Black Lotus Style

Casual KrimeFyta

SCORE: 12 | 6 COMMENTS | 1229 VIEWS | IN 3 FOLDERS

The Path To Enlightenment —July 9, 2019

Some time ago--years?--it's all a blur. Back in the day, I massed together a pile of cards (mostly from the recently-released Khans of Tarkir) that would go on to become the deck we all know an love as "Black Lotus Style". I remember looking at the Jeskai stuff that had come out and grinning like a horse's ass with excitement for a new deck. I was completely innocent back then, and silly as a lark with my convictions about what the deck should look like. In those old days, I was obsessed with remaining "2RU TO THE OL' SKOO."

My deck was a pearl-handled engine of defeat. Oh sure, it had ancient gems like Lightning Reflexes and thematic flagships such as Serene Master and Wandering Champion. But facing that shivering jackal, Jay-Key (a sinister rogue I sometimes play against,) in magical combat will quickly reveal just how hollow my deck is.

There was a time when I was convinced that only human monks would make up this deck, and I had zero plans for adding any dragons (yes, despite kung fu being a firmly Chinese concept, that's right.) The printing of Taigam, Ojutai Master was very helpful in getting me to change my mind on that. When they came out with Ancestor Dragon, it had become embarrassing to think that dragons were ever forbidden in the first place.

As much as I love the art, the flavor text, and the sometimes ridiculously outdated power level of pre-modern cards... I had to come to terms with something today that has long terrified me: the removal of Jade Statue from this deck. Anyone who dares to get me started on the subject will tell you that I love the first couple dozen MtG expansion sets with a passion--but a kung-fu deck needs to be able to kick a little ass, and... today, in the middle of 2019... Jade Statue does not specificaly "kick ass." Removing this card is symbolic of letting go of the things that restrict me from being better.

And let's get real: I want this deck to be better! Why else would I be monologueing about my strategic decisions to strangers on the internet about it? Why else would I have invested in a play-set of Monastery Mentor!?

The land tweak is always the last step to updating my decks. I juggled the basic lands to better suit the new balance of casting costs, and now I'm raring to test it against the villainous Jay-Key! I pretty much despise removing shitty, ancient cards that I simply love from my decks, but I believe this deck is now stronger than it's ever been.