Showdown #35: Raider's Spoils

Showdown

Spootyone

31 January 2015

2616 views

Showdown #35: Raider's Spoils



Hello all and welcome back to Showdown, where me and Kaveth pit our own Standard builds against standard builds sent into us by you all, the members of Tappedout. We're really beginning to delve deep into the what Fate Reforged has to offer us. We've seen cards like Tasigur, the Golden Fang and Frontier Siege rise a lot lately, and Ugin, the Spirit Dragon has realy proven his worth.

Last week Kaveth and I had a classic matchup of slow, grindy control versus blisteringly aggressive Red Deck Wins. I was able to come out on top with RDW, but just barely. I recommend going back and checking that one out if you haven't yet. This week we have a similar matchup of slow deck versus quick deck, but I'm going slow this time. This will be a matchup between my Abzan Midrange list and Kaveth running TheFanatic's B/W Warriors Aggro list.


Deck Tech With Spootyone

The deck I've chosen to run this week is my own Abzan build that I plan on running during Game Day at my LGS. It is essentially a culmination between a build proposed by Brad Nelson, an altered build of that from Todd Anderson, and that combined with my own personal ideas and preferences.

The backbone of the deck is one a majority of you are probably familiar with by now if you follow competitive standard. For creatures, I have a playset each of Courser of Kruphix and Siege Rhino. I've chosen to forgo Sylvan Caryatid completely in this build as a way of increasing the power of the top decks and to give me a slightly better game versus Control. For other creatures, I have Whisperwood Elemental, one of the better cards to come out of Fate Reforged. Additionally, I'm testing a 1-ofTemur Sabertooth as a way to return the many manifests that are not creatures to my hand when necessary. He can also allow me to continually get Lightning Helixes by replaying Siege Rhino.

The rest of the deck plays out much like a control deck would. I have kill spells in the form of Hero's Downfall and Abzan Charm and Bile Blight and Utter End. I have hand disruption in the form of Thoughtseize and Despise. And I have board wipes in the form of end hostilites. The basic gameplan is to 1-for-1 with your opponent long enough to land a couple good threats and end the game with them after they run out of fuel.

The sideboard has inclusions such as Nissa to handle Ugin decks and control, drowns for aggro, and glares for white decks. My main fair in the matchup is that Kaveth will just come out and be too aggresive for me to handle. Chief of the Edge is a creature that doesn't do too much versus Anger of the Gods, but who can be devastating versus Drown in Sorrow, my main source of weenie removal. I have to hope that I can keep up with Bile Blight, Courser of Kruphix, Siege Rhino, and End Hostilities.

4x Courser of Kruphix 4x Windswept Heath 4x Siege Rhino 3x Thoughtseize 4x Sandsteppe Citadel 2x Temple of Malady 3x Llanowar Wastes 1x Caves of Koilos 3x Forest 2x Plains 1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth 4x Abzan Charm 4x Hero's Downfall 2x Temple of Silence 3x Whisperwood Elemental 1x Tasigur, the Golden Fang 1x Utter End 2x Elspeth, Sun's Champion 2x Despise 2x End Hostilities 3x Bile Blight 2x Scoured Barrens 2x Jungle Hollow 1x Temur Sabertooth Sideboard 2x Nissa, Worldwaker 3x Glare of Heresy 1x End Hostilities 2x Drown in Sorrow 2x Read the Bones 1x Bile Blight 2x Back to Nature 1x Utter End 1x Liliana Vess

Deck Tech With Kaveth

I have been playing with the idea of playing B/W warriors after I fizzle out on all my other brews. This list seems to be doing all the things I would expect. I am expecting some early aggression, Chief of the Scale to do some serious work against Drown in Sorrow reliant builds, and overall expecting to exploit decks that take a while to set up.

In terms of the matchup, I feel we are in favor here. I do anticipate a more control oriented approach from Spootyone’s list however he only has so much removal. Biggest fears are the ever present Siege Rhino and honestly Whisperwood Elemental as that card produces a real quick board state that I am uncertain this list can match. I suppose we shall see – to the games.

