The Dorcish Librarian: June 2021

Arena is running another Jumpstart event. Released last year, this fun format- "pick two 20-card theme packs, shuffle, and play"- is a hit, and I was glad to see it return. This time around, I played 36 games using 12 combinations. I went 16-20. Here are the stats:

Rainbow Discarding: 4-0

Tree-hugging Cats: 2-0

Goblins Minions: 0-2

Rogues Minotaurs: 1-1

Sea Spirits: 0-3

Devilish Plus One: 1-1

Legion Dinosaurs: 1-1

Well-Read Basri: 2-1

Vampire Elves: 1-2

Goblin Witchcraft: 1-2

Enchanted Vampires: 1-3

Milling Reanimated: 2-4

And here are some of the decks:

Rainbow Discarding:

1 Maelstrom Archangel (JMP) 454

1 Chamber Sentry (JMP) 461

1 Dinrova Horror (JMP) 450

1 Fusion Elemental (JMP) 451

1 Mirrodin's Core (JMP) 492

1 Raging Regisaur (JMP) 455

1 Ironroot Warlord (JMP) 452

1 Alloy Myr (JMP) 457

1 Auger Spree (JMP) 449

1 Terramorphic Expanse (JMP) 78

1 Lawmage's Binding (JMP) 453

1 Prophetic Prism (JMP) 478

1 Rupture Spire (JMP) 495

1 Skittering Surveyor (JMP) 486

1 Prismite (M21) 235

1 Forest (M21) 273

1 Island (M21) 265

1 Mountain (M21) 271

1 Plains (M21) 260

1 Swamp (M21) 268

1 Tinybones, Trinket Thief (JMP) 17

1 Assassin's Strike (JMP) 200

1 Fell Specter (JMP) 233

1 Ravenous Chupacabra (JMP) 269

1 Entomber Exarch (JMP) 227

1 Mind Rot (M21) 115

1 Burglar Rat (JMP) 214

1 Death's Approach (JMP) 222

1 Phyrexian Rager (JMP) 266

1 Slate Street Ruffian (JMP) 279

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Wight of Precinct Six (JMP) 287

1 Swamp (JMP) 55

Tree-hugging Cats:

1 Primordial Sage (JMP) 422

1 Burlfist Oak (M21) 174

1 Warden of the Woods (M21) 213

1 Nature's Way (JMP) 412

1 Wall of Blossoms (JMP) 442

1 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

1 Snarespinner (M21) 207

1 Ambassador Oak (JMP) 375

1 Crushing Canopy (JMP) 386

1 Explore (JMP) 393

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Wildsize (JMP) 445

1 Gnarled Sage (M21) 187

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Feline Sovereign (M21) 180

1 Enlarge (JMP) 392

1 Keeper of Fables (JMP) 407

1 Nature's Way (JMP) 412

1 Canopy Stalker (M21) 175

1 Sabertooth Mauler (M21) 202

1 Pridemalkin (M21) 196

1 Crushing Canopy (JMP) 386

1 Feral Invocation (JMP) 396

1 Initiate's Companion (JMP) 403

1 Pouncing Cheetah (JMP) 419

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Feral Prowler (JMP) 397

1 Forest (JMP) 74

Goblins Minions:

1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

1 Battle-Rattle Shaman (M21) 130

1 Beetleback Chief (JMP) 294

1 Goblin Commando (JMP) 325

1 Makeshift Munitions (JMP) 348

1 Burn Bright (M21) 134

1 Goblin Arsonist (M21) 147

1 Boggart Brute (JMP) 299

1 Goblin Instigator (JMP) 327

1 Goblin Shortcutter (JMP) 330

1 Ornery Goblin (JMP) 353

1 Outnumber (JMP) 354

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Ghoulcaller Gisa (JMP) 236

1 Witch's Cauldron (M21) 129

1 Eliminate (M21) 97

1 Goremand (M21) 101

1 Liliana's Devotee (M21) 109

1 Innocent Blood (JMP) 244

1 Fetid Imp (M21) 98

1 Dutiful Attendant (JMP) 226

1 Ghoulcaller's Accomplice (JMP) 237

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Shambling Goblin (JMP) 277

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Village Rites (M21) 126

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

Rogues Minotaurs:

1 Gonti, Lord of Luxury (JMP) 240

1 Thieves' Guild Enforcer (M21) 125

1 Audacious Thief (JMP) 84

1 Oona's Blackguard (JMP) 261

1 Rogue's Gloves (JMP) 479

1 Stab Wound (JMP) 281

1 Alchemist's Gift (M21) 87

1 Masked Blackguard (M21) 113

1 Lawless Broker (JMP) 249

1 Finishing Blow (M21) 99

1 Nightshade Stinger (JMP) 258

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Rageblood Shaman (JMP) 357

1 Sethron, Hurloon General (JMP) 25

1 Unleash Fury (M21) 170

1 Traitorous Greed (M21) 166

1 Bloodrage Brawler (JMP) 296

1 Soul Sear (M21) 160

1 Sure Strike (M21) 163

1 Borderland Minotaur (JMP) 301

1 Flurry of Horns (JMP) 321

1 Lightning Visionary (JMP) 22

1 Minotaur Skullcleaver (JMP) 349

1 Minotaur Sureshot (JMP) 350

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 69

Devilish Plus One:

1 Brash Taunter (M21) 133

1 Traitorous Greed (M21) 166

1 Dance with Devils (JMP) 306

1 Chained Brute (JMP) 19

1 Spiteful Prankster (JMP) 26

1 Havoc Jester (M21) 149

1 Hobblefiend (M21) 152

1 Pitchburn Devils (M21) 156

1 Act of Treason (JMP) 289

1 Collateral Damage (JMP) 305

1 Lightning-Core Excavator (JMP) 32

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Torch Fiend (JMP) 367

1 Mountain (JMP) 63

1 Rishkar, Peema Renegade (JMP) 425

1 Invigorating Surge (M21) 190

1 Wildwood Scourge (M21) 214

1 Inspiring Call (JMP) 404

1 Nessian Hornbeetle (JMP) 413

1 Trufflesnout (M21) 212

1 Hunter's Edge (M21) 189

1 Pridemalkin (M21) 196

1 Arbor Armament (JMP) 376

1 Fertilid (JMP) 398

1 Pollenbright Druid (JMP) 173

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Forest (JMP) 72

Legion Dinosaurs:

1 Blessed Sanctuary (JMP) 1

1 Selfless Savior (M21) 36

1 Falconer Adept (M21) 18

1 Banishing Light (JMP) 4

1 Basri's Solidarity (M21) 10

1 Valorous Steed (M21) 42

1 Daybreak Charger (M21) 14

1 Makeshift Battalion (M21) 26

1 Inspired Charge (JMP) 110

1 Knight of the Tusk (JMP) 114

1 Legion's Judgment (M21) 24

1 Thriving Heath (JMP) 35

1 Raise the Alarm (JMP) 129

1 Plains (JMP) 38

1 Primal Might (M21) 197

1 Rampaging Brontodon (JMP) 423

1 Drover of the Mighty (JMP) 388

1 Savage Stomp (JMP) 427

1 Thrashing Brontodon (M21) 209

1 Garruk's Uprising (M21) 186

1 Colossal Dreadmaw (M21) 176

1 Commune with Dinosaurs (JMP) 384

1 New Horizons (JMP) 414

1 Orazca Frillback (JMP) 416

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Ornery Dilophosaur (M21) 194

1 Drowsing Tyrannodon (M21) 178

1 Forest (JMP) 73

Well-Read Basri:

1 Basri Ket (M21) 7

1 Basri's Lieutenant (M21) 9

1 Tempered Veteran (M21) 41

1 Siege Striker (M21) 37

1 Faith's Fetters (M21) 17

1 Basri's Solidarity (M21) 10

1 Concordia Pegasus (M21) 12

1 Feat of Resistance (M21) 19

1 Staunch Shieldmate (M21) 39

1 Knight of the Tusk (JMP) 114

1 Legion's Judgment (M21) 24

1 Thriving Heath (JMP) 35

1 Basri's Acolyte (M21) 8

1 Plains (M21) 309

1 Ormos, Archive Keeper (JMP) 13

1 Tolarian Kraken (M21) 80

1 Arcane Encyclopedia (JMP) 459

1 Curiosity (JMP) 147

1 Oneirophage (JMP) 162

1 Capture Sphere (M21) 47

1 Tome Anima (M21) 81

1 Library Larcenist (M21) 55

1 Rousing Read (M21) 67

1 Opt (M21) 59

1 Erratic Visionary (JMP) 150

1 Runed Servitor (JMP) 481

1 Thriving Isle (JMP) 36

1 Island (JMP) 53

Vampire Elves:

1 Exquisite Blood (JMP) 231

1 Sangromancer (JMP) 272

1 Silversmote Ghoul (M21) 122

1 Bloodbond Vampire (JMP) 209

1 Gifted Aetherborn (JMP) 239

1 Sengir Vampire (JMP) 275

1 Sanguine Indulgence (M21) 121

1 Agonizing Syphon (JMP) 199

1 Last Gasp (JMP) 247

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Vampire Neonate (JMP) 285

1 Gloom Sower (M21) 100

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Craterhoof Behemoth (JMP) 385

1 Elvish Archdruid (JMP) 391

1 Skyway Sniper (M21) 206

1 Dwynen's Elite (JMP) 389

1 Ghirapur Guide (JMP) 400

1 Silhana Wayfinder (JMP) 430

1 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

1 Hunter's Edge (M21) 189

1 Titanic Growth (M21) 210

1 Crushing Canopy (JMP) 386

1 Presence of Gond (JMP) 420

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Wildheart Invoker (JMP) 444

1 Forest (JMP) 77

Goblin Witchcraft:

1 Goblin Chieftain (JMP) 324

1 Goblin Goon (JMP) 326

1 Beetleback Chief (JMP) 294

1 Goblin Commando (JMP) 325

1 Makeshift Munitions (JMP) 348

1 Volley Veteran (JMP) 369

1 Goblin Arsonist (M21) 147

1 Shock (M21) 159

1 Boggart Brute (JMP) 299

1 Goblin Instigator (JMP) 327

1 Goblin Shortcutter (JMP) 330

1 Ornery Goblin (JMP) 353

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Bogbrew Witch (JMP) 211

1 Witch of the Moors (JMP) 18

1 Blood Divination (JMP) 207

1 Bubbling Cauldron (JMP) 460

1 Swarm of Bloodflies (JMP) 282

1 Tempting Witch (JMP) 283

1 Bake into a Pie (JMP) 201

1 Black Cat (JMP) 203

1 Bloodhunter Bat (JMP) 210

1 Festering Newt (JMP) 234

1 Last Gasp (JMP) 247

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Swamp (JMP) 59

Goblin Vampires:

1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

1 Battle-Rattle Shaman (M21) 130

1 Beetleback Chief (JMP) 294

1 Goblin Commando (JMP) 325

1 Makeshift Munitions (JMP) 348

1 Burn Bright (M21) 134

1 Goblin Arsonist (M21) 147

1 Boggart Brute (JMP) 299

1 Goblin Instigator (JMP) 327

1 Goblin Shortcutter (JMP) 330

1 Ornery Goblin (JMP) 353

1 Outnumber (JMP) 354

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Exquisite Blood (JMP) 231

1 Sangromancer (JMP) 272

1 Silversmote Ghoul (M21) 122

1 Bloodbond Vampire (JMP) 209

1 Gifted Aetherborn (JMP) 239

1 Sengir Vampire (JMP) 275

1 Sanguine Indulgence (M21) 121

1 Agonizing Syphon (JMP) 199

1 Last Gasp (JMP) 247

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Vampire Neonate (JMP) 285

1 Gloom Sower (M21) 100

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

Goblin Pirates:

1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

1 Beetleback Chief (JMP) 294

1 Goblin Commando (JMP) 325

1 Makeshift Munitions (JMP) 348

1 Volley Veteran (JMP) 369

1 Goblin Arsonist (M21) 147

1 Shock (M21) 159

1 Boggart Brute (JMP) 299

1 Goblin Instigator (JMP) 327

1 Goblin Shortcutter (JMP) 330

1 Ornery Goblin (JMP) 353

1 Outnumber (JMP) 354

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 65

1 Corsair Captain (JMP) 11

1 Chart a Course (JMP) 142

1 Curious Obsession (JMP) 148

1 Departed Deckhand (JMP) 149

1 Spectral Sailor (JMP) 178

1 Capture Sphere (M21) 47

1 Kitesail Corsair (JMP) 155

1 Pirate's Cutlass (JMP) 477

1 Prosperous Pirates (JMP) 165

1 Rishadan Airship (JMP) 170

1 Sailor of Means (JMP) 172

1 Thriving Isle (JMP) 36

1 Read the Tides (M21) 62

1 Island (JMP) 52

Milling Reanimated:

Fun times! I hope they run it again in the future (or, better- come out with Jumpstart 2).

Arena is great in many ways, but its 75-deck limit seems unnecessarily limiting. Today's post is a 'deck dump' so I can remember certain decks, then delete them to make room for more.

Ill-Gotten

This casual deck could have been named "ping." The goal is to play cards that grind your opponent's down to zero. It doesn't work that well, but is amusing when you can get a few Dogged Pursuit and/or Ill-Gotten Inheritance and/or Revenge of the Ravens out.

4 Duskwielder (KHM) 91

20 Swamp (SLD) 105

4 Revenge of Ravens (ELD) 104

4 Dogged Pursuit (KHM) 85

4 Ill-Gotten Inheritance (RNA) 77

2 Castle Locthwain (ELD) 241

4 Duress (M21) 96

4 Serrated Scorpion (IKO) 99

4 Agonizing Remorse (THB) 83

4 Costly Plunder (XLN) 96

4 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (M21) 127

1 Crippling Fear (KHM) 82

1 Witch's Vengeance (ELD) 111

Clerics (v1)

My first take at an Orzhov Clerics deck is a good example of why I'm not a great Magic player. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted this to be aggro, control, or combo, and as a result, it did nothing well. It would explode every now and then, but was a disappointment.

3 Anointed Chorister (M21) 4

1 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244

3 Expedition Healer (ZNR) 13

2 Attended Healer (ZNR) 6

2 Bloodchief's Thirst (ZNR) 94

4 Kor Celebrant (ZNR) 22

2 Shatter the Sky (THB) 37

1 Nullpriest of Oblivion (ZNR) 118

9 Swamp (ZNR) 382

4 Marauding Blight-Priest (ZNR) 112

4 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (M21) 127

1 Drana, the Last Bloodchief (ZNR) 98

4 Cleric of Life's Bond (ZNR) 222

2 Orah, Skyclave Hierophant (ZNR) 233

9 Plains (ZNR) 380

3 Brightclimb Pathway (ZNR) 259

2 Temple of Silence (M21) 255

4 Archfiend's Vessel (M21) 88

Clerics (v2)

I made some improvements, adding card draw (Village Rites) and cheaper cards (Speaker of the Heavens), going more aggro/combo. Still not great, but in the right direction.

4 Anointed Chorister (M21) 4

3 Village Rites (M21) 126

3 Bloodchief's Thirst (ZNR) 94

3 Nullpriest of Oblivion (ZNR) 118

8 Swamp (ZNR) 382

3 Marauding Blight-Priest (ZNR) 112

4 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (M21) 127

4 Cleric of Life's Bond (ZNR) 222

3 Orah, Skyclave Hierophant (ZNR) 233

8 Plains (ZNR) 380

4 Brightclimb Pathway (ZNR) 259

2 Temple of Silence (M21) 255

4 Archfiend's Vessel (M21) 88

4 Speaker of the Heavens (M21) 38

3 Kor Celebrant (ZNR) 22

Clerics (v3)

This has proven the most successful version, adding Luminarch Aspirant and Mangara.

