This might be good for the kitchen table but its not going to be a real deck in standard. Your creatures will just sit there unless you draw your one win condition and most decks contain some form of enchantment removal in their 75. If you're looking to build around Assault Formation, you'd have a better shot trying to incorporate it into Sultai Mill with Phenax, God of Deception. That deck is already using creatures with lots of toughness, so this would just be another angle of attack. That deck was featured on SCG and TCG a couple of times but never took off, so even with the addition of Assault Formation, it probably won't amount to much.
This might be good for the kitchen table but its not going to be a real deck in standard. Your creatures will just sit there unless you draw your one win condition and most decks contain some form of enchantment removal in their 75. If you're looking to build around Assault Formation, you'd have a better shot trying to incorporate it into Sultai Mill with Phenax, God of Deception. That deck is already using creatures with lots of toughness, so this would just be another angle of attack. That deck was featured on SCG and TCG a couple of times but never took off, so even with the addition of Assault Formation, it probably won't amount to much.
You don't call "dying to removal" if the removal is more expensive in resources than the creature. If you have to spend BG (Abrupt Decay), or W + basic land (PtE) to remove a 1G, that is not "dying to removal". Strictly speaking Goyf dies to removal, but actually your removal is dying to Goyf.
Yeah, if you run the entire deck based around luckily drawing Assault Formation, there is a decent chance it won't work.
With all these big butts and life gain opportunities I wouldnt think aggro would be too much of a problem and the deck could stall long enough to find a formationS.
survivability, 4 commune, 2 insight and wall of mulch drawing will ensure formation will be found.
I might consider replacing the ram with the 0/4 bird that draws a card if you reveal a dragon. Triton tactics is probably not worth it because it's only useful when assault formation is out. not sure about the land counts
The first thing I thought of when I saw assault formation was there are a lot of cheap creatures with big butts. Play a few dudes, confuse your opponent, get under estimated then slam assault formation and go onto Game 2 as early as Turn 4. Sure there is no reason one couldnt take this deck into any other direction post board but I thought T1 trailblazer or Ox, T2 2 more of either of those or a 2 CMC creature, T3 repeat, T4 assault > win?
I was thinking aggro and going into 3 colors just introduces more complexity, also we would have to run caryatids and more land.
I don't think you want Collected Company in an assault formation deck, since company puts formation on the bottom of your library.
If you're content with getting Assault Formation as a late-game windmill slam instead of getting it out ASAP, Collected Company is fine. I'm running Collected Company in my Modern Goyf Twin deck even though it can't get Splinter Twin because, with 18 creatures, I win enough games without the combo. (The threat of the combo wins quite a few games, though, as opponents do sub-optimal things like not play creatures on curve in order to defend themselves against the presumed combo.)
I don't think you want Collected Company in an assault formation deck, since company puts formation on the bottom of your library.
If you're content with getting Assault Formation as a late-game windmill slam instead of getting it out ASAP, Collected Company is fine. I'm running Collected Company in my Modern Goyf Twin deck even though it can't get Splinter Twin because, with 18 creatures, I win enough games without the combo. (The threat of the combo wins quite a few games, though, as opponents do sub-optimal things like not play creatures on curve in order to defend themselves against the presumed combo.)
Collected company isnt better than commune or insight so it doesnt make the cut
You don't call "dying to removal" if the removal is more expensive in resources than the creature. If you have to spend BG (Abrupt Decay), or W + basic land (PtE) to remove a 1G, that is not "dying to removal". Strictly speaking Goyf dies to removal, but actually your removal is dying to Goyf.
The thought is that we can get aggressive draws (T4 kills are certainly possible, T5/T6 are much more regular) but we also have mana sinks (hence the choice of Ancestor and Parapet over things like Nyx-Fleece Ram) and removal to gum up the works until we hit some payoff cards (either the Assault Formation or Rhino/Tasigur). This deck also has the advantage of being predominantly G/B only touching white for Rhino. After sideboard, we can transition into more of a typical abzan aggro deck and punish them for taking out their cheaper removal - lightning strikes, bile blights, etc.
I will say, though, after stumbling across this thread, the idea of Sultai isn't too bad either giving us the ability to win with AF, Phenax, or good ol' Silumgar/Tasigur beats backed up by some control elements.
Edit: I should also add that other cards that seem like they could be good include Hornet Nest, Grim Contest, Brave the Sands, Orator of Ojutai, and Jeskai Barricade, but the latter 3 require a stronger commitment to white. I'm particularly fond of the idea of using Brave the Sands, but there's already sort of a glut of 2-drops in the deck as it is.
3/20: MY latest edition, -1 Jeskai barricade +1 Nylea (lots of ways to dig for it, its an enchantment, gives all my dudes trample!) +1 forest, -1 plains. Added 1st draft SB
3/22: After some testing against Abzan control, top "control" deck(?), its realized that access to green mana is needed just as much as white. White casts most of the spells but green is needed every turn to draw cards and utilize assault formations abilities. -1 plains, +1 forest. Also having all that potential combat damage get chump blocked is disappointing, with all the enchantment digging, I added another Nylea removing a wall of essence.
