This is a thread to follow updates and changes to my long standing Arahbo, Roar of the world deck. Its resilient as all hell and runs like a well oiled machine.
The deck works sort of like a Voltron deck/exalted deck, where many resources are pumped into one or two creatures. This gives us a strong resiliency to wrath effects, but makes us a bit more vulnerable to spot removal.
The deck has lots of mana production to be able to use all of our mana sinks and Arahbo's ability. It also has lots of "power-draw" abilities that take advantage of our incredibly large creatures we make.
would cut many 1 drops, because they're not doing enough I guess
Yeah, some of those were in the first section, I think cutting some of the 1 drops is inevitable. I wanted to ensure that I had a turn one Cat, but some of those cards are just so bad....
I'm reluctant to add much ramp, since it disturbs my playing cats turns 1-4, a few more tutors should probably go in though.
Yeaaaahhh Cats all the way! But what are we going to do now? Is it try to win with a massive cat full of equipments like the decks intended to or lots of cats and overrun kind of thing?
We don't need a critical mass of cats to make use of Arahbo, since we are limited by our mana anyway. I think curving out with an early cat to get as much value from his first ability is best and making sure we have at least two cats when we hit 6 mana to pump them both. So making sure we get two cats turns 1-4 I think is important. You can get some crazy damage with eminence and his other pump ability.
Get some equipment for protection and late game utility (and for obvious synergies.) and fill the rest with general good removal/card draw and tutors.
Oh good you got Grafted Exoskeleton in there already, I was just coming over to preach about how good that thing is for Arahbo.
Yep, It's crazy easy to get one shot kills with Arahbo. Also, playing something like Leonin Shikari or Stonehewer Giant might make people hate you, but is damn powerful.
Anthem effects such as Crusade or Gaea's Anthem are good with tokens. Also overrun effects as a win condition?
Good luck!
Thanks!
Arahbo gives us all the pump we really need, and having more cats in that case has diminishing returns, since we are limited by our mana anyway, so i'm foregoing the token route, focusing on getting early pressure and going tall with Arahbo.
Yeah those are pretty good options since we reaallly need the carddraw in here. But do we have any cheaper ways of drawing cards because theyre all 4-6 mana? Or are these like the cheapest way to get us the cards?
The deck definetly seems mana hungry, so i've been looking to add a touch of ramp, but most of all, mana doublers, such as Mana Reflection and Mirari's Wake (Some of these are included in the C17 deck, as well.)
EDIT: There are a few other things that might be interesting below.
- Other cards that care about power/toughness that are interesting:
We could include Fireshrieker or Grappling hook, but I don't really like their cost/power ratios and would prefer any sword of X and Y instead. They are definitely options alongside Sword of Vengeance if on a budget
I really like the look of this list, it's quite similar to my own.
Maybe some potential changes: Serra Ascendant - This is a really powerful card, but it's lacking in the fact that it's not a cat. If you draw this late on in the game and you are not at 30+ life, this is just a 1/1 with lifelink that can't get buffed by Arahbo's ability. It can come down and be equipped right away because of it's mana cost, which is a benefit... but you'd need to make sure to have equipment out to do that. Hungry Lynx - I just don't see a huge benefit to playing this card. It's risky giving your opponents 1/1's with deathtouch when you're trying to attack into them in later turns, especially if the Lynx is killed. Not to mention, you lack little evasion and removal. Also, giving someone else 1/1's with deathtouch is a move that is going to encourage other's not to attack that player, but you instead. Stalking Leonin - This is a cute card and I'm running it in my list, but it will be interesting to see if it has a big enough impact. If you're playing 1v1 this is a good card because that opponent will have to either remove your creature or risk getting their creature exiled. But in multiplayer that player can still choose to attack other players. Which, in fact isn't a bad thing. We will have to wait and see how this guy plays out Felidar Sovereign - I've just never been a huge fan of this guy, but I also don't think you're running enough lifelink effects to make him stand out. He would be better with the inclusion of a Loxodon Warhammer or Behemoth Sledge
I figured with the ascendant its a good way to start putting early pressure so it really fits our aggro plan, even with Arahbo pumping a one or two drop, this thing beats it sky high. I know there's a bit of risk there, but I think the benefit outweighs the risk, plus we have a touch of lifegain to keep us up at a good number.
