Standard is really open at the moment. There isnt a 'defining' deck, there doesn't appear to be a particularly over-performing deck. Therefore I wanted to create a brew using two cards that, I believe, to be under used in standard. These are Enigma Drake and Glyph Keeper.
Firstly Enigma Drake with its 4 toughness dodges a lot of the commom removal that's around in standard at the moment including lightning strike, Abrade, shock and an un-revolted Fatal Push. As well as being able to attack in the air for some serious damage the more the graveyard is filled.
Secondly Glyph Keeper is a straight up four-for-one. Requiring two removal spells to kill it and then a further two when it is embalmed. A very resilient threat.
Consequently I decided to create a deck based around these two cards as my win condition.
The Creature Suite
Enigma Drake - as stated above an efficient threat that is resilient to early game removal. Sure it will die to the later game removal of Cast Out and Vraska's Contempt, but should be good against early removal. I ideally want to try slot some Fling somewhere in the deck incase they do remove the Drake and I can throw it at their face.
Glyph Keeper - again another flying threat that hits in the air for five damage a turn. It's extremely resilient and requires a total of four removal spells to see it gone for good. The only issue is the 3 power toughness meaning that it's vulnerable to two cheap burn spells.
The Draw/Graveyard Suite
Cathartic Reunion - I get to pitch two instants or sorceries to the graveyard in order to fuel a more powerful Enigma Drake and draw three cards as well. A great draw card as well as funding one of my win cons.
Search for Azcanta - another way to filter my draws and fill up the graveyard depending on what I have in hand. Later in the game a constant source of card filtering.
Hieroglyphic Illumination - Early game this shall be used as a draw one and fill up the graveyard. An efficient way of getting an instant in the graveyard turn 1. Later game it will be used to draw 2 at instant speed.
Strategic Planning - I was torn between this card and Opt, I settled on Strategic planning as this card can potentially put as many as three instant/sorceries in the graveyard whilst giving me card selection. The only issue I have is that it is at sorcery speed. I may find myself swapping this for Opt in the future.
The Counter Suite
Disallow - a great catch all counter spell that can also counter abilities, including PW Ultimates.
Negate - a cheap interactive way to protect my few win cons. These shall mainly be used to protect Enigma Drakes as they are the most vulnerable. Or alternatively blow out my opponent if they use a second removal spell on Glyph Keeper. It will also counter pesky sweepers.
Essence Scatter - between this, Disallow and one other card they are my only answer to serious creature threats from my opponents like The Scarab God and Hazoret.
The Removal Suite
Lightning Strike - Early game removal for small creatures and can also push the last points of damage through to my opponent.
Abrade - this seems like a really good removal spell at the moment it can remove early threats or later game threats in the form of Gearhulks, God-Pharaohs Gifts and Aethersphere Harvesters.
Winds of Rebuke - again this is a card I am unsure of. On the surface it seems AMAZING, it does everything I want. It bounces cards that I am unable to counter such as the afformentioned Hazoret or Scarab God, it fills up my graveyard further and it potentially trims my opponents deck of threats. However I have no control over what goes in the graveyard, I may lose one of my few win cons. Although the Sphinx can atleast be embalmed. I'll have to see how it plays out, but I may need an alternative card.
I currently have no sideboard and would like some help with this. Also any suggestions and comments to help improve the main board are always greatly appreciated :).