2x Ajani's Presence 3x Battle Brawler 2x Bile Blight 4x Bloodsoaked Champion 4x Caves of Koilos 4x Chief of the Edge 2x Chief of the Scale 2x Hero's Downfall 4x Mardu Strike Leader 4x Mardu Woe-Reaper 3x Obelisk of Urd 4x Plains 4x Seeker of the Way 2x Sorin, Solemn Visitor 7x Swamp 4x Temple of Silence 4x Tormented Hero 1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth Sideboard: 2x Chief of the Scale 3x Erase 2x Glare of Heresy 2x Merciless Executioner 1x Raiders' Spoils 2x Thoughtseize 3x Valorous Stance

Game 1

Kaveth wins the die roll and is on the play.

Won the die roll and drew into a perfectly keepable hand of Mardu Woe-Reaper, Tormented Hero for 1 drops, an Ajani's Presence to nullify any removal, Obelisk of Urd and Sorin, Solemn Visitor for some “Late Game” plays and a Caves of Koilos and Temple of Silence to round out the land base. Very happy here.

Spootyone mulligans a hand of black cards and green forests. I keep a hand of Temple of Silence, Temple of Malady, forest, plains, Bile Blight, and Courser of Kruphix. This doesn't blow anything out of the water, but it'll have to do.

K1: Draw: None

Lead with Caves of Koilos taking 1 into Tormented Hero. Passing at 19 health.

19/20

S1: Draw: Forest

This is an aggressive start versus a not so quick hand on my end. I play a Temple of Silence and keep a Hero's Downfall on top. I think I'll need that. Pass.

K2: Draw: Battle Brawler

I go to combat and swing in for 2, second main playing a Temple of Silence revealing a Bloodsoaked Champion off the top, will be keeping him there. I play the Mardu Woe-Reaper taking an additional 1 and pass.

18/18

S2: Draw: Hero's Downfall

I play my other temple and scry a third one from the top to the bottom. Pass.

K3: Draw: Bloodsoaked Champion

I swing in for 4 with a second main Bloodsoaked Champion expecting no mainboard Drown in Sorrow while still holding up for Ajani's Presence if he decides to get with a Hero's Downfall.

14/18

S3: Draw: Whisperwood Elemental

Forest, pass. I'm ready to play either blight or downfall depending on what he does.

K4: Draw: Plains

Drew into a Plains which I immediately play. I am going to take a slightly slower approach here and not commit anything else to the board until he uses some of his cards. I swing in for 6 to which he attempts the Hero's Downfall on my Mardu Woe-Reaper to which I respond with the Ajani's Presence swinging in for a total of 7. Battle Brawler hits the field second main and I pass away.

7/18

S4: Draw: Abzan Charm

Well, I'm clearly in a very rough spot right now. I have not much I can do but I have to hope there's still a chance. I play my courser, revealing a Windswept Heath, play it to gain a life, reveal another fetchland and pass.

8/18

K5: Draw: Caves of Koilos

I find a Caves of Koilos, drop Sorin, Solemn Visitor and + him to have 12 damage on board to his sole Courser of Kruphix. Swing in for lethal.

Kaveth Wins Game 1


Sideboarding with Spootyone

Out: 3x Thoughtseize, 2x Abzan Charm, 1x Utter End, 1x Temur Sabertooth

In: 1x Bile Blight, 1x End Hostilities, 2x Drown in Sorrow, 3x Glare of Heresy

That was horrible. I know it's a tough matchup but...jeez. Hopefully this goes better in Game 2. I'm going to be on the play and hopefully I don't have to mulligan into tapped mana. I'll need tighten up my removal suite.

I'm bringing in my fourth copy of Bile Blight is it's one of the best spells to have in this match. I'm also bringing in more wrath effects -- 2x Drown in Sorrow and a third copy of End Hostilities. Drown isn't fantastic when he has Chief of the Scale, but I have to make do with what I have. I'm also bringing in my 3x Glare of Heresy since he has some white creatures.