As for the Lynx, yeah I'm not sure either, but I want to give him a go for a few rounds before I decide. Maybe Sword of fire and Ice, Jitte, Krosan Vorine and Ulvenwald tracker might be enough to get value out of it. Plus I like the political dimension it gives, but maybe I'm overestimating that, who knows.
Leonin still seems pretty sweet to me, especially coupled with Temur Sabertooth.
As for Felidar, I'm not 100% sure yet, he definitely has an impact on the game, at worst he's a 7/10 lifelink on attack, but I could be convinced to play something else.
As for the hammers, I considered them at one point, but equipment cuts get difficult. Having too much has diminishing returns since you need lots of mana to be able to equip them all. I decided to keep ones that either protect things or gain me value. The hammers are good but the only thing that really excites me is the lifelink, since Arahbo gives us pump and trample.
My only gripe with the Aid is that is all it does. Hammer has a similar ability but is also a pump with indestructibility. In this deck the aid only helps out 9 cards, which is kind of the reason I didn't include cards such as Sram, Senior Edificer and Puresteel Paladin.
Ajani is one I considered a bit. I figured Elspeth, Knight-Errant does that job better, as she gives a similar boost with evasion as a +1 and she can protect herself.
I have been considering Rishkar's Expertise alot (it was one of my last cuts). I'll see how the deck performs and if I feel I need more card draw. It might be that either Felidar sovereign or Hungry Lynx will come out for it, if that's the case.
To Possibly Cut: Hungry Lynx: With the number of Cats dwindling down, the chance of this being relevant also does. Alms Collector: Could be an amazing piece of hatebear (hatecat?), could also just be a 3/4 flash. Will need to be in the deck for awhile to really know. Very Meta-Dependant Felidar Sovereign Any cat will become relevant with Arahbo's pump ability, not really much need for a 6 drop, that's main strength is the keyword lifelink. Depends how relevant the last ability is, but if people know you have it, they will just gun for you (Serra Ascendant already gives them a reason to.)
To Possibly Add: Nature's Lore: A touch more of ramp might be a decent idea, this one brings the land untapped, so it's kind of effectively costing one mana. Rishkar's Expertise: Super boss Card draw in this deck, very likely to hit something good for the second part when you draw 5+ cards.
Mother of Runes I've considered, it was one of my last cuts, Thought I had enough ways to protect my stuff and mom needs to go around the table once to start activating, still a solid card though.
As for Rancor, I'm less enthused, it's not terrible per se but Arahbo already gives us trample and a huge bonus and Rancor doesn't really provide us anything else. I would rather play Bloodforged Battle-Axe for the constant extra value, but it has already been taken out of my list.
What about adding more ramp cards to the decklist? Cultivate, kodamas reach, harrow and explosive vegetation? Is that an option to make the deck better?
One I'm considering is Nature's Lore, 3 mana seems pretty satured as is and could use the two mana ramp, as it interrupts my other plays less. Plus jumping to four gives us early access to some good 4 mana plays.
Although I do like the guaranteed jump to 5 mana on turn three for Arahbo that Cultivate and Kodama's Reach provides, so I may land up adding one of those instead. (Maybe both actually, if I can find something else I might find worth cutting.)
Nylea's emissary seems like a good inclution, a trampler to pump or giving something bigger trample in the late game.
Also a fan of phantom tiger, but he gets less useful without static pumps
Nylea's emissary seems like a good inclution, a trampler to pump or giving something bigger trample in the late game.
Also a fan of phantom tiger, but he gets less useful without static pumps
Could be a good budget option, i'm a little against using things that merely pump or give trample, since Arahbo should provide that already in spades. I prefer cards that get me more cards, recur stuff, protect stuff or deal with some sort of problem.
If you have a 3/3 Cat, Arahbo eminence gives it +3/+3 during combat turning it into a 6/6, then you declare attacks and use Arahbo's ability to pump it, it becomes a 12/12. If you then cast Berserk you are going to have a 24/12 Cat.
If you have a 3/3 Cat, use Berserk, it becomes a 6/3. Then Arahbo's eminence gives it +3/+3 and it becomes a 9/6. Then when it attacks you can use Arahbo's ability to make it into a 18/15.
If you have a 3/3 Cat, Arahbo eminence gives it +3/+3 during combat turning it into a 6/6, then use berserk you have a 12/6 cat. Go to combat and use Arahbo's ability to pump him and you end up with a 24/18 Cat.
So in the end, it looks like you would want to cast the Berserk after you go to combat and depending on potential removal the opponent has/number of blockers/power they have, use the Berserk before or after you declare attackers and activate Arahbo's ability.
Not bad, I'd say. Not as broken as Grafted Exoskeleton or True Conviction, but I could see the surprise factor winning a few games. Too bad we can't target Arahbo with his own abilities to get lethal commander damage and Berserk. Does has a bit of risk that you lose a card if they do something in response. Might be worth a slot, not entirely sure, could be worth a try.
Inquisitor's Flail because double the doubled doubled damage is always fun
blade of selves, pump one creature, and finish all players with one hit
My problem with the Flail is that it makes it far less likely that your cats' gonna come back home for supper after he attacks. Since we don't want to run too many cats, we don't want to make unfavourable trades with them.
As for Blade of Selves it doesn't work exactly as you might hope, unfortunately, the copies come down with the original Power/Toughness of the cat you copied. so your 3/3 that was pumped into a 12/12 will only make 3/3 cats attack the other opponents. The sword is good for getting lots of ETB triggers, so depending on what creatures you run, it could be really good or sort of mediocre. It's certainly great with Qasali Slingers popping 6 artifacts and enchantments in one swing.
So, I find this deck likes to play with Arahbo and his "pet" (sometimes 2 pets). What I mean is usually you want Arahbo in play and another cat you can pump (his "pet"). So I'm thinking the Protection from Sword of Light and Shadow and Sword of Feast and Famine get in the way sometimes and just get awkward. I'm also thinking that Lightning Greaves should be Swiftfoot Boots.
I'll take some time to think about what the two swords should be (if anything different.)
The deck works sort of like a Voltron deck/exalted deck, where many resources are pumped into one or two creatures. This gives us a strong resiliency to wrath effects, but makes us a bit more vulnerable to spot removal.
The deck has lots of mana production to be able to use all of our mana sinks and Arahbo's ability. It also has lots of "power-draw" abilities that take advantage of our incredibly large creatures we make.
