Spark Trooper

Creature — Elemental Soldier

Trample, lifelink, haste

At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice Spark Trooper.

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	Legal
Archenemy	Legal
Arena	Legal
Block Constructed	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (49)

Zarthalius on Rakdos Reanimental

1 year ago

I love this deck idea, its one of my favorite!

Here is what I did; I went Mardu for Spark Trooper (lifegain) and some other artifact/enchantment removal options. I know you specified that the Trooper is missed by Unearth but it is not missed by Thunderkin Awakener or Flamekin Harbinger (tutor). My deck is so aggressive that I personally found that my graveyard could run dry, especially when Thunderkin was doing his job, making Unearth sometimes not helpful. So, I focus on Thunderkin as a main reanimation strategy with Unearth being backup.

Speaking of Unearth, may I suggest using the new on-theme version: Unearth

I found that drawing into new elementals was very important so that my graveyard could be full. But I do this by playing the elementals, not discarding them. To do this I decided to use a card I've always wanted to make work in a deck: Infiltration Lens. this card is really nice because Thunderkin must attack to trigger and him getting blocked is most likely how he’ll die. When he is equipped with the lens, your opponent must choose between a second graveyard elemental (next turn) or two new cards from your library. You can easily draw into more trample elementals or maybe another Thunderkin or an Unearth to reanimate Thunderkin. This repeatable draw gets out of hand really quick.

I also use Stigma Lasher to help fill the early game but he also shuts down lifegain decks by turn 3. Infiltration Lens equipped to him is also hilarious.

I just recently replaced Double Cleave (the double strike strategy) with the newly reprinted Twinflame. It makes sense to also use Twinflame on Thunderkin Awakener where double strike didn't. Its kind-of like a 2drop (with "strive") Unearth; it helps emphasize Thunderkin being my main strategy.

I also recently started using Bone Shards because, as other users have pointed out, you can discard to use it before combat or use it after combat and sacrifice one of the elementals that will self-sac anyways.

Anyways, If you are interested, here is the link to my deck for reference.

The Elemental Paradox

Zarthalius on Balls Lightning

1 year ago

Really nice! I've been perfecting my elemental Mardu deck for a year or so now. My goal was budget, heavy hitting tramplers, and reanimation. I had many of the same ideas you have here except white gives me access to Spark Trooper for lifegain.

• Stigma Lasher has a very nice place in my deck. It helps fill the early game but also shuts down lifegain decks by turn 3.
• I just recently replaced Double Cleave (the double strike strategy) with the newly reprinted Twinflame. It makes sense to also use Twinflame on Thunderkin Awakener where Double Cleave didn't. I figured 1 instant speed double strike 6/1 was weaker then 2 6/1s from my graveyard. This could possibly be a solution to your search for more Unearth-like cards.
• Speaking of Unearth, may I suggest using the new on-theme version: Unearth
• I decided to protect Thunderkin Awakener with Infiltration Lens because him getting blocked is most likely how he’ll die. This is because, Thunderkin must attack to trigger so why not force your opponents to decide between 1 elemental from your graveyard or maybe two from the top of your deck. Plus, I usually have an Unearth in hand. Or, maybe I'll draw into another Thunderkin.
• Also, Infiltration Lens can also be equipped to the 6/1s to encourage full damage throughput.
• There have been some games I’ve played where my graveyard seemed to run just a little dry. All my reanimation cards felt like dead cards especially when Thunderkin Awakener was doing his job. I found that drawing extra into more elementals was more reliable.

I do like a few cards you are using. I’ll look into replacing my Fall of the Hammer with Bone Shards; I really like what has been said here about it. Also Blood Mist sounds fun; I wounder if its not too slow.

If you are interested, here is the link to my deck for reference. Tappedout thinks its 75% competitive.

The Elemental Paradox

Chasmolinker on Rakdos Reanimental

1 year ago

AbyssusDraconem that sounds like a Jeskai build... Spark Trooper would be OK at 3 MV but it doesn't connect with Unearth.

This list already has enough ways to bin cards with Lightning Axe, Cathartic Reunion and Collective Brutality. If there were any room for it, Altar's Reap would be a good card to sac the Lightnings after combat for added value.

AbyssusDraconem on Rakdos Reanimental

1 year ago

Mattydap Hey there. Long time no see as far as this list is concerned; if you want to make it more modern, one of the first things I'd recommend is going 4c, honestly. You gain Spark Trooper that way, but also more importantly get access to Faithful Mending which is an excellent way to start binning cards. You also get access to some excellent removal pieces such as Prismatic Ending and excellent card advantage such as Expressive Iteration, all of which I think would make this deck excel. Let me know if you need any other help and I'll try to keep an eye on this list. Thanks!

Kazuhahaha on GR8 BALLS

2 years ago

cmgoffena13: actually i wanna amend my previous statement about 4-drops. a Collected Company route with the deck would work, and imo it's a much better way to spend 4 mana than Spark Trooper .

but if you cut the white from your deck and update the lands, casting Groundbreaker every game will be no sweat.

Kazuhahaha on GR8 BALLS

2 years ago

cmgoffena13: keep the Unclaimed Territory , add Cavern of Souls , fetch lands, and shock lands. you'll definitely be casting Groundbreaker . cut Evolving Wilds and Nomad Outpost . cut the Spark Trooper since it's you're only white card, and you can't afford 4-drops here when you're not attacking until turn 3. assuming you even "have" 4 mana turn 4, better to spend it casting a 3 mana ball, then either unearth/assault strobe. you can cut the pyroclasm's and thrills to max out on unearth, assault strobe, and add bolts to pair with push to help keep you alive until turn 3.

NoopyNolife on (Un)Living Lightning

3 years ago

Ooh this looks fun! I think a light splash in white for Spark Trooper might be worth your while. It'll help recovering versus other aggro decks for sure.

Heavy-Metal on Brion, Armstrong

3 years ago

Casey4321 Thanks, FMA is so good i couldn't help myself. Malignus is good, maybe Malignus > Spark Trooper? however i do like how Recruiter of the Guard can keep tempo up with Spark Trooper. I have Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker on the side along with a couple swords but i took them out as i dont want to irk my playgroup too much.