SB - basically the decks switches gears and adds threats so that their sideboarding against enchantments/formation, is insufficient. Good thing about these creatures are that they have big butts so they can protect planeswalkers easier. 3 whisperwood elemental - 'anti-wrath' 3 Haunted platemail - take out walls, EQ to creatures 3 Elspeth, Suns champion - duh 2 Ajani steadfast - counters on my attackers and PWs 2 windstorm - fliers 1 heliod, God of the Sun - meh... 1 Ajani, mentor of heroes - digs for stuff, elspeth
How does the combat phase with assault formation work? Say I attack with my sylvan Caryatid and he blocks with a 2/2. The powertoughness of my Caryatid goes down to 0/1 because of 2 damage from the blocker? So my Caryatid can only do 1 Damage?
How does the combat phase with assault formation work? Say I attack with my sylvan Caryatid and he blocks with a 2/2. The powertoughness of my Caryatid goes down to 0/1 because of 2 damage from the blocker? So my Caryatid can only do 1 Damage?
Caryatid deals three damage. Although it will remain a 0/3 Assault Formation effectively makes him a 3/3 in combat situations. Combat damage is assigned simultaneously.
I've been playing a couple of kitchen table versions (non-standard) and it's pretty fun. Access to graveyard recursion and search cards make the win con quite reliable. It shines best in group games as it easily thwarts would be attackers while you set up your alpha strike.
a single assault formation may be a be a decent card against Control deck in RG shells? A singleton as a way of making Caryatid and courser more of a threat and also being able to pump your creatures, extra damage?
4 Lagonna-Band Trailblazer - no defender
4 Yoked Ox - no defender
4 Wall of Essence
4 Jeskai Barricade
4 Nyx-Fleece Ram - no defender/enchant target
4 Wall of Mulch - weak card draw engine to find needed cards
4 courser of kruphix - no defender/enchant target
4 commune of the gods - 12 targets
4 assault formation - enchant target
2 Kruphix's Insight - removed 2 land from the mana base considering the curve costs. Didnt know what else to add......
Lands - 22
6 plains
6 forest
4 temple of plenty
4 windswept heath
2 mana confluence
Who would dare to try it? LOL
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Standard
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First shot at it with little thought:
2x Island
4x Opulent Palace
4x Polluted Delta
3x Swamp
1x Temple of Deceit
2x Temple of Malady
4x Temple of Mystery
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2x Dragon's Eye Savants
3x Phenax, God of Deception
3x Polukranos, World Eater
1x Silumgar, the Drifting Death
4x Sylvan Caryatid
2x Tasigur, the Golden Fang
3x Wall of Frost
3x Hero's Downfall
1x Murderous Cut
2x Sultai Charm
1x Triton Tactics
2x Read the Bones
3x Assault Formation
OH!, Por Supueeeeeeesto!!!
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Standard
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Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
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Yeah, if you run the entire deck based around luckily drawing Assault Formation, there is a decent chance it won't work. Funny how that works.
OT: Building it, and I like what I see. You win every combat step.
4x Temple of Mystery
5x Island
7x Forest
2x Thassa, God of the Sea
4x Assault Formation
4x Commune With the Gods
3x Treasure Cruise
3x Collected Company
3x Reality Shift
4x Dragon's Eye Savants
3x Wall of Mulch
4x Wall of Frost
3x Monastery Flock
"I hope to have such a death... lying in triumph atop the broken bodies of those who slew me..."
With all these big butts and life gain opportunities I wouldnt think aggro would be too much of a problem and the deck could stall long enough to find a formationS.
survivability, 4 commune, 2 insight and wall of mulch drawing will ensure formation will be found.
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Standard
GRAggro
GRWNaya Purphoros
GWAggro Retired 9/19/2014
RGPrimeval Titan RIP
1/5/2010 - 9/30/2011
Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91
The first thing I thought of when I saw assault formation was there are a lot of cheap creatures with big butts. Play a few dudes, confuse your opponent, get under estimated then slam assault formation and go onto Game 2 as early as Turn 4. Sure there is no reason one couldnt take this deck into any other direction post board but I thought T1 trailblazer or Ox, T2 2 more of either of those or a 2 CMC creature, T3 repeat, T4 assault > win?
I was thinking aggro and going into 3 colors just introduces more complexity, also we would have to run caryatids and more land.
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Standard
GRAggro
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Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91
T1 Mana Dork
T2 Wall of Blood
T3 Assault Formation
Possible T3 swing with 18/20 creature
#banlightningbolt
I don't think you want Collected Company in an assault formation deck, since company puts formation on the bottom of your library.
If you're content with getting Assault Formation as a late-game windmill slam instead of getting it out ASAP, Collected Company is fine. I'm running Collected Company in my Modern Goyf Twin deck even though it can't get Splinter Twin because, with 18 creatures, I win enough games without the combo. (The threat of the combo wins quite a few games, though, as opponents do sub-optimal things like not play creatures on curve in order to defend themselves against the presumed combo.)
Collected company isnt better than commune or insight so it doesnt make the cut
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Standard
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40th at GP SLC 2012
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It also hits every creature in my version. It generates great field presence.
