InfeXtious Crusader (Version 1.8)

Browsing through the coverage of 2011 World Championships, especially in the Undefeated Decklists section. I was hoping, that the Infect deck, was somehow represented. Well, given that, it's not that popular and there are a lot more consistent decks out there. It was just a wishful thinking. I just thought that, since the metagame is so diverse, there's really an opportunity to go for a deck, that's not (yet) considered tier 1, but has the potential to win games. But of course, my hopes were so far fetched. Considering that in this high level field of play, especially Worlds, you can't really afford to be experimental or to go rogue. Still, even if most players, tend to choose the more popular archetypes. I'm glad, that there were few "hard-headed" players (like me), who still believed in the Infect's power. You may find the metagame breakdown here.

Going back to my regular programming. With three consecutive 3-1 finish, losing to Blue/White Humans and Green/White Tokens. I decided to make a minor changes in the sideboard, hence, version 1.6.

Version 1.6

Curse of Death's Hold, were replaced by the same number of Black Sun's Zenith, to add more mass removals for aggro match-ups. I saved the recent build and queued in another Standard Daily 4-RND, hoping that my sideboard plan will work.

Nov 04 - Standard 4-RND: Version 1.6

Round 1: Won against Blue/White Humans (2-0)

Round 2: Won against Red Deck Wins (2-0)
Round 3: Lost to Mono Black Infect (1-2)
Round 4: Lost to Blue/White Humans (1-2)

Taking out the Curse of Death's Hold was a bad idea. It's great against mirror (as it makes my creature bigger than my opponent and it neutralizes opposing Inkmoth Nexus) and Moorland Haunt. With that, I decided to bring it back in the sideboard, which means that one Doom Blade and one Go for the Throat, gets cut.

Version 1.7

Nov 04 - Standard 4-RND (see deck list here, ranked 14th): Version 1.7

Round 1: Won against Emperok, playing Blue/White Humans (2-0)

Round 2: Lost to bös, playing Blue/Black Control (1-2)
Round 3: Won against shiina, playing Wolf Run Ramp (2-1)
Round 4: Bonus Round against _tehhor_ (2-0) - opponent timed-out, probably an ISP issue and not a good/fair way to win though...

Nov 04 - Standard 4-RND: Version 1.7

Round 1: Lost to Romani, playing Green/White Tokens (1-2)

Round 2: Won against Chomper, playing Red/White Humans (2-1)

Round 3: Won against AirPower25, playing Green/White Tokens (2-0)

Round 4: Lost to Replica.NT, playing Wolf Run Ramp (1-2)

With a last round upset, by Dungrove Elder. I decided, that Tribute to Hunger is needed to address such threats and at the same time, it buys me an additional turn or two from life gained effect. And so, comes, version 1.8.

Version 1.8

Main deck Doom Blade and Go for the Throat, were replaced by two Tribute to Hunger. An additional copy was also added in the sideboard, in place of one Black Sun's Zenith slot.

Nov 05 - Standard 4-RND (see deck list here, ranked 2nd): Version 1.8

Round 1: Won against tzio, playing Blue/Black Control (2-0)

Round 2: Won against Yunhao_Wu_CHN, playing Wolf Run Ramp (2-1)
Round 3: Won against Koptilov, playing Blue/White Humans (2-0)
Round 4: Won against _Soku_, playing Green/White Tokens (2-0)

Nov 06 - Standard 4-RND (see deck list here, ranked 15th): Version 1.8

Round 1: Won against babones, playing Blue/White Illusion (2-1)

Round 2: Won against Zplitpot, playing Blue/Black Control (2-1)

Round 3: Lost to _Batutinha_, playing Bant Pod (0-2)

Round 4: Won against Tajy, playing Green/White Tokens (2-0)

I guess, there's really something about number 8!? Version 1.8 debuts at 7-1 (14-5).

Until next time. May the MtGO shuffler and best draws be with you. But, if it's the other way around, don't be a "cry baby". ;p