Kirin Combo Sideboard Guide

Catalogue


Ramp


Tron

Mono G | 65-35

This matchup mostly revolves around preventing Karn Liberated from hitting the table until you can cast Armageddon. Watch out for Wurmcoil Engine; Tron can steal a game with it if you aren’t careful. Boomer Tron decks play a full set of Wurmcoil, but the newer versions with Karn, the Great Creator only play it as a one-of wishboard target. Board in Brutal Cathars accordingly.

In: 3 Lavinia, Azorius Renegade, 2 Phyrexian Revoker, 1 Sanctum Prelate, 1-2 Brutal Cathar, 1 Prismatic Ending

Out: 1 Oust, 2-3 Giver of Runes, 3-4 Skyclave Apparition, 1-2 Solitude[c]

Recs: [c]Gaddock Teeg, Deputy of Detention

Eldrazi | 55-45 

Early Thought-Knot Seers and Reality Smashers can get you, but they have a hard time coming back from an Armageddon if you’re able to handle the early onslaught. You’re also not very weak to Chalice on 1, which is quite helpful here.

In: 2 Phyrexian Revoker, 2 Brutal Cathar, 0-1 Knight of Autumn

Out: 1 Prismatic Ending, 3-4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Recs: Ghostly Prison


Amulet Titan

| 60-40

Titan is very explosive, but Kirin has a lot of ways to disrupt them between Skyclave Apparition/Prismatic Ending to answer Amulet of Vigor and the Armageddon combo to cut off their mana. In addition, if they ever cast a Summoner’s Pact, they have to kill you that turn or risk eating an Armageddon and losing the game on their upkeep. This hurts their consistency as they’re limited to naturally drawing Primeval Titan until turns 4-5 when they’re more likely to have a one-turn kill.

Cultivator Colossus versions are a little better against us because they have more payoffs, making them less reliant on Summoner’s Pact. A resolved Colossus is still susceptible to getting blown off the board by Armageddon, though.

In: 1 Prismatic Ending, 3 Lavinia, Azorius Renegade, 2 Brutal Cathar, 1 Knight of Autumn

Out: 3 Giver of Runes, 4 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Recs: Path to Exile, Solitude, Strict Proctor, Deputy of Detention


BTL Scapeshift

| 65-35

Ah, ye olde Scapeshift deck. You can probably guess why this is a good matchup. This deck can sometimes power through an Armageddon with Wrenn and Six and/or Omnath, Locus of Mana, but in the general case we have a much easier time than they do. 

The main plays we have to worry about are Bring to Light for Tibalt, Cosmic Imposter, Omnath, Locus of Mana, or Supreme Verdict. Note that while Ranger-Captain of Eos’s sac ability stops them from casting Tibalt, W6, Verdict, and Scapeshift off of BTL, they can still get Omnath with it, so it’s always a two-for-one at least if you sac a Captain in response to BTL’s cast trigger.

Also remember that Thalia, Guardian of Thraben is a nonbo with Lavinia, Azorius Renegade; Thalia makes them spend mana on any noncreature spell they get off of Bring to Light, which circumvents Lavinia’s second ability. You still want Lavinia to prevent BTL for Omnath, but that’s an interaction that people tend to forget.

In: 3 Lavinia, Azorius Renegade, 1 Phyrexian Revoker

Out: 2 Giver of Runes, 1 Oust, 1 Solitude

Recs: Gaddock Teeg, Aven Mindcensor


Next: Graveyard

Author: pizza

As you can see, I am a slice of pizza. 🍕 I like to brew unique decks in Modern. My other two favorite formats are Vintage Cube and Penny Dreadful. Contact me at pizza#9468 on Discord!