I'm taking out my Thoughtseizes as they hurt me too much in this particular match. I'm also removal slow cards like Utter End and Temur Sabertooth, as well as inefficient kill-spells like Abzan Charm. Let's hope this isn't a complete slaughter from here on out.

Sideboarding with Kaveth

Out: 2x Bile Blight, 4x Mardu Strike Leader

In: 3x Valorous Stance, 2x Thoughtseize, 1x Raiders' Spoils

Didn’t see much of what he was up to, I saw a Courser of Kruphix and a Hero's Downfall, to which I decided to bring in all 3 Valorous Stance , 2x Thoughtseize and the sole Raiders' Spoils from the side in exchange for 2x Bile Blight and a 4x Mardu Strike Leader neither of which are going to pair up well to the inevitable Siege Rhino. The Valorous Stance does some double duty in the match, killing any large toughness creatures that get in the way and providing another answer to Hero's Downfall type effects, Thoughtseize is there to abuse his slow starting and get rid of his best way to deal with my hand. Lastly Raiders' Spoils is coming in to help with card advantage, something that I feel strongly that he will attempt to trump me in.


Game 2

Spootyone is on the play with an opening hand of Llanowar Wastes, forest, Sandsteppe Citadel, Jungle Hollow, Despise and 2x Hero's Downfall. I think that can help me stay alive for a little bit at least.

Kaveth keeps an opening hand of Swamp, Plains, 2x Bloodsoaked Champion, Tormented Hero, Seeker of the Way, Battle Brawler. Feels aggressive enough.

S1: Draw: none

Llanowar Wastes and taking one for a Despise to reveal his hand. I take the Seeker of the Way to keep his Brawler at bay hopefully. Pass.

19/20

K1: Draw: Swamp

I drew into Swamp, not exactly what I wanted to see but it can be worked with. I play that Swamp into a Tormented Hero and pass the turn, hoping to skirt around a Bile Blight.

S2: Draw: Bile Blight

Good draw. I need to get double-black asap, so I play the citadel and pass.

K2: Draw: Caves of Koilos

I swing in for 2, play the second Swamp and toss down Battle Brawler to be as efficient with my mana as possible without walking face first into a Drown in Sorrow.

17/20

S3: Draw: Glare of Heresy

Well, I guess if I'd known that was coming up I wouldn't have taken the seeker yet. All well. I'm okay just leaving up blight mana this turn. I play a Jungle Hollow, gain a life and pass.

18/20

K3: Draw: Ajani's Presence

I move to combat and swing in for 4 to which he Bile Blight’s my Battle Brawler taking 1 from his land and 2 more from my Tormented Hero. I drop a single Bloodsoaked Champion and pass.

15/20

S4: Draw: Forest

He's clearly playing around Bile Blight and Drown in Sorrow. I have neither anymore, but it helps that he's holding back a bit. I can start to fend him off with these downfalls and then hopefully draw into a way to begin stabilizing. I play a forest and pass.

K4: Draw: Hero's Downfall

Drew into Hero's Downfall, may prove useful later, but the plan here is to swing in. Attacking for 4. I Ajani's Presence my Bloodsoaked Champion in response to his Hero's Downfall and get in 5 points. Second main I drop my Caves of Koilos and pass, holding up for a Hero's Downfall of my own.

10/20

S5: Draw: Whisperwood Elemental

Alright so things are getting a bit tight now. I think I have to play this creatue as a means of stabilizing. I really hope he doesn't have Valorous Stance in hand, though he has been playing in a way that would suggest it. Let's see. I play a forest and the elemental. It gets hit by a downfall before he end of my turn. Pass.

K5: Draw: Temple of Silence

Drew into Temple of Silence which I play and immediately scry another land to the bottom. Swinging in for 4 yet again and passing the turn.

6/20

S6: Draw: Siege Rhino

Thank the heavens...I play the rhino and drain 3 and then pass.

9/17

K6: Draw: Mardu Woe-Reaper

I drop him, targeting his dead Whisperwood Elemental and gain a life as well as play the other Bloodsoaked Champion. Crossing my fingers he doesn’t have a Drown in Sorrow in his 2 card hand.

