an Aether Revolt standard deck focused on +1/+1 counters: In testing, and one of my options for GP Pittsburgh. I play mainly on Untap, so if you want to play against the deck and help me test, I would be more than happy to take you up on that (I go by the same username). the sideboard is very temporary, as i have no idea what other people are playing :). Enjoy!
Card Choices
Walking ballista: the new hangarback walker isn't quite as good as the original, but it's still good, especially with a winding constrictor. It's also easy on the mana and is one of my few "removal" spells. very cuttable depending on the meta, probably for a fourth Rishkar or Nissa.
Fatal Push: the only real removal spell in the deck is a good one. Other than bad attacks, the only ways of triggering revolt for the deck are suiciding a nissa or ballista and clues from tireless tracker. that being said, it is still very good, and can pick out a lot of troublesome blockers
Longtusk cub: The cub is a cheaper aggressive creature that can give itself counters and isn't to hard on the mana base. To some extent, its pretty good, yet cuttable curve filler.
Servant of the Conduit: A little bit of ramp is pretty good, as casting a gearhulk or an armor craft judge a turn early can really get work done.
Winding Constrictor: probably the most important card in the deck. hardened scales on a stuck is really good, especially with something like Rishkar, Drana, or a gearhulk that puts counters on multiple creatures. it's also really nice that it doesn't die to shock(but to almost everything else).
Drana, Liberator of Malakir: Drana is an absolute beating. she has never really seen a lot of play before, but I think that she can now, especially with copter gone. however, she is really hard to cast and legendary, which is why there are only two.
Undergrowth Champion: The champ is BFZ mythic that is good but never saw play, and i think that it is good enough for this deck. it puts counters on itself very easily, which is helpful, and it is also very resilient and hard to kill.
Tireless Tracker: Tireless Tracker is one of the few sources of card advantage for the deck, and is very useful in floods. Also, it provides a constant source of revolt for fatal push.
Nissa, Voice of Zendikar: Nissa is very good in the deck. Counters on your team are always welcome, and the extra bodies to put tokens on are often very useful. although i would probably give Rishkar his fourth copy first, Nissa is right behind him.
Rishkar, Peema Renegade: Along with Winding constrictor, Rishkar made this deck good. at minimum, he is a legendary 3/3 (with a counter)that can tap for a Green. He is often the cause of some insanely large ballistas, and having an ETB effect doesn't make him TOO bad in multiples. that being said, he is still legendary and that is why there are only 3. I would give him an additional copy if i had to cut a different card from the deck.
Armorcraft Judge: Originally, I wasn't to hyped for this guy, but when you are consistently casting him as a divination or ancestral on a stick, you start to like him. if Harmonize were in standard, i would play this over it.
Verdurous Gearhulk: The ideal finisher. with a winding constrictor and enough creatures, you are getting 12 power over 4 creatures for 5 mana. insane value.
UPDATE
the cubs aren't quite good enough, and the ballistas are. Sylvan advocate is also goin in to replace it. A few of the numbers and the sideboard are bering tweaked as well.