EDIT: If I had room for 2 more cards, they'd probably be Sacred Cat and Zendikar Resurgent
EDIT: Updated as of Aug. 31 2018
1x Serra Ascendant
1x Ulvenwald Tracker
1x Adorned Pouncer
1x Fleecemane Lion
1x Leonin Shikari
1x Qasali Pridemage
1x Stoneforge Mystic
1x Sakura-Tribe Elder
1x Mirri, Weatherlight Duelist
1x Stalking Leonin
1x Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1x Kemba, Kha Regent
1x Pride Sovereign
1x Skyhunter Skirmisher
1x Eternal Witness
1x Alms Collector
1x Balan, Wandering Knight
1x Chameleon Colossus
1x Temur Sabretooth
1x Krosan Vorine
1x Leonin Warleader
1x Regal Caracal
1x Qasali Slingers
1x Taj-Nar Swordsmith
1x Arahbo, Roar of the World
1x Stonehewer Giant
1x Nazahn, Revered Bladesmith
1x Sun Titan
NON-CREATURES
1x Sol Ring
1x Path to Exile
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Steelshaper's Gift
1x Skullclamp
1x Enlightened Tutor
1x Exploration
1x Eladamri's Call
1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Sword of the Animist
1x Swiftfoot Boots
1x Life's Legacy
1x Nature's Lore
1x Living Wish
1x Glittering Wish
1x Sword of Fire and Ice
1x Beast Within
1x Cultivate
1x Kodama's Reach
1x Behemoth Sledge
1x Aura Shards
1x Greater Good
1x Hammer of Nazahn
1x Grafted Exoskeleton
1x Momentous Fall
1x Nature's Will
1x Mirari's Wake
1x Tragic Arrogance
1x White Sun's Zenith
1x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Mana Reflection
1x Rishkar's Expertise
1x Austere Command
1x True Conviction
LANDS
1x Blighted Woodland
1x Savannah
1x Buried Ruin
1x Canopy Vista
1x Command Tower
1x Emeria, the Sky Ruin
1x Fortified Village
1x Horizon Canopy
1x Krosan Verge
1x Path of Ancestry
1x Mosswort Bridge
1x Myraid Landscape
1x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1x Scattered Groves
1x Selesnya Sanctuary
1x Rogue's Passage
1x Sunpetal Grove
1x Temple Garden
1x Temple of Plenty
1x Temple of the False God
1x Windswept Heath
1x Wooded Bastion
1x Yavimaya Hollow
1x Mutavault
1x Brushland
1x Cavern of Souls
6x Plains
5x Forest
1x Mother of Runes
1x Nacatl War-Pride
1x Oreskos Explorer
1x Maze of Ith
1x Greenwarden of Murasa
1x Indrik Umbra
1x Privileged Position
1x Phantom Nishoba
1x Novablast Wurm
1x Harmonic Sliver
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
For reference:
1x Loam Lion
1x Glittering Lynx
1x Jungle Lion
1x Leonin Elder
1x Sanctuary Cat
1x Savannah Lions
1x Scythe Leopard
1x Steppe Lynx
1x Trained Caracal
1x Wild Nacatl
1x Wily Bandar
1x Serra Ascendant
1x Hungry Lynx
1x Adorned Pouncer
1x Enlightened Ascetic
1x Felidar Cub
1x Fleecemane Lion
1x Leonin Shikari
1x Oreskos Explorer
1x Qasali Pridemage
1x Stoneforge Mystic
1x Sram, Senior Edificer
1x Puresteel Paladin
1x Stalking Leonin
1x Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1x Kemba, Kha Regent
1x Pride Sovereign
1x Skyhunter Skirmisher
1x Mirror Entity
1x Fleetfoot Panther
1x Eternal Witness
1x Alms Collector
1x Balan, Wandering Knight
1x Jazal Goldmane
1x Chameleon Colossus
1x Leonin Abunas
1x Taj-Nar Swordsmith
1x Temur Sabertooth
1x Arahbo, Roar of the World
1x Regal Caracal
1x Qasali Slingers
1x White Sun's Zenith
1x Stonehewer Giant
1x Nazahn, Revered Bladesmith
1x Felidar Sovereign
1x Sun Titan
Non-Creatures
1x Steelshaper's Gift
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Path to Exile
1x Sol Ring
1x Skullclamp
1x Bloodforged Battle-Axe
1x Sylvan Library
1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Lightning Greaves
1x Survival of the Fittest
1x Sword of the Animist
1x Sword of Feast and Famine
1x Sword of Fire and Ice
1x Sword of Light and Shadow
1x Harsh Mercy
1x Hammer of Nazahn
1x Greater Good
1x Grafted Exoskeleton
1x Asceticism
1x Mirari's Wake
1x Argentum Armor
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Yeah, some of those were in the first section, I think cutting some of the 1 drops is inevitable. I wanted to ensure that I had a turn one Cat, but some of those cards are just so bad....
I'm reluctant to add much ramp, since it disturbs my playing cats turns 1-4, a few more tutors should probably go in though.
