I love exile effects. I really like sagas. I've loved Abzan since the tokens deck using
Hidden Stockpile
was a thing, and I've loved
Gorgon Queen
since she was spoiled in Ixalan. So when I saw peeps were messing around with an Abzan control shell, I figured I'd give it a go.
This is my take. It's basically Orzhov tap-out control, splashing green for spice. The deck relies primarily on dragging the game out into a slog. With early exile effects in
Seal Away
and
Baffling End
, most aggro decks run out of steam. With Guilds bring about
Assassin's Trophy
, early non-creature threats are a non-issue as well. The mana's inclined toward casting white spells early, which means we often don't have it up for
the all-star removal
, but that's usually okay, since it gets better as the game goes on.
History of Benalia
and
Knight of Autumn
form the core of our mid-rangey threats.
Knight of Autumn
is a great multi-tool, helping into nearly every match up. Into control, you can nuke an opponent's
Search for Azcanta
. Into aggro, you get life gain and a good blocker. Into stompy midrange, you can even trade with
Steel Leaf Champion
. It just gets better with a
History
on the field.
Karn, Scion of Urza
sits in the four-drop spot to help transition into the mid-to-late game. Alongside
Treasure Map
, we usually don't have issues with keeping action in hand. I've a 2-2 split with
Vraska's Contempt
and
Ixalan's Binding
for dealing with
Teferi, Hero of Dominaria
and the like. That's going to change, most likely, when the meta starts settling in. I'm not sold on either one or both. I'm seriously considering
Phyrexian Scriptures
as a way to keep boards empty and graveyard shenanigans to a limit.
With the graveyard-matters coming in Guilds,
The Eldest Reborn
has become even better. Before, there was a kind of anti-synergy with the exile removal and this card that wants stuff in the graveyard. Since the new meta will be putting stuff in graveyards all the time, it's just good. Stealing an opponent's
Teferi
feels really good.
Cleansing Nova
is the catch-all sweeper to deal with tokens or as a safety valve into decks that get on board sooner. Ironically, it's also the hard-counter to this deck, since we use primarily enchantment-based removal.
Curve-topper is
Vraska, Relic Seeker
which, by the time we get to resolve her, usually means GG. She can win a game all on her own, and this deck's set up to protect her well. Into slower decks, often
History of Benalia
and
Knight of Autumn
are fast enough to win it.
Sideboard will need tweaking after rotation. Currently, I'm fairly convinced
Duress
and
Carnage Tyrant
will stay in order to beat control.
Kitesail Freebooter
may still be good if Turbo Fog stays a deck, since it exiles Nexus of Fates. Other options up for consideration are
Remorseful Cleric
to keep early graveyard decks in check. If I don't end up playing
Phyrexian Scriptures
mainboard, it'll likely end up in the side.
Vona's Hunger
feels like it'll be good into Mono Green Stompy, but so would
Slaughter the Strong
.
Any thoughts/suggestions would be awesome!
