Abzan Charm

Instant

Choose one —

• Exile target creature with power 3 or greater.
• You draw two cards and you lose 2 life.
• Distribute two +1/+1 counters among one or two target creatures.

Discussion (51)

GoldenBasilisk on Doran, the Siege Tower [EDH]

1 month ago

Hi there! I playtested this deck just for fun with my partner and wanted to leave some feedback :D I only played with it twice, and I won both matches because my partner got pretty bad draws.

This deck is a beast! I think you have a good amount of sweeping removal and ramp, and the mana costs are reasonable. I was able to deal a lot of damage pretty quickly, and I appreciate the toolbox-like effects of many of the creatures. The lifegain seemed to perfectly balance out the life loss from your damage inflicting lands and card draw spells. I had a lot of fun playing it!

That being said, I think it might do you some good to include more targeted removal and card draw. I get a lot of usage from Beast Whisperer in my Trostani, Selesnya's Voice deck. I would suggest something like that; card draw engines are definitely useful. I think that a few of the creatures such as Kami of Old Stone and Looming Altisaur could be replaced with creatures that have more to offer, because although they are efficient for what they do, I wish they had trample or vigilance or something. I also think including a couple tutors might be really helpful, such as Eladamri's Call, Congregation at Dawn, or even just Diabolic Tutor.

Not sure how much you are willing to shell out for the deck, but creatures like Ohran Frostfang might be good. If you play multiplayer and like elements of group hug, Heartwood Storyteller draws tons of cards. Abzan Charm is useful (I am a slut for cards that give me multiple options).

TL;DR, great deck, I enjoyed playing it and I think you could upgrade it easily with just a touch more card draw and elevated creatures.

Daveslab2022 on Pioneer meta

2 months ago

U/w Control is going to stay the dominant Control deck, probably for the rest of Pioneer’s life. I don’t feel they will ban anything from it, because while it sucks to play against, it’s not dominating the meta. Looking at MTGO undefeated decks shows me that G/r ramp, Control, and various aggro decks (Phoenix, mono black, mono red, U/w Fliers) which is a fairly healthy spread.

I don’t personally think the Heliod Combo is consistent enough to be a truly competitive deck- but I’ve certainly been wrong before. If it does see play, and it exceeds my expectations, it will definitely get banned. (the mirror match seems absolutely atrocious, and I wouldn’t ever play the deck for that reason)

I’m personally waiting for a good midrange deck to find it’s place. It has to play black for Thoughtseize and similar effects, or else you can’t beat U/w, which is a midrange decks hardest matchup. I play Abzan because Abzan Charm and Murderous Rider are amazing. They’re good against control, and aggro/midrange decks.

Nillstan on Abzan Aggrange

3 months ago

Argy

Yeah I've been doing a lot of testing against DRS and Its looking like a pretty good argument against it so far. A few situations I'd rather have it, but as it stands it's doing pretty okay without. May be even better if the Gideon Blackblade thing works out.

Caerwyn

I hadn't even thought of Gideon Blackblade yet. Seems really decent for this build. Will test for sure.

I already checked out Abzan Charm . It was okay, but I was ultimately unimpressed. May be worth checking out over Tireless Tracker , though I'm skeptical.

As for Fatal Push , I retest it every time I change something. Every time so far I've found it wanting, but that's not to say it wont be good.

Caerwyn on Abzan Aggrange

3 months ago

Pioneer is not really my forte (I just happened to see the Thoughtseize discussion on the homepage and it's one of my favourite cards), so take be sure to take the following with a grain of salt!

I'd consider mainboarding 2-3 copies of Fatal Push . A good midrange deck has a decent removal package, so you can clear weenie blockers and start swinging with your efficient mid-mana creatures. Abzan Charm is a pretty nifty instant as well, and might be worth running 2 copies of.

Since you are trying to be aggressive, Gideon Blackblade seems like a good option. Not only is it a 4/4 with indestructible for 3, you can also use it the turn it is dropped to give another creature one of three very useful abilities (each with diverse applications), and can keep doing that once per turn.

I find Gilded Goose to be rather lacklustre here--sure, it provides some evasion, but you have to first put in some work to make sure it gets a +1/+1 counter.

Looking at your current testing, I would fully support removing all the copies of DRS. While it does have some nifty effects in the later game, without fetch lands it's a bad card to draw early. By the time it does become useful, you'd probably want to be casting something a bit more powerful than a creature that pings for two (so long as you have ammunition in a GY). I think it is made even worse by the fact your deck is relatively light on instant/sorcery cards, so you are really relying on an opponent to have fuel for your DRS.

Hope some of that helps!

[email protected]_only on The second labour

7 months ago

I'd toss Fist of Suns for Astral Cornucopia and / or Everflowing Chalice - better fits, and they interact with prolifferate better.

Increasing Savagery is a very timmy spell, might want something with more versitility in here instead, like Decree of Savagery for the cycleing, or Hindervines since it doesn't stop your deck.

Inspiring Call is also a must for this deck - dodges a wrath, and gives card draw.

other kick-knack spells to consider: Abzan Charm , Bant Charm , Bioshift , Dromar's Charm , Jund Charm , Steady Progress , Temper , Test of Faith , Trap Essence , Unbreakable Formation , Contentious Plan , Volt Charge

JoosetheMuice on Doran the Angry Ent

10 months ago

I would cut a board wipe, maybe two. I'd also drop a land. Abzan Banner is a strictly worse Commander's Sphere . Solidarity is the one combat trick you are missing. I really don't Huatli is even worth it in here to be honest, shes pretty underwhelming. I think Darksteel Plate would be nice if you can get it, protecting Doran is key and its better than hyena umbra. I also love Read the Bones and Snuff Out in most black decks. Sylvan Reclamation is also really strong. I'd run that or Return to Dust . Crod would recommend Crush Contraband over return but I prefer the former.

As for creatures

I think Sapling of Colfenor would be good. Pontiff of Blight seems kinda fun. Karametra, God of Harvests . Oblivion Sower is something a little unconventional that I like, and World Breaker could also be worth a shot.

Shock lands are cheap right now, I'd try to grab an Overgrown Tomb and a Temple Garden at $5.. Llanowar Wastes is also only like a buck.

Cut Abzan Charm Grim Contest Magnigoth Treefolk and Dauntless Dourbark theyre bad

Nukulargear on Modern Abzan Aggro [WORK IN PROGRESS]

1 year ago

rolfMTG Thanks for the advice. I figured Abzan Charm would be too slow, but I had the pair lying around. What's your opinion on using mana dorks for the one drop slot? And do you think it'd be a good idea to cut down on some creatures to put in one drops since I'm already at 20 (and haven't filled out the mana base yet)?

sp3ctr3 I've considered Lingering Souls before. It's a really solid card, just a little hard to find at my LGS. That Vizier of Remedies combo looks really interesting. Might have to mess around with it and find a sac outlet

rolfMTG on Modern Abzan Aggro [WORK IN PROGRESS]

1 year ago

An aggressive deck really can't function without 1-drops. Try Dryad Militant , it also blows out Storm decks and Snapcaster Mage . Abzan Charm is too slow, and 4x Decay seems too much (especially when also running 4 pushes) Hope this helps!