So Lone Rider finally brought me around to the notion of flip cards.
I latched onto Mutagenic Growth for it. Flavorwise, I like that Growth starts a mutation that makes the Lone Rider continue to mutate into a horror. Mechanically, I like that I pay life to generate a big ol' lifelink critter.
Deck could go any number of directions from there, I first opted for RW since I still had some Helices floating around. Here's draft one. Kinda messing around with the lands to figure out which ETB tapped effects I want. Peaks and Crossroads help flip a Rider, but I think haste guys means Peaks over Roads? My CMC tops out at 3, should I drop a couple more basics for cycling lands?
Any suggestions? I'm only holding Rider and Growth as sacred.
Considering the most desirable chain of events in the early game (play turn 1 Vault Skirge into turn 2 Lone Rider, then attack with the Skirge, MG it, and at end of turn transform the Rider), I think, the deck needs another 1-drop lifelink creature. My best pick for that is Sacred Cat due to embalm making it a 2-in-1 creature, but Serra Ascendant, Hopeful Eidolon or Nip Gwyllion (if you add black to the deck, this one makes it easier to have that turn 1 play, plus it's safe from Doom Blade) are viable, too, and there are several others that at least fit the basic criteria. If you go black right away, Vampire Cutthroat also comes with an evasion ability.
You also want something to complement Mutagenic Growth to aid the early transformation of the Rider. Kabira Crossroads is a good idea combined with a turn 1 lifelinker, but it enters tapped, so you can get the turn 2 transformation only if you also have a Mox Diamond. Radiant Fountain enters untapped and also gives 2 life, which allows you to play the Rider and attack with a 1-drop lifelinker without further aid. Of course, that 1-drop then has to be playable with white mana as your first land must be a Plains. Lands that enter the battlefield tapped will really hinder your game, so I'd run none if at all possible, or at least only include those that are strictly supporting the deck's strategy, and even then only in small numbers.
If the turn 2 transformation doesn't come to pass, then you have lots of equipment that can be played and attached on turn 3, to enable a turn 3 transformation. The Wargear is of course really good for this, so I'd add at least one more. Other options include Bonesplitter, Silver-Inlaid Dagger, Darksteel Axe, Trusty Machete, etc.
If you're equipping lifelink creatures and gain lots of life, Dismember as a really good removal already becomes even better, even if you don't run black.
I could bump the Swiftblades for another couple 1 CMC lifelinkers, the Swiftblades aren't really in tune with either the transform or haste half of the deck.
I'm still on the fence over Bonesplitter. It would add another avenue for a turn 2 transformation, but I don't know that I can go all in on a plan of Lone Rider with just 4 copies, no tutoring, and too little fast mana to reliably support the 3CMC transform routes. Bonesplitter does play nicely with the haste half of my creature base, but Sais also let me keep up burn mana...
Apostle's Blessing and Steelshaper's Gift are sort of acting as filler. Without a toolbox to choose from, might be better to run that third Wargear over Gift. Blessing could become more critters, removal slots 9-10, or stay as a partial counterspell.
Instead of haste you might want to focus on the first strike. Something like Knight of the Meadowgrain or Sunspear Shikari would give another first strike + lifelink creature. Whats the budget for this? Jitte would be amazing here.
Instead of haste you might want to focus on the first strike. Something like Kight of the Meadowgrain or Leonin Shikari would give another first strike + lifelink creature. Whats the budget for this? Jitte would be amazing here.
I have the same thoughts...
First Strike is better for the Lifegain of the Lone Rider
And Bonesplitter is better First Strike than with Haste, I agree that Sai of the Shinobi is better with Haste...
But I feel that the First Strike approach is better, and it fits the theme of the Lone Rider
@Budget: Mostly low. I tend to sell anything worth money as soon as people ask for it, so I'm out of duals etc. but still have odd ball cards that I can trade into things worth less than 50.
I could probably reacquire Jittes.
So the last couple posts are geared more for bolstering Rider than closing things out with haste and burn. That shifted me to thinking on a color swap to UW? Slower build based on holding advantage.
Cerodons and Skynights out, Sai of the Shinobi into Bonesplitters. Knight of Meadowgrain - Because, yes. Quite good. Azorius Herald - Transforms a T2 Rider, gets in there with Mutagenic Growth, and is terrifying with Wargear.
I like Glory Bound Initiate, but might take me a while to find those since I tend to run with a crowd that slowly acquires new cards.
