Much Abrew: Ball Lightning Tribal (Modern, Magic Online)

[@Fiasko-]

People said it before but I'll say it again. It's criminal how this deck is not named 8-ball

[@RyanMclain]

Bit obvious, though. Meh-ish

[@imofage3947]

That's because 8-ball is already a deck. It runs Ground Breaker/Ball Lightning with CoCo. I agree that this one better earns to moniker because it's Black, but sadly naming rights go to whoever did it first. And regrettably this one wasn't it. Maybe we can come up with a catchy alternative. I kind of like "Full-Rak Black". The extra draw power and reanimation makes it feel like running more than just 8 ball lightnings.

[@DeepCDiva]

I'll call it Rakdos 8-Ball anyway. It gets the point across really well.

[@johansmith5756]

12-ball

[@imofage3947]

@@johansmith5756 More accurate, depending on how you count the recursion pieces. But not as catchy.

[@confrizzby]

Flavor fail: Thunderkin awakener brings back lightning skelemental, meaning that the thunder comes before the lightning

[@thekillerfroggy]

But they still strike at exactly the same time at the point of impact, AKA the opponent's face! Flavor win!?

[@ericmilligan6603]

@@thekillerfroggy Thunder always happens after lightning because light moves far faster than sound.

[@cutecommie]

@@ericmilligan6603 Not if you're the target of the lightning. The sound doesn't have to travel at all if you're the one getting struck.

[@smacksstacks4258]

NERD Amirite guys?

[@NinjaGorillaFTW]

Lmao I love how Seth is flabbergasted that he lost a game against CONTROL with a two land, two removal, no plan hand 😂

[@SmugLookingBarrel]

Ball lightning was actually the first magic card I ever saw, before I knew what Magic was, before I could even read, I found one in a playground somewhere. Since then, it's always been a card I've wanted to see succeed.

[@Drezha3]

21:28 Seth missed the fact that he could’ve minused his saheeli and copy lightning skelemental. That’s 6 points and 2 additional discarded cards he missed. It didn’t matter in the end but still.

[@zachgeraets910]

Was also screaming at my computer when I saw that

[@Atmapalazzo]

Seth missing everything this league. just literal everything.

[@danielegrillenzoni5284]

Yeah it was kind of upsetting to watch.

[@pitakon]

I think he discarded a blood crypt keeping a fetch despite knowing he didn't have anything to fetch. Thus paving a way for him unable to cast skelemental and inquisition.

[@sandolsman]

Seth: We can beat the Magic Gods! Also Seth: ..... why do the Magic Gods hate us so much?

[@egarran]

It's a classic metaphysical mistake.

[@barry_crisp]

I literally felt like crying real tears, this is how beautiful this deck is.

[@ChaoticLapras]

I don't think it would have mattered but at around 19:40 instead of skelemental wouldn't it have been better to unearth an awakener to then bring back another ball ?

[@joegaylord87]

I think it's usually better to reanimate the Awakener, since it's a constant source rather than a 1 off.

[@truetbird1730]

So this may be one of the fastest Much Abrew videos, maybe even one of the fastest with gameplay, good old 8-Ball

[@quailingg948]

What an absolute thrill-ride. Please keep running this in league until you 5-0, and after, because I would watch you pilot this list anytime.

[@josephraitano7165]

I brewed something similar with a green splash for 2 groundbreakers, 2 BBE, and a set of cocos. piloting it at modern tonight and if it does well I'll send over the list.

[@Alex-pl9sv]

Interested to know how it went lol

[@skeetkeat]

I started building this deck earlier this month, was about to get the final pieces this week and then Faithless Looting got banned. T_T

[@endermeap6488]

I mean, you can still play it

[@scooprussell930]

Yeup, now consider that lightning axe can discard your ball lightning and do 5 damage to creature. Could open the way for you to attack for full damage. Also insolent neonate can sorta get the job done but a 1/1 with menace just is not good. I miss the looting.

[@_Niffum]

21:28 Tick down to make servo a copy of the skeleton and swing in for 12?

[@dankurach5340]

Niffum you’re 28 min in. Vid was released 14 ago. Bravo.

[@mediash2062]

@@dankurach5340 Just watch it at 200% speed

[@tomjackal5708]

people can tolerate seth at 1x speed??

