Most of those creatures wouldn't cut it for me in a Xenagos build. If it doesn't naturally have at least 7 power, I usually won't play it, but I am also playing an extra combat build where 7 doubles to 14 doubles to 28 for the one shot kill, essentially. I also don't like the idea of xenagos himself coming online. Giving people a free shot at my win condition seems inadvisable.
Note that all of these cards scale up as the game goes on. Bloodbraid doesn't scale up, but cascade on a creature that already has haste is awesome. You can play bloodbraid turn 3 possibly, get in for 3, then pump with xenagos turn 4 getting in for another 6. The cascade in this deck usually means you are probably getting a ramp spell out of the situation too. Deadbridge goliath I haven't seen mentioned much yet, but it's incredible. a 5/5 for 4 is great and the scavenge is a game ender in a deck filled with trample. Also makes the deck more resilient to boardwipes and gives extra card value late game. Wolfbriar elemental is a really cool "off-theme" card in a way. The deck doesn't usually go wide because it doesn't need to. However, this card scales so perfectly in the late game it's worth it. Think of this as a decent aggro card played before xenagos, and a boardwipe recovery card late game. Also, our deck doesn't have much defense and draws a lot of hate. We can be stuck taking too much damage to swing in with fatties if our life is getting low and there are still multiple opponents left to kill. Wolfbriar can just swoop in provide all the defense needed and allow you to keep attacking even if all the opponents have a target on your head. My mana base is heavily skewed toward green however.
Honestly, the deck doesn't really need to play out a fatty before xenagos. I'd rather ramp turns 1, 2, 3, and/or 4. If you want to play xenagos on turn 3 or 4, then a 6 or 7 drop on turn 5. It's okay to have extra cards in your hand, you need to be wary of spot removal and board wipes. You should be able to run away with the game just playing one fatty a turn, especially if you get xenagos out early.
I don't see a problem with it. Sure, it's an eleven mana investment if you want to destroy an enchantment the turn it comes out. However, a 4/4 trample for 4 cost is mighty fine, especially if played before xenagos. Nearly anyone is going to have a problem with a 8/8 trample swinging on them turn 4 or 5. I see the monstrous ability as a panic button type of effect. Xenagos can be hampered by nasty enchantments, so having an answer to them is necessary. If enchantments are getting out of hand, it's a really good card to have. I've destroyed multiple enchantments with him in the same game a couple of times. We also do want at least some creatures that cost less than 5 for curve considerations and damage efficiency.
Also if you are running low on big fatties late game, it's still a big fatty when needed.
I'm personally testing out Territorial Hellkite. Sure, it attacks at random, but it seems very good at softening up players to be within 1-hit range of follow up plays. The major downside is that it is very poor at focusing down players, but if I wanted something that hits hard for VERY cheap (and therefore easy to sac for cards), I can't think of anything else.
Suboptimal when played after turn 4, but not the worst thing after it.
combined with Xenagos and Aggravated assault you have infinite mana and combat phases.
Often I find Xenagos can 'brick' with all the fatties only allowing you to cast one spell each turn.
Do anybody have any sugestions of good creatures to cast before you play Xenagos? Or to play in adition to another spell later on.
Tarmogoyf is out of my price range. But I was thinking
- Wilderness Elemental
- Prowling Serporpard
- Chameleon Colossus
- Sin Prodder
- Archetype of Aggression
- Mina and Denn, Wildborn
The last one there is good with the hideaway lands. sin Prodder is only good if the group hates throwing themselves on the sword and paying life.Credit to DolZero for this awesome sig!
I like:
Note that all of these cards scale up as the game goes on. Bloodbraid doesn't scale up, but cascade on a creature that already has haste is awesome. You can play bloodbraid turn 3 possibly, get in for 3, then pump with xenagos turn 4 getting in for another 6. The cascade in this deck usually means you are probably getting a ramp spell out of the situation too. Deadbridge goliath I haven't seen mentioned much yet, but it's incredible. a 5/5 for 4 is great and the scavenge is a game ender in a deck filled with trample. Also makes the deck more resilient to boardwipes and gives extra card value late game. Wolfbriar elemental is a really cool "off-theme" card in a way. The deck doesn't usually go wide because it doesn't need to. However, this card scales so perfectly in the late game it's worth it. Think of this as a decent aggro card played before xenagos, and a boardwipe recovery card late game. Also, our deck doesn't have much defense and draws a lot of hate. We can be stuck taking too much damage to swing in with fatties if our life is getting low and there are still multiple opponents left to kill. Wolfbriar can just swoop in provide all the defense needed and allow you to keep attacking even if all the opponents have a target on your head. My mana base is heavily skewed toward green however.
Honestly, the deck doesn't really need to play out a fatty before xenagos. I'd rather ramp turns 1, 2, 3, and/or 4. If you want to play xenagos on turn 3 or 4, then a 6 or 7 drop on turn 5. It's okay to have extra cards in your hand, you need to be wary of spot removal and board wipes. You should be able to run away with the game just playing one fatty a turn, especially if you get xenagos out early.
Also if you are running low on big fatties late game, it's still a big fatty when needed.
Do you see a problem?
I'm personally testing out Territorial Hellkite. Sure, it attacks at random, but it seems very good at softening up players to be within 1-hit range of follow up plays. The major downside is that it is very poor at focusing down players, but if I wanted something that hits hard for VERY cheap (and therefore easy to sac for cards), I can't think of anything else.
Suboptimal when played after turn 4, but not the worst thing after it.
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.