Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Modern Bible of RG Tron chapter one - Introduction

Welcome to the most extensive walkthrough of a Magic deck ever attempted. In this series we will go deep into Modern strategy, examining the ins and outs of the RG Tron deck every Sunday. When you think we have gone too deep, we will go even deeper. When you can't stand me talking about RG Tron anymore, I will talk some more about RG Tron.

At the end of the series - 35 weeks in the future - you will know more than you have ever wanted about the Tron deck and be capable to pilot the deck confidently.

There will be an accompanying video series about the deck as well, including lots and lots of gameplay.

If this becomes popular, my intention is to make a follow-up series covering another deck and possibly put several series into a book.

This is a living document so I will come back to it and update it. This means that this article will, by the time we are finished in October, include links to all parts of the series.

We will present three different builds of the deck, build several sideboard and sideboard plans, allowing you know exactly what to sideboard out and in of the deck. We will discuss how to adapt to shifting metagames, evaluate new cards and examine every major matchup in detail.



Welcome to the first installment of the Modern Bible.

Red Green Tron in Modern Table of Contents

1: Introduction. You are reading it right now.
2: The lands  http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/03/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-two.html
3: The engine http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/03/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter.html
4: The win conditions http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/03/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_15.html
5: The Ulamog deck ("Ulamog") http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/03/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_22.html
6: The Sundering Titan deck ("Titan") http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/03/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-six.html
7: The Wurmcoils only deck ("Coil") http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/04/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter.html
8: 20 or 21 lands? http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/04/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_12.html
9: Sample videos http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/04/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_19.html
10. Mulligans http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/04/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-ten.html
11: The principles of the RG Tron sideboard http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/05/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter.html
12: Sideboard candidate cards part 1 http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/05/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_10.html
13. Sideboard candidate cards part 2 http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/05/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_17.html
14. Sideboarding: Slaughter Games Targets http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/05/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_24.html
15. Sideboarding & Chalice of the Void numbers http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/06/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter.html
16. Main deck cards you should not play. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/06/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter_7.html
17. Ulamog SB plan. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/06/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-17.html
18. Titan SB plan. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/06/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-18.html
19. Coil SB plan. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/06/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chaper-19.html
20. Gameplay videos http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/07/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-20.html
21. Doing the right thing with Karn Liberated http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/07/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-21.html
22. Tips for playing the deck http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/07/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-22-tips.html
23. Why does this deck ever lose? http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/07/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-23.html
24. Cutting Emrakul http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/08/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-24.html
25. Tron vs BGx  http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/08/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-25-rg.html
26. Tron vs Splinter Twin http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/08/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-26-rg.html
27, Tron vs Burn http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/08/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-27-rg.html
28. Tron vs Affinity http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/08/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-29-rg.html
29. Tron vs Merfolk http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/09/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-30-rg.html
30. Battle for Zendikar first impressions http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/09/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-31.html
31.Tron vs Scapeshift. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/09/modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-31-rg.html
32. RG Tron vs Mono U Tron. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/09/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-32.html
33. Tron vs Living End. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/10/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-33.html
34. Problem matchup videos http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/10/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-34.html
35. How do you beat RG Tron? http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/10/the-modern-bible-of-rg-tron-chapter-35.html
36. Summary & wrapup, including a word about playing Mono Blue Tron, final verdict on Ugin, the Spirit Dragon and  the deck list I am currently playing. http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2015/10/the-modern-bible-chapter-36-end-and.html

Please let me know below which specific matchups you want to see covered or that you have questions about.

Be warned. Once you pick up the Oblivion Stones, it is hard to stop using them :)
a

29 comments:

  1. kuizrulMarch 14, 2015 at 6:26 AM

    Would definitely love to see it in a book. Would like to get one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 18, 2015 at 4:31 AM

      That is a dream of mine. But first we have to finish this ride. 32 weeks left :)

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 17, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    http://www.mtgtop8.com/event?e=9856&d=256818&f=MO
    In my opinion this is a better deck than the ones presented here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 1, 2015 at 3:43 AM

      The point of this is not to present an exact deck list but the principles behind playing the deck. Ugin was not even printed when the deck list articles were written. I am testing 2 Ugins main deck right now - keep up with the latest build on youtube.com/magicgatheringstrat

      Delete
    2. UnknownAugust 1, 2015 at 3:44 AM

      This list is actually super close to the one I am currently playing

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM

    Dan this is awesome. I've watched every video I could find that you've done on GR Tron and I just got the deck built myself. Keep up the great work! I hope you stick with the weekly videos as well!

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownAugust 15, 2015 at 6:24 PM

    Hey Dan, I recently started playing modern a couple months back with a GR Tron deck. I've been watching some of your videos and they are great! They really helped me understanding better the deck and having a better judgement in the match ups. Keep up the good work!... Oh yeah, before I forget, I have a question. Well, more than a question is your thoughts about a Tron variant: GW Tron. Do you think it can be a better alternative to GR? I mean swapping pyroclasms for paths and rending volleys/combust for timely reinforcements. Also, white has some nice shenanigans like runed halo, ghostly prison, nevermore and leyline of sanctity as sideboard cards. I've been thinking hard about this and I'm not sure if a GW variant like that could be better than the standard GR. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 23, 2015 at 11:58 PM

      Hi Martin! Thanks for reading and watching. I think that going GW in certain metagames is correct but that it is generally a bad idea. Why? First you are giving up playing the best dual land in Modern; Grove of the Burnwillows. Secondly you are not interested in trading 1-for-1s using Path to Exile. Having access to white SB cards is tempting but I think the amount of times you will die to land damage (you often win with 1-3 life left) will damage your win percentage in the long run

      Delete
    2. UnknownOctober 23, 2015 at 2:22 AM

      I splashed white a while back and I have yet to change it back. The thing with a white splash is, I rarely lose to burn anymore, remember that burn is huge on mtgo. Also the splinter twin match up has gotten a lot better with path to exile. I Don`t think you have given it the thought it deserves. What do you think, and please dont say "burnwillows". a land is not a good enough reason to choose a splash color.

