Author Topic: Isaiah (Read 7007 times)

Bobbert · « **on:** February 27, 2019, 10:55:13 PM »

FooF Isaiah.
Because I'm a hipster.

Total cards: 100

30 Neutral
14 LS
Covenant Breakers
Dull
Darkness
Imitate
Lawless
Humble
Prosperity
2 Dominants
Three Woes
Destruction of Nehushtan
4 Support
Great White Throne x2
Hidden Treasures
Golden Calf
10 DAC
The Great Fish
The King of Ninevah
Second Seal/War
Capture and Sieze
Razor x2
God's Mercy/Jonah's Anger x2
Confused Languages
Lost Anointing

35 Good
4 Dominants
Son of God
The Second Coming
Angel of the Lord
Grapes of Wrath
4 Support
Obadiah's Caves
I am Holy
You Will Remain x2
13 Heroes
Isaiah (FooF) x3
Seraph x2
Seraph With a Live Coal x4
Mighty Warrior x2
Jonah
Nahum
14 Good Enhancements
Isaiah's Call x2
Live Coal x2
His Name
Righteous Judge
Spiritual Warfare
Death of Firstborn
The Coming Prince
The Emmaus Road
Protection of Jerusalem
Angelic Guidance x3

35 Evil
4 Dominants
Burial
Christian Martyr
Falling Away
Shipwreck
3 Support
Babel
Nineveh x2
1 DAC
Withered Plant/The Worm
12 Evil Characters
Assyrian Archer
Assyrian Siege Army
Assyrian Survivor x2
King Shalmaneser III x2
Mounted Forces
Nimrod, the Mighty x2
The Rabsaris
Damsel with Spirit of Divination x2
15 Evil Enhancements
Achan's Sin x2
Confusion (CoW) x2
Corrupt Earth
Death of Unrighteous x2
Envy
Forgotten History
The Rabshakeh's Threats x2
Scattered
Two Thousand Horses x3

Reserve
5 Good
Isaiah (PoC)
Jonah
His Name
Righteous Judge
Suffering Servant
5 Evil
Assyrian Survivor
Assyrian Archer
Assyrian Siege Army
Two Thousand Horses
Plunder and Pillage

Still not 100% sure on the evil lineup (especially enhancements), and admittedly the Nahum machine gun is a little flismy with only one copy of each piece. Also one PoC Isaiah hidden in Reserve for good measure.

Confused Languages is mostly just to test it since it seems like it could be fun (especially with Hidden Treasures to help activate it). It'll probably end up coming out, either with another neutral for one more of each alignment or possibly just for a second Great Fish.
Angelic Guidance is better than Wheel, because Isaiah's Call and battlewinners. There's a consideration to thin by using AGs to pull Wheels, but I didn't have space.
Caves may come out for a second Nahum, since there's only three prophets for it to protect. That said, it has won me games (in previous years, not this deck) just by existing and Babs seem strong this year, so I'm keeping it in for now.

So what obvious things am I missing?

Kor · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2019, 12:44:49 AM »

Nice deck! A few things I would consider...

+ Forgotten History x2-3 (I think more of these would be very strong, you have Assyrian Siege Army and Jonah to get rid of YWR. Also the Archers+2K horses+end battle combo is pretty strong.)

+ Assyrian Siege Army x1 (Gets better with more Forgotten History)

+ The Deceiver x1 (You have a great selection of EC's in reserve)

+ 'Wicked' LS (A lot more protect LS from evil cards around and you want your Death of Unrighteous to work, also can get Confusion through Nazareth etc., let you hit Gideon etc.)

+ 'Hopper' LS x2 (I don't like getting droughted)

- Envy (I find it hard to keep EE's in territory long enough for this to be worth it)

- Achan's Sin x1 (negatable and even if it works you lose the EC, maybe 1 of as a trick is ok)

- The Rabshakeh's Threats x1 (easily negatable and only targets humans. Also the CBP part doesn't function with Isaiah)

- Nimrod, the Mighty x1 (If you have the Deceiver to search out when needed, 1 should be fine)

As for Obadiah's Caves, if the reason you want it is for against Babylonians, that probably won't work so great anymore. I've been playing with the new stuff, and between Babylonian Siege Army and Seized by Babylon my opponent's fortresses go away quickly if they are a problem.

TheJaylor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2019, 09:29:20 AM »

Given that Seraph with a Live Coal is unique, I'd probably switch out three of those for two Seraph and an Angel of His Presence. Definitely want more Siege Armies though as Kor mentioned.

