This deck is based off of Quirion Dryad. It's caught between Midrange and Control. Quirion Dryad can benefit from both play-styles so I figure I'd have a go at making a deck based around Quirion Dryad. Unfortunately Quirion Dryad isn't as good when I can't play spells like
Gut Shot
or Dismember, but I see it as being an easy win-condition if an opponent can't answer one during the early game.
The objective of early-game is to drop Quirion Dryad turn two, and 'grow' it as fast as possible. Ideal situation calls for a Spectral Flight the turn following a Quirion Dryad, but other spells so help set the tempo that can be cast are
Geist of Saint Traft
who does the very same as Quirion Dryad, which is ending the game early if they can't answer it.
Lyev Skyknight
works as a great defensive and offensive tool and smooths the mana-curve being a great card to drop after you play Quirion Dryad.
MAINBOARD
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
- My second favorite walker plays perfectly in this deck. Her +1 ability keeps those big threats under lock-down and when the going gets tough, her -2 ability can help you draw into some answers. Also if Tamiyo resolves her final ability then it's game over for the other player, especially if I can find a
Feeling of Dread
or
Terminus
.
Jace, Architect of Thought - As my favorite walker, Jace is simply perfect for this deck. Most control decks that made Top 8 in states played 3-4 copies of Jace. His -2 is just like Tamiyo's but less conditional which makes it better, because he delves through a lot of your deck when you need him to, especially during late game.
Dungeon Geists
- One of my favorite cards from Dark Ascension. He creates offense by providing defense. If the game becomes a war of attrition then drawing
Dungeon Geists
can be huge when you need that one swing of a momentum.
Lyev Skyknight
- Works well in following up Quirion Dryad and allows you to buy a turn, thus giving your Dryad more time to grow. And as a 3/1 flyer for 1WU is great offense. Skyknight plays great for both Control and Midrange.
Geist of Saint Traft
- He's the one and only Traft. Suited up with Spectral Flight, there isn't much an opponent can do against this guy, and he also works as a Quirion Dryad in himself because he can so very easily end a game. Not much more to say about Traft except he's amazing.
Sigarda, Host of Herons - She's a 5/5 Flyer for 2GWW with Hexproof and anti-
Tribute to Hunger
/
Killing Wave
. A win-condition is herself, she fits the 5-role really well as a 1-of.
Thragtusk
- It's Thragtusk. At first I played this deck making sure there were no mono-green spells, so every spell I cast would trigger Quirion Dryad but it's Thragtusk; he's the best around when it comes to board-stalls, game-extending, and bashing your opponent for a creature that costs 4G. I'm only playing two because he doesn't do too much if my Dryad is already dominating the board.
Restoration Angel - Works as a great 1-of due to it works exceptionally well with
Geist of Saint Traft
,
Lyev Skyknight
and
Dungeon Geists
and extremely well with
Thragtusk
. Also a 3/4 flyer for 3W.
Detention Sphere -
Oblivion Ring
+ better. Wipes down tokens, and holds down those big threats. Great card for control.
Spectral Flight - Works great with any creature on my list, but best of all with Quirion Dryad and
Geist of Saint Traft
. I prefer Spectral Flight over
Rancor
in this deck because it triggers Quirion Dryad and I think it's just a better card.
Feeling of Dread
- Paves the way for Quirion Dryad,
Geist of Saint Traft
and
Thragtusk
. Also works as a game-extender when I need it to.At least 3 copies is a must if I can get 2 Quirion Dryad triggers per card.
Sphinx's Revelation
- It works great late game, and it's better than Blue Sun's Zenith due to the life-gain, so I don't have to be too worried about the life I'll be losing when I cast this card. Always want X to be at least 3.
Terminus
- Board-control. Synergy with
Thragtusk
Silent Departure
- Board control. Flashback.
SIDEBOARD
Centaur Healer
- Works really well on the Curve. Gain 3 life, and a 3/3 is huge.
Vitu-Ghazi Guildmage - Grixis is the #1 enemy to this deck, because a war of attrition is never good to be in against Grixis. Vitu-Ghazi Guildmage helps create progress in a war of attrition with all the excess mana I have late-game.
Pithing Needle -
Lotleth Troll
, Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius and planeswalkers are annoying. Pithing Needle helps me tune them out.
Oblivion Ring
- More removal. Typical for
Lyev Skyknight
or
Feeling of Dread
to come out for this if they can't do the job efficiently.
Purify the Grave
- Keeps frites off my back. Can't play Rest in Peace because of 5 important copies of Flashback spells.
Dissipate
- Need to counter those big threats such as Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker, Bonfire of the Damned or
Angel of Serenity
Terminus
- When you need aggravate your opponent by screwing up whatever they were doing,
Terminus
. Synergy with
Thragtusk
, Jace and Tamiyo especially well.
Supreme Verdict - Uncounterable Day of Judgment
