Channel GFabs - Modern Black-Red 'Walkers

GFabs is at it again with a wild brew that locks your opponent out of spells and the combat step before finishing them with planeswalkers!
Deck List: www.channelfire...
Match 1: 07:20
Match 2: 30:01
Match 3: 01:02:48
Match 4: 01:43:23
Match 5: 02:13:23

[@ServoToken]

If there ever becomes an MTG talk radio channel, Gfab needs to be on it. I don't even care if he's wrong about everything, he's got the perfect voice for it.

[@jacobricher4601]

Hey sounds a little like marc maron

[@jacobricher4601]

he*

[@PreLives171]

Almost exactly the comment I was going to write. Everything from the voice to the analysis is absolutely on point.

[@guybrushthreepwood8174]

love listening to his commentary

[@AlexanderQ689]

I was just thinking the opposite, I find his pauses & drawn out syllables at the end of his sentences slow & annoying

[@hiiamkel]

GFabs is a true modern master - wrecking people's netdecks with another creative brew. You can tell he's a teacher as well... he explains everything so clearly and well. Thanks for the video Gerard, and your wisdom. I'm looking forward to the next one!

[@SailingToo]

Audio quality is on point.

[@ParadoxBassCube]

+1. noise reduction would be a nice addition, though.

[@SailingToo]

Yah, but this is good enough to where I don't rip my ears out :)

[@SailingToo]

Also I have to admit, it does get worse later on in the video. :/

[@Zeroremnants]

Match 1 game 1. +1 Koth on the Blood Crypt and cast Thoughtseize? I know the damage is good but we are trying to win with the ultimate right?

[@robwindsor7016]

Thanks for the story in the beginning, love your content and looking forward to seeing more from you on CFB!

[@Borkybaby]

The man the myth!!!! Teacher of the year.

[@ericburnett8163]

This audio quality is amazing. Thank you!

[@Midnightv]

Wow that fifth round add-on was really cool of you. Something about the consideration you showed really makes me a fan

[@iced_big_red]

I really enjoyed the way you explained the lines of play in detail. It makes for a better understanding of the deck imo

[@__Logan]

Gotta say Gerard, love that you're making videos for this channel again! You have great personality and they're lots of fun to watch.

[@mattcook7757]

Hey Gfab! Don't worry too much about the haters in the youtube channels, they will always be there no matter what. What matters is that you are relatively new to CFB and you are already a must watch crowd favourite.

[@AdrianWan]

Love your channel! Your breakdowns and explanations are awesome, and I appreciate your constant positivity. Keep making content!

[@jamesthompson7507]

Gerard, awesome content. Please keep playing sweet brews like this one and keep putting up your content! You're awesome!

[@oldirtysean00]

I love the story about the concession. I believe this is the spirit of gamesmanship. Victory without honor isn't victory at all.

[@sidasdf]

I love watching someone play modern Ensnaring Bridge, it’s my favorite card to play against!

[@teamwreckerthomo]

Great video GFab! If only all KZbinrs put the same amount of thought and effort into their videos as you do.

[@Gernardi]

wow thanks for the kind words

[@Hunter85792]

That little talk about being a good (in the sense of nice) Magic player at the start of the video in order to be a good (in the sense of competent) Magic player is one of the reasons why Gerard is one of my favourite players.

[@codetaku]

Game one... turn four... 13:03 why didn't you untap blood crypt to to play thoughtseize?? Was the four damage really that worth it against blue-white or jeskai control?

[@codetaku]

You also wouldn't have needed to tick Koth down the following turn.... If your opponent had actually path'd a mountain (turn 5 you didn't need to untap blood crypt), great, get another mountain.

[@paulm2163]

I think the reason isn't so much that he wanted the four damage, but rather he wanted to tick up the Koth. The reason he didn't untap the Crypt and snap off Thoughtseize is because he wants perfect knowledge when he goes to play his next threat. If he just snaps off Thoughtseize at 13:03 you give the opponent an extra draw step of an unknown to draw an answer to the next threat he wants to cast. Having perfect info in a control match-up is extremely important.

[@igetkickedinthenuts]

This is my first time watching a Fabiano video, I am highly impressed!

[@cornflakewins]

Really appreciate how you explain you thoughts and line of plays and how they can be applied to other situations. Would be awesome if you could come out with more videos; even if they are net decks.

[@chronatoginfinite]

Boil in the side, Blood Moon in the main This deck looks like literal hell to play against. I really loved the content! Thanks for the video!

[@Ha7su]

Not a single copy of damnation feels odd

[@Gernardi]

Hatsu ya damnation or anger can be good but think because of bridge we don’t need it?

[@Ha7su]

That's true, but sometimes I think it's good to just get rid of everything. Not that is wrong not having Damnation, but it feels odd to not have any in a black-"control" deck.

[@RainySouthBend]

Andrew Ryan do they play wrath of god in the nahiri prison decks?

[@RainySouthBend]

Andrew Ryan ah that's right they play chalice. makes sense

[@mmurphy373]

I'd say take olivia and a fulminator out of the sb for 2 damnations.

[@jimmybuffettsr1157]

Did you just become my favorite MTG content producer? Probably, definitely top 5. Awesome video, I really would love to see you post here on a regular basis!

[@7om72]

My man! You always play decks that are right up my street! Loving the content, hope you had a good xmas!

[@reekhadol]

GFabs might be one of the most unpleasant players to face live but his content is always goddamn top notch.

[@vinimcortes]

Love your videos Fabiano, always fun and informative content

[@Gernardi]

Vinícius Morelli thank you!

[@freedomforall1712]

I really became a fan watching this video. Keep being a class act and keep making awesome modern decks!

[@stephendugas3405]

Love the deck and have been a fan since you were playing BUG control in modern!

[@Gernardi]

Steohen Dugas great to hear thank you

[@Amlorian]

GFabs is the man, great content as usual

[@TheMattmatic]

This and the Temur Moon videos were both really good, you have a real talent for explaining your thought process. I'm getting back into Magic after being away from the game for 20 years (!), and it's really helpful to see videos like this. Keep makin' em, I'll keep watching 'em!

[@Gernardi]

TheMattmatic thanks man and happy you are getting back in the game is great. Hopefully you still have all your cards from 20 years ago because if so you are rich 💰🤠👍🏼

[@TheMattmatic]

Oh man, I couldn't afford the expensive cards like that back then either (I was fourteen) but I have some Volcanic Islands and Force of Wills sitting in a binder somewhere that I can't find! Have looked everywhere... Maybe they'll turn up lol

[@lachlanrobertson7109]

This guy seems like such a great person let alone magic player , really enjoyed the games and your insights. Hope you make more vids mate

[@samcasey8621]

At about 13 minutes when you played the koth is there an argument for untapping the blood crypt and thoughtseizing, instead of hitting for 4? Maybe you care more about damage and his hand is terrible anyway but just an idea for future lines

[@user-mz2ow4ky7v]

I saw that too, seems like the better line, in case of d-sphere

[@Kestral287]

I honestly prefer the line he made because it feels like it's more efficient over the next few turns, and there's really no spell worth Thoughtseizing immediately (D-Sphere is annoying, but you've got two more four-mana walkers in hand). Yeah, he drew the Ob that he wound up playing, but the next turn the baseline play (i.e., drawing a total blank) would be Thoughtseize, plus Koth, Chandra, plus Chandra. Drawing a land makes that play Thoughtseize, Chandra, plus both walkers, Ensnaring Bridge for security from Celestial. Drawing a five-mana spell lets you do the line he made. The only way the line really feels worse is if you draw a six-mana spell, as that would tap you out including with the Koth neg. Given that there's no six-mana spell in this list, this line feels better.

[@codetaku]

But kestral he didn't even comment on this line, which makes it sound like he didn't see it.

[@samcasey8621]

I think his line was fine and probably absolutely right but I agree I am not sure he saw it, so I thought I'd take up his offer to point it out

[@gracielakirby3123]

Very nice, very nice video :D I'm glad I got here!

[@Gernardi]

Graciela Kirby thank you 😊

[@lordduskblade]

Great content. I actually got to face this deck earlier today, and I was impressed. Thanks for the match!