I'm thinking something like:
- Jungle Lion
- Leonin Elder
- Sanctuary Cat
- Savannah Lions
- Scythe Leopard
- Wild Nacatl
- Steppe Lynx
- Trained Caracal
- Loam Lion
Bringing the deck too 61 cards, (no land as of yet)
Potential adds:
Worldly Tutor
Eladamri's Call
Heroic Intervention
Song of the Dryads
Oblation
True Conviction
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan
We don't need a critical mass of cats to make use of Arahbo, since we are limited by our mana anyway. I think curving out with an early cat to get as much value from his first ability is best and making sure we have at least two cats when we hit 6 mana to pump them both. So making sure we get two cats turns 1-4 I think is important. You can get some crazy damage with eminence and his other pump ability.
Get some equipment for protection and late game utility (and for obvious synergies.) and fill the rest with general good removal/card draw and tutors.
Yep, It's crazy easy to get one shot kills with Arahbo. Also, playing something like Leonin Shikari or Stonehewer Giant might make people hate you, but is damn powerful.
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
EDIT: Ulvenwald Tracker is looking like it should be in here.....
And Maybe Momentous Fall
1x Serra Ascendant
1x Mother of Runes
1x Hungry Lynx
1x Adorned Pouncer
1x Felidar Cub
1x Fleecemane Lion
1x Leonin Shikari
1x Oreskos Explorer
1x Qasali Pridemage
1x Enlightened Ascetic
1x Stoneforge Mystic
1x Mirri, Weatherlight Duelist
1x Stalking Leonin
1x Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1x Kemba, Kha Regent
1x Pride Sovereign
1x Skyhunter Skirmisher
1x Mirror Entity
1x Fleetfoot Panther
1x Eternal Witness
1x Balan, Wandering Knight
1x Jazal Goldmane
1x Chameleon Colossus
1x Taj-Nar Swordsmith
1x Temur Sabertooth
1x Krosan Vorine
1x Arahbo, Roar of the World
1x Regal Caracal
1x Qasali Slingers
1x White Sun's Zenith
1x Stonehewer Giant
1x Nazahn, Revered Bladesmith
1x Felidar Sovereign
1x Sun Titan
1x Raksha Golden Cub
1x Steelshaper's Gift
1x Swords to Plowshares
1x Path to Exile
1x Sol Ring
1x Enlightened Tutor
1x Worldly Tutor
1x Bloodforged Battle-Axe
1x Skullclamp
1x Survival of the Fittest
1x Eladamri's Call
1x Umezawa's Jitte
1x Sword of the Animist
1x Lightning Greaves
1x Oblation
1x Beast Within
1x Song of the Dryads
1x Sword of Feast and Famine
1x Sword of Fire and Ice
1x Sword of Light and Shadow
1x Greater Good
1x Elspeth, Knight-Errant
1x Hammer of Nazahn
1x Grafted Exoskeleton
1x Asceticism
1x Mirari's Wake
1x True Conviction
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Anthem effects such as Crusade or Gaea's Anthem are good with tokens. Also overrun effects as a win condition?
Good luck!
Thanks!
Arahbo gives us all the pump we really need, and having more cats in that case has diminishing returns, since we are limited by our mana anyway, so i'm foregoing the token route, focusing on getting early pressure and going tall with Arahbo.
In other news, cards that draw depending on a creatures power seem REALLY good here, things such as Soul's Majesty, Greater Good, Momentous Fall, Garruk, Primal Hunter and Rishkar's Expertise, at worst case your drawing 5, but probably more.
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
GWKarametra - The MistveiledGW
GWR Marath - The Egg-laying Wool-Milk-Pig GWR
RBGrenzo - Restrained RakdosRB
UWRGBHorde of NotionsUWRGB
Retired: Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Rafiq of the Many | Animar, Soul of Elements | Maelstrom Wanderer
I probably Wouldn't play them all, but at least 2-3 big draw spells should make an appearance. Out of those I like Momentous Fall and Greater Good the most, then its a toss-up between Garruk, Primal Hunter, Rishkar's Expertise and Life's Legacy as Mentioned by Volango.
