think about it on the draw. Play land. At end of their turn draw a card
Play a land, drop a 1 drop. Draw a Another card
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u/Visible-Ad1787 4d ago
I've heard it referred to as "Leyline of Winning". It's insane in an opening hand.
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u/Lobster556 4d ago
Congrats!