Bobbert · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2019, 09:33:12 AM »

Siege Army and Forgotten History are definitely cards that I could see using more of. Deceiver is a good call too - I was planning to grab the Assyrians from reserve with Babel and Shal3, but swapping a Nimrod for one seems like a good idea (even if it's slightly less thinning). Wicked is a great card that I didn't even think about, and since I don't really have any soul gen Hopper is likely a good call too (although Ends could also fit nicely).
Caves has PoJ to protect it from the Babs, but even so I only have one of each so it's unlikely they'd both be out at the same time. Still, every T2 deck I've played that didn't have protection from capture made me wish it did (though admittedly I got some pretty unlucky matchups) so I'm a bit hesitant to cut it.
With some fairly large ECs (and most of my speed in lategame offense) I'm also hesitant to cut interrupt battlewinners. You make great points about both, though. One Rab's theats will definitely come out for FH, and I'll think about the Achan's as well. With four 2kH and War, one of each is probably enough.
Envy is there partially as bait so that Jonah's Wrath (and to a lesser extent, God's Mercy and Protection of Jerusalem) are a bit safer, and also because most of my speed comes once Isaiah gets rolling. It'll definitely come out if I feel like it's getting removed every game, but I do want to try it because I've been consistently impressed by its value in the past.

There's also a small part of me that wants to find room for a Coliseum. CBN for me and not for thee!

Quote from: TheJaylor on February 28, 2019, 09:29:20 AM

Given that Seraph with a Live Coal is unique, I'd probably switch out three of those for two Seraph and an Angel of His Presence. Definitely want more Siege Armies though as Kor mentioned.

On page 99 of the REG Seraph with a Live Coal is listed as a Generic hero.

TheJaylor · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2019, 10:37:51 AM »

Isaiah's Call would negate Ends so that's probably not the best Soul been option. You also just have to hope you don't draw Hopper off of Isaiah.

And huh, so it is. I could've sworn it was unique. Perhaps it was at some point?

The Guardian · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2019, 12:30:01 PM »

I've found Imprisoned Prophet to be pretty reliable LS gen.

Red Dragon Thorn · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2019, 12:37:12 PM »

Quote from: The Guardian on February 28, 2019, 12:30:01 PM

I've found Imprisoned Prophet to be pretty reliable LS gen.

And a fantastic Book of the Covenant counter as well

The Guardian · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2019, 12:40:40 PM »

Quote from: Red Dragon Thorn on February 28, 2019, 12:37:12 PM

Quote from: The Guardian on February 28, 2019, 12:30:01 PM
I've found Imprisoned Prophet to be pretty reliable LS gen.

And a fantastic Book of the Covenant counter as well

Shhh....

Bobbert · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2019, 01:26:26 PM »

Imprisoned Prophet was actually one of the cards I grabbed when I was brainstorming and ended up cutting when getting down to 100 since Caves stops him. I didn't even think about stealing a loaded Book, though - maybe I should squeeze him back in.

Josh · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2019, 01:30:28 PM »

Quote from: TheJaylor on February 28, 2019, 10:37:51 AM

And huh, so it is. I could've sworn it was unique. Perhaps it was at some point?

It was, until last year or so.

The Guardian · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2019, 04:15:45 PM »

Quote from: Bobbert on February 28, 2019, 01:26:26 PM

Imprisoned Prophet was actually one of the cards I grabbed when I was brainstorming and ended up cutting when getting down to 100 since Caves stops him. I didn't even think about stealing a loaded Book, though - maybe I should squeeze him back in.

Ah right, Caves is an issue.

Also he doesn't steal the art, just underdecks.

Bobbert · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2019, 04:28:59 PM »

Well that goes to show how well I know these cards

Still worth thinking about, especially in T2 where it'll likely be a while before they find it again.

I learned the "self-capture" lesson last year with Captive Priest/Melchizedek

TheJaylor · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2019, 04:59:10 PM »

Are characters able to be protected from themselves now too?

Ya think you know a game...

Mr.Hiatus · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2019, 05:12:37 PM »

Why not use Hidden treasures? It’s always fun to use with this offense due to Isaiah never having initiative yet that gives you a way to play his GEs. I don’t think there are enough errors, this deck likes to set up quick and draw immediately with Isaiah ASAP. A Four Living Creatres also helps this get going.

TheHobbit13 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2019, 07:38:20 PM »

I agree about hidden treasures and would definitely throw in Elisha, depending on how far you want to take your throwback theme. Two discards per battle and clearing a way for Isaiah by shuffling evil doms seems good.

