Against the Odds: Mono-Black Gateway (Standard)

Last week, we had an all-Standard, all-Rivals of Ixalan poll in celebration of Magic's newest set, and it ended up being one of the tightest polls we've ever had. With nearly 6,000 votes cast, Azor's Gateway beat Polyraptor by a single vote! This means two things. First and most importantly, we're heading to Rivals of Ixalan Standard to see if we can break Azor's Gateway in a mono-black shell, with the help of Torment of Hailfire as its primary finisher. Second, if you were really hoping for some Polyraptor action, don't worry-we have another all-Rivals of Ixalan poll this week, and Polyraptor is back for another shot at glory!
One last thing before we get to the videos so you can see how our Azor's Gateway deck works. We're trying out a format where Against the Odds is all one video this week. While the content is the same, avoiding multiple videos (and the need for playlists on KZbin) should make life easier for everyone involved. If you have any feedback about the format, make sure to let us know in the comments! Like it? Dislike it? Have suggestions to improve it? Make sure to tell us!
◼ This episode of Against the Odds is brought to you by CardKingdom. Support the show by using www.cardkingdom... for your next Magic purchase!
► Read more about this deck (full article): www.mtggoldfis...
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◼ Purchase this deck (paper): mtg.fish/ZGe83
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[@MTGGoldfish]

To vote for next week's deck head over to the article on the MTGGoldfish site: www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/against-the-odds-mono-black-gateway-standard

[@brewbrewbrewthedeck4138]

C’moooon, Golden Guardian for the win!

[@kurufal]

Mastermind's Acquisition is strictly better tutor?

[@omegagaming609]

What swamp did you use in this video?

[@lukesdewhurst]

Guldan's demise?

[@eyl227]

Seth, after you won with 2 seconds on the clock, I stood up and gave you a standing ovation. Brilliant playing, Seth.

[@MultiTaz333]

Bryan T two seconds on the cock

[@neindanke1427]

hehe...good one i will think about that a few times today and chuckle, thank u

[@Juggernuts]

I want to thank you sooooooo much for mentioning his win at 2 seconds i was not only able to save my ears, but save my speakers, and not wake up everyone in the house, eyl227 you are the hero we deserve

[@mad_max21]

You mean he stumbled his way to a undeserving win with 2 seconds on the clock. I feel bad for his opponent.

[@TheREALIzludez]

He had lethal at 4:00 in that match....

[@joseph-yt2qk]

After the GR monsters deck this goes in everybody’s top ten against the odds ever right?

[@PeteDoesGames]

joseph megill what's the title for that green red monsters deck?

[@ianmcabee8036]

pete123 jund monsters is what it is actually called

[@jamess8014]

Video name?

[@nickstelzer]

EAAAAAASILY

[@canismajor1186]

Who remembers when he bottomdeck'd Torment? Best Game Ever.

[@MarkAvo]

That was one helluva match! 2 seconds?! TWO SECONDS!!! upload that match itself, wow... One of the best I've ever spectated.

[@hitthegoat]

That shit was amazing lol

[@markwalker8846]

Uh... Seth? At 46:44 you scryed a Razaketh's Rite to the bottom while frantically searching for a Hailfire. *Facepalm*

[@evanlockhart5747]

Mark Walker more importantly he didn't need it, he had a Rhonas and a flipped gateway, tons of pumps whenever he wants

[@brewbrewbrewthedeck4138]

Thomas? Did he call Rhonas that?

[@evanlockhart5747]

BrewBrewBrewTheDeck rip, didn't notice the autocorrect

[@xxburichxx]

Evan Lockhart can he spend black mana to pump with Rhonas?

[@andriylaw4601]

Nihlus Flipped gateway can produce any mana of any color

[@JustAnotherPest]

Oh, Deck Tech and Games are fused into one video now? 7:32

[@Mud2hunter]

Thank you so much

[@chadmcthudgroin7346]

yeah I think he said during a stream that he was gonna try to format them all the same way

[@Davulzz]

Ty

[@sydneysadler9341]

Your excitement is just so infectious. Watching you play these games makes me realize how fun brewing decks are. Until I get the money to build decks again, I will just live vicariously through these videos lol Great games, this is the best episode to date!

[@mtgmarco6442]

Wow that win againts monsters makes up for any punts!!!

[@CashewDoodle]

Am I missing something or could Seth have won around 46:00 by using Rhonas to crew Kiran then buffing the hell out of it with green mana from the Sanctum?

[@qwerty1271780]

Could have also buffed the aetherborn to trample over the thopter and win. The dramatic finish is less impressive after you realize it is the result of several turns back to back of misplays.

[@brewbrewbrewthedeck4138]

Seriously. He missed several Arch activations and scryed the vital tutor to the bottom.

[@donogan]

I don't know if he missed the rhonas activations, and maybe being more aggressive would have been better, but I think that playing defense there is not a bad play, if he taps lands and crews heart of kiran the last reckoning is a really bad play if the opponent has removal in hand, can be a blow out, and he has nothing in hand (lili is a dead card)

[@ahunter7563]

Well,maybe he wanted to torment win (it's against the odds! if the only goal was to win,he would just play another deck ^^). But scrying tutor to the bottom was really bad. PUUUNT

[@vallenrime]

Couldn't he have also played the liliana and used it to crew heart of kiran? That's heart of kiran's ability, not a pw loyalty ability, so immortal sun shouldn't shut it down.

[@AWKennth]

You could've use Liliana to Crew up Heart of Kiran for free. Rhonas can also attack when HEart is crewed.

[@CCBMmemes]

That "Bogles" deck was so sweet

[@benjaminzaugg1127]

Made 3rd place in the last GP

[@sjdhrjrjejdhdhsh]

Yeah Seth gets salty and calls it janky lol. Guy doesn't even know it's an actual deck.

[@supacyanide4442]

Mitch no 55:57 please watch the whole video before you make stupid comments. Thanks!

[@sjdhrjrjejdhdhsh]

Ironic

[@irou95]

scg tournament isn't a gp

[@CCBMmemes]

I was originally going to vote for Storm the Vault but ended up changing to Gateway. I guess one vote can make a difference.

[@Heimrih]

polyraptor is so much better!

[@Janshevik]

pfft, even some noob who started played magic yesterday would be able to make the deck, it's almost insulting for a professional jankmaster. On the other hand, making Golden guardian is downright impossible.

[@Heimrih]

Janshevik it's not about the deck but it's about playing it and watch Seth laughs his ass off breaking modo

[@brewbrewbrewthedeck4138]

Yes, Janshevik, a fellow Golden Guardian voter!

[@adriendelplace8755]

That win with 2 seconds left was so amazing.. one of the greatest against the odds moment ever 😍😁. I was so pumped and I still am every time I rewatch it ! Thank you Seth !

[@CrucifiedForNoSIn]

Why not use the mana from sanctum to pump your team with Rhonas?

[@ThePurpleGM]

Brett Ruest exactly! I wanted to scream

[@TheRealWormbo]

Because brain lock-in from playing a mono-color non-green deck, probably.

[@JonaxII]

Also not blocking with rhonas when heart of kiran is a 5/5...

[@patrickbuerke1390]

Brett Ruest Because comboing with Gateways is better. To quote Seth: “Why win when we can draw cards?”

[@SiraZero]

I think he just want to win with the torment

[@mouse2588]

The end against Jund was amazing! So glad I stayed that long but, why wouldn't I? You are one of the best among us Seth. Keep up the great work.

[@cyborghuey]

This format of having both the deck tech and the gameplay is infinitely better than the previous format!! Please never go back

[@youngcorgi]

I literally jumped out of my chair after that 2 second win!!! THAT WAS SICK

[@clivetyolar]

One of the best Magic videos I've seen in a long time! Thanks Seth!

