Arithmetic Lesson
Pioneer
SCORE: 171 | 237 COMMENTS | 33987 VIEWS | IN 132 FOLDERS
Addition of Nissa, Voice of Zendikar —March 7, 2016
Over the past year, I have acquired the cards for this deck via mostly draft or trading prize packs for singles and spending only about $10 cash. With that in mind (and considering KTK/FRF rotation is coming), I was reluctant to purchase any copies of Nissa, Voice of Zendikar for the deck. But then, after three Harden Scales decks placed Top 8 at two major events last weekend, and after listening to a few interviews with some pro players, I decided Nissa, Voice of Zendikar was worth the investment.
Let me be clear by saying my deck is not a Net Deck. I brewed this deck around Hardened Scales and Abzan Falconer just over a year ago when I first began playing MTG. However, I do compare and contrast my decklist to similar decks on TappedOut.net and I take pros' tips into consideration. The potential of adding one or more counters on EACH of my creatures in a single turn was too good to ignore.
While the decks that placed Top 8 were playing four copies of Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, due to budget constraints, I decided three was enough for my deck. If needed, I could add a single Call the Gatewatch in place of a forth Nissa. To make room for the Planeswalker, I decided to remove a one Abzan Falconer and to Sideboard both Abzan Battle Priests. After playing this deck nearly every day for a year, I feel confident that three Abzan Falconers is enough to insure I will be Flying in for lethal damage in most games. The life gain from Abzan Battle Priest has allowed me to come back and win games, so I was a little reluctant to move him to the Sideboard. When compared to Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, its clear to see that Nissa provides more direct influence on the deck's main win condition. Abzan Battle Priest is only really great against two match-ups anyway: Burn or other Aggro decks, so the sideboard seems to be the most logical place him now.
After the upcoming KTK/FRF rotation, too many vital cards in this deck will be leaving the Standard format. The deck doesn't seem like it will be viable after rotation, but I will not be dismantling it. It's is too fun to take apart so it will live on as a Modern/Casual deck. Who knows, maybe in a couple years it could be competitive in Modern.
Finally, at the request of a few commenters, I have cleaned up the comments section by reseting the discussion. I would like to again thank everyone who has commented on this deck and given me suggestions! As new sets are released, please feel free to continue to leave comments and more suggestions. The advice I received from you all has been invaluable in helping me tune my deck for continued success.
Thank you!
Fantastic deck! Really wish I had one. Any thoughts on what you will do next rotation and you loose Hardened Scales and some other big parts?
November 11, 2015 3:11 p.m.
Amornar, thanks! I really enjoy this deck. After rotation I think this deck is pretty much over. It will lose too many cards that are vital to its won conditions. I think I will just continue to play the deck in a casual environment.
I have already built another deck that I plan on using post the next rotation.
Rally to Battle!
Standard
SCORE: 4 | 7 COMMENTS | 1643 VIEWS
November 11, 2015 4:52 p.m.
UpperDeckerTaco says... #4
Ever thought about splashing a tiny bit of Blue (a couple of Flooded Strand and 1 or 2 Prairie Stream) for either/or Dispel, Ojutai's Command, Stubborn Denial, and Disdainful Stroke? It wouldn't be hard to accomplish and it gives you great game against Jace decks.
November 13, 2015 4:17 p.m.
UpperDeckerTaco, thanks for the comment.
I haven't considered splashing blue but it's an interesting suggestion and I have the land cards to make it happen.
November 13, 2015 5:31 p.m.
I swear by the value of Stubborn Denial. Today I had my Managorger go from 1 to 5 to 9 counters thanks to twice foiling a removal spell - once Feat of Resistance, once Stubborn Denial. I also countered a Languish and a Hordeling Outburst in different matches.
Ojutai's Command is too pricy. Disdainful Stroke is worth playing in sideboard.
I also like Evolutionary Leap. It's great to sac Hangarback Walker, get 4 thopters and draw another creature. Also you can sac Servant of the Scale, distribute counters and get something. And you can beat removal spells, chump block without card disadvantage, and outlast virtually any control matchup. It's easy card advantage, and a way to dig for the key card you need, whether Hangardback or Managorger or Falconer.
November 13, 2015 10:34 p.m.
RogueAngel says... #8
May I recommend ainok bond kin or splashing black for mer-ek nightblade and drana. zalso undergrowth champion and ivory tuskfortress.
November 16, 2015 10:30 p.m.
RogueAngel, thanks for the suggestions. This deck started off Abzan, but I found it functioned better and was more consistent with two colors.
November 17, 2015 1:47 p.m.
Psychosocial, thanks for the suggestion. I already have Stasis Snare mainboard. In your opinion, what, if any, advantages does Silkwrap have over Stasis Snare other than costing less mana?
November 17, 2015 1:51 p.m.
TheLordStormCrow says... #12
I have made a budget version of this deck, and was wondering if you could take a look at it and make any suggestions for improvements? G/W Counters.If possible, i would like the price to stay where it is at a maximum or go down. Thanks!
November 17, 2015 3:11 p.m.
TheLordStormCrow says... #13
Also, Undergrowth Champion could work well in this deck, especially with the fetches.
November 17, 2015 3:13 p.m.
I'd say the casting cost alone is worth it.. You'd rarely have any need to flash a snare. Mana advantage.
November 17, 2015 3:45 p.m.
D.Bauer338 says... #15
When sideboarding, what cards do you like to replace? +1
November 21, 2015 12:30 a.m.
D.Bauer338, usually Valorous Stance because in some match-ups, like Allies/Aggro, its sort of a dead card. Also one Harden Scales could come out, maybe even one Dromoka's Command. Endless One would be the creature I'd take out if any, but I prefer to keep 26 creatures in most match-ups.
Thanks for the comment!
November 21, 2015 1:10 a.m.
lordmalphas says... #17
yes, you should add in wooded foothills because in an emergency it will give you white mana and because deck thinning is a thing, even if its not a super-impactful thing (but there is some, especially in an aggro deck)
December 14, 2015 8:36 p.m.
Rotting_Corpse says... #18
Wooded Foothills could work out, if you toss in a Cinder Glade which would open up access to Atarka's Command, Deflecting Palm, Temur Battle Rage, Titan's Strength etc. for sideboard options
December 15, 2015 12:09 a.m.
Do you think you could make this into a modern deck after rotation?
December 15, 2015 12:57 p.m.
polydamas, thanks for the question. This deck is too much fun to dismantle after rotation so I will use it as Modern deck. I am not sure of what changes I would make, if any.
December 15, 2015 1:11 p.m.
Hey darleen I posted before, wanted to say still love the deck. So much that you inspired me to do up my own version (with heavy influence from you and other similar decks on here). Ordering the rest of what I need later this week. I am also planning to keep it together and play it for modern come rotation. If you had any suggestions for me would be open to them. Cheers!!
December 15, 2015 2:26 p.m.
alex105008 says... #22
Actually, if you look at what g/w aggro was back in Avacyn/Innisdrad times, you could find some good cards from there for modern. I personally like Champion of the Parish, and it would work with some more human synergies.
December 15, 2015 8:54 p.m.
What about these cards when it goes modern?
December 18, 2015 2:08 p.m.
I made a modern version of this deck here.
Please let me know what you think.
darleen says... #1
tiltstern, thanks for the comment. Citadel Siege is a great card and its meta fits in perfectly with this deck. However, at 4 mana, its too slow for what I am trying to accomplish. I had it in the deck's original build, but found Dromoka's Command to be much stronger in its place.
November 7, 2015 1:10 p.m.