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TTC 126 - C-C-C-Combo

Posted: 04 May 2016, 11:39
by Graham
Alex and Cameron join you this week on TapTapConcede to talk about Combo.

Re: TTC 126 - C-C-C-Combo

Posted: 04 May 2016, 13:34
by theycallmejokke
I just wanted to say that this TTC's topic wasn't really my cup of the, BUT that that is why I love this podcast so much, it touches on so many wonderful and crazy aspects of magic. Mad props Calex!

Re: TTC 126 - C-C-C-Combo

Posted: 04 May 2016, 19:59
by susu.exp
Hmm, I think Aggro-Midrange-Control isn't that hard to define. Let's imagine a situation in which no interaction happens - so no creature gets blocked, no spells get countered, no hand disruption, no removal. For any two decks in a format you can ask: Given these restrictions which deck is more likely to win? This allows you to evaluate a deck as one that wants interaction or does not want interaction in a particular matchup. An aggro deck is a deck that does not want interaction against at least 2/3rds of the field. A combo deck is one that does want interaction against at least 2/3 of the field. Midrange then covers the decks that want interactive games against roughly half the field and non-interactive games against the other half.
Combo decks can really fall in any place along this spectrum - you can have control combo decks, which try to play interactive games against most opponents and eventually get into a position where they can deploy their combo. But you can also have combo decks that just try to play their combo as quickly as possible with no interaction.
Burn can fall in different parts of the spectrum as well, depending on the format. If against most opponents you want to point all burn at their face it's aggro. If against most opponents you direct a decent chunk of burn at creatures or walkers it can be midrange or even controlling.

Re: TTC 126 - C-C-C-Combo

Posted: 04 May 2016, 21:49
by BlueChloroplast
On the topic of the number of cards in the combo, I recall Matt Tabek (the rules manager) saying that they are trying to keep combos at 3 cards rather than 2 cards. I can't recall the context of the comment though, not sure if it was bannings or making new cards for standard.