If you like Aggro you'll love this. Just like mono-red aggro this deck can quickly do massive damage. It has a good spread of creatures with power and abilities while maintaining heroic variety and effectiveness. Trampling with Anax and Cymede is awesome or everyone climbs onto a
Cavalry Pegasus
and flies to victory.
Play
There are many ways to get 5 to 9 damage in on turn 2.
T1: Monastery Swiftspear,
Favored Hoplite
or
Soldier of the Pantheon
.
T2:
Titan's Strength
on whoever you put out. Sometimes you have 2
Titan's Strength
.
By T3 you may also be swinging for 5 flying with
Akroan Skyguard
and
Titan's Strength
or at least 4 flying with Dragon Mantle and you get a replacement card. Not to mention swinging with whatever you put out T1.
Winning by T4 happens sometimes, and a T5 or T6 win is consistently achievable and usually has a flying or trampling finale.
Sideboarding
The general rule of thumb is understanding that your opponent (if they're any good) will be bringing in from SB a whole slew of sweepers and maybe spot removal and lifegain.
In most match-ups we on the other hand, are going to be tricksie little Hobbits and transform our deck from Aggro to Midrange. We will add 4 lands to boost from 19 to 23, and run some Wingmate Roc for a 'surprise!'. We'll put in a couple Banishing Light depending on their threats (or if they are using it). Also Return to the Ranks makes for a big surprise after a few sweepers. Another Gods Willing is available too (mostly for when facing Red).
All in all some very solid options.
Under Consideration
While I wish, as I'm sure we all do, that somehow I could squeeze in every awesome card that had any sort of relevance here... it is just darn difficult to keep 60 cards that synergize and work well both together and on their own.
These are some that have been considered, and/or may make it into a future build.
Brave the Sands
- it could be great against another aggro deck. I feel it has potential for sideboard.
Phalanx Leader
- This guy has super mainboard potential as I do have heroic triggers, but I find the 2-white prohibitive here.
Akroan Skyguard
and
Cavalry Pegasus
both fit the slot a little easier and the horses add evasion.
Stoke the Flames
and Lightning Bolt - Should I have more removal? Maybe...
Obelisk of Urd
was in the first build of this deck and went to FNM for a 3rd place victory. It had
Akroan Crusader
& Satyr Hoplite as well as Raise the Alarm and
Launch the Fleet
. However I found it a little clunky and didn't like losing momentum to put it out.
Thoughts and comments? Please post playtest results and +1 if you like!!