Vault Skirge should probably be pulled from this build...
Swap burn for counters. Absorb - Slower than Counter, but aids a transformation. Mana Leak - Figured I'd go easy on the manabase here since Knight and Absorb are working opposite ends of the spectrum.
I would consider Ojutai's Command in a W/U build. If you cast that in your opponent's second main phase with modes 1 and 2, you start your next turn with It that Rides as One already able to attack. And being able to counter a creature spell and/or draw a card is also nice.
Honor's Reward also looks interesting, because Lone Rider will be the creature you bolster. And doing so gives you the ability to transform it without relying on its lifelink ability, while making it a 6/6. Scary.
Blessed Alliance is another multimode spell that can gain you the nessessary life while doing something more useful.
Desert's Hold (with some Deserts in the deck) or Faith's Fetters can remove a blocker/attacker while also setting up the Rider's transformation. Shutting down activated abilities has become more and more relvant over the years, too.
You could also go W/G, and use only white control options, though green has gotten quite a lot of good removal, too, recently. Going green with some more green creatures would also give you another "free" +2/+2 spell in Gather Courage to complement Mutagenic Growth. For example, follow up a turn 2 rider with a green 3-drop and you can GC the Rider by tapping the newcomer for convoke. And green would give you Moonmist as an alternative way to transform the Rider (preferably in the opponent's turn to also make his combat phase moot.)
8 cards that have turn 1 lifelink + evasion, 8 cards that are free turn 2 pumps. Ajani's Pridemate ends up as another option for a finisher. Between the pumps and the equipment you have 14 cards that synergize with your first strike creatures, and first strike pumps the pridemate prior to it dealing its combat damage. Authority of the Consuls is just a cheap bit of tempo advantage, but it could easily be Thalia, Heretic Cathar for a similar effect. I'd also consider Night's Whisper or Read the Bones, though I wasn't sure of the slots for including them.
I latched onto Mutagenic Growth for it. Flavorwise, I like that Growth starts a mutation that makes the Lone Rider continue to mutate into a horror. Mechanically, I like that I pay life to generate a big ol' lifelink critter.
Deck could go any number of directions from there, I first opted for RW since I still had some Helices floating around. Here's draft one. Kinda messing around with the lands to figure out which ETB tapped effects I want. Peaks and Crossroads help flip a Rider, but I think haste guys means Peaks over Roads? My CMC tops out at 3, should I drop a couple more basics for cycling lands?
Any suggestions? I'm only holding Rider and Growth as sacred.
4 Lone Rider
4 Vault Skirge
4 Cerodon Yearling
4 Skyknight Legionnaire
2 Boros Swiftblade
Gear
2 Grafted Wargear
2 Sai of the Shinobi
4 Mutagenic Growth
4 Lightning Helix
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Apostle's Blessing
1 Steelshaper's Gift
Manabase
2 Mox Diamond
1 Forgotten Cave
1 Secluded Steppe
2 Teetering Peaks
1 Kabira Crossroads
2 Boros Garrison
7 Plains
7 Mountain
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You also want something to complement Mutagenic Growth to aid the early transformation of the Rider. Kabira Crossroads is a good idea combined with a turn 1 lifelinker, but it enters tapped, so you can get the turn 2 transformation only if you also have a Mox Diamond. Radiant Fountain enters untapped and also gives 2 life, which allows you to play the Rider and attack with a 1-drop lifelinker without further aid. Of course, that 1-drop then has to be playable with white mana as your first land must be a Plains. Lands that enter the battlefield tapped will really hinder your game, so I'd run none if at all possible, or at least only include those that are strictly supporting the deck's strategy, and even then only in small numbers.
If the turn 2 transformation doesn't come to pass, then you have lots of equipment that can be played and attached on turn 3, to enable a turn 3 transformation. The Wargear is of course really good for this, so I'd add at least one more. Other options include Bonesplitter, Silver-Inlaid Dagger, Darksteel Axe, Trusty Machete, etc.
If you're equipping lifelink creatures and gain lots of life, Dismember as a really good removal already becomes even better, even if you don't run black.
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(The Gamers: Dorkness Rising)
"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science."
(Girl Genius - Fairy Tale Theater Break - Cinderella, end of volume 8)
I'm still on the fence over Bonesplitter. It would add another avenue for a turn 2 transformation, but I don't know that I can go all in on a plan of Lone Rider with just 4 copies, no tutoring, and too little fast mana to reliably support the 3CMC transform routes. Bonesplitter does play nicely with the haste half of my creature base, but Sais also let me keep up burn mana...
