UR Aggro is a deck that went 4-0 on Modern Daily #8141662, April 14th 2015. The_Hobbit is credited has being the player, but I wanted to post the list here because it seems that the deck hasn't been talked about or even noticed.
It's a fun deck to play.... But a against a deck with lots of removal it hard to win. That being said, I got beat by it a few days ago lol.
I'm pretty interested in building it up as it costs around 60$ and seems to be able to compete with tier decks. The removal seems in fact problematic has you said : however, Dispel can help with that (with limits, that's for sure).
It was Modern night at my LGS, so I gave UR Aggro a shot by going rogue. This deck is such a blast to play: really fun to pilot and very competitive against the tier decks. Short summary:
Thougher matchup, but this deck is designed to win by turn 4 or 5, so the early disruption was countered by Dispel and Gut Shot took care of Snapcaster Mage. The game I lost was due to a piloting error : I should have been more aggressive by turn 5 and should have swing with everything (2 Delver of Secrets and 1 Nivix Cyclops with Assault Strobe).
Game 3 : Living End Result : won 2-0
He wasn't able to cascade. Turn 4 and 5 kill.
Game 4 : Infect Result : won 2-1
The though game... Spellskite on the board early game 1, so all the damage I tried to deal to Glistener Elf was in vain: I was crushed in game 1. Young Pyromancer was amazing in providing tokens to block for game 2 and I took advantage of his poor hand to have a turn 5 kill. Game 3 was won by a turn : I ended up at 9 poison counters... A late game Dispel helped me won the game.
Summary: in all, a great deck to play and very adapted to the actual format as it seems. I will surely playtest it more and let you know. Hopefully, some of you guys might even want to try it out!
Nice! Good job on 4-0'ing an FNM. I wonder if Distortion Strike would be better than Artful Dodge. It might be worth to try out. I have a tournament on Thursday. I may give this a try. How often did you draw creatures? Since there are only twelve in the deck. I'll also be posting my results.
Nice! Good job on 4-0'ing an FNM. I wonder if Distortion Strike would be better than Artful Dodge. It might be worth to try out. I have a tournament on Thursday. I may give this a try. How often did you draw creatures? Since there are only twelve in the deck. I'll also be posting my results.
Thanks! Distorsion Strike is indeed very nice: the only thing going for Artful Dodge is that you can flashback it whenever you want. I don't have Distorsion Strike, so if you test it, let us know!
I drawn creatures pretty consistently, having at least 1 or 2 in my opening hand and drawing into a 3rd one almost all the time by turn 5!
At this point, I feel that the only two things that could change for the better are:
I just played a game online against some random deck. I won consistently on turn 3 and 4 during the games. I'm currently doing a 2/2 split between Distortion Strike and Artful Dodge but I'll definitely let you know how it goes. I do like the flashback of the Artful Dodge when going for the kill though... As for Stubborn Denial, I personally like it better than Spell Pierce because most players will wait till you overload your creature before trying to kill them and then it turns into a hard counter. Also, if just cast one spell, including Stubborn, while Klin Fiend or Nivix Cyclops is out it turns ferocious on. All in all it's the better of the two I believe.
I just played a game online against some random deck. I won consistently on turn 3 and 4 during the games. I'm currently doing a 2/2 split between Distortion Strike and Artful Dodge but I'll definitely let you know how it goes. I do like the flashback of the Artful Dodge when going for the kill though... As for Stubborn Denial, I personally like it better than Spell Pierce because most players will wait till you overload your creature before trying to kill them and then it turns into a hard counter. Also, if just cast one spell, including Stubborn, while Klin Fiend or Nivix Cyclops is out it turns ferocious on. All in all it's the better of the two I believe.
I wish this deck had more cantrips though...
Good thing: turn 3-4-5 kills are bread and butter for us!
A 2/2 split between Distortion Strike and Artful Dodge could be ideal, but the flashback is simply amazing. We'll playtest
Okay, a thought just hit me. Don't know why I didn't see this earlier. You know how I was talking about more cantrips? How about we add four Gitaxian Probe main and cut the two Gut Shot and maybe cut two Lightning Bolt or two Mutagenic Growth or just one of each. That way we can see what our opponent has, pump our dude, and draw a card all at the same time. It's basically a 3 for 1 in a sense.
As for the manabase. You can just replace Scalding Tarn for Flooded Strand (much cheaper) and it should work just as good. I don't have Scalding Tarn in paper. Way to expensive for me especially if they might get reprinted.
