Show and tell
UPDATED MARCH/2022
Show and Tell is one of Legacy's many archetypes. This archetype currently splits on two sub-archetypes that use Show and Tell as their core: Omnitell and Sneak and Show.
Overview
Show and Tell (SaT) is one of the main staples in Legacy. It is a card that allows all players to put a creature, enchantment, artifact, or land from hand to play. It looks like a fair card, but, in reality, this card is used to cheat a permanent of those types into play (almost always one-sidedly).
The one-sided aspect of this effect resides in the fact that, even if the opponent their best permanent into play, the opponent will have a card like Monastery Mentor, Murktide Regent or Tarmogoyf while the Show and Tell player will have a card like Omniscience, Griselbrand or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn.
Since the card Show and Tell itself is Blue, the deck has access to card selection with Ponder, Brainstorm, as well as counterspells to defend the combo (usually Force of Will and Daze).
Archetypes with Show and Tell
Omni-Tell (also known as Omni-Show)
This strategy uses SaT mostly to put into play the enchantment Omniscience and then start a series of different win conditions depending on each build. Secondarily it may put Emrakul, the Aeons Torn into play since it is already present in some Omni-Tell lists.
There are some decks that actually focus on using SaT to place exclusively creatures (normally Griselbrand or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn) and ditch Omniscience altogether.
Some lists may include Eureka. It is a card that synergizes well with SaT, but the main reason it isn't played is how expensive one actually is.
Sneak and Show
This strategy combines SaT and Sneak Attack on an Izzet (blue and red) shell.
The plan is to cheat a big creature into play and start the aggro with either Griselbrand or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn.
Griselbrand is usually preferrable because of the draw effect - it may even allow the player to find Emrakul and activate Sneak Attack a second time to swing for lethal damage.
Similarities Between the Decks
- Both strategies use Blue as the main color.
- Both decks have access to Force of Will, which gives extra protection to the decks.
- Both decks have access to Brainstorm, Ponder and Preordain, and that gives a fair consistency to both decks.
- Both decks have access to Sol Lands (Lands that have a Sol Ring effect: Ancient Tomb and City of Traitors), as efficient accelerators.
Omni-Tell/Omni-Show
Besides the cards listed on the Similarities section, this archetype may use tutors.
Usually the following:
Sample decklist:
Sneak and Show
Besides the cards listed on the Similarities section, this archetype uses more creatures and more accelerators.
Usually the following:
Sample decklist:
Somewhere in the middle (Omni-Tell + Sneak and Show)
This version of the deck just tries to benefit from both strategies.
Sample decklist:
Notes on Show and Tell
It is a deck that doesn't suffer from much hate in general. This makes it a difficult strategy to fight against and, in most cases, the opponent will have to resort to traditional disruption (Discard and Counterspell).
It has obligatory blue included and Force of Will in the maindeck. This makes the combo particularly resilient. Blue also gives it card selection and card draw spells and that makes this combo very consistent.
This deck can be funnily vulnerable to decks such as Reanimator or Mono-Red Sneak Attack. Mostly because the resolution of a Show and Tell can backfire and result in an opponent's victory by them placing a high-power card into play.
Even though Sneak Attack doesn't keep the creature in play forever, it usually results in lethal damage with Griselbrand (for being able to draw an Emrakul with its ability) or, at least an attack for 15 damage and Annihilator 6 from Emrakul.
SaT decks are strong and competitive and there actually is a SaT variety for more budget-limited players that is to play the Mono-Blue route.