Apostle's Blessing and Steelshaper's Gift are sort of acting as filler. Without a toolbox to choose from, might be better to run that third Wargear over Gift. Blessing could become more critters, removal slots 9-10, or stay as a partial counterspell.
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Edit: Corrected cards, thanks SengirPaladin!
I have the same thoughts...
First Strike is better for the Lifegain of the Lone Rider
And Bonesplitter is better First Strike than with Haste, I agree that Sai of the Shinobi is better with Haste...
But I feel that the First Strike approach is better, and it fits the theme of the Lone Rider
I believe that Knight of Meadowgrain or Mistmeadow Skulk with a Bonesplitter could work
(I believe @Kumlekar meant Sunspear Shikari, not Leonin Shikari; which equipped is a Knight of Meadowgrain)
Also, Basilisk Collar with First Strike can trigger a lot of times your Lone Rider
Maybe Hidden Dragonslayer or Glory-Bound Initiate, which can single handle flip your Lone Rider
Or Moment of Heroism or Mortal's Ardor (Prepare // Fight, if you are not on budget), if you want to use combat tricks
Grafted Wargear is very flavourful with Lone Rider, I like it a lot
Edit: If you have any thoughts on my ideas or you can correct me in something, I would feel very glad if you could tell me so I can learn. Thank you
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I could probably reacquire Jittes.
So the last couple posts are geared more for bolstering Rider than closing things out with haste and burn. That shifted me to thinking on a color swap to UW? Slower build based on holding advantage.
Cerodons and Skynights out, Sai of the Shinobi into Bonesplitters.
Knight of Meadowgrain - Because, yes. Quite good.
Azorius Herald - Transforms a T2 Rider, gets in there with Mutagenic Growth, and is terrifying with Wargear.
I like Glory Bound Initiate, but might take me a while to find those since I tend to run with a crowd that slowly acquires new cards.
Vault Skirge should probably be pulled from this build...
Swap burn for counters.
Absorb - Slower than Counter, but aids a transformation.
Mana Leak - Figured I'd go easy on the manabase here since Knight and Absorb are working opposite ends of the spectrum.
4 Lone Rider
4 Knight of Meadowgrain
4 Azorius Herald
4 Vault Skirge
4 Mutagenic Growth
4 Mana Leak
4 Absorb
2 Dismember
2 Shelter
2 Grafted Wargear
2 Bonesplitter
Manabase
2 Mox Diamond
22 Lands
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Honor's Reward also looks interesting, because Lone Rider will be the creature you bolster. And doing so gives you the ability to transform it without relying on its lifelink ability, while making it a 6/6. Scary.
Blessed Alliance is another multimode spell that can gain you the nessessary life while doing something more useful.
Desert's Hold (with some Deserts in the deck) or Faith's Fetters can remove a blocker/attacker while also setting up the Rider's transformation. Shutting down activated abilities has become more and more relvant over the years, too.
You could also go W/G, and use only white control options, though green has gotten quite a lot of good removal, too, recently. Going green with some more green creatures would also give you another "free" +2/+2 spell in Gather Courage to complement Mutagenic Growth. For example, follow up a turn 2 rider with a green 3-drop and you can GC the Rider by tapping the newcomer for convoke. And green would give you Moonmist as an alternative way to transform the Rider (preferably in the opponent's turn to also make his combat phase moot.)
Former Rules Advisor
"Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge
(The Gamers: Dorkness Rising)
"Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science."
(Girl Genius - Fairy Tale Theater Break - Cinderella, end of volume 8)
4x Lone Rider
4x Mutagenic Growth
4x Rouse
4x Vault Skirge
4x Vampire Cutthroat
4x Knight of Meadowgrain
4x Ajani's Pridemate
4x Bonesplitter
4x Swords to Plowshares
2x Umezawa's Jitte
2x Authority of the Consuls
8 cards that have turn 1 lifelink + evasion, 8 cards that are free turn 2 pumps. Ajani's Pridemate ends up as another option for a finisher. Between the pumps and the equipment you have 14 cards that synergize with your first strike creatures, and first strike pumps the pridemate prior to it dealing its combat damage. Authority of the Consuls is just a cheap bit of tempo advantage, but it could easily be Thalia, Heretic Cathar for a similar effect. I'd also consider Night's Whisper or Read the Bones, though I wasn't sure of the slots for including them.
Sideboard options: