Why is Kird Ape played more often than Loam Lion in most Naya Zoo deck lists?
Modern forum
Posted on Aug. 24, 2014, 7:46 p.m. by forestlore44
It just occurred to me that in most Naya Zoo lists Kird Ape is almost always favoured over Loam Lion in almost every Zoo deck running white. At first glance they appear to be essentially the same creature, but just in different colors. Is it something to do with the order of priority of fetching out specific shocklands early game perhaps? Does anyone have an idea why?
You already needed the green, so it will be guaranteed turn 2.
August 24, 2014 7:49 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #5
Both of them get buffed off of forests DMR so that likely isn't it.
I have a feeling that it is because of color balance in the deck since they basically are the same creature. It would be nice if you gave a link to the decks you are talking about so we can see them and analyze them.
August 24, 2014 8 p.m.
Could also be because you can't drop the Lion after BTE.
August 24, 2014 8:04 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #7
Fulcrum brings up a good point.
Most of the Zoo decks I could find were either GRw with the splash for Path to Exile and maybe 1 other power card in white, or didn't run either.
August 24, 2014 8:08 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #8
When you play weenie aggro, you splash red before you splash white. Kird Ape , Goblin Guide and BTE come before Loam Lion and Path to Exile . RG splashes Nacatl, but plays Flinthoof Boar .
There are always less white cards in Little Zoo, as Path to Exile and Boros Charm (sometimes) are the only really good cards. Outside of that, you only need four 1 mana 2/3s.
August 24, 2014 8:21 p.m.
No DMR and thispersonisagenius are right. The deck is primarily Gruul with a tiny white splash, and therefore Kird Ape is easier to cast than a Loam Lion . A T1 gruul land can cast Wild Nacatl T1 and on T2 a Kird Ape . You can't cast a Loam Lion with it.
August 25, 2014 5:45 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #10
I always thought that was self explanatory. I never seen a single Zoo build, and I can already tell you that the deck consists of Gruul colours with a splash of white for resiliency. So it would make sense that it is easier to cast Kird Ape as you have a lot more red mana than you do white mana.
DMR says... #2
My guess is because it is easier to drop it after a Wild Nacatl and a Stomping Ground .
August 24, 2014 7:48 p.m.