[@DylanHunter64]

Those narrow victories were phenomenal.

[@wreckage902]

I love that the deck tech is with the rest of the video now. Honestly, I hope all the videos turn into this format.

[@rahminh]

That was so fun to watch! I love against the odds. I don't know how you were able to pull that 2 seconds left. Applauds

[@Ellonwyn]

Love the deck, Seth. BTW, that Boggles deck took 3rd at SCG Dallas. The list is on MTGGoldfish.com!

[@davidsnedden4796]

I like that deck a lot, seems it could use a few Siren Stormtamer though.

[@tomerbadnani5980]

This entire video is pure entertainment, thank you so much Seth for being awesome

[@jacobsocia3966]

That was probably the best video I've ever watched

[@chemset475]

That Bogles opponent's deck was spicy as hell. Great vid awesome deck Seth!

[@MegaTOMATOMen]

2 Second win was easily the most amazing thing I have seen on this channel, and that is saying something...

[@kaiquebrasil1031]

Nice change, putting the deck tech together with the gameplay, I like it, but I would suggest you to put a timestamp so anyone who doesn't want to watch the deck tech could skip easily. Keep up the good work Seth!

[@MTGGoldfish]

Good idea!

[@robertkvicala4226]

This is what I want from playing Magic: The Gathering. This kind of exciting thrilling gameplay. Bravo Seth!

[@justmagicmostly]

"TWO SECONDS ON THE CLOCK!!!" hahaha that made my day. You sure do pull off some epic wins.

[@shanebohn547]

This deck was so amazing. The value. Everything. Now show more videos of this deck against the meta. Would love to see against gfg and red

[@achatmaster95]

Very good editing, thank you for the high quality entertainment

[@UTUB2kholle]

You want feedback for the changes, so here it is : - I don't like the new fish noise at the beginning. - I MUCH preferred it when it started by "Hello everyone, it's Seth" and the decktech instead of the short extract we've got here at first. It makes the video less smooth, and I almost thought it had bugged out or something. - At 7:33 the image of the TShirt Ad is blinking weirdly. Apart from that, the fusing of the Deck Tech and the Videos is a good idea, I'm behind it :)

[@stalkerstomper6046]

Azor's Gateway is a GEM in my blue/black affinity deck! I run playsets of cards with cmcs of zero, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9, but almost ALL of the cards have affinity, so even the higher cmcs are misleading since in reality you pay almost nothing for them anyway! BUT since there are so many multiples of so many different raw cmcs, it synergizes FANTASTIC with Azor's Gateway! I use it to gain life, draw cards, and cast my big cmc affinity creatures as a backup way of getting them out. It offers the option to grind it out against your opponents whenever your draws, your lack of explosiveness, or your opponents deck is leading to a grindy match. The deck has all of its original win cons, BUT with a few Gateways to balance and fuel it whenever you're forced into a grindy match up. Consider this as an addition. It's awesome!

[@hotcoldman9793]

That 2 second win was absolutely amazing. Bravo sir bravo

[@davironanbelo7956]

The games were really entertaining, Seth. Looking forward to some more brews like this one. Have a nice day! :)

[@adriendelplace8755]

Rewatching all the episodes in chronological order. I've finally reached the "hello everyone [...] safron olive" point of the evolution of the videos. Also the 1st iteration of the 2 mins refresher deck deck at the beginning of the video :).

[@alexanderstojanow3773]

this is probably the best against the odds I have ever seen!!!!!!

[@francescomaniscalco251]

I'm having an heart attack looking you on that 2 seconds match! I imagine how did you feeling!

[@Gingerbreadley]

After that hype gr monsters game I totally wasn’t expecting another game. I need to calm down first lol

[@thesuffering995]

2 seconds is all it takes! Great job Seth!