[@lavetha27]

I like the deck A LOT, as I like any prison type deck. As for suggestions, I like the idea of cutting 1x relic as I'm not sure 4 are needed. I also noticed Collective Brutality not being too great in any of your matches. Aside from being on curve and good against burn I don't think it's needed. For additions, I think the core of the deck is ensnaring bridge + Lili to help discard your hand down and attrit your enemy so going up at least 1x lili makes sense. Some number of Fatal Push main also makes sense as it seems like such a better removal spell than Collective Brutality particularly when you expect Goyf and Death's Shadow. As mediocre as it sounds Keldon Megaliths may be a good fit to the deck if you plan on being hellbent with Lili, it's a pinger against utility dorks, and is a damage source that gets around Ensnaring Bridge. It obviously doesn't work with Blood Moon, but you mentioned if you went down one relic you might consider adding a land, if you do it should likely be a utility land of some ilk. I also like a couple Gemstone Caverns which often allow you to play your Blood Moon on turn 2 when on the draw, which is huge. And when they don't work Blood Moon turns them into a Mountains so the cost is low.

[@skieochre3745]

Really like the way you talk through your videos.

[@thiagofrazaodesousa288]

my god... this audio quality! thumbs up just for it

[@adamparkhurst1236]

Love this deck! My first GP I played Rakdos Burn with bump in the night. I agree this is great vs. the current meta. Well done!

[@guybrushthreepwood8174]

Just wanted to let you know- was not familiar with you until now but this is great content. i don't play modern i just play pauper but i love watching modern stuff, and this commentary, deck and overall quality were A+, and dont worry about pronouncing weird card names correctly. i will def be following ur content from here and prob looking up ur prior modern stuff! this deck is sweet! also appreciated the little story u told at the beginning about how u conceded a match then went like 10-0!

[@Gernardi]

po1980 thank you what deck do you play in pauper I didn’t play the format in a while now I used to play blue skies

[@guybrushthreepwood8174]

My favorites are izzet delver, tribe combo, Stompy and burn.

[@tommygibson9515]

Haven't played the game in a few years now but saw this deck and was like this looks cool..

[@AGray21]

Just commenting to appreciate someone making content on this channel with a half decent microphone.

[@MegaLaban12345]

My kind of deck! Looking forward to more videos from Gerard.

[@5mellycheeze]

This is my kind of deck, anything that plays that Chandra will grab my attention. I love that PW, I remember people saying shes the new JTMS when she was spoiled, let's not go that far, but I do think people sleep on how good she is. Shes just so versatile, need to look for a card? Done, if its not what you need, shock your opponent, need more mana, can do. You have a big thing, I'll do 4 to it and more than likely kill it. Her ultimate can be game in the right decks. God I love that card

[@arabellajohnson8874]

yo what's up GFab match 1 game one what do you think about at around 13:00 when you played the koth instead of uptick and hit him for 4 with the mountain you could have targeted the blood crypt to thoughtsieze him that turn and be more mana efficient and try and clear a path for the Chandra?

[@thersabugonmytv]

Quality content. Need more from the FabFather

[@me645nyu]

Great deck, great story at the top. Thanks for sharing this. I apologize if someone else already commented on this. At 52:26 you get Ghost Quatered for the second time and choose not to search your library to replace the land. It would have saved you game two when it happened and would have allowed you to cast Chandra game three. I hope this helps. Keep up the great work.

[@me645nyu]

Nevermind, he had an arbiter down so no searching my fault. Just didn't want to see you miss something. My bad. Thanks again

[@narwhalcetacean144]

Awesome deck, great commentary! Honestly this reminds me of a "Free Win Red" style of play. Koth and Chandra as win condition and bunch of metagame hosers: Moon, Bridge, no Chalice here, but Ratchet Bomb and Relic in the maindeck. It feels like the maindeck is a ball of condensed hate that's usually brought out of various sideboards, and I absolutely adore that idea.

[@k98killer]

This deck looks sweet. I think I want to build something similar to this soon.

[@DukeNukem713]

Loved the video! Great job. A possible missplay could be fetching a bloodcrypt and paying the life when you don't need the fixing against turn 1 aether vial

[@andreasalfredrokkjr405]

Dude great intro, thank you for that ☯️🙏💚

[@TmasterREY]

I feel like a couple pyroclasms in the sideboard would be useful for aggro matchups. Other than that, it looks sweet and seems like you've put the effort into it.