As for cheap draw, its kind of slim pickings. Skullclamp and Sylvan Library definitely come to mind. Sword of Fire and Ice is another draw engine worth playing. Lifecrafter's Bestiary is potentially good here as well. Also Zendikar Resurgent, since it also doubles our mana (Which Arahbo is pretty Fond of)
The deck definetly seems mana hungry, so i've been looking to add a touch of ramp, but most of all, mana doublers, such as Mana Reflection and Mirari's Wake (Some of these are included in the C17 deck, as well.)
EDIT: There are a few other things that might be interesting below.
- Other cards that care about power/toughness that are interesting:
Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
Drumhunter
Pathbreaker Ibex
Lurking Arynx (This one if iffy, it's not nearly as good as Ulvenwald Tracker or Krosan Vorine, but it can "pseudo-fight" and it's a cat, so maybe worth?)
- Some sweepers you can play to clear your opponent board before pumping a cat:
Dusk/Dawn
Retribution of the Meek
Fell the Mighty
Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Also, there may be be some benefit to running Humility with the constant pump from Arahbo and the load of equipment we have
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Some of our cats naturally have double strike such as Adorned Pouncer, Skyhunter Skirmisher and Raksha Golden Cub gives everyone double strike when equipped.
We could include Fireshrieker or Grappling hook, but I don't really like their cost/power ratios and would prefer any sword of X and Y instead. They are definitely options alongside Sword of Vengeance if on a budget
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
1 Serra Ascendant
1 Ulvenwald Tracker
1 Hungry Lynx
1 Adorned Pouncer
1 Fleecemane Lion
1 Leonin Shikari
1 Oreskos Explorer
1 Qasali Pridemage
1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
1 Stoneforge Mystic
1 Mirri, Weatherlight Duelist
1 Stalking Leonin
1 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1 Kemba, Kha Regent
1 Pride Sovereign
1 Skyhunter Skirmisher
1 Mirror Entity
1 Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
1 Eternal Witness
1 Alms Collector
1 Balan, Wandering Knight
1 Jazal Goldmane
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Taj-Nar Swordsmith
1 Temur Sabertooth
1 Krosan Vorine
1 Regal Caracal
1 Qasali Slingers
1 White Sun's Zenith
1 Arahbo, Roar of the World
1 Stonehewer Giant
1 Felidar Sovereign
1 Sun Titan
Non-Creatures
1 Steelshaper's Gift
1 Swords to Plowshares
1 Path to Exile
1 Sol Ring
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Skullclamp
1 Worldly Tutor
1 Sylvan Library
1 Survival of the Fittest
1 Eladamri's Call
1 Umezawa's Jitte
1 Sword of the Animist
1 Lightning Greaves
1 Oblation
1 Song of the Dryads
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of Fire and Ice
1 Sword of Light and Shadow
1 Beast Within
1 Greater Good
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
1 Hammer of Nazahn
1 Grafted Exoskeleton
1 Momentous Fall
1 Asceticism
1 Mirari's Wake
1 True Conviction
1 Mana Reflection
1 Ancient Tomb
1 Blighted Woodland
1 Brushland
1 Buried Ruin
1 Canopy Vista
1 Command Tower
1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
1 Fortified Village
1 Gavony Township
1 Horizon Canopy
1 Kor Haven
1 Krosan Verge
1 Mistveil Plains
1 Mosswort Bridge
1 Myriad Landscape
1 Razorverge Thicket
1 Savannah
1 Scattered Groves
1 Selesnya Sanctuary
1 Stirring Wildwood
1 Sungrass Prairie
1 Sunpetal Grove
1 Temple Garden
1 Temple of Plenty
1 Temple of the False God
1 Windswept Heath
1 Wooded Bastion
1 Yavimaya Hollow
5 Plains
5 Forest
Also a list of cards I've considered, am considering or will try out in the future:
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Maybe some potential changes:
Serra Ascendant - This is a really powerful card, but it's lacking in the fact that it's not a cat. If you draw this late on in the game and you are not at 30+ life, this is just a 1/1 with lifelink that can't get buffed by Arahbo's ability. It can come down and be equipped right away because of it's mana cost, which is a benefit... but you'd need to make sure to have equipment out to do that.