Gitaxian Probe is good, but Gut Shot is incredible to save you or when you're out of mana early game and want to clear things out for the creatures. We're an aggro deck with turn 3-4-5 kills, so I'm not sure if cantrips are the way. It's surely nice to draw cards and see what's coming, but our job I think is really to make a push for a turn 3 kill and that prevent us from casting disrution to clear the way or multiple Delver of Secrets / Kiln Fiend. Also, we can't cut down on Lightning Bolt or Mutagenic Growth in my opinion: the first one is to clear way or deal direct damage to finish things off and the second one is the pump spell that we have to buffer up our creatures, so I see them as essential. Try it out and let me know, but I'm not convinced about cantrips.
I had good night of sleep and thought it over about the mana base : I'm not sure if shocklands, taplands and fetchlands are necessary either. With 9 Island and 9 Mountain, I've never been out of mana nor have I been flooded or mana screwed. I know it seems simple to have only basics but sometimes, simple is more efficient and it can seems strange I recognize.
I'm glad to have someone to work it out with This deck is very cool, but can also be a boogeyman!
I hear what you're saying about Gitaxian Probe but I'm curious to see how it works. As for the mana base I would drop one Sulfur Falls because you don't want that as your only land turn one. The mana base hasn't hampered me at all with life or anything but going all basic's isn't bad either. I'll be doing more testing today and will post results.
I agree, it's definitely better working on it with someone!
I hear what you're saying about Gitaxian Probe but I'm curious to see how it works. As for the mana base I would drop one Sulfur Falls because you don't want that as your only land turn one. The mana base hasn't hampered me at all with life or anything but going all basic's is bad either. I'll be doing more testing today and will post results.
I agree, it's definitely better working on it with someone!
All good for Gitaxian Probe: I hope it works out for you!
Also, because I'm tight on budget, I'll get 4 Bloodstained Mire in order to fetch up for good (two birds with one stone as I'll probably build Living End). That's what I'm planning to go with in the next days.
I meant to say going all basics isn't bad either. I mean, the person who piloted this went 4-0 in a daily with all basic so it will work lol. Sorry for that typo.
Anyway, four Bloodstained Mire will definitely work. Also, I like the split with Stubborn Denial and Dispel. I might try that out.
I meant to say going all basics isn't bad either. I mean, the person who piloted this went 4-0 in a daily with all basic so it will work lol. Sorry for that typo.
Anyway, four Bloodstained Mire will definitely work. Also, I like the split with Stubborn Denial and Dispel. I might try that out.
I will definitely let you know how it goes!
No worries for the typo! I'm just careful about the budget, so having 3 Steam Vents and 3 Sulfur Falls is about 80$ here in Montreal.
I think a 3/3 split with Dispel and Stubborn Denial could be ideal. I'll see about that too!
isn't Mizzium Skin better to protect your treats, comparing with dispel? also this deck wants spells that can be played proactively.
and where is Gitaxian Probe?
Honestly, Gitaxian Probe could be tested as a replacement for Manamorphose. It'll shock you and it won't fix mana, but you can play it for zero, allowing you the option of playing it turn one and never losing your mana refund to a counterspell. It also gives you VITAL hand info so you know whether to play it safe or go all out.
Also, have you run into Chalice of the Void yet? Seems like it would wreck this deck, and you don't have any ways of dealing with it other than hoping you can counter it before they play it. Dispel can't deal with it, but you likely won't see a chalice until game 2 anyhow. Even then after boarding in the Annuls you'll still only have four cards in your whole deck to deal with it, and only if you play them in response.
isn't Mizzium Skin better to protect your treats, comparing with dispel? also this deck wants spells that can be played proactively.
and where is Gitaxian Probe?
I think you're right with 4 Mizzium Skin being better to protect our creatures than 4 Dispel.
Honestly, Gitaxian Probe could be tested as a replacement for Manamorphose. It'll shock you and it won't fix mana, but you can play it for zero, allowing you the option of playing it turn one and never losing your mana refund to a counterspell. It also gives you VITAL hand info so you know whether to play it safe or go all out.
Also, have you run into Chalice of the Void yet? Seems like it would wreck this deck, and you don't have any ways of dealing with it other than hoping you can counter it before they play it. Dispel can't deal with it, but you likely won't see a chalice until game 2 anyhow. Even then after boarding in the Annuls you'll still only have four cards in your whole deck to deal with it, and only if you play them in response.
Never encountered Chalice of the Void as I've only played one tournament with the deck (went 4-0). We would be in a bad situation for sure. However, we don't have room for enchantement hate aside SB (if something goes away).
I think Manamorphose is a great card in this deck because of generated mana and cantrips. I'm not sold on Gitaxian Probe, but if I were to include it, I'd cut 2 Gut Shot to make room for it.