[@Jonzin4BeatzNYC]

Probably one of the best set of matches I've had the pleasure of viewing especially with the win having 2 seconds left! I'm Probably brewing this kind of deck

[@nickfriddell5145]

All of seths videos are good. This one especially so. Deck was sweet. I laughed my ass off a couple times. Everything I want from this channel

[@the_snakelicious]

I'm a fan of having the deck tech and the games in a single video.

[@TheSergeylunyov]

It's good that video now fused into one. But I think that there is some issue with audio level in gameplay videos.

[@hwago123]

This was an absolute blast to watch, winning that match with 2 seconds on the clock!!

[@ashtonbrockway9312]

TWO SECONDS??? You're a legend Seth

[@Adremulis]

For a slightly spicier build, run blue as well for Vizier of Tumbling Sands and Dramatic Reversal to get multiple taps from the gateway or flipped land.

[@UrbaniHabbo]

That Speed running for 2 seconds just deserves all the likes in the world.

[@francissladek2286]

Awesome deck man and crazy torment plays! How about some awakened amalgam/wayward swortooth/ramunap excavator desert jank?

[@nicholasfraley6353]

That 2 second clutch!!!

[@GLHFMtG]

You’re the best Seth!

[@joewelljackson454]

Buckle up, friendos! This is supposed to be a good one!

[@DonovanPresents]

That punt when you kept scrying and you passed up the tutor for torment of Hailfire 😵

[@chriswilliams6014]

Sometimes I think the Jank has clouded your judgment but you always find a way to pull me back in

[@Atmapalazzo]

I say keep the one video format for against the odds. Edit: Have to point out that sanctum of the sun can tap for green mana to activate rhonas to win

[@fireorb13]

Woah new intro fish noises! I like it!

[@brewbrewbrewthedeck4138]

They sound worse, honestly.

[@lucyanszilagy6619]

Awesome Seth!!!! THAT WAS AMAZING!!! 2 SECONDS ON CLOCK LOLOLOLOL!!!

[@FETUSSTATUS]

Seth! Get out of my head! This was close to what I planned on building for avozir! 😂 I immediately thought of torment of darkness when I saw that card 😂

[@DiogoVKersting]

Oh yeah, I've enjoyed the video. I think I end up saying this a lot, but this was one of the sweetest Aggainst the Odds of all time.

[@photohound4793]

:-o No way. Dang, Seth, that's the best I've seen you play in a while. Good deck, good draws, good luck! :02 seconds??? Unbelievable! Brilliant play against good opponents. Except for dousing your own Liliana with the Immortal Sun, LOL. ;-)

[@jonothantyler7700]

Ive been playing this deck prior to rivals with amulet instead of gateway. Was hard debating between swapping the two when i saw the spoiler but im pretty sure this video is a deciding factor lol. What flavor!

[@aaronhammonds5503]

i found myself cheering along with you with that sec left lol i needed a beer after that match

[@Valkyrie.99]

I think I might play this for the meme.

[@koskey06]

NICE 2 SECONDS WIN!! That's the kind of game you will talk about for ever.

[@Elcipsedninja]

Can someone explain to me how at 42:10 that Fatal Push doesn't clear the RG Monsters board??? Push the thopter and burn the Pheonix token. Then edict?? I mean, it worked out in the end, but still

[@jeffbriem]

That’s an all-time victory on against the odds, for sure.

[@kshockley68]

Oh. My F'ing. Gawd! That final match with GR Monsters was Must See TV™!

[@Wiseclone5555]

@mtggoldfish Have you considered splashing for Sanguine Sacrament in this? With the Azor's Gateway, Sanguine can guarantee that your Torment will be enough to win and will keep you alive while you wait for one.

[@jancukasu]

52:13 OMG Seth if you keep on doing this, my heart cant take it!!

[@hitthegoat]

This deck looks stupid fun. I feel like trying a red/black variant with cut to ribbons in addition to torment

[@blazenjestergames4025]

You definitely need to watch the whole video great save in that reallllll late game brother !