Hungry Lynx - I just don't see a huge benefit to playing this card. It's risky giving your opponents 1/1's with deathtouch when you're trying to attack into them in later turns, especially if the Lynx is killed. Not to mention, you lack little evasion and removal. Also, giving someone else 1/1's with deathtouch is a move that is going to encourage other's not to attack that player, but you instead.
Stalking Leonin - This is a cute card and I'm running it in my list, but it will be interesting to see if it has a big enough impact. If you're playing 1v1 this is a good card because that opponent will have to either remove your creature or risk getting their creature exiled. But in multiplayer that player can still choose to attack other players. Which, in fact isn't a bad thing. We will have to wait and see how this guy plays out
Felidar Sovereign - I've just never been a huge fan of this guy, but I also don't think you're running enough lifelink effects to make him stand out. He would be better with the inclusion of a Loxodon Warhammer or Behemoth Sledge
Some cards you might consider adding in:
Loxodon Warhammer/Behemoth Sledge
Sigarda's Aid - it's a one drop that gives your aura/equipment flash? And you can attach it right away? Seems pretty good to me.
Ajani, Caller of the Pride - His +1 is fine, but his -3 is where you can really do some damage.
This deck could use some more card draw. I'm a fan of Harmonize, Rishkar's Expertise, and Mirri's Guile
Maybe some more ramp as well?
I figured with the ascendant its a good way to start putting early pressure so it really fits our aggro plan, even with Arahbo pumping a one or two drop, this thing beats it sky high. I know there's a bit of risk there, but I think the benefit outweighs the risk, plus we have a touch of lifegain to keep us up at a good number.
As for the Lynx, yeah I'm not sure either, but I want to give him a go for a few rounds before I decide. Maybe Sword of fire and Ice, Jitte, Krosan Vorine and Ulvenwald tracker might be enough to get value out of it. Plus I like the political dimension it gives, but maybe I'm overestimating that, who knows.
Leonin still seems pretty sweet to me, especially coupled with Temur Sabertooth.
As for Felidar, I'm not 100% sure yet, he definitely has an impact on the game, at worst he's a 7/10 lifelink on attack, but I could be convinced to play something else.
As for the hammers, I considered them at one point, but equipment cuts get difficult. Having too much has diminishing returns since you need lots of mana to be able to equip them all. I decided to keep ones that either protect things or gain me value. The hammers are good but the only thing that really excites me is the lifelink, since Arahbo gives us pump and trample.
My only gripe with the Aid is that is all it does. Hammer has a similar ability but is also a pump with indestructibility. In this deck the aid only helps out 9 cards, which is kind of the reason I didn't include cards such as Sram, Senior Edificer and Puresteel Paladin.
Ajani is one I considered a bit. I figured Elspeth, Knight-Errant does that job better, as she gives a similar boost with evasion as a +1 and she can protect herself.
I have been considering Rishkar's Expertise alot (it was one of my last cuts). I'll see how the deck performs and if I feel I need more card draw. It might be that either Felidar sovereign or Hungry Lynx will come out for it, if that's the case.
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
To Possibly Cut:
Hungry Lynx: With the number of Cats dwindling down, the chance of this being relevant also does.
Alms Collector: Could be an amazing piece of hatebear (hatecat?), could also just be a 3/4 flash. Will need to be in the deck for awhile to really know. Very Meta-Dependant
Felidar Sovereign Any cat will become relevant with Arahbo's pump ability, not really much need for a 6 drop, that's main strength is the keyword lifelink. Depends how relevant the last ability is, but if people know you have it, they will just gun for you (Serra Ascendant already gives them a reason to.)
To Possibly Add:
Nature's Lore: A touch more of ramp might be a decent idea, this one brings the land untapped, so it's kind of effectively costing one mana.
