A deck focused on solid early game ramp and steady land drops, then running over your opponents with a flood of huge creatures before they can mount a response.
***Thinking about taking this to a free modern tourney at a game store downtown. I've only ever played this deck with friends (almost all of them much more experienced than myself) and it's had very positive results (somewhere around 20-5). This store has some hardcore type players. Will this deck compete in modern or just get owned?
Here's some brief points on how all the parts work and why they were chosen.
The Ramp: Elvish Mystic gives us a turn 1 play option. Sylvan Caryatid is a great two drop dork that is immune to most early removal. Voyaging Satyr isn't amazing but can combine with Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx for TONS of mana. Courser of Kruphix is a great card that keeps land drops coming and gains life at the same time. Evolving Wilds is played because of the double life gain with this card. Savage Ventmaw gives even more mana late game and is part of a nice combo.
The Meat: Polukranos, World Eater is so powerful for a 4 drop. Hitting this guy on turn 3 is always nice.
Mistcutter Hydra
really shines in a ramp/ devotion type deck. He's decent early in the game, but just plain terrifying when cast for 15 mana. Kalonian Hydra is probably one of the strongest creatures in this deck. It also has nice synergy with
Mistcutter Hydra
, as well as a monstrous Polukranos, World Eater or Stormbreath Dragon. This guy can hit for 16 trample the same turn he is played when paired with Xenagos, God of Revels. Stormbreath Dragon is a nice bodied, hasty flier with protection from a hateful color. This guys only gets bigger! Atarka, World Render is at the top of the curve here. This card demands an answer in 1-2 turns or it's usually a loss for the opponent. When combined with Xenagos, God of Revels this powerhouse is mostly lethal the same turn that it's played. 24 in the air with trample is just craziness. Not to mention the huge advantage this card gives to the other dragons in the deck.
Conditional Cards: These cards affect the overall board state and give distinct advantages when played appropriately. Xenagos, God of Revels is an all around great card to play. Makes anything a threat and is pesky to remove. If it's in your hand get it on the board! It really fuels a lot of the wins with this deck. Xenagos, the Reveler is perfect for this deck. All three abilities compliment everything that you are trying to accomplish. 4 turns and he goes ultimate and usually wins you the game. Ruric Thar, the Unbowed is pretty cool and fun to play in this deck because there's not many cards that can hurt you in this deck while he's out. It's basically a big F U to control decks. Hellkite Charger is sort of lackluster by itself, but when combined with Savage Ventmaw it creates an alternate win-con. 10 combat phases you say? Sign me up!
The Spells: Atarka's Command is a nice utility spell that gets better in multiplayer. Pretty much always use this to a hit an extra land drop. Crater's Claws is great for flinging the abundance of mana you generate. This often kills opponents just because it's hard to counter and catches most people off guard.
So that is the deck. Let me know what you think about this storm of scales and revelry and please vote if you like it :)