9/18

S7: Draw: Windswept Heath

I play the land and then hit his woe-reaper with my Glare of Heresy and then pass with downfall mana up.

K7: Draw: Battle Brawler

Drew into Battle Brawler who I immediately play. I swing in for 6, having 1 critter die to the Siege Rhino and a Bloodsoaked Champion dying to a Hero's Downfall. I replay him in second main and pass away.

6/18

S8: Draw: End Hostilities

I have to do something about those champions. At this rate I'll still just lose. I think I have to run off this wrath now and hope to top deck well. *fingers crossed*. I attack with the rhino for 4. I then fetch for the second white source and wrath the board. pass.

5/14

K8: Draw: Bloodsoaked Champion

The End Hostilities is bittersweet. Drawing into a Bloodsoaked Champion makes it all worthwhile. I play him and pass.

S9: Draw: Windswept Heath

Agh. C'mon. Pass.

K9: Draw: Chief of the Scale

Not playing him yet, swinging in for 2 and replaying one Bloodsoaked Champion from the grave and the Chief of the Scale.

3/14

S10: Draw: Scoured Barrens

I really needed something after that wrath. Maybe I shouldn't have fired it off quite yet? Ugh. I concede.

Kaveth Wins the Match!




Afterthoughts

Spooty: That felt horrible. I know that slow decks such as my own can have a rough time against aggro, but I truly thought there'd be more to it than what was witnessed here today. I wish I could have seen any of the Drown in Sorrow that I boarded in, but alas I did not. If I had had it at any point in that second game I really could ahve wrecked his board state and pulled ahead, I believe.

Regardless, a sideboard match rarely should hinge on a single card. I need to refine this list in order to make it less vulnerable to the plethora of aggro strategies that are sure to define the early parts of this format's metagame. I had originally removed Sylvan Caryatid from this list to try a slower approach that could have some better games versus control, but I think that was a fool's errand in the end.

What Sylvan Caryatid provides is not always a blocker versus aggro, but a mana-accelerant as well. Perhaps getting to 5-6 mana one turn earlier would have made a difference. Maybe a T3 rhino -- even if immediately dead to a kill spell -- would have allowed me to slow my opponent's board state a bit while I set up. I will be going back to the caryatid build, but I do think I'll experiment with having less than the full playset in the list.

As for the opponent's deck, I did feel like it was fairly well-built. Chief of the Scale is a great answer to Drown in Sorrow and in some cases to Bile Blight and Anger of the Gods. However, I do think this deck pairs up incredibly poorly against the latter of those two cards. Should Anger of the Gods be present in a majority of the T1 decks at any point, I think this deck should probably be avoided.

Kaveth: The match went great on my end – I am sad I didn’t see any sideboard cards but they didn’t seem to be necessary for the end result. I think the list feels polished, the only change I would make would probably be -1 Chief of the Scale sideboard and +1 Thoughtseize to allow for a bit more disruption to the strategies that bring quicker decks to a skidding halt.

-~-~-~-~-~-~-

Until next time, may you never get mana-screwed. And as always, thanks for reading!

--Spootyone--

Feeling generous? Wanna help out? It's easy! Donating even a small amount really helps make these happen, and I will always be appreciative of it. Plus, you can get rewards for doing so!

-~-~-~-~-~-~-

  • $5.00 = You will receive a personal thank you and mention in the next article I release!

  • $10.00 = I will do an in-depth analysis of the deck of your choice, giving my advice and opinions in detail (Note: this will need to be limited to Standard and EDH for the time being as I grow my skills and knowledge in other formats). Additionally, you will receive the mention in the next article!

  • $25.00 = In addition to the deck analysis, I will run a 5-game playtesting match between your chosen deck and any other of your choice, be it your own, a pillar of the format, or even one of my own creations! Afterwards, I will provide you with a detailed synopsis of how things went, and give my opinions and suggestions about the chosen deck. This will be in addition to the notation in the next article.

  • $50.00 = If you are generous enough to donate 50 or more dollars, you and I will set up a meeting via Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. to discuss archetypes, cards, formats, or anything even remotely MTG-related. Afterwards, we will meet up on Cockatrice to have our very own Speedbrew where you can challenge me to anything you'd like! (This will be purely for fun -- not an actual episode of Speedbrewers). Due to time restraints, I'll have to keep this portion to ~ 2 hours long. In addition to all this, you will still receive the 5-game playtesting match of your choice, in-depth deck analysis, and mention in the next article I send out!

~~~ IMPORTANT ~~~


I need to emphasize the criteria for deck submissions, as it's going to help us choose in the future. Please, if you submit a deck, pay attention to these when choosing.

1.) The deck must be Standard-legal. We are not versed in Modern right now and it would be wrong of us to pilot a Modern deck and claim to know what we were doing.

2.) The deck must have a 15-card sideboard. In an effort to remain fair, both decks need to have the ability to sideboard -- even if it's poor. Please make sure the deck has a sideboard. If you have unique SB choices or choices in general that would not be easy to comprehend, please explain them so we can know what we're doing with your deck.

3.) Do whatever you can not to limit your creativity and skill. This means don't allow cost to become an issue. If you don't own the cards IRL, it's fine. Having less good cards in the deck means bias during the match when the card is only there for monetary reasons. NOTE: If you create a Budget deck for the purposes of it being so, that is different and is fine. But please note the distinct differences between budget-building and (for example) only having one copy of Thoughtseize or Siege Rhino because that's all you currently own.


Apart from these stipulations, go nuts in deck building! But please, make sure these rules are followed when submitting so that we don't have to shoot down a perfectly fine deck just because it has a 3-card SB or because it's playing Aven Skirmisher as a proxy for Wingmate Roc.

Thank you and enjoy!


free hit counters
This article is a follow-up to Showdown #34: The Red The next article in this series is Showdown #36: It's in the stars

miracleHat says... #1

Ouch! That must of hurt: go pirates!

January 31, 2015 5:04 p.m.

TheHroth says... #2

WOO Warriors are great! Maybe try more Drown in Sorrow in the side, Spooty. And 26 land? That seems really heavy to me. I don't think you need that many.

Awesome article again!!

Anyway! Time for a submission:


GB Constellarion Ramp Playtest

Standard TheHroth

SCORE: 1 | 2 COMMENTS | 31 VIEWS

January 31, 2015 8:37 p.m.

bigmacaroni24 says... #3

I really want a slow deck to win. So try this! Let me know what you think!


Deadly Defenders Playtest

Standard bigmacaroni24

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 2 VIEWS

Have a great day!

January 31, 2015 8:45 p.m.

cooldude145 says... #4

Mono for the win

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My deck:


Genetic Groves Playtest

Standard cooldude145

SCORE: 5 | 4 COMMENTS | 78 VIEWS

January 31, 2015 9:47 p.m.

Dylan says... #5

Enjoyed the article as always, Would like to submit my 4 color whip deck that has been serving me well at FNM lately


Soul of Sidisi (Feat WIP) Playtest

Standard dberg101

SCORE: 0 | 1 COMMENTS | 41 VIEWS

January 31, 2015 9:56 p.m.

HolyFalcon says... #6

Why is Jeskai falling out of style? Because you can play De-FELL-cting Palm.


My Mantis is Hungry | Jeksai Aggro Playtest

Standard Potter2003

SCORE: 1 | 6 COMMENTS | 178 VIEWS

January 31, 2015 11:42 p.m.

TheFanatic says... #7

Hey Spootyone just wanted to say thanks for featuring my deck in the article! I've submitted many times before, and it was super cool to see an article featuring one of my creations. It would have been nice to see how the deck recovers (or doesn't) after a Drown in Sorrow but, as we all know, you can't always draw your SB cards. Again, thanks and I enjoyed reading the article!

January 31, 2015 11:49 p.m.

