Sideboard


Introduction

Drana, Liberator of Malakir is ready to lead the charge against the Edlrazi! Her soldiers do not fear death and her bravery bolsters their resolve. Watch your forces die only to unleash more threats, and come back to do it all again. The Eldrazi may be big but they've never faced a foe this relentless.

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This deck looks to win through value and a fierce early game. Against control, it can play fast and hard for early win potential. It tends to have an edge over other aggressive builds due to it's grindy nature if the game goes long, and it can hold its own against the midrange. will be the base colour of choice, with and splashed for access to powerful Abzan cards and face-beaters.

General Strategy

This deck wants to play an aggressive early game for quick life advantage with very little drawback for us, and settle in for a grindy match as things start to go long.

Our strategy will be fairly flexible. Although this deck can never hope to play the control game as efficiently as a dedicated control build, we can choose to an extent how fast we wish to play; against aggressive decks, allow a few early hits and then settle in to grind them down as they burn themselves out. Against midrange, play fast for early advantage and then shift gears. Against control, hit as hard as possible for an early win.

The Beatdowns

If the matchup requires speed, an opening hand with Bloodsoaked Champion, Warden of the First Tree, or both is desirable. Get your one-drops out early before your opponent even has spells online and get in for as much damage as possible.

The most aggressive two drop at our disposal here is Den Protector . Unable to be blocked by pesky Arashin Cleric , this thing can get through board stalls and get early point advantage.

Turn three is when things get good. Drana, Liberator of Malakir, the namesake of this deck, allows for massive damage swings, and on the play against control, a turn three Drana is devastating. Once she's on board, swing away.

There are other beatdown tools at our disposal; Dromoka's Command and Abzan Charm can both function as decent combat tricks. Abzan Ascendancy provides a massive buff on a developed board. And Siege Rhino, of course, is Siege Rhino.

The Grind

If value and attrition are required, well, we can do that too. Here, a turn three Liliana, Heretical Healer   or Abzan Ascendancy may be more appropriate. When your squad starts to die, don't worry! You'll get spirits and you'll get zombies and you'll get Liliana, Defiant Necromancer   to bring your squad back and do it all again.

Evolutionary Leap can function as an efficient creature engine for us, and has beautiful synergy with Bloodsoaked Champion. If you're lucky enough to also have Abzan Ascendancy in play, you can raid and sac as many times as possible for spirits and a full hand.

Ob Nixilis Reignited is another card worth mentioning as an effective grind-master. Threat removal and card draw on a stick are nothing to sneeze at, and if the game goes really long, that ultimate will seal the deal for you.

Bloodsoaked Champion

All kinds of value for us, it can get in for some serious damage if it comes down turn one, and it can come back to the field fairly easily for us. A nice way to get death triggers for Abzan Ascendancy or Liliana, Heretical Healer  .

Warden of the First Tree

An efficient early game beater that's also a mana dump and stabilizer against aggressive decks. If not answered it will win the game. This card is just great.

Den Protector

Can break board stalls with its "can't be blocked" ability and gets us back important threats.

Hangarback Walker

Such a great card with incredible value on death. Can even be cast for 0 to flip Liliana or trigger Ascendancy.

Liliana, Heretical Healer  

A great flip walker that naturally fits quite nicely in this deck. Once flipped she can grind down your opponents hand and keep your board full of threats. A cool synergy with Hangarback Walker and Abzan Ascendancy where you -X for 0 to trigger Ascendancy.

Drana, Liberator of Malakir

The leader, the beater, she buffs your whole team before regular combat damage if she gets through and forces your opponent to either trade down or take a bunch of damage. Keep the skies clear if you can and this card will win the game.

Siege Rhino

Best card.

This current iteration of the deck has seen two FNMs, the first of which I piloted to a flawless victory, and the second of which I lost in the finals. Not a bad start! Will be going to two Game Day tournaments this weekend.

This is still (as always) a work in progress, including the description! Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated, and if you like the deck, +1!

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Date added 8 years
Last updated 8 years
Legality

This deck is not Standard legal.

Rarity (main - side)

11 - 0 Mythic Rares

32 - 0 Rares

8 - 9 Uncommons

0 - 6 Commons

Cards 60
Avg. CMC 2.22
Tokens Emblem Liliana, Defiant Necromancer, Emblem Ob Nixilis Reignited, Emblem Sorin, Solemn Visitor, Spirit 1/1 W, Thopter 1/1 C, Vampire 2/2 B, Zombie 2/2 B
Folders Buildable, ideas for Abzan Aggro post rotation , Standard, Standard Test Decks, bfz, Features, abzan cards, Decks , interesting
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