[@danslamusique]

Thanks so much for the gameplay! A little disappointed with the bad luck but looking forward to the potential for the deck

[@DrPepperNOW]

pfft the best ball lightning is cleary hogak as a 0 mana 8/8 ball that doesn't go away :p

[@damianreid1700]

right up till it got banned! hahahahahahahahahah

[@thecrazycapn]

I beat this deck a couple weeks ago five times over six games, and my buddy called it "just unbridled jank." Good to see it looking powerful here. Makes me happy to see OG Ball Lightning putting in work.

[@jackmuaddib3745]

That first match!!! Blue white control comming up short, like always! 😆

[@melissagrenier2200]

Honestly it must've been like playing against huatli sun's heart/high alert defender tribal as burn. Not only is it total jank coming out of left field but it happens to line up perfectly against your deck.

[@taleswapper81]

19 lands is the cursed MTGO number. 3 lander turns into 7+ and or 50/50 lands/spells every time.

[@SlipknotSAW40]

You’re really embracing the ball lighting spirit by knocking over your own desk.

[@Threadoflength]

So i built my own version of this deck and run Flamekin Harbinger. It tutors whatever elemental you're missing from the combo, and if you run Fulminator Mage or Ingot Chewer in the sideboard it can tutor for them as well.

[@Bastaz1]

Man I remember playing him like a month before this video was made, kinda bummed I wasn't on the video lol

[@CantusTropus]

That monored prison player was incredibly lucky.

[@Deepwoodse]

I had to stop watching, I was getting so angry at the stream of topdecks

[@SCOOL8896]

4:04 First game

[@guybrushftw]

If consistency is a problem, why not run 4 manamorphose and 4 street wraith?

[@thecreekcrawler]

Seth, I run this deck and use the tutor ability of Flamekin Harbinger! seems to run pretty good especially matched up with faithless looting if you have two mana pay 1 for harbinger and search for skelemental then faithless to draw and pitch has been pretty efficient for me online I am 12-2 online right now. I like the inclusion of Saheeli seems legit. I have Chandra, Acolye of Flame in that spot in the main deck! producing tokens and essentially being a red snapcaster mage in my deck is something that has won me a few games!

[@MTGGoldfish]

Ohh, Flamekin sounds sweet (and can come back with Thunderkin Awakener). I like that idea!

[@thecreekcrawler]

@@MTGGoldfish Definitely worth considering. Its a toolbox card for sure and can make for some great combo-ish plays. It shines when someone surgicals your skelementals and you can look for ball lightnings. Thanks for the awesome video I enjoyed watching it!

[@brandoncarpenter5189]

I think vexing devil would have been perfect for this deck

[@victorstackhouse1051]

Why do you think that and what do you cut?

[@tacobellplease]

I use to really like that card when it came out.. maybe for pryromancers?

[@tomnookyankees3761]

Some cards that have potential for this deck: - Igneous Pouncer (it has swamp and mountain cycling which gives it an easy way to discard it) - incandescent soulstroke (alternate way to sneak elementals into play, also buffs all elementals) - Sunflare Shaman (has a 2 mana ability to deal damage to any target equal to the number of elementals in the graveyard)

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

Splash for tetsuko?

[@brandonchau7816]

Can we have a budgeted version? Budget 8 ball

[@the_one_who_changes1191]

I see no groundbreaker, clearly not true ball lightning tribal

[@mrzhou7685]

Agreed, mine is jund 12 ball, the true way

[@josephraitano7165]

I brewed a similar list with green for 2 groundbreakers, 2 BBE, and a set of cocos. Playing it tonight at modern and if it does well I'll send over the list.

[@dmv99]

I’d love to see if we could make a budget deck out of the lightning ball, awakener, unearth engine?

[@JoeNokers]

It's really just a matter of finding a budget manabase that works and dropping thoughtsieze for a cheaper option or just something else entirely

[@lionkingmatiouz3441]

Hi Seth, great brew to watch in action. Maybe a grixis version with blue for Phantasmal image (for thunderkin and the 8 balls) and Stubborn denial (to avoid removal once a 6/1 is on the battlefield) would be interesting

[@RoxyGotMoxy.]

I feel like this would be good as Mardu if a tad slower. But adding in Athreos and Spark Trooper would be a beating.

[@cutecommie]

The deck already has mana problems as is. And Spark Trooper not being WRR makes me sad.

[@RoxyGotMoxy.]

@@cutecommie I hear you. Athreos would be good though even if hes never going to be a creature. Either they accept a bolt to the face every time making effectively 9 point swings with ball lightnings, or you get them back to do it again and again. Though that would mean even MORE three drops in a three seop heavy slot already so maybe not worth it ultimately.

[@aaronscott7467]

have you thought about splashing blue for tetsuko umezawa, fugitive? It would get around the downside of ball lightings and strengthen your thunderkin awakeners by making them unblockable

[@jackhaste62]

Why are they Skelementals and not Ball Blightnings?

[@SirDerpinmire]

1:01:33 is my new morning alarm tone

[@Weimtime85]

8 ball is so fun, great video

[@Zuulne]

So ball lightning has trample and he had a bolt in hand, that's 9 overall damage with snap caster being a 2/1. For match 1 game 2

[@MTGGoldfish]

Probably should have went for it.

[@brunnun]

Opp had path in the yard, no? Barring them making a terrible misplay it was pretty over. Also since ball lightning is a 6/1, that's 5 trample damage plus bolt 8, not 9

[@Brutalmetal93]

Needs flamekin harbinger. I already have this deck in paper. It needs it. Also let's you fetch your fulminators more easily if you sideboard them

[@joegaylord87]

I was wondering if it wanted Harbingers or Spark Elementals instead of the Pyromancers, which generally feel a little wimpy.

[@skynyrdjesus]

I would probably run one or two spark troopers in place of ball lightning. That lifelink can buy you enough time to close a tough matchup

[@ninjamaru5624]

So glad to finally get to see this deck in action ! Why didn't you board out the fatal pushes for fulminators in round 1 ? I mean, it doesn't kill snapcaster mage but it's a better answer agaisnt colonnade that also deals some damage i guess

[@colinsickels8013]

Seriously great deck, looks like a lot of fun, to bad Seth can’t play magic

[@maximuscesar]

This deck looks so fun. And also appears to be viable. The question is if it is at least as efficient as regular burn

[@garrett1433]

Games at 4:00

[@jaydub5515]

Any chance there could be even a slightly less competitive Mardu version of this deck with a splash of white for Spark Trooper, Boros Charm, and maybe Deflecting palm in SB?

[@westinmcclister1507]

It requires grixis colors but snap would probably be better than arcanist. You could probably shock pretty aggressively since you're trying to race anyway

[@Nrdyco]

Okay... question.. at 42:06 how is the opponent able to put Chalice at 1 with only 1 mana? According to the ruling "A mana cost of Variable ColorlessVariable Colorless means that you pay twice X. If you want X to be 3, you pay 6 to cast Chalice of the Void" So i would think that you need to pay 2 to put Chalice at 1?

[@PandaSquared]

He exiled Simian Spirit Guide for the other R

[@Nrdyco]

@B. Root Ohh I guess I missed that. I was so confused b/c I was like "but they only paid...1 mana..."

[@MTGGoldfish]

Yeah, Simian Spirit Guide doesn't show up very well on MTGO since it doesn't go on the stack (it just sort of sneaks into the exile zone and gives an extra mana).

[@mushclone298]

Had been trying to brew a Ball Lightning deck. Basically the goal was to loot as much as possible and then turn 5 a Rally the Ancestors x=3 for the win.

[@MTGGoldfish]

Ohh, that sound really fun.

[@mushclone298]

@@MTGGoldfish I think I have a handful of decks you would enjoy. I just don't really see anywhere to submit them to you.

[@mushclone298]

@@MTGGoldfish Plus since all of the Ball Lightning style cards sac themselves on the end step, as long as you stack the triggers properly, you can get around the part where Rally exiles them if you need to.

[@allopeth]

Seth - the most musical voice on youtube

[@simondiamond9628]

Blightning and/or Vexing Devil would've been an added bonus to the deck.

[@victoriaminsanair8651]

58:54 We were on the verge of greatness, we were this close

[@erikohman2294]

"...1 thougness, or zero I guess" Hey, dont diss on the sweet force of savagery =)

[@elliotyamamoto38]

Seth get back skelemental to damage the control players hand >_

[@melissagrenier2200]

I think in that last game the hidden gray ogre mode of fulminator was better. You left them with a map and a temple left over even after blowing up the second temple. Seems like blocking reality shaper was better value as painful as that sounds. It has to die sometime so the trigger is inevitable. Or attack for 2 next turn?

[@MTGGoldfish]

Yeah, it might have been better to keep attacking. Good call.

[@ArcanaMaxima]

Plague Engineer makes this deck cry bitter, bitter tears. ...still fun, though.

[@Hunkn0w]

with so much removal on R/B, getting caught of guard by plague engineer is pretty unlikely

[@TheBlitzgundam]

If you want more ball lightning action... add green for Groundbreaker!

[@MTGGoldfish]

It's just so hard to cast!