[@JoshuaFitzpatrick]

If that Genesis Chamber deck was the life gain build your build might have had more issues, it's beatable still, but they can shoot well passed 40 life very quickly, have played against that one a few times. Like the deck you ran here a lot though.

[@dasvoid1]

Why take out the ensaring bridges in the turns match up? isn't their only win condition Part the Waterveil?

[@Gernardi]

aaron sparks they have cryptic but not sure never played that match up before!

[@dasvoid1]

Thanks Gerard, loved the video, great content!

[@betitall33]

Was thinking the same thing. Their only win condition is attacking with 6+ power lands.

[@ZaireRH]

aaron sparks yea I was wondering that too. He discarded it game one while I'm screaming nuuu

[@G14N14RI12]

Sometimes they have a mill backup

[@wardog995]

Great video Gfab. Big fan miss the sultai days. I like this concept, and think it's got legs. What do you think about surgical ex? In the Titan match up you could have hit the land with the creature and the pulled them out of the deck? Anyway man have a good one and great work.

[@Gernardi]

frederick perry I added surgical since the video has been pretty good. I think the next video will be sultai that’s what was voted on my Twitter

[@wardog995]

Gerard Fabiano good on it. I actually did play sultai Walkers for almost two years because of you, so I'll be excited to see an update from you. Thinking now with push, and new Planeswalker rules. I'd still be on sultai if I didn't have to sell my tarmogoyfs to pay rent a few years ago. Anyway looking forward to your next video, have a good new year.

[@danieldaniels1172]

Very interesting deck and a great video. Thank you.

[@felicitydowdle4420]

Around the 39:44 mark of the video you had Chandra out with Ob Nixilis and Koth in hand. Rather than just tap 5 for Ob Nixilis there was a play of plus Chandra for 2 red. Tap two mountains and use the 2 red for Koth and then minus Koth for 3 red to cast Ob Nixilis. It wasn't relevant there as the opponent conceded but I thought the play still worth mentioning on a best practice standpoint

[@juicyjugo6187]

Great deck! Been trying to make br moon work for a while and I love this ensnaring walkers version. The only thing I can think is you needed ratchet bomb in a lot more matches than you needed nights whisper so maybe go up to 3 bomb and down to 3 whisper because hilariously enough drawing cards actually hurt you when you had bridge down

[@andreyuvarov254]

Well, the theory behind Path in UW control is that the combination of the Path, Ghost Quarters and Fields of Ruin (and in some cases Crucible of Worlds to reuse those lands) and also the fact that most modern decks has only a few basics make it so that your opponent at some point cannot search for a land turning your LD lands into Strip Mines and your Pathes into creature exile with no drowbacks. Of course, Path may not be the best removal for the early game since it's not that good on fighting with mana creatures and also it can make cards like Mana Leak worse. Your opponent in game 2 of the second match probably just should leave Pack Rat be and try to verdict it latter instead of giving you extra land (though this was a tough spot - they might have want to have all their mana free in case they topdeck something and also they might were afraid of the future discard spells ruining the verdict plan).

[@eduardocarvalho1985]

Very very good content.

[@betitall33]

Loved the video. Question around 2:20:04: you have 3 ensnaring bridges in hand. Your deck is configured with no creatures. You're playing against a deck that is trying to assemble giant creatures and attack. Why decline to play the bridge(s) for multiple turns?

[@EvonyBasics]

Cracking all the chests at once like a savage :)

[@nilsbossiusklintenberg3623]

Another awesome deck and video!

[@big_boy]

Awesome content GFabs! That bonus match was spicy hot! Was wondering why you took out bridge that match, I would keep bridge against any creature deck.

[@N4M374K3N]

At 46:00 or just before I think you should have inquisitioned yourself taking seize and hoped to draw ensnaring bridge. The odds weren’t great but I like playing to the one out there.

