Highlander

[Alex Steacy]

Serge and I have mentioned this format a few times on podcasts before, and I'm not sure if we spilled the rest of the beans about it. We are huge fans of Highlander, and we always like getting new people into this fun, challenging and creative format.

Highlander allows play of very powerful (and potentially expensive) cards from the history of magic, but these are kept in check by a carefully monitored points system and are by no means a requirement for competitive play. We feel that we have a healthy and diverse meta comparable to legacy that has plenty of room for innovation in terms of deckbuilding. I'll post some lists below!

Rules copied from our Facebook Page


Highlander Deck Construction and Points List

Each deck must contain at least 100 cards, and contain no more than one of any given card. The exceptions to this rule are Basic Lands and cards that explicitly state that any number may be played (e.g. Relentless Rats).

For every 100 cards within a deck, players are allotted 14 "points" towards deck construction (e.g. 100 to 199 cards allows for a maximum of 14 points. 200 to 299 cards allows for a maximum of 28 points, and so forth).

Cards printed in the following "unsanctioned editions" are legal for play:
Collector's Edition
Championship Deck Edition
International Edition
Alpha Edition

The following cards are banned:
"Ante" Cards
"Dexterity" Cards
Silver-bordered Cards
Shahrazad

The Points List
Last Updated: Feb. 11th, 2014

6 - Ancestral Recall
1- Balance
4 - Birthing Pod
7 - Black Lotus
1 - Crucible of Worlds
5 - Demonic Tutor
2 - Enlightened Tutor
2 - Fastbond
1 - Gaea's Cradle
1 - Gamble
3 - Gifts Ungiven
3 - Goblin Recruiter
5 - Hermit Druid
4 - Imperial Seal
2 - Intuition
3 - Library of Alexandria
2 - Mana Crypt
2 - Mana Drain
2 - Mana Vault
2 - Merchant Scroll
2 - Mind Twist
2 - Mishra's Workshop
1 - Moat
4 - Mox Emerald
4 - Mox Jet
4 - Mox Pearl
4 - Mox Ruby
4 - Mox Sapphire
4 - Mystical Tutor
2 - Natural Order
2 - Oath of Druids
3 - Price of Progress
3 - Protean Hulk**
1 - Recurring Nightmare
1 - Sensei's Divining Top
1 - Scapeshift
4 - Skullclamp
6 - Sol Ring
1 - Stoneforge Mystic
4 - Strip Mine
4 - Survival of the Fittest
7 - Time Vault
6 - Time Walk
5 - Tinker
3 - Tolarian Academy
2 - Umezawa's Jitte
4 - Vampiric Tutor
2 - Wasteland
1 - Wheel of Fortune
1 - Winter Orb
** Protean Hulk may not be played in the same deck as Flash.

Cards whose points have changed are in italics. Note that Jace the Mind Sculptor and Yawgmoth's Will, both formerly worth 1 point, are now 0 points and have been removed from the points list.

The council is also starting a watchlist - these are cards that we feel could easily go up/down in points (depending on the card). We will be thinking about them and discussing them, and encourage the community as a whole to think about and provide feedback on these cards:


Gaea's Cradle (currently 1)
Gamble (currently 1)
Natural Order (currently 2)
Stoneforge Mystic (currently 1)
Strip Mine (currently 4)
Time Vault (currently 7 - if you own one please try and break it!)
Tinker (currently 5)
Umezawa's Jitte (currently 2)
Wasteland (currently 2)[/code]

[Alex Steacy]

Monoblack Aggro
This is my current list, a brew inspired by a couple of German highlander lists as well as a local build that won the monoblack challenge some time ago.

The basic plan for this deck is to try and stick 4 or 5 power by turn 2, and then disrupt using hand attack and land denial with a side of kill spells. Most of the 1drop creatures have 2 power and most of the 2drops have 3 power, the exceptions being ones that fill a utility role in the deck. Pointed cards are highlighted.


