Rally the Ancestors in Modern?
Modern forum
Posted on Aug. 3, 2015, 7:22 a.m. by pleasiodmakerblooloo
As the title suggests, I was wondering about the possible viability of Rally the Ancestors in the Modern format. Either the deck or just the card really. The deck has all 3CMC or less creatures and uses Collected Company to abuse this and Liliana, Heretical Healer Flip seems like she could be, at least, pretty good in Modern. If not that then do you think that Rally the Ancestors and Liliana, Heretical Healer Flip could both be used in an aristocrats-esque sacrifice deck in modern. For example, rallying back a bunch of fodder to sacrifice and then make the opponent lose a bunch of life due to Blood Artist triggers. Thoughts anyone?
canterlotguardian says... #3
Plus with Return to the Ranks, you don't lose your creatures or the spell itself.
August 3, 2015 8:39 a.m.
OutspokenFerret says... #4
Return to the Ranks is a Sorcery, and has a larger mana investment based on the number of creatures, whereas Rally the Ancestors is an Instant and Returns all Creatures with cost X or less instead of X creatures with cost 2 or less.
Sam Black did a video on it on SCG, but I believe it was Premium (which if you don't have, and like reading articles, I highly reccomend). I think it has potential, but it would require a really tuned and exact list, similar to how Pod was. It also may have to include Blue, since Snapcaster Mage can grab Rally if it ends up in the Yard and Thought Scour would be pretty solid in the list too.
I also wonder how viable Gather the Pack would be in such a shell, since it lets you grab 2 creatures with it's Spell Mastery, which could be a huge boon if you don't have/ can't Rally.
August 3, 2015 8:52 a.m.
TheLivingCME says... #5
I think this card can become very powerful with ETB strategies. The first thing that comes in my mind is a combo with Impact Tremors/Purphoros, God of the Forge, tons of cheap sac-able creatures and maybe a Blasting Station.
August 3, 2015 11:40 a.m.
Harashiohorn says... #6
There is certainly a deck to be tried, but I am skeptical if it will be able to survive since graveyard hate is already becoming so prevalent with decks like Grishoalbrand and Living End already in the meta. I think Lilliana has more potential than rally the ancestors since she is just a good value creature, whereas rally is more of an engine card for a deck that might not cross over from standard very well.
August 3, 2015 11:45 a.m.
Rally the Ancestors works better than Return to the Ranks if your deck is full of one-drops and has a wincon that doesn't care about the exile clause (Falkenrath Aristocrat, Impact Tremors, hell even Mortician Beetle or Champion of the Parish if you build correctly), because you can sacrifice all your weenies, Rally them back for 
, them sac them all again. The thing is, if you need those creatures for anything other than ETB effects or extra sac fodder, it puts you in a bad spot. If it said "exile those creatures at end of turn" instead of "at your next upkeep", then it'd be incredible. As it is... hardly Modern viable.
JexInfinite says... #2
Return to the Ranks is a similar card, and works better in Aristocrats.
August 3, 2015 7:41 a.m.