Manamorphose will fix mana, but if it's countered, you won't get the two back. Could set you back a turn. Gitaxian Probe can be played for zero mana, so same difference cost-wise just no fixing, and you won't lose two mana if it's countered. Both spells cantrip. Seeing the opponent's hand is what seals the deal, however. If you don't need the extra fixing and you don't mind losing the two life, then Gitaxian Probe is WAY better than Manamorphose.
Manamorphose will fix mana, but if it's countered, you won't get the two back. Could set you back a turn. Gitaxian Probe can be played for zero mana, so same difference cost-wise just no fixing, and you won't lose two mana if it's countered. Both spells cantrip. Seeing the opponent's hand is what seals the deal, however. If you don't need the extra fixing and you don't mind losing the two life, then Gitaxian Probe is WAY better than Manamorphose.
I get your point. It seems better when we compare the two cards (see their hand + no mana loss if countered). But we run 4 Mutagenic Growth and 3 Apostle's Blessing, so it's already hurting us sometimes if we don't get the Manamorphose. Not having Manamorphose would mean systematic life loss on several turns and the mana fixing seems relevant to me. I'll test it out and rps1224 is going to do it also (results soon)!
Might be too cute but with all the phyrexian mana death's shadow could be a thing. Also a fling or two would be sweet with or without shadow. Git probe is a must. You run way too few creatures for a deck hoping to win turn three. Git probe can go a long way toward fixing that. Also not sure delver is really essential here but he is fine.
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4 Delver of Secrets
4 Kiln Fiend
4 Nivix Cyclops
Spells (30)
4 Artful Dodge
4 Dispel
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Manamorphose
4 Mutagenic Growth
3 Apostle's Blessing
3 Assault Strobe
2 Gut Shot
2 Stubborn Denial
9 Island
9 Mountain
4 Electrickery
4 Pyroclasm
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Annul
1 Magma Spray
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
I'm pretty interested in building it up as it costs around 60$ and seems to be able to compete with tier decks. The removal seems in fact problematic has you said : however, Dispel can help with that (with limits, that's for sure).
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
Game 1 : BW Tokens
Result : won 2-0
Electrickery and Pyroclasm took care of everything. This matchup is very accessible because of all the damage the deck can deal directly to creatures. The great thing is Nivix Cyclops, then Mutagenic Growth, Artful Dodge and Assault Strobe!
Game 2 : UWR control
Result : won 2-1
Thougher matchup, but this deck is designed to win by turn 4 or 5, so the early disruption was countered by Dispel and Gut Shot took care of Snapcaster Mage. The game I lost was due to a piloting error : I should have been more aggressive by turn 5 and should have swing with everything (2 Delver of Secrets and 1 Nivix Cyclops with Assault Strobe).
Game 3 : Living End
Result : won 2-0
He wasn't able to cascade. Turn 4 and 5 kill.
Game 4 : Infect
Result : won 2-1
The though game... Spellskite on the board early game 1, so all the damage I tried to deal to Glistener Elf was in vain: I was crushed in game 1. Young Pyromancer was amazing in providing tokens to block for game 2 and I took advantage of his poor hand to have a turn 5 kill. Game 3 was won by a turn : I ended up at 9 poison counters... A late game Dispel helped me won the game.
Summary: in all, a great deck to play and very adapted to the actual format as it seems. I will surely playtest it more and let you know. Hopefully, some of you guys might even want to try it out!
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
Thanks! Distorsion Strike is indeed very nice: the only thing going for Artful Dodge is that you can flashback it whenever you want. I don't have Distorsion Strike, so if you test it, let us know!
I drawn creatures pretty consistently, having at least 1 or 2 in my opening hand and drawing into a 3rd one almost all the time by turn 5!
At this point, I feel that the only two things that could change for the better are:
+4 Distorsion Strike for -4 Artful Dodge
+2 Spell Pierce for -2 Stubborn Denial
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
I wish this deck had more cantrips though...
Good thing: turn 3-4-5 kills are bread and butter for us!
A 2/2 split between Distortion Strike and Artful Dodge could be ideal, but the flashback is simply amazing. We'll playtest
We've settled out Spell Pierce case : Stubborn Denial is better for us.
Cantrips wise, that would be good, but there's no room for that sadly!
So, the things we need to see:
4 Artful Dodge, or 2 Distortion Strike with 2 Artful Dodge or 4 Distortion Strike
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
Game 1 - Turn 3 kill. Manamorphose into Manamorphose into Artful Dodge into Mutagenic Growth into Assault Strobe (with Dispel backup) for 38 damage!
Game 2 - Turn 4 kill. Manamorphose into Manamorphose into Lightning Bolt into Assault Strobe for 26 damage!
In game 2 I fought through an Inquisition of Kozilek, Path to Exile, and a Disfigure. So the deck is resilient but Liliana of Veil could wreck this deck so that's why I may bump Stubborn Denial up to four.
4 Kiln Fiend
4 Nivix Cyclops
2 Artful Dodge
2 Distortion Strike
2 Dispel
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Manamorphose
4 Mutagenic Growth
3 Apostle's Blessing
3 Assault Strobe
2 Gut Shot
4 Stubborn Denial
3 Mountain
3 Steam Vents
4 Scalding Tarn
4 Sulfur Falls
4 Pyroclasm
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Annul
1 Magma Spray
That is just great! UR Aggro is good, that is an example. I think it's fine to adjust up to 4 Stubborn Denial and go down to 2 Dispel.
Sadly, I have none of no Steam Vents, Scalding Tarn (they are so pricy!) or Sulfur Falls. That looks like an amazing manabase to me.
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
As for the manabase. You can just replace Scalding Tarn for Flooded Strand (much cheaper) and it should work just as good. I don't have Scalding Tarn in paper. Way to expensive for me especially if they might get reprinted.
I had good night of sleep and thought it over about the mana base : I'm not sure if shocklands, taplands and fetchlands are necessary either. With 9 Island and 9 Mountain, I've never been out of mana nor have I been flooded or mana screwed. I know it seems simple to have only basics but sometimes, simple is more efficient and it can seems strange I recognize.
I'm glad to have someone to work it out with This deck is very cool, but can also be a boogeyman!
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
I agree, it's definitely better working on it with someone!
All good for Gitaxian Probe: I hope it works out for you!
Also, because I'm tight on budget, I'll get 4 Bloodstained Mire in order to fetch up for good (two birds with one stone as I'll probably build Living End). That's what I'm planning to go with in the next days.
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Kiln Fiend
4 Nivix Cyclops
Spells (30)
4 Artful Dodge
4 Dispel
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Manamorphose
4 Mutagenic Growth
3 Apostle's Blessing
3 Assault Strobe
2 Gut Shot
2 Stubborn Denial
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Island
4 Mountain
3 Steam Vents
3 Sulfur Falls
4 Electrickery
4 Pyroclasm
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Annul
1 Magma Spray
Let me know how it goes as I won't be playing it until the next couple of days!
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
Anyway, four Bloodstained Mire will definitely work. Also, I like the split with Stubborn Denial and Dispel. I might try that out.
I will definitely let you know how it goes!
No worries for the typo! I'm just careful about the budget, so having 3 Steam Vents and 3 Sulfur Falls is about 80$ here in Montreal.
I think a 3/3 split with Dispel and Stubborn Denial could be ideal. I'll see about that too!
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
and where is Gitaxian Probe?
Also, have you run into Chalice of the Void yet? Seems like it would wreck this deck, and you don't have any ways of dealing with it other than hoping you can counter it before they play it. Dispel can't deal with it, but you likely won't see a chalice until game 2 anyhow. Even then after boarding in the Annuls you'll still only have four cards in your whole deck to deal with it, and only if you play them in response.
I think you're right with 4 Mizzium Skin being better to protect our creatures than 4 Dispel.
Never encountered Chalice of the Void as I've only played one tournament with the deck (went 4-0). We would be in a bad situation for sure. However, we don't have room for enchantement hate aside SB (if something goes away).
I think Manamorphose is a great card in this deck because of generated mana and cantrips. I'm not sold on Gitaxian Probe, but if I were to include it, I'd cut 2 Gut Shot to make room for it.
An updated build would be :
4 Delver of Secrets
4 Kiln Fiend
4 Nivix Cyclops
Spells (30)
4 Artful Dodge
4 Mizzium Skin
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Manamorphose
4 Mutagenic Growth
3 Apostle's Blessing
3 Assault Strobe
2 Gitaxian Probe
2 Stubborn Denial
4 Scalding Tarn
4 Island
4 Mountain
3 Steam Vents
3 Sulfur Falls
4 Electrickery
4 Pyroclasm
4 Young Pyromancer
2 Annul
1 Magma Spray
Also, 4 Mizzium Skin or 4 Dispel could be replaced by anything more effective.
I'm glad to see you guys coming around and bringing on some new ideas to this deck! It is a great one so far!
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R
I get your point. It seems better when we compare the two cards (see their hand + no mana loss if countered). But we run 4 Mutagenic Growth and 3 Apostle's Blessing, so it's already hurting us sometimes if we don't get the Manamorphose. Not having Manamorphose would mean systematic life loss on several turns and the mana fixing seems relevant to me. I'll test it out and rps1224 is going to do it also (results soon)!
Aggro: Naya Burn RWG
Combo: Scapeshift RG
Control: Jeskai Control UWR
Legacy
Control: Miracles UW
Aggro: Burn R