Creatures [37]
1 Black Knight
1 Blood Artist
1 Bloodghast
1 Carnophage
1 Dark Confidant
1 Dauthi Horror
1 Dauthi Slayer
1 Deathrite Shaman
1 Diregraf Ghoul
1 Falkenrath Noble
1 Fulminator Mage
1 Gatekeeper of Malakir
1 Gravecrawler
1 Hand of Cruelty
1 Herald of Torment
1 Hypnotic Specter
1 Kalastria Highborn
1 Knight of Infamy
1 Lifebane Zombie
1 Nantuko Shade
1 Oona's Prowler
1 Pack Rat
1 Pain Seer
1 Phyrexian Obliterator
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Porcelain Legionnaire
1 Pulse Tracker
1 Rakdos Cackler
1 Shriekmaw
1 Skittering Skirge
1 Spiteful Returned
1 Stromgald Crusader
1 Tormented Hero
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Vampire Lacerator
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Wicked Akuba

Spells [30]
1 AEther Vial
1 Blackmail
1 Cabal Therapy
1 Chrome Mox
1 Curse of Shallow Graves
1 Dark Ritual
1 Demonic Consultation
1 Diabolic Edict
1 Dismember
1 Doom Blade
1 Duress
1 Geth's Verdict
1 Gitaxian Probe
1 Go for the Throat
1 Grafted Wargear
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Hymn to Tourach
1 Inquisition of Kozilek
1 Kaervek's Spite
1 Mind Twist (2)
1 Reanimate
1 Sarcomancy
1 Sign in Blood
1 Sinkhole
1 Skullclamp (4)
1 Snuff Out
1 Thoughtseize
1 Umezawa's Jitte (1)
1 Unearth
1 Winter Orb (1)

Lands [33]
1 Cabal Pit
1 Mishra's Factory
1 Mutavault
1 Rishadan Port
1 Strip Mine (4)
26 Swamp
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Wasteland (2)

[Alex Steacy]

Goblander
This list is a little out of date but still more or less together. Goblins is a very synergistic aggro deck that can sometimes combo off and play around anti aggro cards such as moat and propaganda. It's a lot more challenging (and rewarding) to play that mono red burn, which is most of the reason why I like it so much!


Creatures [43]
1 Boartusk Liege
1 Boggart Ram-Gang
1 Ember Hauler
1 Foundry Street Denizen
1 Frenzied Goblin
1 Gempalm Incinerator
1 Goblin Arsonist
1 Goblin Bushwhacker
1 Goblin Chieftain
1 Goblin Fireslinger
1 Goblin Guide
1 Goblin King
1 Goblin Lackey
1 Goblin Matron
1 Goblin Piledriver
1 Goblin Recruiter (3)
1 Goblin Ringleader
1 Goblin Sharpshooter
1 Goblin Sledder
1 Goblin Vandal
1 Goblin Warchief
1 Goblin Wardriver
1 Grim Lavamancer
1 Hellraiser Goblin
1 Ib Halfheart, Goblin Tactician
1 Intimidator Initiate
1 Krenko, Mob Boss
1 Legion Loyalist
1 Mogg Fanatic
1 Mogg Flunkies
1 Mogg Raider
1 Mogg War Marshal
1 Moggcatcher
1 Pyrewild Shaman
1 Sensation Gorger
1 Siege-Gang Commander
1 Skirk Prospector
1 Sparksmith
1 Spikeshot Elder
1 Stingscourger
1 Tattermunge Maniac
1 Tuktuk Scrapper
1 Tuktuk the Explorer
1 Warren Instigator

Spells [21]
1 Arc Trail
1 Burst Lightning
1 Chain Lightning
1 Dragon Fodder
1 Fireblast
1 Gamble (1)
1 Forked Bolt
1 Goblin Bombardment
1 Goblin Grenade
1 Goblin War Strike
1 Krenko's Command
1 Lightning Bolt
1 Madcap Skills
1 Mental Misstep
1 Mogg Alarm
1 Price of Progress (3)
1 Pyrokinesis
1 Skullcrack
1 Smash to Smithereens
1 Sulfuric Vortex
1 Tarfire

Lands [35]
1 Barbarian Ring
34 Mountain
Deck Total [100]

[JaceBelerenMindMage]

Wow. um, so on a Highlander Variation, would you ever play one, where at the beginning of the game, you start with the first 20 cards being accesable, and when you finish that pile, you shuffle the rest of your library, and put out another 20, and so on? *And would you help me with this?

