For Turn 6/7 Combos I still like Cyclops/Hercules. Attack with Hercules. Now attack with Cyclops, readying Hercules, who activates on Cyclops readying him and giving him counters. Now attack with Cyclops again, readying Hercules again. Now attack with Hercules. That doesn't look too complicated to me... Just need a teamup!

I mean, truthfully you don't even have to get THAT complicated. If you attack with your 7 twice you should win anyway, I may work with Cyclops a little bit on 6 in my toolbox version. Polaris is really strong, and hard to give up.. but in cuve vs curve, Cyclops is probably better, and may be even better than my current answer (Deathstroke). Good call overall; I don't think you need to work on making him better.. . two swings with a 16/16 should finish anyone :). Plus he's on team, so you can mobilize for him on 4 even if you don't have the Goverment Sponsership (let me tell you how much it sucks to get Polaris in the curve fight...).

Cyclops-6 has been more effective (for me, anyway) in a Legend build... either solo or with Jean Grey (nothing like having an 18/18 or more 5-drop swinging twice on 6).

Wolverine, Secret Avenger is nice in the tool-box build. With Cyclops on 6, he should be swinging at least 3 times.

I went with Holocaust on 6....

Who are you using on 4 since you ditched Mr. Fantastic?

I think some X-Men cards definitely could help out X-Factor on turns 4 & 5, although its tough to say how well it will gel into the Cyclops legend deck (which seems to the 4-drop Cyclops working instead of the 3-drop.) That said, Emma on 4 and... Mystique? ... on 5 could be very handy without going too far off-team.

I was thinking for an off drop x deck nocturn on 5 to get another use out of cyclops.

For a legend-style plot twist, yes. For the 4-drop's power, nope... Cyclops = only during the combat phase.

Somehow I overlooked that untill last night. But using a concussive force and then readying isn't bad either.

Eh, Cyclops has a card that does that already (Fearless Leader); like Nocturne, against curve it only works if you HAVE two concussive forces, so isn't particularly exciting. For the "pure" (Exiles hate) version, if you're going off-team may as well pick up something good that turn, Lex or Mr. Sinister are both very solid in general, and your lower drops should already have Exile "Handled".

Sensative: On 4 I've got 3 Mr. Fs, 1 Emma Frost, and 1 Siryn. Emma is a searchable character with a draw engine for me, so I like her around. Siryn is there if I think I'm going "straight beatdown" mode (it's funny when Mr. F starts to "get in there"), or if Calliban is down and I can't search for Mr. F.

I like Holocost, but he can't possibly gain the X-factor affiliation, so I can never search for him (I ditched the STTG/Messiah Complex engine, as it was inconsistant and both cards were individually useless without the other). For 6 I run 1 Cyclops 1 Deathstroke 1 Polaris right now.

The deck:

4 Shadowcat <> Phase Shifter
4 Forge
4 Calliban
4 Iceman 3-drop
2 Wolverine <> Logan
3 Mr. Fantastic
1 Emma Frost
1 Siryn
3 Lex Luthor
1 Cyclops 5-drop
1 Cyclops 6-drop
1 Polaris
1 Deathstroke the Terminator
1 John Proudstar (he's a much better 7 than I gave him credit for; he's fast become my primary 7, those counters go a long way)
1 Jean Gray (which may get cut for Magneto; she's there mostly because she can be targeted by X-factor plot twists if you don't have Sponsership)

4 Government Sponsership
4 The "X" factor
4 Savage Beatdown
4 Mobilize
3 Vocal Minority (may become Death of a Dream)
3 Pathetic Attempt
3 Omnipotence
3 First Class

Obviously I've realized that going "aggro" is the right way to really ream any curvy matchups, and the deck is naturally good vs undercurve (big toughness etc). Shadowcat is perfect for sitting out and triggering First Class, and enabled the "Shadow Cat Forge" god-draw. I mostly rely on X-men drops to keep Mobilize online even if I don't have Sponsership.

The deck works really well, loses horribly to Exiles, but that's really about it. It can decimate anything in Modern that is not an Exiles deck, including other mirror-like matchups; and keeps pressure on well.