"I hope to have such a death... lying in triumph atop the broken bodies of those who slew me..."
Oh, in your version, missed that.
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Standard
GRAggro
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GWAggro Retired 9/19/2014
RGPrimeval Titan RIP
1/5/2010 - 9/30/2011
Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91
4 Disowned Ancestor
4 Archers' Parapet
4 Sylvan Caryatid
4 Courser of Kruphix
4 Siege Rhino
2 Tasigur, the Golden Fang
Engines:
4 Commune with the Gods
4 Assault Formation
Removal:
1 Murderous Cut
1 Bile Blight
1 Ultimate Price
3 Hero's Downfall
2 Caves of Koilos
3 Forest
4 Llanowar Wastes
1 Plains
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
4 Temple of Malady
1 Temple of Silence
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
4 Windswept Heath
2 Drown in Sorrow
3 Rakshasa Deathdealer
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
3 Thoughtseize
1 Ultimate Price
4 Warden of the First Tree
The thought is that we can get aggressive draws (T4 kills are certainly possible, T5/T6 are much more regular) but we also have mana sinks (hence the choice of Ancestor and Parapet over things like Nyx-Fleece Ram) and removal to gum up the works until we hit some payoff cards (either the Assault Formation or Rhino/Tasigur). This deck also has the advantage of being predominantly G/B only touching white for Rhino. After sideboard, we can transition into more of a typical abzan aggro deck and punish them for taking out their cheaper removal - lightning strikes, bile blights, etc.
I will say, though, after stumbling across this thread, the idea of Sultai isn't too bad either giving us the ability to win with AF, Phenax, or good ol' Silumgar/Tasigur beats backed up by some control elements.
Edit: I should also add that other cards that seem like they could be good include Hornet Nest, Grim Contest, Brave the Sands, Orator of Ojutai, and Jeskai Barricade, but the latter 3 require a stronger commitment to white. I'm particularly fond of the idea of using Brave the Sands, but there's already sort of a glut of 2-drops in the deck as it is.
3/22: After some testing against Abzan control, top "control" deck(?), its realized that access to green mana is needed just as much as white. White casts most of the spells but green is needed every turn to draw cards and utilize assault formations abilities. -1 plains, +1 forest. Also having all that potential combat damage get chump blocked is disappointing, with all the enchantment digging, I added another Nylea removing a wall of essence.
4 Lagonna-Band Trailblazer - no defender
4 Yoked Ox - no defender
3 Wall of Essence - stops aggro dead in their tracks
3 Jeskai Barricade - saves creatures, flash creature when formation is in play.
4 Nyx-Fleece Ram - no defender/enchant target
4 Wall of Mulch - weak card draw engine to find needed cards
4 Courser of Kruphix - no defender/enchant target
2 Nylea, god of the hunt - gives trample! can find with commune or kruphix
4 Commune of the Gods - 12 targets
4 Assault Formation - enchant target
2 Kruphix's Insight - removed 2 land from the mana base considering the curve costs. Didnt know what else to add......
Lands - 22
6 plains
6 forest
4 temple of plenty
4 windswept heath
2 mana confluence
3 whisperwood elemental - 'anti-wrath'
3 Haunted platemail - take out walls, EQ to creatures
3 Elspeth, Suns champion - duh
2 Ajani steadfast - counters on my attackers and PWs
2 windstorm - fliers
1 heliod, God of the Sun - meh...
1 Ajani, mentor of heroes - digs for stuff, elspeth
Props to DarkNightCavalier 4 da banner and SGT_Chubbz 4 avvie, here
Standard
GRAggro
GRWNaya Purphoros
GWAggro Retired 9/19/2014
RGPrimeval Titan RIP
1/5/2010 - 9/30/2011
Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91
hows that?
Props to DarkNightCavalier 4 da banner and SGT_Chubbz 4 avvie, here
Standard
GRAggro
GRWNaya Purphoros
GWAggro Retired 9/19/2014
RGPrimeval Titan RIP
1/5/2010 - 9/30/2011
Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91
Caryatid deals three damage. Although it will remain a 0/3 Assault Formation effectively makes him a 3/3 in combat situations. Combat damage is assigned simultaneously.
I've been playing a couple of kitchen table versions (non-standard) and it's pretty fun. Access to graveyard recursion and search cards make the win con quite reliable. It shines best in group games as it easily thwarts would be attackers while you set up your alpha strike.
Props to DarkNightCavalier 4 da banner and SGT_Chubbz 4 avvie, here
Standard
GRAggro
GRWNaya Purphoros
GWAggro Retired 9/19/2014
RGPrimeval Titan RIP
1/5/2010 - 9/30/2011
Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91
List....
Props to DarkNightCavalier 4 da banner and SGT_Chubbz 4 avvie, here
Standard
GRAggro
GRWNaya Purphoros
GWAggro Retired 9/19/2014
RGPrimeval Titan RIP
1/5/2010 - 9/30/2011
Top 4 Channelfireball Winter series 5k Feb. 2011
3rd at California National Qualifiers 2011
40th at GP SLC 2012
Find me on MTGO @ Ruslvmusl91