Most Polymorph decks of both today and times past use tokens as polymorph fodder, and play defense while setting up the combo.
I began building with this strategy, but as I looked at more and more token generators, I became less convinced that I should build a Polymorph deck with Tokens, and more convinced that I should play a Tokens deck with Polymorph. Unlike most Polymorph decks, we will begin as an aggressive tokens deck, and add a touch of combo with some unexpected defenses.
Token Aggro Core
The core of this deck is the large number of efficient token generators available to us. The most commonly seen is Raise the Alarm. It is so strong that the Modern format competitive Tokens deck plays this card. The versatility stems from its use as surprise blockers or being played at the end of an opponents turn for an immediate threat. Raise the Alarm is supplemented with Selesnya Charm. This charm is far more than another instant speed token maker. Its Exile mode is highly relevant in a format with
Polukranos, World Eater
and Desecration Demon running rampant.
Since this is an aggro deck, we need even more power than these two instant speed threats. Call of the Conclave serves as another strong threat to apply pressure on turn 2. With a combination of these three cards, we should always have an early board presence.As the game progresses, smaller tokens become outmatched. This is when we progress to our larger token generator. Advent of the Wurm is a crushing 5 trampling power at instant speed. It can turn an opponents attack into a retreat, or suddenly close out a game by being cast at the end of our opponents turn.Finally, there is
Dictate of Heliod
as a surprise buff to push our tokens over the top. You can quickly end a game with an unexpected
Dictate of Heliod
, and every one of our token making cards now puts at least 5 power into play. When the tokens are a real threat, the combo element of the deck becomes stronger.
Originally, I had considered running Brimaz, King of Oreskos. Unfortunately, Brimaz, King of Oreskos does not fare well against todays opposing decks. While his legendary supertype and token-making habits look like a great combination with Jalira, Master Polymorphist, he dies to many cheaper removal spells and fails to match other midgame threats or defenses.
Jalira Combo Elements
With these token generators, Jalira, Master Polymorphist is prepared to perform her magic. Unlike the original Polymorph spell, Jalira, Master Polymorphist sacrifices a creature as part of the cost of her ability. This means that your opponent cannot play spot removal on a token in response to the ability: a common two-for-one against which Polymorph struggled in the old days. Because Jalira, Master Polymorphist is legendary, you are guaranteed to turn that token into a Worldspine Wurm. There arent very many instant speed Exile cards being played right now, so short of Selesnya Charm, activating Jalira, Master Polymorphist on the end of your opponents turn should guarantee you 15 power even if the Worldspine Wurm is killed.
The best part is that if Jalira, Master Polymorphist lives, you can continue to churn out tokens, because Worldspine Wurm shuffles back into your deck when it dies, you can sacrifice it to Jalira, Master Polymorphist and turn into itself again - and it will leave 15 power in tokens behind. Should the Worldspine Wurm itself die, just polymorph one of the tokens and get back the Worldspine Wurm. Basically, once Worldspine Wurm is out the game is a lot hard to lose.
All these Jalira, Master Polymorphist tricks are dependent on a 4 cost 2/2 creature surviving to untap. Sure, our Plan A of attacking with token swarms is well and good, but wed like have a little more assurance of pulling off our combo. That is where M15 comes to the rescue yet again.
Ephemeral Shields
allows us to protect Jalira, Master Polymorphist even when we are tapped out. Our Raise the Alarm and Selesnya Charm tokens are white, so they can help us cast
Ephemeral Shields
. This generally assures us the ability to cast
Ephemeral Shields
on turn 4 even after tapping out for Jalira, Master Polymorphist. This new card is sure to surprise your opponent, and probably result in their immediate death at the jaws of giant Worldspine Wurms.
Removal Options
Another key M15 card in our tokens strategy is
Devouring Light
. This plays especially well with Raise the Alarm and our other tokens, because people will often assume we are keeping them back to chump block. Thanks to Convoke, there will be plenty of Exiling attackers while your lands are tapped out. Unfortunately, not everything is an attacking or blocking creature. Ive added some Detention Spheres to round out the removal suite, and provide protection against opposing planeswalkers and pack rats.
