Top 5 M11 Limited Combos

by Bill Stark | posted at 2010-07-14 01:53:00
tagged: MTG, Magic, Magic the Gathering, Top 5, M11, Magic 2011, Combos

This week's Top 5 feature some of the interactions I've seen in Magic 2011 Limited play that gave me pause long enough to think "Hmmm...that's kind of neat!"

 

#5. Diminish and Stabbing Pain

This one is simple to wrap one's mind around, but don't let it's simplicity fool you. While Diminish and a block will take out most creatures, sometimes you need your opponent's biggest threat dead NOW. Also, using Stabbing Pain to prevent your opponent from attacking with their creature by tapping it leaves them feeling safe their marquee threat will survive. That's when you hit them with the end-of-turn surprise removal spell.

 

Honorable mention: Hornet Sting

 

#4. Fling and Act of Treason

Fling is back and it's surprisingly versatile in the Magic 2011 Limited format. It shines best when you can use it alongside Act of Treason. Simply steal your opponent's best threat (nice Titan open, perhaps?), bash them with it, then bash them AGAIN by sacrificing it for some more damage straight to their face.

 

Honorable mention: Fiery Hellhound

 

#3. Goblin Tunneler and Fiery Hellhound

Goblin Tunneler isn't all that far removed from Rise of the Eldrazi Limited, but the 1/1 has a much bigger role to play in Magic 2011 Draft. After all, it has a lot more targets to choose from that work quite well with it's unblockability granting. Top dog amongst them, pun most certainly intended? Fiery Hellhound. Spend the first portion of your turn activating the Tunneler to make sure the Hellhound isn't blockable, then spend your combat step pumping every spare red mana you have into the 2/2. It's a Lava Axe (and then some!) each turn for considerably less mana.

 

Honorable mention: Bloodthrone Vampire, Nightwing Shade, Scroll Thief

 

#2. Aether Adept and Triskelion

It hasn't taken people very long to remember how good the tempo effect of a card like Man-o'-War was. But did you know Aether Adept, the modern incarnation of the Visions era 2/2, doesn't just HAVE to target your opponent's creatures? Indeed, the Adept is quite adept at working with Triskelion to mow down your opponent's entire board of creatures. But in a pinch you can use the 2/2 with any creature that has an enters or leaves the battlefield trigger. Don't let tunnel vision stop you from seriously exploiting such a powerful setup.

 

#1. Reassembling Skeleton and Bloodthrone Vampire

When TheStarkingtonPost.com first spoiled Reassembling Skeleton during a special sneak peek of Planechase at Pro Tour-San Juan, the card seemed "neat" but not overly exciting. Magic 2011 Limited is where you need to get excited about this card. For the low cost of 1B per activation, the 1/1 is a one-card engine with any type of sacrifice outlet. The best the set has to offer? Bloodthrone Vampire. Yet another hit from Rise of the Eldrazi back for more in M11, the Vampire is happy to rinse and repeat on the sacrifice cycle with the Skeleton letting you turn it into a boatload of damage or trading for fatty monsters from your opponent. Throw in a Goblin Tunneler and you've got an unstoppable version of the combo!

 

Honorable mention: Viscera Seer, Jinxed Idol

 

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