[@walrusassociation9317]

Green for collected company and groundbreaker.

[@WTFA54]

This is the build im messing with lol. I'm also being dumb and running risen reef for 4 color shenanigans. The elemental tribal land smooths stuff out a lot

[@Head0.25s]

Seth, I thought maybe if this is a ball lightning tibal you can also add groundbreaker as a third ball lightning and as a splash for green

[@MTGGoldfish]

I like the idea of adding Groundbreaker, the problem is that triple green is really hard to make (especially in a deck that already has a triple red three drop and black cards).

[@Head0.25s]

Also I forgot to tell, if you are adding green, collected company will be a very welcome addition to the deck

[@danlewis7707]

The barely contained salt at 56:15 immediately after The first game against Tron. Brutal. I want to play modern, but not against Tron.

[@mpepp9]

I want to try out all these decks so badly (especially this one!) but I just can’t afford to drop $800 or $350 online just to play magic :(

[@christopherwoodbury7520]

If you have a playset of shocks and fetches that's about 2/3 of the cost of most decks that aren't mythic heavy.

[@agelessdisintegrated]

There are card lending sevices you could use (both irl and online). That way you can test out if you like the decks. Also procies is a thing - i like proxying the cards i don't have and when i find something i like i slowly starts trading and buying the stuff bit by bit.

[@winssports4830]

The luck of your opponents is how I've been feeling in arena. I'll have a great hand that I know can win and then the opponent has every literal answer possible, it becomes a top deck war and I do nothing but draw lands while my opponent draws threats. It's been fun let me tell ya. So I feel your pain on those games.

[@ettoreozzy9932]

Thats me on arena in almost every game after I have like 4 wins lol

[@winssports4830]

Lol such facts. I'm kind of new on arena I've dabbled here or there but lately been playing a lot and my God do I understand why everyone hates Esper Control. Outside of that though I definitely have had that luck when I get to 3 or 4 wins as well lol but I've 0-3'd in which I definitely should have won two of those games but the opponent had the luck of the gods lol.

[@richardforrest6289]

what's a good card to replace faithless looting since it's banned in modern?

[@canismajor1186]

Rename to Mr. Bone's Wild Ride!

[@he8mybbybakribs407]

Love the deck but def need more draw for consistency or maybe tutor (beseech the queen maybe?) For midrange games.

[@he8mybbybakribs407]

Mausoleum Secrets also considered, not hard to have 3 creatures in the gy

[@DKxRAMONESxSP]

ball lightning was my favorite card as a kid even though i sucked at magic and usually played elves or squirrrels

[@MTGGoldfish]

Ball Lightning is a classic :)

[@computersocsci]

Does your crazy combo always work in game one of Against the Odds? Or do you just put an exciting game like that first every time?

[@DeusDoku]

I don't think he filters matches. There have been times were he uploads were a deck doesn't win any games

[@melissagrenier2200]

I heard that if he gets at least 1 win he puts the best win first. But I guess if he went 0-5 he'd have to put a loss first.

[@egarran]

If he does, I applaud it. I wish he filtered out the frustrating mana screws instead.

[@anthonydonato978]

Would Blightning be a consideration for this deck? It has the same concept as the skelemental, but can't be recast with arcanist due to CMC of 3. Not saying the deck needs 4 copies, but it could have some synergy

[@MTGGoldfish]

Blightning is sweet, although I'm not sure it's synergistic enough. Maybe as a one or two-of though.

[@zonko]

Seth should add 4 Prized Amalgams as well for extra kicks

[@MTGGoldfish]

Hmm, that could be interesting.

[@zeroiscorrect630]

splash white for Spark Trooper as Ball Lightning #5/6 and flickerwisp.

[@myztik5716]

awful

[@danbarto8876]

Mull to 4 means nothing When we are in London!!!

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

46:19 fatal push and lightning bolt in hand... said you were going to lose but used neither?

[@NateGittlen]

chalice on 1

[@NoBody-ro3xj]

@@NateGittlen ha yea im a dumbass

[@SmashPortal]

Gameplay @ 4:00

[@jackpabich763]

Force of Despair should really be seeing more play with Hogaak running around the way it is...

[@MTGGoldfish]

That's an interesting idea. The only downside is most of Hogaak's creature come back into play the next turn anyway, so it's more of a Fog with upside than a wrath in the matchups.

[@jackpabich763]

@@MTGGoldfish Makes sense. Still seem's underplayed to me, though

[@JrummerZ]

What about adding Mayhem Devil to it so you can get extra damage in by saccing the balls of lightnings?

