Abzan Lifegain (BFZ Standard)
Standard
SCORE: 10 | 25 COMMENTS | 4101 VIEWS | IN 13 FOLDERS
FNM —Oct. 16, 2015
Finally got to test the decks at an FNM. Ended up going 2-2. The big problems I kept running into were: random mana issues, and having too many big cards in my hand. Most of the time when someone beat me, it was because I couldn't get off the ground, not because my deck was working and they just overpowered me. I hit my Defiant Bloodlord combo twice, once with Sorin, Solemn Visitor and Alhammarret's Archive out (dealing 15 damage) and once with two Feed the Clans the next turn. I hit Feed the Clan for 10 in just about every game that I got going. Nissa's Renewal + Retreat to Kazandu ended up being my turning point in two games, scoring me 13 life and fishing out whatever color I was missing, and the look on an opponent's face when I jumped from 5 to 18 to 30 life in two turns was great. I only had one game where Felidar Sovereign was even an option, against a ramp deck with the archive out, and I couldn't get it into play.
Overall, my plan is to work on the mana base, starting with a few Sandsteppe Citadels. I think I am going to remove at least one copy of Defiant Bloodlord, Felidar Sovereign, Hidden Dragonslayer, and Aligned Hedron Network. I found them sitting in my hand waiting for a purpose far too often. Sorin, Solemn Visitor was good in any non-red match up I played, so it may find its way to the sideboard. I think Abzan Charm will contribute more to my removal suite than some of the other options, while also giving me a draw engine late game.
Yes, I do! As I noted, it was a last minute addition after I realized that Ajani's Pridemate had rotated out (Gatherer lied to me). Suggestions are welcome!
October 5, 2015 1:48 p.m.
DashtheDestroyer says... #4
Yeah no problem I just wish there was a way to gain life fast lolz
October 5, 2015 2:07 p.m.
This is one of the sweatiest decks I've ever seen. Even thoug I play control, I hate playing against lifegain. This deck looks pretty solid though.
October 5, 2015 2:24 p.m.
NoOneOfConsequence says... #6
Jaddi Offshoot, perhaps? Stops a turn one Monastery Swiftspear, if you're on the play, and the landfall trigger might help.
Also, if you need more fog effects, there's Revealing Wind.
October 8, 2015 10:33 a.m.
Thinking that Hidden Dragonslayer may be better than Valorous Stance. Some combination of Jaddi Offshoot, Den Protector, and Sorin, Solemn Visitor may also be on the table. Winds of Qal Sisma is my first thought to cut, but I think I'll try it as is before I make too many more big cuts/purchases. 1-2 life on turn one shouldn't hurt me much when I'm intending to gain so much. Suggestions/thoughts welcome as always.
October 8, 2015 11:12 a.m.
masta: It could work. What would you suggest cutting?
October 9, 2015 11:28 a.m.
OMG! THERES NO Dragonlord Dromoka IN THIS LIST?!?!?
October 11, 2015 11:16 p.m.
DrRacecar: It was in my original list. I decided I needed more removal, it didn't directly effect my theme like the other two big creatures, and it was the only thing on my list that gets killed by Aligned Hedron Network. What would you cut?
October 11, 2015 11:25 p.m.
I feel like you dont really have enough mana to keep the deck going turn to turn effectively.
October 12, 2015 3:03 a.m.
MadMansPurity says... #14
@Vaclue you are right to feel that way. The majority of this decks lands enter tapped as well making for a slower game for him.
raefgall if you want some "decent" life try Animist's Awakening + Retreat to Kazandu as a backup. Ranges easily from 4 to at most 12 life per Awakening cast. I mean its not amazing but I see it play well in Standard so its a suggestion. With multiple Jaddi Offshoot out and an Animist's Awakening cast grants a cluster of life per land as well. Also there is Fruit of the First Tree + Vampiric Rites add in a hefty creature to sac to gain life and even draw a card.
October 12, 2015 3:20 a.m.
Vaclue: 8/24 lands enter tapped. There aren't other dual lands for BW or BG right now except for the Pain Lands, which aren't searchable anyway. I suppose with the life gain I could afford to include a few of them if mana proves to be a problem.
MadMansPurity that sounds like it would work, but it sounds like a very different take on the concept that would ultimately require a full rework of the deck. What would you cut to make some of those fit in?
I'll have a better idea on whether the mana base is too slow or if I am not getting enough life gain from my current setup once I get a chance to test things at FNM this week.
October 12, 2015 10:47 a.m.
DashtheDestroyer says... #16
So I made the deck. Removal (Blue spells) is the biggest feat to get this deck moving. Overall fun to play. I added two sorin's in it to add some plus one lifelink and the emblem completely shuts the other player down to where you almost don't have to have Felidar Sovereign to win
October 12, 2015 1:42 p.m.
MadMansPurity says... #17
Is your main wincon with Felidar Sovereign raefgall?
October 12, 2015 2:01 p.m.
My intention was for Defiant Bloodlord/attrition to be the primary win-con, with Felidar Sovereign as a backup/opportunity based win-con. As I mentioned in my last post, I haven't had a chance to play beyond some test games yet, so that may change based on the practicality of things.
Thanks for the comments, DashtheDestroyer. Sorin is definitely on the short list of things that I might be adding in.
October 12, 2015 2:47 p.m.
MadMansPurity says... #19
I am kind of confused. Attrition isnt in Standard
October 12, 2015 5:11 p.m.
Not the card, just as a general tactic. Attrition meaning to slowly pick away at their health and put them in a situation where they can't reciprocate because you are gaining life.
October 12, 2015 5:20 p.m.
MadMansPurity says... #21
Ahh okay my apologies. So kinda like a slight Death & Taxes theme then?
October 12, 2015 5:25 p.m.
MadMansPurity says... #22
I think the multiple Jaddi Offshoot with Animist's Awakening would gain more life than Animist's Awakening + Retreat to Kazandu although I cant quite suggest what to take out as I dont know what cards you want to keep
October 12, 2015 5:30 p.m.
I wouldn't say Death and Taxes necessarily, but yeah, outlasting your opponent rather than just assuming you'll outpower them.
As far as Jaddi Offshoot or Retreat to Kazandu, I would have to say "why not both?" Off hand, if I were to switch it up, I think I would probably end up cutting some combination of Drana's Emissary, Feed the Clan, and Winds of Qal Sisma (which is 11 cards) for some combination of the landfall lifegain combo you're talking about. I am hesitant to cut too many creatures, and I feel like if I can't cut at least 10-11 cards it isn't worth including. Also, it would work WAY better with fetch lands, and I am not quite ready to spend that. ;)
October 12, 2015 6:59 p.m.
MadMansPurity says... #24
How often are you able to cast Feed the Clan and get the 10 life? I mean that is one card I love because its just so dang cheap to cast.
And yes fetchlands would be a definite boost on the synergy with lifefall but that damnable price tag. And if KTKs fetches are like Zendikars then it will do nothing but rise
DashtheDestroyer says... #1
Don't you think Kalastria Healer is kind of pointless? You don't have enough allies in the deck to make that work. There has to be another way to gain life...
October 5, 2015 1:43 p.m.