Scytec says... #8

This is a little brew I've been tinkering with the past couple of days. I think I'd like to submit it as my next deck for the showdown. :)


Sultai Control Playtest

Standard* Scytec

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 0 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 1:10 a.m.

bsian says... #9

Hey Spooty, great article! I'd like to submit a Jeskai Tokens build I've been toying with for a couple weeks:


Ascend, thy Tokens Playtest

Standard HerderOfNerf

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 58 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 7:39 a.m.

Derpachus says... #10

I would love to see this deck tested in a showdown:


Brutal Beating Playtest

Standard* Derpachus

SCORE: 10 | 2 COMMENTS | 860 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 10:40 a.m.

weisemanjohn says... #11

nice again, though those decks looked like refreshes of what was already out before. I would once again like to submit my Manifest Destiny deck which really tries to push Whisperwood Elemental to its max.


Manifest Destiny Playtest

Standard weisemanjohn

SCORE: 2 | 5 COMMENTS | 377 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 10:45 a.m.

aced420 says... #12

hey guys love your posts always help me to know whats goin on in standard. i dont know how to get u guys to try out a deck but im more then happy to donate. haven't tried control in awhile but i built this villinous ugin let me know what to do for u guys to play it out

February 1, 2015 11:09 a.m.

bigmacaroni24 says... #13

Whoops! I posted the wrong version of that deck in my earlier comment! Sorry about that! Let's try this again.


Deadly Defenders Playtest

Standard bigmacaroni24

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 20 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 11:30 a.m.

awphutt says... #14

Nice matchup, good to see a fringe deck being shown off. My contribution, in the hopes the grindy deck will win:


Walk this Way Playtest

Standard awphutt

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 1 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 12:38 p.m.

toxicliam says... #15

An agro deck versus midrange, not always a good pairing. It sucks that you didn't draw any Drown in Sorrows. They could have won the match. In hopes that Gruul makes a comeback, I submit my R/G Midrange


R/G Aggressive Midrange Playtest

Standard* toxicliam

SCORE: 2 | 9 COMMENTS | 517 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 1:25 p.m.

bretters says... #16

I submit


Golgari walls of impending doom Playtest

Standard bretters

SCORE: 3 | 7 COMMENTS | 202 VIEWS

and

The Heroes of the Boros Legion are Ready for War Playtest

Standard bretters

SCORE: 10 | 4 COMMENTS | 983 VIEWS

February 1, 2015 7:55 p.m.

GarrettBBQ says... #17

Maybe some dragons could help you feel better?

I don't even need Ugin

February 1, 2015 11:18 p.m.

Chachamara says... #18

One potential mistake I noticed in the second paragraph:

"Chief of the Edge is a creature that doesn't do too much versus Anger of the Gods, but who can be devastating versus Drown in Sorrow, my main source of weenie removal."

Did you mean to link Chief of the Scale? Unless there's something I'm missing, I'm not sure how extra power would help deal with a boardwipe.

Anyway, for my submission, some Narset fun:


Breakfast Cheese Playtest

Standard* Chachamara

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 66 VIEWS

February 2, 2015 10:31 a.m.

cooldude145 says... #19

m0no for the win (<-- this was on purpose)


Ritual of Death Playtest

Standard cooldude145

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 6 VIEWS

February 2, 2015 1:06 p.m.

Gutz says... #20

Resubmitting my standard deck hope to see you guys play it some time.


R/G Monsters Playtest

Standard Gutz

SCORE: 4 | 0 COMMENTS | 914 VIEWS

February 2, 2015 7:31 p.m.

Frayace says... #21


Izzet Always Finds a Way Playtest

Standard* Frayace

SCORE: 2 | 1 COMMENTS | 321 VIEWS

February 3, 2015 12:03 a.m.

xcn says... #22


DRAGONWHIP Playtest

Standard* xcn

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 137 VIEWS

