Hi all, I'm looking for suggestions for my new Gahiji, Honored One Knights deck. I am building this deck to be mid-range in terms of competitiveness, but very on-theme. I like the Naya colors because they do not use blue or black, which are two of the most played colors in my playgroup, but do offer a variety of options. I did not choose Marath because I feel he is the best but also the most threatening Naya commander, and I think Gahiji is more likely to fly under the radar, and has more interesting political potential.
To narrow my choices down and develop a theme, I have decided on Knight (and some Soldier) tribal. The idea meshes well with Gahiji's title of "Honored One." He is a leader of honorable Knights and Soldiers, and perhaps serves as a kind of mount or battering ram as they charge into war. I have already decided to include some token generating cards like Assemble the Legion, and Knight-Captain of Eos, but I do not want willy-nilly tokens that do not fit with the theme. That means no Goblin tokens, and no Elemental tokens. I might be wiling to accept a few Warriors, Clerics, and Monks, however.
I am most interested in the non-creature inclusions, because it is harder to do a search for those cards and find ones that fit with the theme of an "Honorable" army. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
You know, this could actually be a pretty interesting deck. I've tried before to make a knight tribal deck work, but have always given up because they are mostly so small. Gahiji + the number of knights with First Strike can help make up for that.
I'll have to give some thought before getting back to you with suggestions, but in the meantime, kudos for coming up with an interesting potential combo of theme and mechanic.
Do you allow Warriors, too? If so, Hazezon Tamar makes Sand Warrior tokens. I hear they're pretty cool. And they're so devoted to their leader that they cease to exist if he leaves the field. That sounds pretty honorable to me!
That's exactly the theme of my Gahiji deck "The Honoured Militia". It's a human tribal deck with a few human tribe synergies and combos. The thread is in my sig... which covers the tribal aspects in detail, including card ideas that didn't make the cut for me but might interest you more.
There are, of course, quite a few cards to spew out huge armies of soldier tokens. Two of my favorites include Decree of Justice (which can be used at instant speed) and Conqueror's Pledge. There's also Nomads' Assembly, but I'm not a fan of that because it doesn't let you recover from a board wipe.
So, inspired by this thread, I have started brewing a Gahiji knights deck. This will be the first time I've had two decks with the same general (I already have a Gahiji token swarm deck).
I'm still trying to decide whether to go just with knights, or whether I should also run some samurai, which fit well within the general "honor" theme. I may also run a couple of angels, present to inspire and protect the honorable warriors, and just because knights alone don't allow for a very effective means of dealing with opponent flyers. If I run them at all, their role will be more supportive, reflected by things like Restoration Angel and Angel of Glory's Rise, but no heavy-hitters like Gisela or Avacyn.
Wilt-Leaf Liege is a knight who buffs most of your army. She was one of my most useful in my Knights and Ladies 60 card deck. And what about Knight Exemplar? Indestructible is always useful.
So, nobody's going to mention the best knight in Magic, Knight of the Reliquary? Nonbasic lands can be a very helpful part of Gahiji's gameplan, namely Contested Cliffs and Kessig Wolf Run. I'm hoping a couple of lands won't go far enough off-theme that you won't include them.
Also want to mention Cathars' Crusade specifically as a really great anthem effect that gets even better with any tokens you include.
If you don't want to include Skullclamp for flavor reasons, Mentor of the Meek is probably one of the better on-theme draw options.
To narrow my choices down and develop a theme, I have decided on Knight (and some Soldier) tribal. The idea meshes well with Gahiji's title of "Honored One." He is a leader of honorable Knights and Soldiers, and perhaps serves as a kind of mount or battering ram as they charge into war. I have already decided to include some token generating cards like Assemble the Legion, and Knight-Captain of Eos, but I do not want willy-nilly tokens that do not fit with the theme. That means no Goblin tokens, and no Elemental tokens. I might be wiling to accept a few Warriors, Clerics, and Monks, however.
I am most interested in the non-creature inclusions, because it is harder to do a search for those cards and find ones that fit with the theme of an "Honorable" army. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I'll have to give some thought before getting back to you with suggestions, but in the meantime, kudos for coming up with an interesting potential combo of theme and mechanic.
BRGKresh the BloodbraidedBRG, A box of lands and ideas.
Modern:
RG Titanshift. A deck made of cards too stupid for EDH.
Retired: Lots. More than I feel you should suffer through or I should type out.
Playtesting | Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Narset, Enlightened Master | Ephara, God of the Polis
Established | Gahiji, Honored One | Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker | Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo | Rubinia Soulsinger
Retired | Medomai the Ageless | Diaochan, Artful Beauty
Márton Stromgald is a knight who boosts your entire army. Darien, King of Kjeldor is a soldier who makes even more soldiers. Silverblade Paladin and Mirran Crusader love Gahiji's power boost.
Titanic Ultimatum can make for a nasty Alpha strike. Crescendo of War and Glory of Warfare may feel more fitting for a knight deck, though.
I'm still trying to decide whether to go just with knights, or whether I should also run some samurai, which fit well within the general "honor" theme. I may also run a couple of angels, present to inspire and protect the honorable warriors, and just because knights alone don't allow for a very effective means of dealing with opponent flyers. If I run them at all, their role will be more supportive, reflected by things like Restoration Angel and Angel of Glory's Rise, but no heavy-hitters like Gisela or Avacyn.
Knights often have fancy magical swords and other weapons.
Cheers!
Krichaiushii on PucaTrade.
Also want to mention Cathars' Crusade specifically as a really great anthem effect that gets even better with any tokens you include.
If you don't want to include Skullclamp for flavor reasons, Mentor of the Meek is probably one of the better on-theme draw options.
Gahiji is also a great place to include Sword of Fire and Ice and its companions.
Draft my Peasant Cube.