Atog
has been on a diet, but it's time to gobble up a whole buffet of artifacts! The idea of this deck is pretty simple. Play artifacts with good value until you have a board full of them and let your
Atog
eat them all up! It's very easy to pump him up to huge numbers in a single turn. Then, he can swing in for huge damage or
Fling
him at your opponent. If you like the deck, I'll probably feature it on MagicGatheringStrat soon!
Let's break down the card choices. (Which is pretty simple since this deck is mostly 4 of's)
Atog
: Obvious.
Carapace Forger
: Your primary early game threat. Typically a 4/4, but is a bear if they manage to control your artifacts. This means that it's also a back-up plan to give decent damage if you're falling behind.
Frogmite
: Another early game threat. This guy will typically be who you tap with
Springleaf Drum
since you can often cast it for free as early as turn 2. Still, he is an early game 2/2 for quick damage.
Myr Enforcer
: Here's your big boy. He is a constant 4/4 beat stick that can hit the board on turn 3. The first turn that he's out, he serves as an often 1 or 0 cost creature that can produce mana with
Springleaf Drum
, but will more often be threatening your opponent as an attacker or solid blocker.
Gearseeker Serpent
: This one is a little different. Many lists play it as a 1 of or cut it in general. The reason I like him is that he dodges the weaknesses of your other creatures. He doesn't die to artifact removal or
Galvanic Blast
. This is especially relevant in games 2 and 3, but you don't have room to side deck them. Why not play 1? Because you need to draw it early. Yes, it's a back up if you're other creatures die, but those creatures are important towards it's pseudo Affinity cost. If you draw it late and need it as your back up, it might be too late to cast it for cheap.
Flayer Husk
: Just one, because it doesn't do nearly as much as your other artifacts, but you play it at one because of it's cute interaction with
Springleaf Drum
.
Chromatic Star
: It's a 1 drop artifact, can color fix, and draws a card if
Atog
eats it. What more could you ask for? Unfortunately, it's a little pricey for a Pauper deck.
Prophetic Prism
: 2 mana for a draw and mana fixing. Perfect fit for our turn 2 drop.
Springleaf Drum
: See how many times I mentioned it in the creature section? It's pretty good. Our Affinity creatures practically cast for free, so tapping them is a plus 1. All of that on a 1 drop artifact? It's an MVP.
Thoughtcast
: Draw 2 for 1 mana almost definitely turn 3 or later? Value city.
Metallic Rebuke
: This will be live as soon as turn 2 for 1 mana. It's a great surprise, but still great without the element surprise in the early game.
Galvanic Blast
: Any deck that can get to Metalcraft must play it. It's the best bolt in Pauper. Perfect for getting your opponent in range for an early game kill.
Fling
: The fastest way to a kill.
Atog
is almost always able to kill on the turn you play him. Too bad he doesn't have Haste.
Fling
handles that problem. Just don't eat your whole board and play into a counter spell. You're other creatures are also 4/4's. running 2 gives you an opportunity to spend one to throw one of them in addition to an
Atog
. That with a few attacks and Galvanic Blasts might give your
Atog
s the day off.
Temur Battle Rage
: Just one?! But it's so good! It is, but you're never going to need 2 when your
Atog
is swinging for 16 to 20. If you aren't ready to swing for lethal, it's a dead card (unlike
Fling
). Don't worry. You have plenty of draw power.
Artifact Lands. There is a reason these bad boys are banned in Modern. They build your Affinity and Metalcraft count and are food for
Atog
. No need to waste a spot with basics. The deck is fast, draws a lot of cards, and you don't need a ton of mana when they're on board.
Now, a quick look at the side deck.
Gorilla Shaman
: What card does this deck fear the most? This bad boy. Your lands or 0 CMC artifacts.
Gorilla Shaman
needs 1 colorless mana to kill any land besides
Darksteel Citadel
. He keeps me up at night. Perfect for the mirror.
Krark-Clan Shaman
: We aren't playing
Electrickery
, so we need token removal. Why not get it on legs with a reusable effect since we have a ton of artifacts?
Flaring Pain
: Alows you to play through Tron cast
Moment's Peace
.
Relic of Progenitus
: Although
Tortured Existence
has fallen off a bit, it's a scary deck that can outpace us with life gain.
Stone Rain
: Have you heard of Tron? It's pretty good.
Feed the Clan
: Our best answer to Burn since we can almost always trigger Ferocious.
Hydroblast
: Did I mention Burn? It's scary. Also, UR Delver is arguably the best deck in the format. It hurts them a little, but our creatures don't die to
Lightning Bolt
, so we mostly use this to slow down burn.
Pyroblast
: This deck is a bit of a glass cannon, so our
Atog
s and
Fling
need to resolve. Counters are our biggest fear. Plus, moving a
Delver of Secrets
out of our way is always a plus.
In summary, this deck is fun, fast, and fairly easy to play once you learn the right time to go off. It's easy to goldfish, so you can even practice that at home. The deck can be frail if you're repeatedly countered, but large creatures are there as a plan B. That gives the deck some ways to adapt on the fly and keep constant pressure on the opponent in fear of when the dreaded
Atog
will strike.
I hope this guide was helpful. Feedback is always welcome and giving a like would be very much appreciated. Check out my content on YouTube with MagicGatheringStrat and have a lovely day.
