This is a combo deck built for MTGO pauper. I've done quite a bit of testing, and it appears to be performing quite well. It's a bit susceptible to counterspells, but most matchups against decks that are aggressive or have little disruption have been much easier.
The Combo
The primary win condition is Midnight Guard + Presence of Gond. Resolving both of these lets you make infinite 1/1 tokens. So basically Splinter Twin in Pauper, right?
Other Pieces
Alternatively, Devoted Druid +
Sigil of the Nayan Gods
+ Presence of Gond makes infinite tokens too. Devoted Druid also provides some acceleration alongside Avacyn's Pilgrim, so it's an easy include. Sigil can also cycle for a single mana, which is incredibly useful when instead assembling the Guard combo.
Commune with the Gods and
Heliod's Pilgrim
help to dig for combo pieces, usually Presence of Gond but sometimes a Sigil or Guard. The Pilgrim also leaves a body around to get around edicts or chump.
The Crop Rotation toolbox is exceptional - this card is great. I've been using it in Infect, but it works just as well here. For a single green mana you can tutor up a
Sejiri Steppe
to counter targeted removal, or Khalni Garden to avoid an edict effect. All at instant-speed!
Four Vines of Vastwood is a must - it counters targeted removal, can break opponents' combos (such as Ghostly Flicker ft. Mnemonic Wall), or even be used as a ritual if you have a Druid out.
One-of Mana Tithe is super-secret tech. No one ever plays around it, and it's great to hit a turn one or two play with it. It is good against aggressive decks like Burn, Goblins, even Fiend/Eye Candy but is miserable against decks like Elves or Tron and gets very bad after turn two or three. It often hits a Counterspell too. It's optional, but I like the one copy maindeck.
Sideboard
-
Circle of Protection: Red
: This is for red aggressive decks, primarily burn. It can also be sided in against Fiend/Eye Candy.
-
Dawn Charm
: Useful against aggro for the fog, and can also counter burn aimed at your face, or edicts. The regenerate mode counters other removal, or works as a combat trick.
-
Journey to Nowhere
: Efficient removal for problematic creatures.
- Mana Tithe: A second copy, good for some matchups.
- Nature's Claim: One-mana answer against Affinity, and sometimes Tron. Giving life is irrelevant since our win condition is infinite and we don't have a whole lot of green creatures, so this is usually better than
Gleeful Sabotage
.
-
Razor Barrier
: Answers enchantment removal from the opponent, while also protecting against removal/combat. Could be replaced by
Avoid Fate
.
Suggestions are welcome!