[Threrr the lost]

do you think highlanders playable in four color (green, Black, Red, Blue) good stuff

[Alex Steacy]

Just about any deck archetype is viable. There are a lot of 4c and 5c goodstuff lists in german highlander (a format similar to our Victoria scene but with a banlist instead of points list)

http://www.mtgpulse.com/events-highlander

The only true limitation is your wallet, as the more colors you add, the more fetchlands and original duals you end up needing to make the deck consistent. But remember, money can give you more options, but not necessarily a better deck. In our local scene, mono red goblins has taken down more than a few tournaments versus esper, bant and grixis lists.

[Alex Steacy]

Wow. um, so on a Highlander Variation, would you ever play one, where at the beginning of the game, you start with the first 20 cards being accesable, and when you finish that pile, you shuffle the rest of your library, and put out another 20, and so on? *And would you help me with this?

That's a pretty wild idea - it would make your tutors way more sketchy. It might also run into some weird rules interactions.

I think the local philosophy for our local Highlander scene is to keep variances no higher than they already are in 100 card singleton. The format lends itself to powerful, creative deckbuilding and tight plays which is most of the appeal.

It actually reminds me of halflander, which is an unofficial impromptu format we play sometimes. It goes 1 of 2 ways, both using a conventional Victoria format highlander deck:

1.) Split the deck roughly in half (don't bother counting) and two players compete each with a half.

2.) Two players compete, each drawing from the same deck and sharing a single graveyard.

When you've got a couple of people and only one deck this format can be pretty hilarious and good for some screwing-around games.

[ElFuzzy]

Out of curiosity, was that errata always attached to Protean Hulk or was that reactionary after that deck went rampant?

[Alex Steacy]

I got into the format some time after the points list was around so I don't know.

[JaceBelerenMindMage]

Hey Alex, you are Always Funny in the Shows, so i was wondering,
What is your Favorite Un-Sat Card? and whY?

[Alex Steacy]

It might be Hurloon Wrangler, simply because I heard an anecdote about an un draft where someone said "in response I take off my pants".

Hurloon Wrangler has denimwalk.

[JaceBelerenMindMage]

BAHAHAHAHH, that is the Best Response to it that i've heard

[Dyllbert]

Is it possible to get Serge's Pox deck list? I am interested in getting in the format, and wanted to make my own B/G deck, and have been looking at a couple of different decks for ideas. Serge's deck sounded interesting, so I was hoping to see what all he runs.

[korvys]

It might be Hurloon Wrangler, simply because I heard an anecdote about an un draft where someone said "in response I take off my pants".

Hurloon Wrangler has denimwalk.

Removing your pants is a special action, and cannot be responded to.

[ElFuzzy]

Is it possible to get Serge's Pox deck list? I am interested in getting in the format, and wanted to make my own B/G deck, and have been looking at a couple of different decks for ideas. Serge's deck sounded interesting, so I was hoping to see what all he runs.

http://canadianhighlander.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/this-land-is-your-land-this-land-is-my-land/

[JackRailroad]

I joined the forum just now to talk Highlander with you. The way you talk about it makes it sound super fun but I can't find any videos of it in English. Do you anyone who does English Highlander videos, and if not have you given it any thought?

[korvys]

You might be able to find some MTGO videos, the format is referred to as 100-card Singleton.

[Alex Steacy]

I don't think there have been any videos done of highlander yet. I should probably correct that.

[Dix]

I don't think there have been any videos done of highlander yet. I should probably correct that.

I approve of this message.

[JackRailroad]

I don't think there have been any videos done of highlander yet. I should probably correct that.

I'm just saying You and serg. on mtgo, sounds like a fun show.

[JaceBelerenMindMage]

Hey Alex, are any of the Runners going to GP Minneapolis? My Friends and I REALLY want to join you Guys in a Game, Mainly Because of our own Games Going on for Hours, and it took 4 Minutes for 1 5-Turn Cycle!

