"It's not the severity of punishment that deters criminals. It's the certainty of it." Commander Shepard, Mass Effect
My attempt to make a truly competitive deck. I have always loved Azorius because it is just as awful to play against as Dimir, but the cards look cooler (just a fact). Haha. But seriously, I do love how Azorius plays, the pacing and tempo of it all is a blast. Here is the breakdown of the cards.
Wincons:
Gideon Jura, he is tanky and dangerous while providing control for any pesky creatures that stick.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion is one of those cards that half the time I just drop her to get rid of my opponents last trick to clear the way for another wincon, because if she does stick... Well, enough said.
AEtherling, probably one of the most versatile cards out there, everyone of his abilities are totally awesome.
Celestial Colonnade
, oh, you wanted to control my field and counter everything I play? How does a manland sound?
Control:
Rune Snag/Mana Leak This is one of the most interesting tricks to playing this deck. Why have a whole playset of leaks in my sideboard? I call it the bait and switch. Most people I play against haven't seen Rune Snag so when they get snagged and hate it they sideboard in a bit of graveyard hate for round two. Well, I have already switched to my leaks then and they have essentially wasted a sideboard card. It is a trick that helps screw with people strategies and throws off just enough to give me an edge.
Logic Knot, Sometimes it is nice to use up all the rest of the cards in my graveyard. This card does that well. Thanks fetch lands!
Spell Snare cause two drops need hate too!
Remand
, I am running 3 right now. Instead of thinking of it as a counterspell I think of it as a draw spell that simply slows down the enemy. Yay.
Supreme Verdict is one of my favorite spells. It is just... good.
Path to Exile
is there to catch anything that gets through Supreme Verdict.
Detention Sphere is my answer to any artifacts, enchantments or planeswalkers that get through my counterspells.
Draw:
Serum Visions. I have a love hate relationship with this card. Love, because it is the best card in modern for draws right now. Hate, because it is the best card in modern for draws right now. Oh well, at least it plays nice with Narset Transcendent
Sphinx's Revelation is simply lovely. Now running 2
Reliquary Tower
so I never have to worry about how much X I get.
Narset Transcendent is there to help me draw EXACTLY what I need to answer anything. She is pretty incredible for a four drop Her ultimate is amazing in a mirror match or against a Jeskai burn deck.
Match Ups:
Jund
I have played against multiple competitive jund decks at tournaments now. So far they have yet to get through me. Nothing is more satisfying than scooping up a pare of Dark Confidants, Tarmogoyfs or a Liliana of the Veil with a detention sphere and watch the players face. A couple dollar card can scoop up hundreds of bucks of cards.
Whenever I had any issue I would typically side in a few more board wipes to help me keep up. Narset Transcendent was essential to keep up on card advantage. First Jund I went up against was 2/1, second was 2/0.
Affinity:
The one time I played an affinity deck was really rough. I went 1/2 against him. First round I managed to clear the field multiple times with Narset Transcendent's rebound ability after he dumped his hand. Once he was out of a hand it was just keeping things under wraps while I killed with AEtherling. Second game I got blood mooned and had no answer. :c Third game He simply outran me. It was before I purchased huryl's recall and since then I haven't gone up against another... Here's hoping!
Merfolk:
Merfolk was really tough! I went 1/2 on them. My main mistake was siding out Detention Sphere for Wrath of God. I should have taken out some counter spells because Cavern of Souls and Aether Vial were really my downfall. I need a rematch now that I have a bit more knowledge of how merfolk run.
Storm:
I went 0/2 against a R/U storm deck, and honestly it was because I simply had no answer for it in my sidebored. His combo went off on turn 3 both times and that was absolutely awful. I am still evaluating what to do for the sideboard. I know layline of sanctity is the typical bored for that... But what about Eidolon of Rhetoric? Thoughts?
Esper Delver: My matchup against an esper delver deck went quite well. My Rune Snags worked really nicely when he tried to Inquisition of Kozilek me when I had 3 of them in my hand. His response "Well, this is going to be a long game."
First game I won by a landslide, second game was a bit tougher but with some lucky topdecks courtesy of Narset Transcendent, I was able to wipe the field right after he had dumped his hand and made an army with Monastery Mentor. AEtherling dodged some nasty removal on my side and in the end and it turned into a second win for me. 2/0
