Why is card XY in the deck?
Path to Exile and
Kor Hookmaster
get rid of potential blockers. Especially Hookmaster basically is a removal on a stick, which is pretty neat in white.
Kytheon, Hero of Akros
and Dryad Militant are the best possible 1-drops that are soldiers. Savannah Lions with an upside.
Soldier of the Pantheon
would be another option for those slots, but doesn't become big like Gideon and doesn't disrupt some decks from the beginning like the Dryad.
Ballyrush Banneret
is a mana dork which can attack. Probably alongside Preeminent Captain the most important card for this deck.
Speaking of important cards,
Field Marshal
is probably one of the best white lords. No Knight Exemplar, but supports an overall better tribe.
Captain of the Watch may seem too expensive, but with Preeminent Captain and
Windbrisk Heights
I run 8 enablers in the deck to get her earlier, and if it works, the game is usually over.
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Brimaz, King of Oreskos and Ranger of Eos are generally nice creatures that just happen to be soldiers. In the Ranger slot, I also tested Mentor of the Meek (the deck wants to kill too fast to use mana for his effect),
Veteran Swordsmith
(was okay, but Ranger just seemed better) and Hero of Bladehold (comes too late to be dangerous) and wasn't convinced by any of them.
Windbrisk Heights
draws a card and enables Captain of the Watch. I came to the conclusion that's worth the small loss of speed.
Flagstones of Trokair and Eiganjo Castle are plains with an upside. There are 9 legendary creatures for Castle in this deck, which makes it pretty nice.
Mutavault explains itself.
Why is card XY not in the deck?
Aether Vial is an interesting one. It was in the very first version of this deck, and as strange as it sounds, I put it out.
It's not a creature, and a horrible topdeck. Usually I clear my hand by turn 4, and past that, Vial doesn't do much, although Field Marshal combat tricks and EOT surprise Preeminent Captains can be nice. But Ballyrush Banneret, of all cards, proved to be better, because it has a body and accelerates the creature drop rate similarly to Vial.
Cavern of Souls would be a very nice addition and will be put in the deck as soon as I can afford it.
