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Pauper Walls Combo Sideboard Guide

I was planning to write a brief txt file but I ended up typing 1k words 😐
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Alessandro Moretti

Alessandro Moretti

Presidente Pauperwave

15 luglio 2020

6 min di lettura

Pauper Walls Combo Sideboard Guide
Saruli Caretaker

by Alessandro Moretti

Saruli Caretaker

I was planning to write a brief txt file but I ended up typing 1k words 😐

Oh, well, I hope it can be helpfull at least. I'll gladly accept confrontations and talks on my sideboard plan and how to improve both deck and sideboard. =)

General Notes

Walls Combo is probably the best Combo strategy after the ban of Mystic Sanctuary, since Blue Tempo decks are way less redundant and it's more difficult for them to draw removals and counterspells.

This decks has a lot of turn4 or turn5 kill and the current lists are featuring only a singleton maindeck copy of Bloodrite Invoker as a win condition, at least on game 1.

To power-up the infinite combo kill you need 1 copy of Axebane Guardian or Overgrown Battlement and enchant it with Freed from the Real or soulbound with Galvanic Alchemist.
Since Ovregrown Battlement produces only green mana, Orochi Leafcaller is needed if you attempt to combo-off with the two mana wall.

Be aware of the numbers of walls and amount of mana you need to start the combo

Freed requires 2 walls on the battlefield to generate one extra mana, Galv.Alchemist 4.

Drift of Phantasms is one the best cards you can play here, let's suppose you want to kill your opponent in this turn, how much mana you need?

  • 7 mana for Freed (3 mana for transmute, 3 for cast, 1 for untap)
  • 9 mana for GalvAlchemist (3 mana for transmute, 3 for cast, 3 for untap)

The reason to play the split 1 Freed and 1 GalvAlchemist is precisely this difference between costs. And Galvanic Alchemist's soulbound ability doesn't target.

Side-note: on MTGO Freed from the Real is way faster (it requires less clicks); sometimes your opponent don't scoop even if you have all your combo on. Same thing for Overgrown Battlement (+ Orochi Leafcaller) compared to Overgrown Battlement: a less amount of clicks.

Transmute for these cards can be difficult if you have only 1 drift of phantasms, right? Actually no.
Despite the fact transmute is an ability, if you have enough mana and spells to cast, supposedly 1, you can transmute first for a second copy of Drift and then for Reaping the Graves.
Play reaping, brin back 2 tutors for the infinite mana blue card and for Bloodrite Invoker.

Sideboard Ulamog's Crusher is right now the best sideplan against removal decks.
I usually swipe Crashing Drawnbridge for them because let the opponent kill your Axebane Guardian or Overgrown Battlement on responce to bridge activate ability still is a bad move for us.

For the same reason I often board out Freed from the Real. Please opponent, don't kill the wall I want to target.

Sometimes I cut 1 mana dork, when I face removal decks, because I don't want to keep against them an initial hand that struggle from a removal to a turn1 llanowar elves.

Walls Combo

Alessandro Moretti

Creatures (37)

  • 4Axebane Guardian
  • 4Overgrown Battlement
  • 4Quirion Ranger
  • 3Crashing Drawbridge
  • 2Orochi Leafcaller
  • 4Saruli Caretaker
  • 3Wall of Roots
  • 2Vivien's Grizzly
  • 1Galvanic Alchemist
  • 1Bloodrite Invoker
  • 4Drift of Phantasms
  • 2Fyndhorn Elves
  • 1Elvish Mystic
  • 1Llanowar Elves
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Instants (1)

  • 1Reaping the Graves

Sorceries (8)

  • 4Lead the Stampede
  • 4Winding Way

Enchantments (1)

  • 1Freed from the Real

Lands (13)

  • 13Forest

Sideboard (15)

  • 2Moment's Peace
  • 3Ulamog's Crusher
  • 3Scattershot Archer
  • 2Gorilla Shaman
  • 3Nylea's Disciple
  • 1Crimson Acolyte
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Matchups

Burn (unfavorable)

vs Burn (unfavorable)

Sideboard In

(4)
  • 3Nylea's Disciple
  • 1Crimson Acolyte

Sideboard Out

(4)
  • 1Freed from the Real
  • 2Vivien's Grizzly
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Problematic cards:
martyr of ashes (post-side), sometimes they bring-in Smash to Smithereens to kill Crashing Drawnbridge and Shield Sphere

probably a t4 ulamog's crusher is the best gameplan against burn, but i'm not sure wich cards sideboard out to bring them

Izzet Faeries (tied or slightly unfavorable depending on builds and players)

::magic-sideboard-guide{matchup="Izzet Faeries (tied or slightly unfavorable depending on builds and players)" description=""Out: 1 Wall of Roots / Fyndhorn Elves"" cardsInParsed="{"quantity":3,"name":"Ulamog's Crusher","section":"in","manaCost":"{8}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/6/9/699c0f6f-b26b-4741-8140-8a6030cad127.webp?1783915730"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Crimson Acolyte","section":"in","manaCost":"{1}{W}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/c/1/c1718028-3009-4bdd-9f6f-59c17edd1344.webp?1783945718"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Mnemonic Wall","section":"in","manaCost":"{4}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/a/3/a3e6784b-78e8-4f0b-8d27-d49c7cea9252.webp?1783935545"}" cardsOutParsed="{"quantity":3,"name":"Crashing Drawbridge","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/0/1/018257cf-8981-4691-92ab-6a33f77c9680.webp?1783907014"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Freed from the Real","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/c/4/c47ee6f6-50c1-4f56-b9ce-4c309bfb92ca.webp?1783935178"}" cardsOutAltParsed=""} ::

Problematic cards:
Spellstutter Sprite, Echoing Truth, Electrickery (post-side), Swirling Sandstorm (post-side)

I don't really like Scattershot Archer here unless they have Delver of Secrets.

Mono U Delver Faeries (tied or slightly unfavorable depending on builds and players)

::magic-sideboard-guide{matchup="Mono U Delver Faeries (tied or slightly unfavorable depending on builds and players)" description=""Out: 1 Wall of Roots / Fyndhorn Elves"" cardsInParsed="{"quantity":3,"name":"Scattershot Archer","section":"in","manaCost":"{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/d/7/d74d6cdb-a087-4b3d-bf25-509200ed6d93.webp?1783942473"}" cardsOutParsed="{"quantity":1,"name":"Vivien's Grizzly","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/3/7/37f2571b-6756-462c-9e71-3121fa458160.webp?1783933403"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Freed from the Real","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/c/4/c47ee6f6-50c1-4f56-b9ce-4c309bfb92ca.webp?1783935178"}" cardsOutAltParsed=""} ::

Problematic cards:
Snap, post-side Piracy Charm or Gutshot on manadork/:MagicCardTooltip{name="Quirion Ranger" image="https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/3/2/320fdf89-e158-41c5-b0bf-fee9dec36a75.webp?1783926781"}, Echoing Truth

Their only interaction against creature combo decks are bounce spells and counterspells, that means they need an aggressive approach to the MU and Scattershot Archer is the best way to gain time to set up a criticital turn to combo-off.

Boros Monarch (favorable)

vs Boros Monarch (favorable)

Sideboard In

(5)
  • 3Ulamog's Crusher
  • 2Gorilla Shaman

Sideboard Out

(5)
  • 3Crashing Drawbridge
  • 1Fyndhorn Elves
  • 1Freed from the Real

Problematic cards:
Krark-Clan Shaman and REB post side, Relic of Progenitus

Gorilla Shaman mostly to "counter" krark clan shaman and galvanic blast.

Fog Tron (favorable)

vs Fog Tron (favorable)

Sideboard In

(1)
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Sideboard Out

(1)
  • 1Vivien's Grizzly

Problematic cards:
Suffocating Fumes, Electrickery, any removal spell (Doom Blade, Last Breath, etc.)

I don't think crusher is good against fog tron, they can just play a Stonehorn Dignitary, is slower compared to the main gameplan and I only want more consistency against them.

Stompy (tied)

::magic-sideboard-guide{matchup="Stompy (tied)" description=""Maybe also 1 Nylea's Disciple in. Out: 2 Vivien's Grizzly instead of 1 Mnemonic Wall and 1 Vivien's Grizzly is also fine"" cardsInParsed="{"quantity":2,"name":"Moment's Peace","section":"in","manaCost":"{1}{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/4/0/40ebe935-ccf9-435e-8fe8-53bcbf3526e7.webp?1783945215"}" cardsOutParsed="{"quantity":1,"name":"Mnemonic Wall","section":"out","manaCost":"{4}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/a/3/a3e6784b-78e8-4f0b-8d27-d49c7cea9252.webp?1783935545"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Vivien's Grizzly","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/3/7/37f2571b-6756-462c-9e71-3121fa458160.webp?1783933403"}" cardsOutAltParsed=""} ::

Problematic cards:
maindeck Savage Swipe, sideboard Gutshot, Viridian Longbow and Epic Confrontation

They can win pretty often on turn 4 or 5 (usually is necessary a Burning-Tree Emissary or a Rancor on t2). The blue combo card is not necessary to win if they don't kill Bloodrite invoker and we have enough mana.

Elves (unfavorable)

::magic-sideboard-guide{matchup="Elves (unfavorable)" description=""Out: 2 Vivien's Grizzly instead of 1 Mnemonic Wall and 1 Vivien's Grizzly is also fine"" cardsInParsed="{"quantity":2,"name":"Moment's Peace","section":"in","manaCost":"{1}{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/4/0/40ebe935-ccf9-435e-8fe8-53bcbf3526e7.webp?1783945215"}" cardsOutParsed="{"quantity":1,"name":"Mnemonic Wall","section":"out","manaCost":"{4}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/a/3/a3e6784b-78e8-4f0b-8d27-d49c7cea9252.webp?1783935545"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Vivien's Grizzly","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/3/7/37f2571b-6756-462c-9e71-3121fa458160.webp?1783933403"}" cardsOutAltParsed=""} ::

Problematic cards:
Some lists run cards like maindeck Vines of Vastwood, sideboard Prohibit and Harsh Sustenance.

They have less turn4 kill compared to Walls, but Timberwatch Elves is a big problem (we can't block without loosing a creature).

MBC and Orzhov Pestilence (unfavorable)

::magic-sideboard-guide{matchup="MBC and Orzhov Pestilence (unfavorable)" description=""Out: 2 Crashing Drawbridge and 1 Fyndhorn Elves instead of 3 Crashing Drawbridge is also fine"" cardsInParsed="{"quantity":3,"name":"Ulamog's Crusher","section":"in","manaCost":"{8}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/6/9/699c0f6f-b26b-4741-8140-8a6030cad127.webp?1783915730"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Mnemonic Wall","section":"in","manaCost":"{4}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/a/3/a3e6784b-78e8-4f0b-8d27-d49c7cea9252.webp?1783935545"}" cardsOutParsed="{"quantity":1,"name":"Freed from the Real","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/c/4/c47ee6f6-50c1-4f56-b9ce-4c309bfb92ca.webp?1783935178"},{"quantity":3,"name":"Crashing Drawbridge","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/0/1/018257cf-8981-4691-92ab-6a33f77c9680.webp?1783907014"}" cardsOutAltParsed=""} ::

Problematic cards:
Pestilence and Crypt Rats.

Weird MUs, they usually have ~12 removal spells. They probably will sideboard-in some discard spell.