Rishkar's Expertise: Super boss Card draw in this deck, very likely to hit something good for the second part when you draw 5+ cards.
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
As for Rancor, I'm less enthused, it's not terrible per se but Arahbo already gives us trample and a huge bonus and Rancor doesn't really provide us anything else. I would rather play Bloodforged Battle-Axe for the constant extra value, but it has already been taken out of my list.
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
One I'm considering is Nature's Lore, 3 mana seems pretty satured as is and could use the two mana ramp, as it interrupts my other plays less. Plus jumping to four gives us early access to some good 4 mana plays.
Although I do like the guaranteed jump to 5 mana on turn three for Arahbo that Cultivate and Kodama's Reach provides, so I may land up adding one of those instead. (Maybe both actually, if I can find something else I might find worth cutting.)
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
Also a fan of phantom tiger, but he gets less useful without static pumps
Modern: WURG Twin
Standard: Mardu Planeswalkers
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/standard-type-2/deck-creation-standard/661834-mardu-planeswalker?comment=1
Monthly Proxy Legacy
Charlotte/Greensboro area, NC
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Could be a good budget option, i'm a little against using things that merely pump or give trample, since Arahbo should provide that already in spades. I prefer cards that get me more cards, recur stuff, protect stuff or deal with some sort of problem.
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience
If you have a 3/3 Cat, Arahbo eminence gives it +3/+3 during combat turning it into a 6/6, then you declare attacks and use Arahbo's ability to pump it, it becomes a 12/12. If you then cast Berserk you are going to have a 24/12 Cat.
If you have a 3/3 Cat, use Berserk, it becomes a 6/3. Then Arahbo's eminence gives it +3/+3 and it becomes a 9/6. Then when it attacks you can use Arahbo's ability to make it into a 18/15.
If you have a 3/3 Cat, Arahbo eminence gives it +3/+3 during combat turning it into a 6/6, then use berserk you have a 12/6 cat. Go to combat and use Arahbo's ability to pump him and you end up with a 24/18 Cat.
So in the end, it looks like you would want to cast the Berserk after you go to combat and depending on potential removal the opponent has/number of blockers/power they have, use the Berserk before or after you declare attackers and activate Arahbo's ability.
Inquisitor's Flail because double the doubled doubled damage is always fun
blade of selves, pump one creature, and finish all players with one hit
Not bad, I'd say. Not as broken as Grafted Exoskeleton or True Conviction, but I could see the surprise factor winning a few games. Too bad we can't target Arahbo with his own abilities to get lethal commander damage and Berserk. Does has a bit of risk that you lose a card if they do something in response. Might be worth a slot, not entirely sure, could be worth a try.
My problem with the Flail is that it makes it far less likely that your cats' gonna come back home for supper after he attacks. Since we don't want to run too many cats, we don't want to make unfavourable trades with them.
As for Blade of Selves it doesn't work exactly as you might hope, unfortunately, the copies come down with the original Power/Toughness of the cat you copied. so your 3/3 that was pumped into a 12/12 will only make 3/3 cats attack the other opponents. The sword is good for getting lots of ETB triggers, so depending on what creatures you run, it could be really good or sort of mediocre. It's certainly great with Qasali Slingers popping 6 artifacts and enchantments in one swing.
So, I find this deck likes to play with Arahbo and his "pet" (sometimes 2 pets). What I mean is usually you want Arahbo in play and another cat you can pump (his "pet"). So I'm thinking the Protection from Sword of Light and Shadow and Sword of Feast and Famine get in the way sometimes and just get awkward. I'm also thinking that Lightning Greaves should be Swiftfoot Boots.
I'll take some time to think about what the two swords should be (if anything different.)
Arahbo, Kitty Kat Beatdown Decklist
Mizzix of the Izmagnus Decklist
Breya, Etherium Shaper
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow Decklist
My Current Set Cube Lists:
Kamigawa Re-Experience
Ravnica, City of Guilds Re-Experience
Alara Re-Experience