Flash decks have always been a personal favorite - there's just something about having the simultaneous choice between a counterspell & a juicy Green fatty that makes them fun to play & probably not so fun to play against. You feel like the entire world is at your disposal, and you get to wait until the absolute last possible moment to make up your mind.
With the release of M20 coming up, there are going to be some amazing tools in Standard for this kind of deck, most notably
Nightpack Ambusher
. Here's my first attempt at putting these new toys in action. Instead of religiously sticking to Flash creatures, I've also included a few 1-2 CMC creatures that have instant-speed activated abilities, giving the deck some options on the board that the opponent has to worry about in addition to the possible counterspells & Wolfs in your hand. Any time that you have 3-4 or more mana available (AKA always), they have to expect anything.
CREATURES
<1>
Siren Stormtamer
: There's an overall 4-of of one-drop flyers, with the Stormtamer offering cheap protection for the other creatures after getting in some early damage.
Spectral Sailor
: The other half of the 1-drop flyer duo can be held back for easy Brineborn triggers & offers a little card advantage mana-dump in this draw-go strategy.
<2>
Brineborn Cutthroat
: This M20 addition obviously has good synergy with most of the deck, turning into a monster against control if they decide to save their spot removal for other threats. Also serves as a pseudo-burn spell against aggro.
Growth-Chamber Guardian
: Cheap to play, and can Adapt at instant speed to simultaneously improve your board & your hand. Nice for slamming down early against aggro for a big blocker (or at least the threat of a big blocker, while you hold up mana for a counterspell), or holding back for later against control to milk his card advantage.
Incubation Druid
: About the best dork a Flash deck could ask for. The crown jewels of this deck are in the 4-drop slot, so he both ramps into them a turn early & helps fix colors. On top of that, like GCG, his instant-speec Adapt means that opponents have to treat him like a 3/5 when you have 5 mana up.
<4>
Frilled Mystic
: Hard counter in creature form. This card can turn a small board advantage into an absolute blowout. Just the threat of a counterspell makes Flash decks difficult to play against, and having that counterspell on a stick takes it to another level.
Nightpack Ambusher
: This absolutely filthy M20 addition is perhaps the best win con I can remember for a Flash deck in recent Standard. Just sneak him in on the opponent's end step, untap with a counterspell or two in hand, and let this literal beast just have his way with the rest of the board. The best part is that they are even better in multiples.
<5>
Angel of Grace
: Gives another way to win via the sky, as Flashing it in on the opponent's end step almost feels like Haste & starts a quick clock. The trigger effect guarantees that you can step on the gas pedal when the finish line is in sight, since any surprises from your opponent won't be lethal.
CONTROL
<2>
Essence Capture
: Nice cheap counter for slowing down aggro, and the +1/+1 counter can synergize well with the Adapt creatures if you're looking for a quick return. Also nice to throw the counter on one of the flyers to double the damage from their consistent pecking.
Seal Away
: Another cheap, instant-speed option for slowing down aggro or dealing with your opponent's peskiest fatties that avoided your counterspells.
<3>
Absorb
: Decided to go with this hard counter due to the life gain, which is absent from the rest of the deck. Just from playtesting, it definitely makes a huge difference to get that extra 3-6 life in to survive against aggro.
<4>
Settle the Wreckage
: An absolute blowout against aggro that can be available as soon as turn 3 with a Druid. Also, since this deck is in its comfort zone when it's ahead on the board & can play the tempo game, this can help to turn the tide when you're on your back foot.