[@MTGGoldfish]

That could be fun, I wonder if the one extra damage would be worth it!

[@jessehunter362]

Maybe add spark trooper in the sideboard for games where you need life?

[@bryantan4228]

21:30 That’s a big misplay to not turn your servo into a Skelemental there. If you had done it, your opponent would have dropped to 2 cards which would have greatly reduced the odds of a comeback. Luckily they had nothing anyway...

[@MTGGoldfish]

Hmm, good call.

[@iratzz1086]

I need someone to help me decide should I get a dredge deck or an arc light Phoenix deck?

[@wizardluigi3296]

What a funny deck! It can get better than 12 bolt, so unique and so... DAMAGING

[@ceesbuijteweg3404]

47:05 You are heartbroken. Probable the most hurtful loose ever? Now you feel how you favourite deck hurt others. The Free deck wins carma

[@traviology]

Literally an unnecessary expense for 2 scalding tarns? Why not wooded foothills instead?

[@melissagrenier2200]

What if you already own the scalding tarns but not foothills? Not my case as I have 3 tarns and 4 foothills but a former Phoenix player might not have wooded foothills

[@grabbity]

He rents cards on an unlimited plan. Wouldn't change a whole lot lol

[@melissagrenier2200]

These kind of decks make me wish we had an opponent's facecam. Obviously that's impossible

[@MTGGoldfish]

That would be great for videos!

[@alexpoobum]

awesome deck

[@MTGGoldfish]

Glad you liked it!

[@finebread8253]

add in force of rage? kinda a ball lightning-ish card

[@darknonor]

What about flamekin harbinger in order to be more consistent ?

[@darknonor]

Don't know if spitebellows worth thr try, it seems to work well with the hasty 1/2, humans or spirits surely don't like him... I think I'd test a one-of instead of neonate

[@zotha]

Opponents making some... interesting.. strategic decisions throughout this video. Guess MTGO leagues aren't all that competetive anymore.

[@xLASTxSTRAWx]

Anyone know the background art @2:50 ?

[@MTGGoldfish]

I don't. I did a google search for MTG Elemental art and that was one of the things that came up, I don't recognize the card though.

[@zachcn235]

did he not have the win against UW control with trample over snapcaster and then bolt for the win?

[@eightbitblitz5868]

This deck really needs Lightning Baller

[@goldcobraarima9819]

Love this deck, what what can i do about the looting?

[@MTGGoldfish]

Losing Looting is a huge deal for decks like this. I'm actually not sure it can function without it (could try the new Adventure looting thing, but there's nothing close to the power-level of looting).

[@goldcobraarima9819]

@@MTGGoldfish Yes....):

[@Visteus]

21:30 coulda used Saheeli's ability to smack em with another Skelemental, though it didnt matter in the end

[@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761]

You can only turn artifacts into other artifacts

[@zachevans2220]

@@drakeconsumerofsoulsandche5761 try again; Saheeli allows for either creature or artifact to be copied

[@silverdeathgamer2907]

@@zachevans2220 Yep, scryfall.com/card/war/234/saheeli-sublime-artificer .

[@s.a.hellenbrand8450]

So many questions about game play in that 1st match

[@mrsnufflegums]

Isn't there a green ball lightning and a boros ball lightning with lifelink?

[@MTGGoldfish]

Yeah (although the Boros one costs four mana not three).

[@419fish]

This actually looks like it can compete with tier decks. Who knew?

[@Devn8tr]

When I saw saheeli I immediately thought, who was the genius to think of making thopters into ball Lightnings?

[@Devn8tr]

I also like how people view things differently, when Seth saw saheeli he thought, extra value with thopters, I thought make thopters into skelementals

[@DeepCDiva]

This is the most fun synergy in the deck for me. It's not immediately obvious when you see the cards in different contexts but when you look at them in the same deck you go "Oh. OH THAT'S DAMAGE".

[@kmb1800]

no cavern of souls?

[@Entropic_Alloy]

Game 3 of the UW match, why not make the servo a second skelemental and make your opponent pitch 4?

[@User-jo7jp]

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire (lightning?)

[@darylchiu9030]

12 Ball is doable but 16 Ball is kinda hard. Ball Lightning Groundbreaker (Green Ball Lightning) Spark Trooper (Ball Lightning Helix) Lightning Skelemental (Ball Blightning)

[@rahminh]

I want to see video of Seth Flippin the computer. Lol

[@kylekovacs7126]

Sorry to hear about your computer, Seth :(