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Counter Rebel Analysis |
After being released in the fall of 99, Mercadian Masques proved to be defined by a new creature type that presented its user with incredible card advantage, library manipulation, graveyard recycling, and offensive engine all in one. This incredible new creature type was Rebels, the white weenies with attitude. These guys proved to dominate limited and MBC for a long time, but it took awhile before they gained popularity in type 2. Near the end of Urzas cycle before Invasion was about to be rotated in, Rebels finally received the attention it deserved in type 2. After Invasion rotated in, however, a whole plethora of cards rotated, leaving the selections and predicted field much weaker. Ironically, though, one of the top type 2 decks from the old cycle was still almost entirely intact (minus the mother of runes and in some versions, masticore); rebels.
I was sure that this deck would prove to be the most solid deck in the new type 2, and was right. Although Fires of Yavimaya decks have seen just as much play, Rebels is overall a more versatile deck, and Fires happens to be better in the matchup, which has inspired some to choose Fires as the deck to play. The best rebel decks were white with a splash of blue for power sink. These aggressive decks were incredible, combining speed and card advantage with the sideboard-stopping abilities of power sink. In response to these decks, however, a more beatdown version of the deck, G/W. Wielding the incredible Chimeric Idol and the new wax/wane, this deck was made popular by Kai Budde and would prove to be the new Rebel force to be reckoned with. Even during this time, however, interest in a heavy-counter version of the deck was growing after Cornellisons impressive finish at Pro Tour Chicago.
Now that power sink and Armageddon have rotated out, both the light blue and g/w versions of the deck have left the playing field, respectively. Without Armageddon, the beatdown version of the deck wont have enough speed against control decks, which the deck was originally build to beat. G/W is not as dead as sink rebels (no kiddingEno sink anymore), and may still see some play amongst rogue or amateur players, but the true pros know the decks dependence on Armageddon, and I doubt we will see much more G/W rebels at upcoming events.
After having said all of this, I would like to take a look at the exciting new possibilities of the new rebel deck to beat, counter-rebel. Here is a pretty basic decklist:
creatures (15)
4 ramosian sargeant
3 defiant falcon
3 Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero
2 defiant vanguard
1 thermal glider
1 ramosian sky marshall
1 jhovall queen
other (19)
4 counterspell
4 absorb
4 brainstorm
2 wrath of god
2 tsabos web
3 dismantling blow
land (26)
4 coastal tower
4 adarkar wastes
8 plains
10 island
ramosian sargeant- Its pretty obvious why this guy is in here. Hes cheap, effective, he accelerates the chain, he improved consistency of recruiting, he dodges under counterspellsEetc, etc, etc. The sargeant is definitely one of the best rebels, and it is a huge mistake not to play this guy, no matter what version of the deck you are playing.
defiant falcon- this guy has replaced the lieutenant, who used to be played about as much, or a little more than the falcon. Whatever reason inspired the lieutenants play (possibly his higher toughness against masticoreE, he is no longer the force that the falcon is. This guy will often be part of you win condition, and in desperate times, will win you games. Not only does he summon out Lin Sivvi, but he is a good-looking rebel bird while he does it.
Lin Sivvi- explanation unnecessary.
defiant vanguard- this rebel didnt see as much play in the old type 2, but now with all these blastoderms and the likes running around, he is a complete necessity. His number has also been a steadfastly fixed number in rebel decks; two is the magic number. Allowing the player to have a 50% better chance of drawing it against fires while not really affecting up the chain, two is definitely the perfect number.
thermal glider- this guy has seen a lot more main-deck play than his nightwind cousin has because there is simply a lack of truly imposing black cards in the type two environment. This guy dodges almost all playable creature removal, while the only targeted spell that the nightwind glider really stops is terminate. There is a much greater amount of red removal in the current type two, and I cant foresee any changing of that.
ramosian sky marshal- this rebel is definitely the most sub-par rebel of the deck. His high recruiting cost makes his ability useless when compared to Lin Sivvi, and he doesnt help to accelerate the chain. His size is what counts, though, being able to dish out three damage a turn and block blinding angels and specters effectively. He isnt a good card in and of himself, but his necessity in the rebel deck makes him well worth it.
Jhovall Queen- this guy, although being a better card than the sky marshall, is the most questionable card in the deck in terms of net-deck play. Jhovall queen has seen limited use partially because of the reason that rebels doesnt usually win through the skies. His size/casting cost ratio makes him seem a lot better than the sky marshal though, and although he isnt exactly necessary, I believe playing one is a good idea where I play due to the amount of rogue decks that wont be expecting it.
counterspell- This card would have seemed quite out of place to spectators from the old type 2, but its effectiveness in the rebel deck makes it incredible. Although the deck should usually try not to tap out too much during the early game, the decks tendency to leave mana open constantly the opponents main phase after turn four or so makes it easy to leave mana open for. No guessing of whether or not one should cast a threat! If countering something is necessary, the deck can simply forego recruiting for one turn.
absorb- while although not being nearly as good of a card as the incredible counterspell, absorb is an extremely solid additon to any counter deck. The three life that it gains can often help in control, allowing the player to get out of double urzas rage range and stuff like that.
brainstorm- ahhhEbrainstormE This card is a fairly poor card on its own, and shouldnt be considered for any control decks other than rebels. It edges out all competition though (even fact or fiction), due to its brilliant interaction with the rebel searching ability. The worst drawback to brainstorm gets magically shuffled back into ones library when you cast this card with rebels out.
wrath of god- this card would usually be used in decks that play a very small amount of creatures, but counter rebels tendency to delay early game with counterspell backup makes this worth playing. An early wrath after ones opponent starts his/her offense followed up be a recruiter is an effective two hit combo of life.
tsabos web- the web has gained a lot of popularity recently and has seen main-deck play in a lot of control decks. This deck should be the same. Unless one expects very little rishadan port/dustbowl action in the local area, this card should be heavily considered.
dismantling blow- choosing between this and disenchant can be difficult. Although I believe disenchant is more effective in blue/white control, which has little to do on turn two or three, dismantling blow is more effective in counter-rebels when considering the low amount of card drawing the deck plays.
Now that thats all out of the way, its time to look at the sideboard. There are many viable sideboard cards, mind you, that could be played in the deck.
That about wraps it up. I hope you all have enjoyed and learned from the article, and if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at lmnosline@mailcity.com or talk to me on aol instant messenger, on which my screen name is Hataka Bay. Thank you for reading! -Logan McHenry, Net Deck Player New New wave Kid 2001