February 3, 2015 10:37 a.m.

kyuuri117 says... #23

Hey Spooty, been awhile. DIdn't even realize you were still doing these. Glad you are though, they are always entertaining. Anyway, i've recently come up with a brew that tries to abuse Alesha with Hornet Queen and Gray Merchant. Hoping you'll at least check it out, and it would be awesome to see it featured. Here's the link


Merchant Reanimator Playtest

Standard kyuuri117

SCORE: 13 | 10 COMMENTS | 602 VIEWS

February 3, 2015 10:50 p.m.

doriboncore says... #24

I really enjoy the match showdown articles. Here are a couple of my decks for submission. Please feel free to comment on them.


Mardu Warrior Black/Red/White Deck Playtest

Standard doriboncore

SCORE: 16 | 17 COMMENTS | 2307 VIEWS


Minotaur Stampede Black/Red Deck Playtest

Standard doriboncore

SCORE: 6 | 4 COMMENTS | 1426 VIEWS

February 4, 2015 1:11 p.m.

Dr_Jay says... #25

Love the article, but how do you get the decklist out in the open?

Thanks In Advance.

February 4, 2015 10:11 p.m.

Somnus21 says... #26

Hello! Nice detailed article which really gave a pretty good insight to both decks. Here are my decks that I think might pique some interest:


B/W Humans Playtest

Standard Somnus21

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 10 VIEWS


The Sleeping God's Manly Man Man Abzan 2.0 (FRF) Playtest

Standard* Somnus21

SCORE: 2 | 3 COMMENTS | 543 VIEWS


GET REKT BY MAH SOLD-URDS! (UBER BUDGET!) Playtest

Standard* Somnus21

SCORE: 19 | 0 COMMENTS | 3051 VIEWS

In the first build, I chose Humans over Warriors/Soldiers because while both archetypes had great support, Soldiers just really lacked a staying power, as they die without an anthem effect, and in Warriors' case, it's support just seemed too clunky to me. Their support was awesome in an optimal setup, but in a world full of Wrath effects, they become lackluster. Humans plays much like the Warrior tribal, but has the advantage of higher-quality beaters. I believe the tradeoff of losing Brutal Hordechief is worth it. Sorin is in the sideboard due to being vulnerable to all the control decks that seem to be popping up, but still there as a card that can win damage races.

Second build is just a classic Abzan Aggro.

Third build is my old White Soldiers, the one I feel lacks consistency. It may just be me not running enough units, so feel free to edit that list as you see fit if it is ever taken into consideration. BTW I consider Launch the Fleet a 3-drop, seeing as that's what you want to be casting it for.

More success to you on your articles, and I hope even one of these can be taken into consideration. Thanks!

February 5, 2015 6:24 a.m.

DrLitebur says... #27

Here is a new take on an old idea for your perusal Spootyone...


Red Dead Devotion Playtest

Standard DrLitebur

SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 2 VIEWS

Let's see if and how this will work.

February 5, 2015 11:32 a.m.

SiegeRhiNOOO says... #28

A nice article indeed! I really love these deck you're doing! I would also like to submit my deck that I've been working on, just to see how it goes or if you can suggest anything to it :) thanks in advance! You guys rock!


Abzan Siege-Warriors Playtest

Standard SiegeRhiNOOO

SCORE: 1 | 1 COMMENTS | 284 VIEWS

February 5, 2015 11:32 a.m.

SiegeRhiNOOO says... #29

Oops, *deck showdowns. Typo haha.

February 5, 2015 11:47 a.m.

azriel41087 says... #30

Would love to see you guys try out my newest build. Tons of fun to play it's a jund aggro Dragon build with some fun interactions between frontier siege and hornets nest. Hornets, dragons, and sieges oh my! Would love to see this in a showdown if nothing else I think you'll have a blast piloting the deck

February 7, 2015 1:39 p.m.

synonimous_ says... #31

Hey guys, I'd really appreciate if you test out a deck I built, it's Abzan Reanimator, I made this because personally, there aren't enough Reanimator Decks out there that are not Sultai, and because I just hate blue, Abzan is the most viable option clan-wiseAnyways! It would be awesome! Right when it dies, it's back to haunt you!

February 7, 2015 2:31 p.m.

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