[@brandonwallace2054]

I’ve been working on a BR Walkers deck for awhile now. It’s put up excellent results, apparently 4 LoTV, 3 LtLH, 3 CToD, and 1 Chandra Pyromaster is really good. I had Bobs and Kalitas in the main but I think the deck would like Nights Whisper better. Plus mainboard Bridges are too good to pass up. I can send you the list if you want but I’ll definitely be putting in some other things, Ob Nix is reaallly good. Anyways awesome content! I enjoyed it!

[@maroonwarlockgaming]

Sweet looking deck. Reminds me a little bit of a mix of the older versions of Skred red and Mardu control from about a year ago. Any thoughts on slotting in that 5 drop Angrath in place of ob nixilis? Though the card draw on Ob nix is really nice.

[@rahzark]

Unique deck, tight play, 5* content!

[@maltemuller2125]

hey, big fan of your content. my idea for this deck is maybe the addition of about 2 mindstones, cutting a relic and a nights whispers. also it was insanely strange, you said "its late, its 11.34" and atm its 23.37 what a coincidence

[@moodragonx2]

I may have missed it, but why not sacrifice the ratchet bomb at 2:31:24 to take out the Norin? It doesn't come back from the graveyard? Not sure if we had some information about the opponent's hand I'm not considering but from what's on the board it looks reasonable.

[@jackturner6087]

Great content with interesting decks and comentary that is entertaining and useful. At 13:25 when you untap mountain to swing in for 4, would it not be better to untap Blood Crypt and cast Thoughtseize, to invaliate any potential answers to Koth and get info?

[@pjelly42]

Any consideration to siding in a Boil or two against the Scapeshift deck that showed they started with Prismatic Omen in Game 1, Match 5? Boil can either destroy them with their own tech (since all their lands will be Islands), or you can discard Boil away to your various discard outlets if you end up not needing it.

[@alkaline9500]

Oh hey, one of my friends was the person you ended up conceding to in GP Balt

[@paulm2163]

Sweet deck and awesome commentary! Thoughts on KCommand maybe in board? I'm probably just too much of a sucker for it in any modern deck that can run it, but it just feels too good versus Affinity and a few other match-ups like merfolk/D&T that rely on little creatures and vials to put in work.

[@TeamRainbowElite]

Hey Gerard, awesome content as always. Had a quick question about game one since I am a U/W control player myself. With regards to Path to Exile being a bad choice for the deck I can understand that line, but it feels more like a necessary card to play in the format. Do you have any suggestions for alternatives? I always felt Path was a necessary evil just to deal with any creature that gets down. Thanks again for the great content!

[@Gernardi]

Grant Schultz honestly I always liked playing oust I would maybe even play 4 oust and zero path

[@TeamRainbowElite]

Gerard Fabiano Ah I should give that a shot, almost completely forgot about oust. Thanks!

[@marcdeke7026]

13:02 -- Play Koth of the Hammer, +1, Untap Blood Crypt. Play Thoughtseize. This confirms what we're playing against // sets up our next series of turns. Would have been the line IMO.

[@JakobLogan]

More GFabs!

[@GarrettJuice69]

GFabs please run a league with your Esper Shadow list. Would love to see you pilot that.

[@legendaryrat]

Did you test the 4th Blood Moon in the board? The Valakut and Eldrazi match ups seemed to live or die by drawing it.

[@apeofjustice7109]

I think having maybe a couple Simian Spirit Guides in the deck, they work well with Ensnaring Bridge and powering out the 'walkers and blood moon earlier.

[@PublicNMEno1]

At 13:01, did you consider Koth -> Untap Blood Crypt --> Thoughtseize? The idea being to remove an answer for Koth and make it that much easier to ult.

[@andreyuvarov254]

I belive you can use K.Command in this deck. It's generally good in modern especially if you'll meet an artifact based deck (especially if it will be something that don't cares too much about your moons and bridges like Lantern Control) and you have a bunch of creatures in your sideboard to make use of raise dead mode. Also you can use some sort of artifact removal in your sideboard like shatterstrom or vandal blast for the same match ups (artifact based combo and control decks).

[@harbleboy]

I think in the final game of the first league, taking the scapeshift was the correct play. You could have chandra down-ticked into chandra down-tick to destroy primeval titan. You lose to any land, steve, farseek, kodama's reach, search for tomorrow, etc. You even get to blow up one of the valakuts if the opponent misses the line to bolt before dropping primetime (since he drew exactly the non-valakut land). At that point, I think you have 2 draws to topdeck a discard spell for nature's claim and drop a moon.

