Goyf in Czech Pile/4c Control: Initial thoughts

Brewing

So, I am planning to test a couple of Tarmogoyfs in Czech Pile. The deck is still relatively new for Legacy's standards, and there doesn't appear to be much consensus on what cards should be played in the "flex slots".

I believe Goyf has been overlooked, and deserves to at least be considered for a couple of spots in the main deck. Why? Well, in short, because it is good in almost every matchup.

It provides a clock against combo decks, which Czech Pile currently does not really have much of. Against fair decks it provides a must-answer threat that is difficult for Grixis Delver in particular to deal with. Decks with StP have an easier time dealing with Goyf, but with DRS being very likely to eat an early Plow, Goyf is still reasonably likely to survive and be a real problem for your opponent. Finally, against Stompy/prison style decks, Goyf represents a win condition that can get there after you've been locked out of casting your spells by Chalice/Blood Moon, or a way of slowing down your opponent while you search for an answer to their lock piece.

While Goyf may not be as amazing in specific matchups as other main deck options like True Name Nemesis or JTMs for example, I think that its across the board value makes it a contender for a spot or two in the deck.

The question is then what to cut for it?

My current list is very similar to Jarvis Yu's here: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/728029#paper. The only main deck difference being a 2nd Leovold instead of Liliana of the Veil. My initial plan is to cut the Edict and the True Name for 2 Goyfs. Edict and TNN are both very good in specific matchups, but almost completely dead in others. While as mentioned above, Goyf is good against almost everything.

Thoughts? Do you think Goyf deserves to be considered along with other flex slot options for Czech Pile? Or not, and if so why?

Posted Aug 14, 2017, 7:08 PM UTC

2018
Loading comments…