2001)

Nobody actually holds Commons Format tournaments, right? As a writer for Commons Corner, I have to admit that up until this week, I thought of Commons Corner as an exciting idea, but have never actually heard of an official commons format tournament at a major magic event. That is no longer true.

Readers of commons Format will be glad to hear that there will be an [almost] Commons Format tournament at Gen Con 2001, which will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 2-5. For your reference: Gen Con Homepage is at
http://www.wizards.com/gencon/2001/main.asp?2001/welcome,3

One of the Magic events at Gen Con is the 'Master of Peasant Magic' tournament, sponsored by Robert Baranowski. The event description says to bring a deck with 'at least 55 common and no more than 5 uncommon cards from ANY edition.' With only five uncommons are allowed, this tournament is as close to an official Commons Format as you will find anywhere.

Indeed, by only allowing a few uncommons, Peasant Magic follows the philosophy of commons format because the decks are built using only inexpensive and widely available cards, rather than on expensive or hard-to-obtain rares. Although I live way out here in California, it turns out I'll be attending Gen Con this year because I'm rewarding myself for finishing law school and a friend of mine is also going so I can split the hotel costs. Do you think I'll be playing in Peasant Magic? You bet! I will be fighting for the honor of being named 'Master of Peasant Magic.' As a Commons Corner writer, would it be right if I missed it?

PREPARING FOR PEASANT MAGIC

For regular readers of Commons Corner, you have a jump start on preparations for Peasant Magic because the decklists and deck archtypes discussed will be a starting point for Peasant Magic.

However, please note that converting Commons Format decks is merely a shortcut when it comes to considering decks for Peasant Format. The addition of uncommon cards greatly increases the viability control decks with powerful Uncommon control cards such as Story Circle and board sweeping spells such as Breath of Darigaz. In addition, card drawing spells (Whispers of the Muse) and creatures (Thieving Magpie) are also added to the mix.

Nevertheless, as a means of providing a starting point, I will briefly consider how some Uncommon additions can enhance the decks that have previously been discussed on Commons Format by myself or Marcus Anderson.

Goblin Sligh
by Johnny Lai

4:Goblin Raider
4:Mogg Flunkies
4:Fireslinger
4:Mogg Fanatic
4:Goblin Patrol
4:Fireblast
4:Goblin Grenade
4:Incinerate
4:Lightning Bolt
4:Shock
20:Mountain

Uncommon Additions: 4 Jackal Pups, 1 Viashino Sandstalker
Removing: 2 Goblin Raider, 2 Mountain, 1 Goblin Grenade

Comments: Jackal Pups are too good to pass up. Viashino Sandstalker provides a quick way to end the game that is immune from Breath of Darigaz.

Stompy
by Johnny Lai

4:Briar Shield
4:Rancor
4:Giant Growth
4:Rogue Elephant
4:Wild Dogs
4:Pouncing Jaguar
4:Mtenda Lion
4:Elvish Lyrist
4:Quirion Ranger
4:Llanowar Elves
4:Fyndhorn Elves
4:Land Grant
12:Forest

Uncommon Additions: 1 Bounty of the Hunt, 4 Elvish Spirit Guide
Removing: 2 Forests, 2 Elvish Lyrist, 1 Briar Shield

Comments: Elvish Spirit Guide and Bounty of the Hunt both speed up this deck some more and allows you to reduce the number of lands in this deck needs.

Both of the following black decks could use the inclusion of Hypnotic Spector, an Uncommon from 4th Edition/Revised.

Suicide Black
by Johnny Lai

4:Duress
4:Hymn to Tourach
4:Knight of Stromgald
4:Erg Raiders
4:Dauthi Slayer
4:Dauthi Horror
4:Unholy Strength
4:Sewer Rats
4:Carnophage

4:Dark Ritual
20:Swamp

Mono black skirge control
By Marcus Anderson

4:Drain Life (Mirage)
4:Duress (Urza's Saga)
4:Hymn to Tourach (Fallen Empires)
4:Expunge (Urza's Saga)
4:Diabolic Edict (Tempest)
4:Serrated Arrows (Homelands)

4:Unearth (Urza's Legacy)
4:Skittering Skirge (Urza's Saga)
4:Skittering Horror (Urza's Destiny)

4:Dark Ritual (Urza's Saga)
20:Swamps

Uncommon Additions: 4 Hypnotic Spector
Removing: 4 Skittering Horror (Skirge Control), 4 Erg Raiders (Suicide Black)

Comments: The Hippie's random discard is so fearsome, it's a must-deal-with threat when ritual'ed out on turn one. Although not as big as the Skittering Horrors, it does not have the drawback of sacrificing itself when you play another creature. Thus, you can have a killer start with: turn 1: swamp, Ritual, Hippie; turn 2: Swamp, Skittering Skirge. Finally, the Hippie can also be Unearthed back to life if they kill it. Yikes.

Goblin Song
by Johnny Lai

4 Goblin Patrol
4 Mogg Constripts
4 Raging Goblins
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Mogg Raider
4 Goblin Raider
4 Mogg Flunkies
4 Fireslinger
4 Goblin Matron

4 Song of Blood
2 Trumpet Blast
18 Mountains

Uncommon Additions: 4 Goblin Recruiter, 1 Goblin Ringleader

PEASANT FORMAT DECKS

Finally, there's a number of new decks that that become viable with the addition of 5 Uncommons to the mix. Here's a few quick ideas for viable decks.

This first deck uses Mother of Runes to protect Rebel searchers.

Mono-Mother Rebel

1 Swords to Plowshares (Uncommon)
4 Mother of Runes (Uncommon)
4 Ramosian Seargent
4 Steadfast Guard
4 Fresh Volunteers
2 Ramosian Lieutanant
2 Defiant Falcon
4 Thermal Glider
3 Nightwind Glider
4 Empyrial Armor
4 Disenchant
24 Plains

Comments: Given the likely presence of many Sligh decks, Mother of Runes may single-handedly make Mono-White reasonably viable in this format.

Mono-Blue Forbidden Magpie

2 Force Spike
4 Brainstorm
4 Counterspells
4 Miscalculation
4 Accumulated Knowledge
4 Impulse
3 Serrated Arrows
3 Repulse
3 Exclude
2 Forbid (Uncommon)
3 Thieving Magpie (Uncommon)
4 Desert
20 Island

Comments: Thieving Magpie provides a powerful card-drawing engine as well as the win condition. Paired with Forbid, you obtain a soft-lock which allows you a reusable counter every turn. Desert, Serrated Arrows, and Repulse/Exclude provide creature control and card advantage.

CONCLUSION

If you're going to Gen Con, I hope this discussion provides some fuel for your planning what to play for Peasant Format. While previous Commons Corner decks provide a starting point for thinking about Peasant Magic, as you can see from the above examples, the addition of 5 Uncommons is likely to open up possibilities for deck archtypes that were not viable in a commons-only Format. If you will be attending Gen Con, look for me. If I get the shirt in time, I'm the Asian American guy wearing a Card-Sharks T-shirt. I hope to see you there!

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