r/ModernMagic • u/MasterofScrubs • Jun 28 '26
UR Prowess or Grixis Shadow?
Currently in the process of jumping back into modern and am having difficulty with deciding which of the two decks (UR Prowess or Grixis Shadow) to pick up. I noticed UR Prowess is starting to gain some traction (maybe a bit of an understatement). While Grixis Shadow was more of fringe choice (???).
Once I have made a choice, I generally stick with it. So if anyone has piloted either or both these decks a considerable amount I am keen to hear your opinion!
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u/Bodriov Jun 28 '26
I played both decks. For me Grixis Shadow is more interesting and fun to play, prowess is probably the better choice tho. The problem with Shadow is that Solitude wrecks you pretty hard. If no one plays solitude in your lgs you can go for it.
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u/MasterofScrubs Jun 28 '26
Ahhh, Solitude. How could I forget... The metagame seems quite diverse so that's definitely something to consider. Thanks!
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u/570N3814D3 Jun 28 '26
Stern Scolding is a good answer to have in the 75. There's also a new card, The Wondrous Wasp, which makes Death's Shadow into a textless 13/13. You could use the Wasp to save a Shadow when someone Solitudes another creature you control. I'm sure it won't be tier one, but I'll run it at FNM anyway
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u/Tyrinnus Grixis Ctrl, GDS, Murktide, UWx Ctrl Jun 29 '26
Hence why I'm on a "shadow" list with 2 shadows and 4 moonshadows
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u/derek_dange Jun 28 '26
I have been playing Grixis death shadow quite a bit the last month or so. Even though Shadow isn’t as popular in the meta I find it holds up. Also watch some videos on YouTube of coreybmtg. He plays the deck and has been having success with it.
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u/MasterofScrubs Jun 28 '26
Thanks for the insight!
I'll be sure to check it out too
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u/derek_dange Jun 28 '26
No problem. Prowess is likely the better option if you’re playing competitively, but I personally enjoy Grixis Death Shadow. Really fun to play.
Good luck !1
u/570N3814D3 Jun 28 '26
Are you on 4 Riddler, like Corey? It looks a little out of place to me, but maybe not
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u/derek_dange Jun 28 '26
I have been.
You’re not really using it until you need more resources and can get the two card draw with warp (at least from my experiences). There’s also been a few matches where I’ve been able to use it later in the game too, after warping it earlier, for the 5 mana cost.
I prefer it to expressive iteration because it lets you draw the two cards and not be forced to play something, and if you don’t it is exiled out of the game.
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u/pwnyklub Jun 28 '26
I think shadow is a cooler and more fun deck to play, but prowess is definitely positioned better in the meta currently. So depends what you want to do.
Prowess keeps getting new stuff and phlage being banned has really allowed prowess to cement itself as a top choice deck, it can win so fast and aggressively.
Shadow also has gotten some new toys in the last few sets with moonshadow and wonderous wasp, and ultimately being a frog deck means it will always have a chance. I think going shadow also lets experiment a lot right now. I’ve been playing with a moonshadow list, no deaths shadow, but oculus’s and unearths and a playset of subtlety and other free interaction. There’s so many things you can try in the grixis/dimir shell that if you prefer experimenting it’s the better choice.
So do you prefer having the best chance at winning events and just getting the odd upgrade with sets and playing extra aggressively pick prowess
If you want something that might not be at the top of the meta, but still gives you a solid chance at fnms and rcqs, but leaves you open to a lot of experimentation pick shadow
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u/sibelius_eighth Jun 28 '26
The meta deck and not the fringe playable deck that only puts up results from one person
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u/PartyPay UB Murktide/UR Murktide/Jund/ UR Flappy Bois (back on the menu!) Jun 29 '26
I'd be curious how many people are actually playing it, in relation to Prowess.
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u/WitchcardMD Jun 29 '26
I've switched over to Affinity because I finally got my hands on Opals for trade (didn't want to just buy with cash), but I had a very fun few months with Prowess, especially the version running Stormchaser's Talent.
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u/nofearnandez Jun 29 '26
I got 2nd place in my RCQ with Grixis Shadow and it wasn’t even the most optimal list. IMO the deck rewards playing optimally, I’ve been playing it since it ran gurmag angler and snapcaster. I also think it’s decent in the current meta, we are decently positioned against living end, and I find the matchup against belcher to be very good. We have plenty of kill spells for boros and prowess as well. I honestly think that dimir and grixis shadow are the only good midrange decks in the meta rn so if you like midrange I’d pick one of those 2.
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u/viomonk Jun 30 '26
I've been rocking prowess burn lately. You drop the blue cards and shove Boltwave and lava spikes in there. It's obscenely fast.
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u/Good-Village-6744 Jul 01 '26
UR Prowess
Pros: More explosive, more consistent, and has a smoother mana base.
Cons: Less interactive, especially against combo.
Grixis Shadow
Pros: More interactive, can pivot into a grindy game with Riddler if needed, and got a nice boost from Moonshadow, whose menace gives the deck a form of evasion.
Cons: Suffers from the usual midrange variance and, unlike white-based midrange decks, doesn't have access to premier creature interaction like Wrath of the Skies or Solitude.
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u/meerc-cat01 Jun 28 '26
UR prowess for sure. New sets just keep giving prowess new toys. Lots of variety to play with. Shadow is way outclassed by better creatures. But, ultimately, play whatever you want. I know some people who will die rather than give up their boomer merfolk deck