This is a deck that I've been vigorously play testing the past couple of weeks. Mainly, because its shown a strong resiliency versus most of my local meta game, and it can easily be sculpted to fit whatever you may happen to come across.
First, I'll give you my decklist, and then reasoning for my card choices:
The deck plays very similarly to Bant Giests. Using tempo advantages and hard to deal with threats to gain a strong board position, early into the game.
The only difference with my version and Bant Giests is:
-Dropping the third color for more consistent mana draws, and allows the ability to drop Evolving Wilds. Gaining tempo, in return.
-MainDeck Tree of Redemption really makes it hard for aggro decks to win. Especially when it's dropped on third turn. Coupled with Increasing Savagery allows the resiliency of the deck to increase, dramatically.
-Borderland Ranger allows the ability to play turn 3 or 4 Dungeon Giests or increasing savagery, more efficiently.
-Tracker's Instinct does many things for the deck. It acts as a card filtering spell by helping you grab Tree of Redemption or Invisible Stalker more frequently. With Increasing Savagery, Silent Departure and the remaining copies of Tracker's Instinct, you are given even more value by the ability of flashback on each. When sideboarding versus Bonfire of the Damned and mass removal, it acts as a inhibitor for Skaab Ruinator. And most importantly, it helps you keep a board presence by almost always putting a creature into your hand. And any creature gets rather annoying with Increasing Savagery.
Here's a general breakdown of my sideboard strategy.
Versus Aggro decks:
-2 Silent Departure
-1 Tree of Redemption
-1 Invisible Stalker
+4 Prey Upon
Note: Prey Upon + Strangleroot Giest is a strong synergy versus quicker, more explosive aggro decks.
Versus Control decks(mass removal):
-2 Dungeon Giests
-1 Silent Departure
+3 Skaab Ruinator
Note: this is generally against any deck running multiples of Bonfire of the Damned or any other mass removal (minus Terminus, of course).
Versus Reanimator or decks utilizing Snapcaster Mage:
-1 Silent Departure
-4 Tree of Redemption
+1 Dungeon Giests
+4 Memory's Journey
Note: Unless I'm mistaken, Memory's Journey is also quite handy versus any creature with "Undying". Consider when playing versus Zombies, because of Gravecrawler and Geralf's Messenger.
That would conclude my description of this deck. Any comments to help improve this would be great! Thanks!
How has your test playing been so far with this deck? ive been tinkering with these 2 colors for the past week myself.. also arbor elf makes this not block legal.
How has your test playing been so far with this deck? ive been tinkering with these 2 colors for the past week myself.. also arbor elf makes this not block legal.
Thanks for the catch. I don't know why I thought that Arbor Elf was in block. Luckily Scorned Villager is around. I played a few games and didn't noticed any difference in the overall flow of the deck.
In play testing. This deck has been insane. I've played vs:
RW Humans- As long as you see a Tree of Redemption, this match up is fairly easy. Strangleroot Giest also proves to be an all-star in this match up.
BW Tokens- You have to race these guys, as they are essentially doing close to what you are. Investing in creatures to win the game, quickly.
GR Aggro- Prey upon from sideboard helps with this match up tremendously.
Reanimator- Memory's Journey helps out quite a bit, but usually this deck is too fast for Reanimator.
To be honest? I think that this deck is extremely powerful for the format. Its consistent, and a lot of fun to play.
Gave this list a run tonight on mtgo (went 2-2). Problems I had:
For a deck that wants to play the long game, Oliva Voldaren is a real threat. Both games I lost tonight I went from a superior board position (20-3 in one case) to death in a matter of turns once Oliva hit the field.
Aaaaaaand that's really about it. Tree of redemption is hilarious against jund, ESPECIALLY if you can hit it with an increasing vengance early on. This deck is fun, but missing something, and I'm not sure what.
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First, I'll give you my decklist, and then reasoning for my card choices:
4 Borderland Ranger
3 Dungeon Giests
4 Invisible Stalker
4 Scorned Villager
4 Strangleroot Giest
4 Tree of Redemption
4 Increasing Savagery
3 Silent Departure
4 Tracker's Instinct
Enchantments - 3
3 Abundant Growth
Nonbasic Lands - 4
4 Hinterland Harbor
Basic Lands - 19
12 Forest
7 Island
1 Dungeon Giests
3 Skaab Ruinator
1 Gnaw to the Bone
2 Natural End
4 Prey Upon
4 Memory's Journey
The deck plays very similarly to Bant Giests. Using tempo advantages and hard to deal with threats to gain a strong board position, early into the game.
The only difference with my version and Bant Giests is:
-Dropping the third color for more consistent mana draws, and allows the ability to drop Evolving Wilds. Gaining tempo, in return.
-MainDeck Tree of Redemption really makes it hard for aggro decks to win. Especially when it's dropped on third turn. Coupled with Increasing Savagery allows the resiliency of the deck to increase, dramatically.
-Borderland Ranger allows the ability to play turn 3 or 4 Dungeon Giests or increasing savagery, more efficiently.
-Tracker's Instinct does many things for the deck. It acts as a card filtering spell by helping you grab Tree of Redemption or Invisible Stalker more frequently. With Increasing Savagery, Silent Departure and the remaining copies of Tracker's Instinct, you are given even more value by the ability of flashback on each. When sideboarding versus Bonfire of the Damned and mass removal, it acts as a inhibitor for Skaab Ruinator. And most importantly, it helps you keep a board presence by almost always putting a creature into your hand. And any creature gets rather annoying with Increasing Savagery.
Here's a general breakdown of my sideboard strategy.
Versus Aggro decks:
-2 Silent Departure
-1 Tree of Redemption
-1 Invisible Stalker
+4 Prey Upon
Note: Prey Upon + Strangleroot Giest is a strong synergy versus quicker, more explosive aggro decks.
Versus Control decks(mass removal):
-2 Dungeon Giests
-1 Silent Departure
+3 Skaab Ruinator
Note: this is generally against any deck running multiples of Bonfire of the Damned or any other mass removal (minus Terminus, of course).
Versus Reanimator or decks utilizing Snapcaster Mage:
-1 Silent Departure
-4 Tree of Redemption
+1 Dungeon Giests
+4 Memory's Journey
Note: Unless I'm mistaken, Memory's Journey is also quite handy versus any creature with "Undying". Consider when playing versus Zombies, because of Gravecrawler and Geralf's Messenger.
That would conclude my description of this deck. Any comments to help improve this would be great! Thanks!
Thanks for the catch. I don't know why I thought that Arbor Elf was in block. Luckily Scorned Villager is around. I played a few games and didn't noticed any difference in the overall flow of the deck.
In play testing. This deck has been insane. I've played vs:
RW Humans- As long as you see a Tree of Redemption, this match up is fairly easy. Strangleroot Giest also proves to be an all-star in this match up.
BW Tokens- You have to race these guys, as they are essentially doing close to what you are. Investing in creatures to win the game, quickly.
GR Aggro- Prey upon from sideboard helps with this match up tremendously.
Reanimator- Memory's Journey helps out quite a bit, but usually this deck is too fast for Reanimator.
To be honest? I think that this deck is extremely powerful for the format. Its consistent, and a lot of fun to play.
For a deck that wants to play the long game, Oliva Voldaren is a real threat. Both games I lost tonight I went from a superior board position (20-3 in one case) to death in a matter of turns once Oliva hit the field.
Aaaaaaand that's really about it. Tree of redemption is hilarious against jund, ESPECIALLY if you can hit it with an increasing vengance early on. This deck is fun, but missing something, and I'm not sure what.