Dimir Delver (unfavorable)

Sideboarding against UB Delver is really difficult from my point of view. It depends on your opponent playstyle.

vs Dimir Delver (unfavorable)

If your opponent plays a very aggressive role

Sideboard In

(1)
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Sideboard Out

(1)
  • 1Vivien's Grizzly

vs Dimir Delver (unfavorable)

If your opponent plays in a more controllish way

Sideboard In

(4)
  • 3Ulamog's Crusher
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Sideboard Out

(4)
  • 1Freed from the Real
  • 3Crashing Drawbridge

Problematic cards: Snuff Out

Boros Bully / Tokens (favorable)

::magic-sideboard-guide{matchup="Boros Bully / Tokens (favorable)" description=""Out: 1 Fyndhorn Elves / Wall of Roots"" cardsInParsed="{"quantity":3,"name":"Scattershot Archer","section":"in","manaCost":"{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/d/7/d74d6cdb-a087-4b3d-bf25-509200ed6d93.webp?1783942473"}" cardsOutParsed="{"quantity":1,"name":"Vivien's Grizzly","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{G}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/3/7/37f2571b-6756-462c-9e71-3121fa458160.webp?1783933403"},{"quantity":1,"name":"Freed from the Real","section":"out","manaCost":"{2}{U}","imageUrl":"https://cards.scryfall.io/grid/front/c/4/c47ee6f6-50c1-4f56-b9ce-4c309bfb92ca.webp?1783935178"}" cardsOutAltParsed=""} ::

Problematic cards:
Rally the Peasants, Electrickery

Their main wincon against Walls is the Battle Screech + Rally the Peasants combo, they don't have any mass removal beside Electrickery and only Lightning Bolt and Pyroblast to effectively interact with the combo at instant speed.

Red Deck Wins and Goblins (favorable)

vs Red Deck Wins and Goblins (favorable)

Sideboard In

(4)
  • 3Nylea's Disciple
  • 1Crimson Acolyte

Sideboard Out

(4)
  • 1Freed from the Real
  • 1Mnemonic Wall
  • 2Vivien's Grizzly

Problematic cards:
Burn spells, Goblin Bushwacker, Sparksmith

If they don't draw any sparksmith this MU is extremely good. Just play a bunch of blocker and 1 or 2 Nylea's disciple to stop them from attacking.

Mono White Heroic (favorable)

vs Mono White Heroic (favorable)

Sideboard In

(2)
  • 2Moment's Peace

Sideboard Out

(2)
  • 1Vivien's Grizzly
  • 1Mnemonic Wall

Problematic cards:
Deaftblade Elite, Cho-Manno's Blessing and similar.

You can tap your creatures with Saruli Caretaker to "counter" Deaftblade Elite's provoke ability.

Affinity (unfavorable)

vs Affinity (unfavorable)

Sideboard In

(3)
  • 2Gorilla Shaman
  • 1Crimson Acolyte

Sideboard Out

(3)
  • 1Freed from the Real
  • 1Mnemonic Wall
  • 1Vivien's Grizzly

Problematic cards:
Atog-Fling/Temur Battle Ragecombo (maindeck), Krark-clan shaman (post side)

Gorilla Shaman helps a lot in this MU! Big mana + gorilla in the first turns is effectively a good wincon (if they don't have already a bunch of 4/4 in play).

Sideboard alternatives

If the metagame will shift towards black based decks I'm sure cards like Obsidian Acolyte and Pilgrim of Virtue are worth a try.

Sometimes Ulamog's Crusher feels like an overkill, so I tried Wrethed Gryff instead. It's better to stop Ux Faeries and Boros Monarch and allows a sweet interaction with Mnemonic Wall and Reaping the Graves thanks to the emerge alternative cost, but probably Ulamog's Crusher is more impactfull in a lot of games.

Someone plays Standard Bearer, but I think is not really relevant or impactfull. Against Stompy can stop only the first removal spell and seems good only VS Bogles (even tought is extremely good against Timberwatch Elf and Quirion Ranger).

If you fear decks with Castigate or Divest, Vent Sentinel seems the best third alternative wincon.

Riguardo l'autore

Alessandro Moretti aka A_AdeptoTerra, una vera e propria istituzione nel panorama pauper italiano. Si diletta un sacco con la sua piattaforma preferita, ovvero twitch, dove periodicamente si cimenta in leghe con mazzi innovativi. Potete vedere tutto sul suo canale youtube, dove carica i video delle sue dirette.

Alessandro Moretti

Alessandro Moretti

Presidente Pauperwave

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