3 Anointed Chorister (M21) 4

4 Village Rites (M21) 126

4 Bloodchief's Thirst (ZNR) 94

3 Nullpriest of Oblivion (ZNR) 118

8 Swamp (ZNR) 382

3 Marauding Blight-Priest (ZNR) 112

4 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (M21) 127

4 Cleric of Life's Bond (ZNR) 222

3 Orah, Skyclave Hierophant (ZNR) 233

8 Plains (ZNR) 380

4 Brightclimb Pathway (ZNR) 259

2 Temple of Silence (M21) 255

4 Archfiend's Vessel (M21) 88

4 Luminarch Aspirant (ZNR) 24

2 Mangara, the Diplomat (M21) 27

Draw 2

This one is simple: draw, draw, draw. My original deck name was "Win or Lose, Draw." Burlfist Oak, enchanted with Setessan Training and aided by card drawing effects, is the heavy hitter here. It does okay, but not as well as I'd like.

4 Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse (M21) 191

23 Forest (IKO) 274

4 Setessan Training (M21) 205

4 Track Down (M21) 211

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

4 Burlfist Oak (M21) 174

2 Elder Gargaroth (M21) 179

2 Hunter's Edge (M21) 189

4 Skyscanner (M21) 238

2 Heroic Intervention (M21) 188

4 Portcullis Vine (M21) 195

3 Primal Might (M21) 197

Discard

A simple discard deck- slower than I'd like, but can get the job done occasionally.

2 Duress (M20) 97

22 Swamp (ANB) 116

4 Burglar Rat (GRN) 64

4 Liliana's Steward (M21) 111

2 Tinybones, Trinket Thief (JMP) 17

3 Waste Not (M15) 122

3 Mind Rot (M21) 115

4 Plaguecrafter (GRN) 82

2 Rotting Regisaur (M20) 111

2 Liliana, Waker of the Dead (M21) 108

3 Rankle, Master of Pranks (ELD) 101

2 Sangromancer (JMP) 272

1 The Eldest Reborn (DAR) 90

4 Reassembling Skeleton (M19) 116

2 Ayara, First of Locthwain (ELD) 75

21 Green Street

No idea how I got this name (from 21 Jump Street, I assume, but I'm not familiar with the show and have no idea why I associated that with this deck). I recall it doing better than I suspected, but I never use it anymore, so time to go.

4 Pridemalkin (M21) 196

19 Forest (IKO) 274

1 Evolution Sage (WAR) 159

2 Primal Might (M21) 197

4 Hunter's Edge (M21) 189

2 The Great Henge (ELD) 161

2 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer (ELD) 177

2 Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig (ELD) 185

2 Renata, Called to the Hunt (THB) 196

2 Questing Beast (ELD) 171

1 Elder Gargaroth (M21) 179

2 Pollenbright Druid (WAR) 173

2 Track Down (M21) 211

3 Wildborn Preserver (ELD) 182

2 Wildwood Scourge (M21) 214

4 Pelt Collector (GRN) 141

2 Garruk's Uprising (M21) 186

4 Castle Garenbrig (ELD) 240

Forest's Might

I think this was an Arena original. But it's no longer valid in standard, and there are better 'stompy' decks out there.

1 Ghalta, Primal Hunger (RIX) 130

1 Gigantosaurus (M19) 185

1 Aggressive Mammoth (M19) 302

3 Llanowar Elves (M19) 314

1 Vigilant Baloth (M19) 206

2 Bristling Boar (M19) 170

3 Centaur Courser (M19) 171

3 Rabid Bite (M19) 195

2 Titanic Growth (M19) 205

24 Forest (M19) 277

2 Pelt Collector (GRN) 141

2 Root Snare (M19) 199

1 Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma (M19) 186

1 Carnage Tyrant (XLN) 179

1 Steel Leaf Champion (DAR) 182

2 Thorn Lieutenant (M19) 203

2 Colossal Majesty (M19) 173

1 Thrashing Brontodon (RIX) 148

1 Beast Whisperer (GRN) 123

1 Pelakka Wurm (M19) 192

1 Finale of Devastation (WAR) 160

1 Nissa's Triumph (WAR) 170

2 Blanchwood Armor (M19) 169

1 Crushing Canopy (GRN) 126

That frees up some slots . . . on to new creations.

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Sunday, June 20, 2021

Jumpstart Event

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Deck Dump

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