Bobbert · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2019, 08:37:06 PM »

Quote from: Mr.Hiatus on March 15, 2019, 05:12:37 PM

Why not use Hidden treasures? It’s always fun to use with this offense due to Isaiah never having initiative yet that gives you a way to play his GEs. I don’t think there are enough errors, this deck likes to set up quick and draw immediately with Isaiah ASAP. A Four Living Creatres also helps this get going.

I'm not sure what you mean by the bolded... is it a typo?

I actually have added a Hidden Treasures since posting this, along with a couple other minor adjustments.
With two Calls and a couple different ways to tutor it, perhaps one of the three Isaiahs comes out for an Elisha. Not sure I'm willing to cut any of the other heroes.
Four Living Creatures is certainly an option. It only gets the draw when GWT is up - that'll be a lot of the time until all the angels are out and at that point I have the Isaiah draws anyway, but I don't have any actual tutors for it so it's the luck of drawing one of the two copies. Maybe I'll see if I can fit it in.

The Guardian · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2019, 08:41:23 PM »

Probably meant Heroes.

4LC works well if you add a Wheel, basically lets you get two extra angels each turn.

His Name should definitely be 2x.

Bobbert · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2019, 09:02:06 PM »

I'm running Angelic Guidance in place of Wheels. It can't go to discard, but Isaiah can grab them from discard anyway and Guidance it can grab Call/Coal/PoJ/Do1/TCP and gives hand info.

Am I missing something about 4LC? It's just hand/deck protection and a d1 if GWT is up, right?

The second His Name is in reserve.

The Guardian · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2019, 09:07:34 PM »

Get 4LC out. Play Wheel to grab 1 Angel and place Wheel on 4LC. Return 4LC to hand. Play Wheel again to grab second Angel.

TheHobbit13 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 15, 2019, 09:14:14 PM »

Most likely not a typo, true hipster decks have plenty of errors

Bobbert · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2019, 09:23:56 PM »

TBH I forgot you don't have to place wheel on the angel you search. Shows how much I use that card

Master Q · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2019, 01:01:38 PM »

On a glance I'd say you have the character/enhancement ratios backward (I'd be more comfortable with 14-15 characters per 12-13 enhancements). But I'm not in the habit of making and playing T2, so take everything I say with that proverbial grain.

Covenant Breakers LS seems weak and unneeded. Maybe swap for Wanderers, Punishers, or Wicked.

I don't think you'll ever need 2 Live Coals. Spiritual Warfare and Death of Firstborn are also cut-able in my mind. I'd rather have Fifth Bowl of Wrath over either of those.

I'd say if you're doing the whole Protection of Jerusalem thing, another of those in Reserve might be a good idea. I'd also say Coming Prince should swap places with the Suffering Servant to make use of the STAR ability. I get that it's in there for silver, but if you're stuck with an angel in battle and no Isaiah you're probably not winning the battle anyway.

Why use Shipwreck over something like Mayhem when you're running ASA? And I would probably max out on ASA and at least 2-3 Archers since those are so good for generics.

There's definitely more, but this deck will change after phase 2 anyway.

Mr.Hiatus · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2019, 02:31:49 PM »

Yeah I meant heroes, not errors, ironically that was an error. I agree with Q, I always tend to play character heavy. I try to play less neutrals and dominants and stick to more heroes, 16-18, and I like to run around 15-17 enhancements. With a deck like this you want to set up fast and get those angels out as quickly as possible. Since you are recurring enhs you can sacrifice some of the battle winners for both WWW and Angelic Guidance to ensure you get out your angels/Isaiah's Call asap. The strength of this deck is it's speed to setup and constant pounding and whittling away of the opponent. 4LC/Angelic Guidance x2-3/WWWx2/Callx2 and 2 Isaiah in main deck, not reserve, will ensure this deck sets up and puts constant pressure on the opponent from turn 1. If you allow top players to set up in type 2, then good luck winning any games. This deck has the ability to attack quickly, so I would maximize that opportunity. Also, you don't just want Coliseum, you kind of need it and need it quickly. This band with negates, drawing, Hidden Treasures to hit your opponents deck or to play first and hit their territory, paired with Coliseum is still formidable today.
I always try to take offenses a step further or to fully maximize a card's ability. I think this deck, due to how fast it can set up, has the ability to also use the CBN protection of Isaiah with a few angels (3-5), and the rest purple heroes with some banding to really bring out everything in this offense.

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Author Topic: Isaiah (Read 7007 times)

TheHobbit13

TheHobbit13