In light of last night's news, I've decided to bring a deck to my upcoming tournament that I would like to see saved in my records for all time. Here's my attempt at finding some middle ground between the two X-Factor versions, mostly bolstered by the X-Men:

CHARACTERS: (31)
4x Shadowcat, Phase Shifter
4x Caliban, Pestilence
4x Forge, The Maker
4x Cyclops, Mutant Hunter
2x Iceman, Jack Frost
3x Emma Frost, Ice Queen
1x Nightcrawler, Hit Factory
4x M, Monet St. Croix
2x Polaris, Back in the Fold
1x Cyclops, Astonishing X-Man
1x James Proudstar <> Warpath, Apache Warrior
1x Jean Grey, Jean-Grey Summers

PLOT TWISTS: (29)
4x Government Sponsored
4x Mobilize
4x Cracking the Case
4x Concussive Force
4x Optic Blast
3x First Class
3x Omnipotence
3x Savage Beatdown

So far it's running very smoothly, although missing a drop seems to hurt very badly. I've debated taking out Government Sponsored to fit some more search or Dirty Tricks, but I think I might need it. Nightcrawler is a bit of Exiles tech-ness, but requires more testing. I wish there was a better on-team 5-drop instead of M, who doesn't had an amazing amount. Perhaps Psylocke, if just for the defense? Thoughts/suggestions?

Actually really good rebuild; I'm impressed, you made it flow well. Off hand I'd say Sponsership is necessary; Crack the Case on Beak's is great, and you'd just assume have Shadowcat do it; and first class is really better than Children in this deck since it readies the guy. You may want 1 Cyclops 4-. The reason for this is if you're playing vs Exiles, you simply have to accept that Mobilizing on 3 for Calliban is required if you didn't draw him for 2, and you'd rather not underdrop. If you keep Government Sponsership, toss in 1 Lex Luthor, he really does just dominate mirror-like matches. Really I'd cut M for Mystique otherwise, she can be a Cyclops, is an X-man, and doesn't have the drawback of making your opponent laugh at you when you play her. Of course, you do have to look at that god-awful art, but it's a small price to pay.

EDIT: you may also consider cutting first class and "4ing" the better cards (Savage Beatdown is a good example), and potentially fitting in Cerebro to help with search. I also switched out Deathstroke for 6-drop Mimic; his shift helps you take care of early resource point, and he's amazing vs any decks going for late-game effects (grab all of their abilities etc). You could pull 1 Polaris for similar.

So:

4 Shadowcat

4 Forge
4 Caliban

4 Cyclops
2 Iceman

1 Cyclops
2 Emma Frost
1 Nightcrawler (test this, could be good in theory vs a few deck archtypes)

1 Lex Luthor
3 Mystique

1 Mimic, Exile (how awesome is this guy vs Mystique and Lex and The Captain? :))
1 Polaris
1 Cyclops

1 Proudstar
1 Jean Gray

4 Mobilize
4 Savage Beatdown
4 Cracking the Case
4 Government Sponsership
4 Optic Blast
4 Concussive Force
3 Omnipotence
2 Cerebro

Thanks for the props; it does seem to be moving very smoothly.

I'm going to keep testing Cerebro, as I've barely drawn into it, but when I have, it hasn't been optimal; without Government Sponsored online, it tends to overlook Polaris, Caliban and Luthor. Still testing...

Luthor is a good call; I'm not so sure about Mimic, since he only copies payment powers (thus not Luthor or the Captain.) He can still copy Mystique to get Cyclops's name, but it seems less reliable than just packing 2x Polaris. Unless you're talking about Mimic, Earth-12 <> Infected? Then yes, he would gain the opposing powers and keywords of Luthor and Captain, and is a possible consideration.

I'm also getting concerned in putting Government Sponsored and Polaris online as more X-Factor guys get cut. (Since most of the deck is X-Men, Emma's not as big a concern.)

Cyclops 4-drop isn't working so well... since Shadowcat is hidden and a big goal is getting Caliban shifted, he doesn't seem to knock out more than a 1 or 2 drop... if I need Cyclops on 4, it would be better to underdrop the 3-drop and Shadowcat/finish shifting Caliban. Nightcrawler would seem to the better bet against Exiles here, and possibly swarm decks in general, but again, it needs more testing. (See below.)

You're right in that First Class is probably unnecessary. There's no real drastic need to recover anyone in the curve v. curve match-up, since most of your guys working on applying pressure to the opposing deck. I'm still not sure what the right call is, since Cerebro isn't thrilling me...