[JaceBelerenMindMage]

Hey alex, I made this List, that is Super Fun!
Sorcery [19]
1x Beacon of Tomorrows
1x Call to Mind
1x Capture of Jingzhou
1x Notorious Throng
1x Plea for Power
1x Ponder
1x Preordain
1x Recall
1x Savor the Moment
1x Stitch in Time
1x Temporal Extortion
1x Temporal Manipulation
1x Temporal Mastery
1x Time Reversal
1x Time Spiral
1x Time Stretch
1x Time Warp
1x Walk the Aeons
1x Wheel of Fortune (1)
Enchantment [2]
1x Copy Artifact
1x Copy Enchantment
Instant [17]
1x Arcane Denial
1x Brainstorm
1x Dream Fracture
1x Fact or Fiction
1x Fated Infatuation
1x Force of Will
1x Fork
1x Incinerate
1x Increasing Vengeance
1x Lightning Bolt
1x Misdirection
1x Reverberate
1x Split Decision
1x Steam Augury
1x Stifle
1x Twincast
1x Vex
Planeswalker [6]
1x Chandra, Pyromaster
1x Jace, Architect of Thought
1x Jace Beleren
1x Jace, Memory Adept
1x Karn Liberated
1x Ral Zarek
Artifact [9]
1x Elixir of Immortality
1x Isochron Scepter
1x Library of Leng
1x Lightning Greaves
1x Magistrate's Scepter
1x Sundial of the Infinite
1x Time Sieve
1x Timesifter
1x Venser's Journal
Creature [7]
1x Elite Arcanist
1x Keiga, the Tide Star
1x Lighthouse Chronologist
1x Melek, Izzet Paragon
1x Sage of Hours
1x Snapcaster Mage
1x Storm Crow
Land [40]
1x Blood Crypt
15x Island
1x Magosi, the Waterveil
15x Mountain
1x Steam Vents
6x Swamp
1x Watery Grave

[fantôme]

1x Storm Crow, etc.

What, no Seedtime?

This seems like a really interesting format, and quite a deckbuilding challenge. Can anybody point me towards or give me advice on getting started on this?

[fantôme]

Inspired by the most recent TTC, many Mardu combos squeezed into one hundred cards:

Click to Expand

Adarkar Valkyrie
Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit
Black Cat
Blood Artist
Bloodflow Connoisseur
Bloodthrone Vampire
Butcher of the Horde
Carrion Feeder
Cartel Aristocrat
Dimir House Guard
Faceless Butcher
Falkenrath Aristocrat
Falkenrath Noble
Fiend Hunter
Flamekin Harbinger
Flayer of the Hatebound
Forgeborn Oreads
Gravecrawler
Grim Guardian
Grim Haruspex
Hell's Caretaker
Karmic Guide
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
Leonin Relic-Warder
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
Murderous Redcap
Puppeteer Clique
Purphoros, God of the Forge
Reveillark
Restless Apparition
Restoration Angel
Thunderblust
Village Bell-Ringer
Viscera Seer
Zealous Conscripts

Liliana Vess

Phyrexian Altar

Bitterblossom
Fallen Ideal
Goblin Bombardment
Impact Tremors
Journey to Nowhere
Oblivion Ring
Suspension Field

Buried Alive
Demonic Tutor
Diabolic Intent
Dreadbore
Enlightened Tutor
Entomb
Gamble
Lingering Souls
Living Death
Mortify
Tainted Pact
Terminate
Unburial Rites
Unearth
Unmake
Vampiric Tutor

Akoum Refuge
Arid Mesa
Barren Moor
Battlefield Forge
Blackcleave Cliffs
Blood Crypt
Bloodfell Caves
Bloodstained Mire
Caves of Koilos
City of Brass
Clifftop Retreat
Dragonskull Summit
Ebon Stronghold
Evolving Wilds
Fetid Heath
Flagstones of Trokair
Godless Shrine
Graven Cairns
Isolated Chapel
Mana Confluence
Marsh Flats
Mountain
Nomad Outpost
Plains
Rugged Prairie
Sacred Foundry
Scoured Barrens
Shizo, Death's Storehouse
Snow-Covered Swamp
Sulfurous Springs
2x Swamp
Temple of Malice
Temple of Silence
Temple of Triumph
Terramorphic Expanse
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Vault of Whispers
Vivid Marsh
Wind-Scarred Crag

Valkyrie + Bell-Ringer/Conscripts/Kiki-Jiki
Kiki-Jiki + Resto Angel / Conscripts
Anafenza/Mikaeus + Persist
Relic-Warder + Fiend Hunter / Faceless Butcher + Journey to Nowhere / Oblivion Ring / Suspension Field
Hell's Caretaker + Bell-Ringer + Conscripts
Karmic Guide + Reveillark
Carrion Feeder + Gravecrawler
Phyrexian Altar + Gravecrawler
...