      Delete
  5. Zbk101September 17, 2015 at 7:57 PM

    Why is this not on the first page when I search for RG Tron primer? This is the RG Tron bible my friends. I just finished building my tron and this primer has helped me immensely. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 11, 2015 at 7:28 AM

      Thanks, man. I never put primer in the tags I think. I will correct that

      Delete
  6. Zbk101September 17, 2015 at 8:14 PM

    What is the optimum amount of wurmcoils should I have in my 75? I only have 2 in my deck because I squeezed in
    2 ugins
    2 spellskite
    2 relic of progenitus
    I shaved of wurmcoils for these and left with with 2. Should I add more wurmCoils

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 11, 2015 at 7:28 AM

      I think you need 3 MD. Lately I have been considering removing the SB Wurmcoil but I still have it.

      In many matchups Wurmcoil is critical. You really want 4 maindeck BUT you have Eye of Ugin + 4 Stirrings to find them so I think you can get away with 3. I have seen people replace the third one with many strange things. (Oblivion Sower for example) lately but I think 3 is the right number.

      I will present my current list in chapter 36. It includes 2 Ugins, 1 Spellskite, 2 Relic, 3 Wurmcoils.

      Of course it depends on your meta. If your meta is 70%+ splinter twin Wurmcoil doesn't do a whole lot compared to the 2nd Spellskite (or even Spellskite #3 or #4)

      Emrakul is still in my SB but she needs to go MD if I replace The Infinite Gyre with The Ceaseless Hunger as he is not as resilient

      Delete
    2. Zbk101December 31, 2015 at 11:05 AM

      Thank you!!

      Delete
  7. UnknownOctober 17, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    Thank you. This is one of the most well written magic pieces I have ever read.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownOctober 18, 2015 at 5:23 AM

    33 is labelled vs merfolk but it's ment to be living end

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 21, 2016 at 7:22 PM

      Thank you. Fixed it. Its really bad that you can't get any sort of notification when someone comments on these articles. I have 200+ articles on this site, its really easy to miss comments. Sorry about that.

      Delete
  9. SCRAP BERSERKERNovember 19, 2015 at 12:44 AM

    Awesome bible, love the details of the match-ups, so options and different builds. The only I have is dont got the cash to build it. Is there a possible budget build to start? and little by little I can pick the cards over time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 21, 2016 at 7:23 PM

      Not really. Sorry to disappoint but without Karn, Oblivion Stones and Groves it is just not the same deck. Exactly which Eldrazi to play can be experimented with but the core cards need to be there. As in most Modern decks. It is an expensive format but once you have your deck it is much cheaper than Standard at least

      Delete
  10. kuizrulJanuary 5, 2016 at 9:51 PM

    When is the next chapter going to be update

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 21, 2016 at 7:19 PM

      Sorry, they were published as planned in October. I just forgot to update the links in this article. THey are added now

      Delete
  11. UnknownFebruary 4, 2016 at 9:33 PM

    When's the next installment? I'm interested in what you think about Kozilek's Return instead of Pyroclasm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownFebruary 21, 2016 at 7:20 PM

      I do not think it is any good. Three mana is a lot more than two in Modern and if you can resolve a giant Eldrazi you should already win, so it feels a bit like a win-more card to me. Have not tested it though. I am not playing the deck right now until the Pauper Gauntlet is over, the metagame stabilizes or I get the urge again

      Delete
  12. UnknownMarch 18, 2016 at 7:48 PM

    Good eve Dan the Man!,

    Your work and dedication to GR Tron is unprecedented! Thank you for all you have done. It has helped me understand and play the deck much better. I would love to see more videos in 2016! I would love to see you play against the modern Eldrazi Decks. Do you have any advice on how to beat modern Eldrazi with GR Tron?

    Thank you,

    Dr. J

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 18, 2016 at 7:49 PM

    Good eve Dan the Man!,

    Your work and dedication to GR Tron is unprecedented! Thank you for all you have done. It has helped me understand and play the deck much better. I would love to see more videos in 2016! I would love to see you play against the modern Eldrazi Decks. Do you have any advice on how to beat modern Eldrazi with GR Tron?

    Thank you,

    Dr. J

    ReplyDelete
  14. Zbk101May 5, 2016 at 6:02 AM

    Hi Dan, with the banning of eye of ugin, a lot of different variations have popped up. I added thought knot seers and sanctum of ugins for my current build. Please make a new chapter for post eye banning. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. RashmiJuly 24, 2018 at 4:15 AM

    Thanking you. Please keep on updating us more and more details and information about Tron.
    Tron

    ReplyDelete