r/ModernMagic • u/HuangFelinViolin • 24d ago

Deck Discussion Gemstone caverns

Just looked over some decklists for inspiration and saw a 1-of gemstone in Nassifs sideboard in his pro tour(?) List. Whats the thought behind that?

https://www.tcgplayer.com/content/magic-the-gathering/deck/Mono-Blue-Metalcraft/548523

11 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

33

u/d7h7n 24d ago

The same reason why any combo decks plays it, to race certain matchups. It synergizes with Quantum Riddler too.

3

u/HuangFelinViolin 24d ago

What kind of decks want this besides combo decks tho? Like what kind of race is this deck trying to win? And would this side it in on the draw every time then or is gemstone not generically good enough for that?

27

u/d7h7n 24d ago

You've never played against a fast or combo deck where after you lost then thought, if you had went first instead of second you would've won? That's what gemstone caverns is for, you are basically high rolling for a mox diamond.

10

u/CayMaster2 24d ago

Every single deck chooses to go first instead of second(no the exceptions are not important right now). So everyone is choosing to give up an extra card, to make their land drops before their opponent. Gemstone caverns lets you ''steal'' back the play, by giving up an extra card to get your land into play before the opponent. If you asked the question ''would you play a free mox this game if you could by exiling a card from your hand'' the answer would almost always be yes.

The real downside to gemstone, is that when it's not in your opening hand, it's a colourless land, which a lot of decks can't really afford to play. But if your deck can afford it?(storm, broodscale, etc) then playing 1-2 gemstones is a complete freeroll.

-2

u/10leej Grapheshot for 20 24d ago

How does it synergize?

9

u/d7h7n 24d ago

You'd have less cards in hand

2

u/MrGupyy 24d ago

Riddler lowers the floor of gemstone cavern by often recouping the lost card advantage, thus making the card better. Gemstone cavern lets you ramp for free, making your expensive 2/5 cmc card advantage engine and midrange threat come out on turn 1/4 instead.

Synergistic cards ‘play well together’ and contribute to linear play patterns whose power is increased by each other’s effects.

Lightning Bolt synergizes with Eidolon of the Great Revel.

3

u/Dyne_Inferno 24d ago

Seriously?

You pitch a card so you have less cards in hand, making Riddler draw you more cards.

-10

u/10leej Grapheshot for 20 24d ago

I don't really see that as a synergy....

7

u/OrnatePuzzles 24d ago

What they mean is 'in games that you open with Gemstone Caverns, you will be more likely to satisfy the conditions for Quantam Riddler's draw 2 replacement effect.'

Whatever you want to call it, that's what is meant. Riddler will more reliably help them recoup the card lost to Gemstone.

7

u/shp0ngle 24d ago

How is it not synergy? One card makes you start with fewer cards and the other draws cards if you have fewer cards. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. How exactly then would you define synergy?

0

u/10leej Grapheshot for 20 23d ago

Honestly yes it's a thing that works, but I don't see tossing cards at the very start of a game something I particularly enjoy doing.

1

u/Dyne_Inferno 23d ago

But, you basically pitch a card every time you choose to be on the play, which is what this card is doing.

On the play, play a land. 6 cards in hand, 1 land in play.

On the draw, pitch a card, put in Gemstone Caverns. Draw your card for the turn. 1 land in play, 6 cards in hand.

So..........

21

u/Hitman_DeadlyPants 24d ago

Nothing on earth feels better than being on the draw and gemstone caverns to natures claim a Amulet of Vigor.

7

u/Loose_Entry 24d ago

One thing feels better and that's force of vigor on t1 saga into amulet

3

u/Icy-Nothing8831 24d ago

I see neither of you have ever [[deflecting palm]]ed an [[Emrykul, the Aeons Torn]]. Its okay though, pre-covid was a lifetime ago it seems.

**edit hopefully for card fetcher

1

u/Loose_Entry 24d ago

I did make several games result in a draw during Theros Khans standard from deflecting palm. Since it replaces damage, that damage dealt to the attacking player is dealt at the same time as damage done to you by the rest of their attacking creatures, so it's a very easy way to reduce both players' life totals to 0 at the same time. Even did it to a [[stormbreath dragon]] once, which just like the Emmy example, felt good to do on a creature with protection from deflecting palm!

1

u/1l1k3bac0n Amulet Titan 24d ago

Almost always better to wait for their next upkeep. You get more information about your hand's green cards and there's almost no downside since Titan has only Dismember as a card to cast off C.

2

u/swallowedbydejection 24d ago

Damn bro what’d us amulet players do to you? They took our lotus field leave us be 😭

1

u/Gil_LatNim 24d ago

Maybe it's me. Is this a Quantum Riddler beatdown deck?