Abzan Aggro/Midrange deck with focus on early value and late game pressence.
The deck mostly fixates on the midrange, but instead of ramp, it uses strong, cheap to play creatures that provides the most value, namely
Fleecemane Lion
and Warden of the First Tree. These cards are used instead of ramp cards such as Elvish Mystic or Sylvan Caryatid because they provide more overall value in an aggressive deck such as this. It is entirely possible for an opponent to completely ignore ramp creatures and focus on countering or killing whatever large creature is cast with their mana, but
Fleecemane Lion
and Warden of the First Tree are both significant threats that the opponent will have to deal with sooner or later, even if they are initially ignored.
Rakshasa Deathdealer
is also commonly played, but suffers in terms of tempo, as it has a high mana cost to sustain itself. While that can easily be a game changer, especially in terms of viability and options, it can slow down the deck enough that the opponent can get an upper hand.
Den Protector
and Thoughtseize both suffer from similar pacing problems.
With this strong aggressive start, the game transitions into a control game. The deck features a large amount of removals to take care of any opposing creatures. Abzan Charm and Dromoka's Command focuses on versatile offense and defense capabilities, and are all around excellent choices against most match-ups. Ultimate Price is amazing in the current meta, but can be sideboarded out in case the opponent plays mostly multi-colored creatures. What these cards all share is a very low mana cost, assisting in maintaining high tempo. Hero's Downfall has similar strengths to Ultimate Price, but with the ability to target planeswalkers (and multi-coloured creatures), for just one additional mana. While it is unlikely that Hero's Downfall is castable in turn 3, it is most likely that it will be more useful later on. Also later on in the game, Elspeth, Sun's Champion will be able to cancel out what board advantage the opponent might have gained.
While creature removal is essential, tempo has to be maintained. Both Anafenza, the Foremost and
Surrak, the Hunt Caller
are excellent in mid range, as both easily provides +5 attack on turn 4. Similarly, Tasigur, the Golden Fang is likely cast around this point as well, and it is very likely that he can be cast in conjunction with a creature removal spell in the same turn for increased tempo.
Boon Satyr
has incredible flexibility, and the flash is very useful for surprise defense removal, as well as surprise creature survival. In terms of tempo, the best case scenario for the deck is Anafenza, the Foremost
+
Surrak, the Hunt Caller
+
Warden of the First Tree
for 19 damage turn 4.
A major issue with the deck is health. As focus is heavily on speed, damage lands are utilized significantly. This has the unfortunate effect of causing games to end too soon, and the increased tempo meaning little. However, both Sorin, Solemn Visitor and Wingmate Roc completely turns this problem on its head, and turns it into a advantage. These cards provides significant
The deck also has 4x Siege Rhino, because a deck without 4x Siege Rhino is not a deck worth playing.
Special focus should be put on the lands. Caves of Koilos, Llanowar Wastes and Windswept Heath allows for providing the three colors required, while still entering play untapped. The life loss is significant, as explained, but the increased tempo is essential to the deck. Temple of Silence, Temple of Malady, Temple of Plenty and
Sandsteppe Citadel
all comes into play tapped, but are both worth it for the flow of the game, as while the tempo does in fact take a hit, these lands help maintain the flow of the game.
Sideboard
Bile Blight - Terrific card against anything that plays multiple creatures that are 3/3 or less. This includes most tokens, as well as
Fleecemane Lion
. Excelent removal against anything but control decks, and is great to sideboard in instead of Hero's Downfall.
Dragonlord Dromoka - This card can be make-or-break against counter decks. The simple fact that it can't be countered can ruin the day of many decks, and the ability to prevent the opponent from acting on your turn makes it a huge blow against players who like to save mana for instants. Also makes
Fleecemane Lion
much safer to turn monstrous.
Drown in Sorrow - vast majority of the creatures in this deck survives -2/-2, but can wreck absolute havoc against more aggressive aggro decks or decks with Hornet Queen. The scry 1 is also another nice bonus.
Duress - A big problem with the mainboard is that it is utterly defenseless against control decks. Sideboarding in 4 duress will not only help prevent the opponent from simply saving two mana and pretending to have a counter ready, but will be able to take the opponent off guard if they are sitting with that one spell ready to grab a Rhino.
Hunt the Hunter
- Excellent choice against other Abzan decks, and will often be useful against R/G decks as well.
Rakshasa Deathdealer
- I previously stated, I do not believe this card is worthy of being in the main board, but against control matchups I have plenty of instants to sideboard out. Deathdealer, like Warden of the First Tree, is easily cast early and is extremely powerful later on. Is also a good matchup against rush decks, where leaving up mana for a regeneration can stop quite a number of creatures, such as Lightning Berserker,
Foundry Street Denizen
, Monastery Swiftspear and
Zurgo Bellstriker
.
Valorous Stance
- Extremely good removal card that doubles as protection. Being able to protect a
Fleecemane Lion
and kill 3 defending goblins, or just destroy Dragonlord Atarka is really good.
Valorous Stance
should be easily fit in mainboard.