Sneak Attack seems like a good possibility, actually. It works well with Nightcrawler and John Proudstar/Jean Grey + Cyclops, helps maintain board control and can even move a guy into reinforcement positioning. Plus the lack of flight until turn 6 is somewhat damaging if Cyclops-twists haven't been drawn, and Sneak Attack helps get around that. Thoughts?

Wow. Dave and Mike, you guys are awesome. Thanks for posting your decks! I don't have mine in front of me, but it looks something like this: (I took a very different approach to the toolboxing...)

4 x Green Goblin MUN 1 drop
2 x Professor X MEV 1 drop
2 x Wild Child MEV 1 drop
4 x Caliban, Pestilence
4 x Forge, The Maker
2 x Blade MUN 3 drop
3 x Iceman, Jack Frost
3 x Iron Man, Mighty Avenger
1 x Nightcrawler, Hit Factory
3 x Rachel Summers MEV 5 drop
1 x Wolverine, Secret Avenger
1 x Polaris, Back in the Fold
2 x Holocaust, MVL 6 drop
2 x Havok MEV 7 drop

4 x Government Sponsored
3 x Mobilize (I only own 3)
3 x Cracking the Case
3 x First Class
4 x Omnipotence
4 x Pathetic Attempt
2 x Savage Beatdown
2 x Home Surgery

4 x Med-Kit
2 x Cloak of Levitation

The deck has a few issues that definitely need to be ironed out: too many cards, potentially missing drops (as with Mike's), and that Lex Luthor would destroy me... but it has lots of fun tricks built in! A hidden one drop with a Med-Kit on turn one is lots of endurance gain! Or you can slap a Med-Kit on one of the Energize characters to gain endurance there. Between Iron Man, First Class, and Home Surgery you should be able to maintain a pretty strong board, and the hidden 1 drops are available for Cracking the Case or First Class. Rachel has shift, which comes in handy if she's early and then allows you to play Prof X on 5 to negate a plot twist...

I am considering not worrying about hidden characters (Mesmero, Ilyana, etc) and switching Blade for Logan and Wolverine, SA for Lex.

I'd appreciate any feedback that you may have. Thanks!

Yeah, Cerebro doesn't impress me either; I just tossed it in there because of your worries. And yes, I meant Mimic <> Infected, seems insane in a mirror... like, really insane. Not even a mirror, most curve-like matchups (hell, play against Marauders and steal Joanna's gain-counter ability and Random's ability to tap people). The more I think about it, the more I think he may end up being your 6 of choice.

Polaris you don't need many activations; she's handy, she's there for off-curve, but you should have a spare Forge floating even if you missed your government sponsership... I wouldn't sweat that.

I've never been concerned about lack of flight, the deck swings up really well on people, so it's not like big bodies are going to get in your way (you have a lot of pumps, if you count Optic Blast on that list). I'd just 4-up the Omnipotence (it's always good to see) and a 3rd Emma (with only 4 search having 5 4 drops isn't bad). You're only looking for the name on the Cyclops 4-drop btw; it really is better to have a 4-drop anyway, just so you can tap a non-Mariko with Optic Blast. Sneak attack just seems kinda janky... you have some combos with it, but I'd rather have more utility.

On first look, I think you can bear to lose some 1-drops and up your 3s and 4s... if you're playing the long curve game, consistency is the key. Cracking the Case and First Class require X-Factor guys, and early... since you're playing Pathetic Attempt, it is probably worth scrapping CtC anyway.

Personally, I think Rachel and Havok's discard power is too susceptible to Pathetic Attempt, so you'll have to name it with Omnipotence early, as well as naming "Omnipotence" as well. The odds of hitting two are a bit slim.

Also, remember that Iron Man works on adjacent characters, so Blade won't benefit from his power, nor will Wolverine on turn 6. I personally think X-Factor/SHIELD has a decent synergy, so I would attempt to focus on characters that keep you on one or both teams until turn 5 when you can start pulling out off-team characters.

And since consistency is the key, you'll probably want to look into Heroes of Two Worlds... 3 searchers won't cut it. HoTW will require you to play 3 of any character you want... maybe keeping that in mind will help you focus your curve a bit. Keep me posted, and looks like a fun deck.