[@ryanvoss1575]

harbleboy I agree. He's a long shot either way but he is dead to any land if he doesn't take scapeshift.

[@alexanderbeiersdorfer3721]

high level content! thanks

[@Buxomat]

Any reason you don't run kolaghan command? The deck looks amazing but I think affinity can be a pretty hard match up

[@samsamsABC]

Is Nahiri the Harbinger worth considering? It's plus is great, it's minus is great (especially for working with leylines) and it's ult can get ensnaring bridges, ratchet bombs etc. not the usual target for a nahiri ult but it is an interesting thought :P

[@bruxonn12]

Is there a specific reason why Slaughter Games isn't in your sideboard? I mean, the deck is very efficient in dealing with threats, so I can imagine you'd want to have it for the few threats that you can't deal with yet (like Ad Nauseam for example)

[@brandondeveines7839]

was there am option round 2 against UW on turn 4 when you played Koth to untap blood crypt and thoughtseize, rather than attack for 4? Just curious

[@bobbymiller2154]

With the turns deck, why were you prioritizing bridge so low? the only way that deck wins is with part the water vale 6/6's right? I feel like you are probably right but I feel like I am missing something. It feels to me like you are pretty likely to have less than 6 cards in hand basically the whole game.

[@SerLaama]

SERUM VISIONS E: Addressed it. Thanks Fabby!

[@kevinterry2631]

Hi Gfab, any reason on M5G3 you didn't take the nature's claim with the thoughtseize, hope they don't draw land for scapeshift and drop blood moon the following turn? turns off scapeshift and leaves you with a titan to deal with. Just my thought process, let me know what you think!

[@owenkeith1188]

At 13:20 is playing Koth, untapping the Blood Crypt, and playing thoughtseize a consideration? Awesome video, keep it up man!

[@zwolf4118]

the bonus match you played against boros soul sisters

[@AndyMourat]

Hey, do you think its better to untap blood crypt with koth in rd 1 and ts away your opp to strip their hand first instead of just bashing for 4 since their decks is slow anyway.

[@Kestral287]

At the 1:48:00 (ish) mark, I like plussing Chandra without shocking the land, but I think you needed to play and plus Koth, then Inquisition. That gives you a lot more mana on the following turn to try to keep working to find Blood Moon, and just feels better than passing with that much mana up in general.

[@troytrain5363]

Appreciate the content. Keep it up GFab. Also why no damnations in the side?

[@Gernardi]

Troy Orozco Damnation could be good but I am thinking maybe white in the bOard could be good still playing around with the list but I think something is there

[@codetaku]

1:48:00 as well, if you had played blood crypt *then* koth, you could've untapped blood crypt for inquisition without shocking yourself. Since you had another Koth in hand, I'm 100% sure that was the right line.

[@codetaku]

1:26:30 you forgot to plus chandra :P But that game was already locked up.

[@EJKruze]

At 12:55 I think there's an argument to play out Koth as you did but instead of attacking to uptick untap Blood Crypt and get the Thoughtseize off on Turn 4.

[@bee6377]

At 13:15 ish when you were debating resolving koth or Chandra. The value bug in me makes me wish you untapped your dual and thoughtsiezed your opponent instead of just bashing for 4. I may be missing something though !

[@amrdodin7926]

This list feels like it might need some life gain in it somewhere. Even slow life gain might be good. (Maybe a pristine talisman to also try to help mitigate some of the mana count issues?)

[@MartGriffin]

At 46:07 I'm surprised that you decided that Collective Brutality was the "discard" spell you wanted to cut. It's not really a discard spell because your opponent will probably cut paths, and I'll admit it's a really clunky removal spell but at least it does something in the face of Leyline. It's awkward that-unlike discard-it lets your opponent's EtB triggers happen, but I think that maybe your planeswalkers can fight through the value and that it's more valuable to have (slightly) better top-decks and a way to remove bodies from play? EDIT: Having seen the game that took place having four discard spells in the early turns worked out better than Brutality.