[@stephenhousman6975]

I agree with everyone else why didn't you use sanctum for green to pump either gonti or heart?

[@ttone0]

Bravo Mr. Olive, bravo! The jank is real - long live the jank.

[@birdie123]

Would Noxious Gearhulk be better than Tetzimoc for this deck?

[@EffinChat]

The audio balancing in this video is all over the shop, but jeeez Seth - did you accidentally just solve standard?

[@baileyrose6459]

Anchupom if only

[@junkyardsoul3757]

I like the changes, Seth.

[@SliverGodDrago]

I like the new Against the odds, where u start punting before the deck tech .

[@kingbone2814]

“Constant looting” is the name of Seth’s biography and new punk band

[@techot76]

Literally starting with a punt, I love it

[@paxmeier915]

POWER UP THE BASS CANNON

[@scottpearson9846]

I like this deck. Can you do another pirate deck again soon?

[@elliotyamamoto38]

I literally stood up and gave you a standing ovation when you won with 2 seconds! #SqueekyBumHoleTime

[@MasterVash]

55:10 What the HELL happened to that Torment of Hailfire picture? It went from Bolas into... leprosy, I dunno.

[@ecoKady]

Biggest surprise to me was the effectiveness of Immortal Sun. It's not a win more card which it seems. This meta seems to be shaping up as a top-deck meta and that card is a windmill slam on turn 10. Seems perfect for Ramp decks that perpetually have the problem of running out of gas after an explosive start. GB midrange can also support a 6 CMC card with tremendous value.

[@BetweenTwoFires8]

I feel so dumb for not watching you a long time ago! You are freaking awesome!

[@MTGGoldfish]

Thanks :)

[@jonathanmackinnon2452]

Some class-A deckbuilding here, Planeswalkers in a deck with the immortal sun 😂😂 Nonetheless always entertaining as ever Seth, keep up the good work!

[@vonmatrices]

Can this deck be combined with revel in riches considering the synergies. There is a lot of removal in black. Treasure map. Even if you miss the treasure win you can use the treasure as a mini torment of hailfire

[@dpop1]

Interesting to fuse the two videos, although I think the old system worked better. I rarely watch the deck techs, although maybe that's an argument to not have a separate video. I don't really the clip at the beginning because I don't like spoilers.

[@the_snakelicious]

42:13 How does Fatal Push not do it? He can loot away Gonti, Push the one of the tokens, Extraction the other one, and Vona's Hunger the Glorybringer. 43:03 Why flip Gateway when you can just exile a land and keep looting to find Hailfire faster? Not to mention Tetzimoc could have killed Ghalta and Scrapheap.

[@SiraZero]

I don’t really get why the paradox engine is there though. Just to untap azur’s gateway?

[@paisleytie1964]

Those lightning reflexes! What a game!

[@yadidcolon3568]

What about having a splash of blue in it for Azkanta?

[@Visteus]

holy cow that win with 2 seconds on the clock. Amazing match

[@alexandercato7400]

Finishing the game out with 2 seconds on the clock was epic!

[@valent028]

One of the best against the odd Seth !

[@Commanderkittenface]

I'm so glad I bought the gateways pre-emptively T .T This deck is amazing and I love it!!!! One of my favourites in a long time c:

[@SilverAlex92]

How about upgrading this listo into Rakdos? With a splash of red you get abrade, unlicensed dissintegration and angrath? Abrade deals with artifacts, unliscensed is instant speed hard removal with a lava spike stapled, and angrath both discards our opponent, shocks then a bit and can also kill creatures. Also maybe a couple of glory bringers. This would increase the incidental damage of the deck, and killing things/discarding makes the torment a bit more powerful and winning without it more easy.

[@tgva8889]

Play this, cast Torment of Hailfire for 15!

[@megapixzel]

anyone notice how the swamps kept flipping between their photo negative foil and what i assume is the correct coloration? weird, anyway great deck great matches

[@chriscunningham6401]

Great win with two seconds left!