Is affinity a good deck currently?
Modern forum
Posted on June 9, 2016, 9:17 p.m. by pskinn01
I am considering building a modern deck. I acquired an almost complete affinity deck (only one ravanger). So I was wondering if it was a good deck in the current meta (generally speaking). Also how bad is the deck going to run with only 2 inkmoths, 2 overseers, only 1 ravanger, and no masters. (as I will need to acquire those through trades at a later date.)
here is the current card list minus basic lands. I understand that the deck need to be cut down to 75 (60 deck, 15 sideboard).
Affinity is good, but it's known to be good. It's generally a deck that you're either going to lose to or dedicate SB slots against. People often say you'll need to draw your SB cards vs affinity or simply die. That being said, it's also an archetype that's relatively easy to hate on. How good affinity will be in your particular meta will be highly dependent on just how much people will want to hate on it. As for your missing cards, you'll certainly suffer from not having them. It's still worth playing as a first deck, but don't expect to pull crazy results.
June 9, 2016 9:29 p.m.
bijschjdbcd says... #4
The average affinity draw requires certain payoff cards to actually get there.
Reducing the number of these will significantly decrease the decks effectiveness.
The deck is hard to play and is will always be a good deck in the format. Invest in it but don't expect it to go along way with less payoff cards.
June 9, 2016 9:34 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #5
Affinity is most definitely a tier one deck in the format and also takes good piloting skills to win. It's a highly synergistic, complex deck that has many macro decisions within. That being said, you'll definitely want Ravager, Master, Overseer, and Spellskite in your 75. They really push the deck into top tier.
I suppose that you'll be able to function at a semi competitive level at FNM without the top tier cards, however you'll obviously function much better with them. Sideboarding answers to hate is also needed.
June 10, 2016 1 a.m.
Ghastly Discovery; Thoughtcast, Hangarback Walker, all can give you some gas after you empty your hands - which is good if your opponent can slow you down, by throwing a lot of removal, or hate against you.
Also you must have answers for things like Stony Silence, Kataki, War's Wage, Chalice of the Void, ...etc.
June 10, 2016 7:57 a.m.
mathimus55 says... #7
It's the best game 1 deck in the format hands down. It kills quick and consistently. Games 2 and 3 though is where the deck really struggles because so many decks have access to lots of different and super powerful hate. It's still a super successful deck and if you out the time in to learn the match ups and how to handle the hype then you can do very well with it.
June 10, 2016 2:05 p.m.
Affinity really needs the full set of manlands and 4x Arcbound Ravager. Without them, you're going to get dumpstered by any kind of removal, especially Wrath of God effects.
Out of the cards you listed, Steel Overseer is the weakest card. I'd even say it's the weakest card in the deck and it's win-more. Affinity only plays it because it's the best card for that slot. If there's a better card printed in the future, Steel Overseer will be the first thing taken out of the deck.
The other consideration is your sideboard. Glimmervoid does a lot of work, letting board in all kinds of hate. Thoughtseize, Blood Moon, and Spell Pierce being the obvious examples. You want to consider that going forward.
You have a good chunk of the deck put together already. I'd say go for it. Just be aware of your buys and try to find good deals/trades when they're available.
Dylan says... #2
Working link
June 9, 2016 9:28 p.m.