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Gladiator Duel

Aggro fast paced Gladiator / Soldier themed Legacy deck, initially created around 2008 and updated in 2024.

The deck is centered around Deftblade Elite, a one drop with the ridiculous ability Provoke. With this ability, you can force an opposing creature to block it, even if they're tapped. It even has a built in combat damage negation if the opponent wants to instant it down during combat. If he's buffed up and/or equipped with Godsend or Stoneforge Masterwork then you have targeted creature removal each turn. Steelshaper's Gift can Tutor for these. Provoke is basically just a better version of Goad which I've been seeing on some of the newer cards.

The curve is pretty quick without going Weenie, as there are many things to buff up the soldiers. Daru Warchief is a staple here, as well as Shared Triumph.

Draw comes from Minas Tirith, Aradesh, the Founder, Vanquisher's Banner, Sword of Fire and Ice, Esper Sentinel, Firemane Commando, and optionally Sigarda's Splendor for budget.

Whipcorder can tap down threats and also buff up Gideon's Avenger. Gideon's Lawkeeper is also an option here, I just prefer the old school gladiator style Whipcorder.

Rogue's Passage can help sneak a trigger in for Sword of Fire and Ice and Sword of Light and Shadow.

Esper Sentinel can be swapped out for the Sideboard cards: Mentor of the Meek, Firemane Commando, Hylda's Crown of Winter for less $$$ and power level.

The idea is to target down threats with Provoke and build up forces fast and go for the win. The deck doesn't stand up well to board wipes and long drawn out games, as it lacks much recursion, protection, and lifegain. Overall though, this is one of my more competitive Legacy decks. Still open to suggestions for improvement though, so let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.

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95% Casual

Competitive

Revision 8 See all

(1 month ago)

-1 Esper Sentinel main
+2 Firemane Commando main
-1 Noble Templar main
Top Ranked
  • Achieved #18 position overall 1 month ago
  • Achieved #1 position in Legacy 1 month ago
Date added 3 years
Last updated 3 weeks
Legality

This deck is Legacy legal.

Rarity (main - side)

6 - 0 Mythic Rares

19 - 3 Rares

13 - 1 Uncommons

8 - 0 Commons

Cards 60
Avg. CMC 2.64
Tokens Emblem Ajani Steadfast, Morph 2/2 C, Soldier, Soldier 1/1 W
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