Gruul Enrageasaurs (Modern MTG Deck)

"Gruul Enrageasaurs" is a Modern deck that I constructed due to my fascination with dinosaurs. Sadly, dinosaur-based decks cannot be as competitive when compared to other decks within the Modern format, I have however evolved this deck to become more competitive and will continue to do so throughout the future. This deck is loosely based off other Modern decks such as "Ponza" or "Red-Green Midrange", mainly taking the Mana ramp options of those decks with Arbor Elf and Utopia Sprawl. Some land destruction does transfer over from the "Ponza" deck with Beast Within, which may also target other threats such as creatures or planeswalkers. Additional land destruction does exist within the sideboard being Pillage.

Early-game

Early game advantage in terms of Mana is a necessity for decks containing high converted Mana cost creatures, and this is what I attempt to achieve with Arbor Elf, Utopia Sprawl and Marauding Raptor. Arbor Elf may untap a Forest, of which may be enchanted with Utopia Sprawl to effectively generate four total Mana. Marauding Raptor is the dinosaur enabling the enrage ability to become somewhat viable within Modern, alongside reducing the cost of creatures within the deck regardless of creature type. Not to mention the ability that can allow it to become a 4/3 or 6/3 creature until the end of turn, most opponents just take the damage over trading with a two Mana cost creature. To assist in finding and placing key creatures on the battlefield, there are three copies of Finale of Devastation. This card may also be useful when an answer is required to deal with the opponent's board, such as destroying an artifact/enchantment through Thrashing Brontodon or dealing with the graveyard plus gaining some life with Klothys, God of Destiny.

Mid-game

Mid game is the point of which this deck begins to flood the board with high power and toughness creatures, leaving the opponent to either answer the board or race you. Here is generally cards such as Klothys, God of Destiny may be played, which can begin the player to gain life and deal damage; or simply to provide additional Mana ramp. Other cards within the mid game category would include Wrenn and Six, Thrashing Brontodon, Beast Within and Ripjaw Raptor. Depending on the amount of ramp, Regisaur Alpha could fall into this category too. Wrenn and Six allows the ability to ping enrage creatures for their ability, in addition to returning Wooded Foothills or Windswept Heath from the graveyard after sacrificing it. These lands also allow the player to thin their deck increasing the chance of useless draws. Thrashing Brontodon gives the player a slightly above curve creature with the ability to destroy an enchantment or artifact, in addition to providing two devotion for Klothys, God of Destiny to become a creature. Ripjaw Raptor is the creature of which provides card draw within this deck, also offering a big threat that could be harmful to remove through direct damage. In addition to that; Upon entering with a Marauding Raptor on the battlefield, drawing a card is practically guaranteed. Ghalta, Primal Hunger may also be cast mid game depending on total power of all creatures on the controller's side, and may even have haste if Regisaur Alpha already on the battlefield.

Late-game

Late game is the stage of which this deck could be formidable, assuming the opponent doesn't have the answers required allowing the deck to reach this stage. Cards within this category are Regisaur Alpha and Ghalta, Primal Hunger, both of which are powerhouse cards offering huge value. Regisaur Alpha offers two bodies for the price of one, in addition to giving dinosaurs haste and buffing Marauding Raptor to a 6/3 creature due to the token also being a dinosaur. Ghalta, Primal Hunger is simply a massive dinosaur with trample, that may be cast turn three if the board is correct. Sometimes however, Carnage Tyrant may be a better alternative due to the difficulty involved in removing it and is the reason why it exists within the sideboard, mainly good against control decks or other decks which can answer threats easily.

Combos/lands

Combos

There are multiple combos within the deck, such as: Arbor Elf + Utopia Sprawl , Marauding Raptor + Ripjaw Raptor , Wooded Foothills + Wrenn and Six or Windswept Heath + Wrenn and Six and Marauding Raptor + Regisaur Alpha .

Lands

Regarding the lands however, I opted for four copies of Wooded Foothills and Windswept Heath to find forests or potentially mountains when required, in addition to the benefit of returning them with Wrenn and Six. Stomping Ground is a forest and mountain simultaneously, allowing Utopia Sprawl to be enchanted upon itself. Pendelhaven may seem like a curious addition in this deck, but there is a valid reason for it. That reason is to keep Arbor Elf alive upon placing it with Marauding Raptor on the battlefield, in addition to that, it allows yourself to send the Arbor Elves to war alongside the dinosaurs! Reason for a high number of basic forests over mountains is due to Utopia Sprawl, in addition to more early game green spells.

Any suggestions for this deck would be greatly appreciated, thank you everyone for your suggestions both from before and future!

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Casual

88% Competitive

Date added	4 years
Last updated	3 years
Exclude colors	WUB
Splash colors	RG
Key combos	Arbor Elf + Utopia Sprawl Marauding Raptor + Ripjaw Raptor Marauding Raptor + Regisaur Alpha Wooded Foothills + Wrenn and Six Windswept Heath + Wrenn and Six
Legality	This deck is Modern legal.
Rarity (main - side)	4 - 2 Mythic Rares 37 - 5 Rares 4 - 8 Uncommons 4 - 0 Commons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	2.38
Tokens	Dinosaur 3/3 G w/ Trample, Emblem Wrenn and Six
Folders	Dinos, decks
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