Yes, I know Bloodbraid Elf is the RG 4-drop in the format. So why Huntmaster? No real reason, really. I just love the card. And also because I have a playset just sitting in my binder. I started Magic during Avacyn Restored standard and loved blinking Huntmaster and Thragtusk using Restoration Angel. But I'm not necessarily looking to build that style of deck again in modern. If I were to give a real reason, Huntmaster's just such a super-value card, giving life gain against aggro, extra bodies against control, and being able to take over the game all on its own by constantly flipping.
So as a thought exercise, I wanted to figure out what would be the best way to build a deck centered around Huntmaster. So far, what I think I need to do is to maximize Huntmaster's value by ensuring that it can constantly flip. This lends itself to a playstyle pattern of tapping out for Huntmaster on T4 (or earlier with ramp), untap with it, passing the turn to let it flip on opponent's upkeep, then playing two instants during opponent's turn so that it flips back during my upkeep. The best colours for this would be RUG where I can use U's instants during my opponent's turn to achieve this. Speaking of instants, other great things in modern with flash would be Snapcaster Mage and Vendilion Clique. This would lend itself to a tempo-midrange kind of build with some burn. And since Huntmaster fills up the 4-drop slot, there wouldn't be space for BBEs, so this allows space to fit some countermagic which has counter-synergy with BBE.
Of course, this is all theory-crafting so far as I haven't had time recently to play any modern so I don't have the most realistic grasp on the current meta. What do you guys think, and if you have any other ideas?
I'd honestly build it as Naya as you WANT to keep blinking out Huntmaster and possibly Solemn Simulacrum to get out basics. Even if you don't use Solemn, you can still keep blinking in and out Huntmaster to gain life and wolves. Plus when he's Ravager, he can kill some creatures.
However RUG might be better as it does have cheaper blinks. Naya VS Rug is rough. Here's a list of blinking cards you may like...
I don't play a Huntmaster deck. I play RUG Delver, but 2-4 Huntmasters have been in my sideboard for a long time, and I can confirm how much value this thing can accrue in a shell set up to abuse it. My deck isn't exactly set up for it, in that I have only 18 lands, but I think it'd be pretty easy to build a 22-land deck with 4 Goyf, 4 Huntmaster, 4 Snapcaster, 2 Vendillion Clique, and then stuff like Opt, Bolt, maybe a Tarfire or something, and then Dispel / Stubborn Denial / Spell Pierce / Mana Leak / whatever as a counter suite to protect Huntmaster. That's basically my postboard plan against the grindy decks of the format, and it's really good, even though getting to 4 mana in an 18 land Delver list is a little rough.
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EDH: UGEdric
Pauper: URDelver
Modern: UGRDelver
Draft my cube: Eric's 390 Unpowered
That would be great! But like I mentioned, as much as I loved blinking Huntmaster back in standard, I'm not necessarily looking to do that in modern again. Right now, the idea of making a blink-themed deck around Huntmaster sounds a bit too cute as I imagine many things can go wrong (kill in response to blink for example). Still, a decklist might change my mind!
How are you going to come up with a Grixis list with Huntmaster? Do you mean to splash green just for Huntmasters?
Something I thought up. Wish there a creature in Modern that allows you to draw a card when it enters the field. Thragtusk nets you life while when it leaves you net 3/3 creatures. Huntermaster nets you life & wolves and when it flips over, shocks them. You can do without Primeval Titan but it does net you lands quick like Kessing Wolf Run for a backup finisher. 2 of each major basic in the event you go up against Blood Moon/Blood Magus decks. The fetch lands let you grab virtually any of the shocks you'll need. There's fast lands that are playable even check lands. But I'm not sure about an appropriate balance of shock, basic, fast and check lands. Venser is a constant Blink that can also give your quick KO with his minus ability & The last one is also just plain fun.
In RUG Assault Loam, I have been able to flip Huntmaster of the Fells every turn with Life from the Loam and Flame Jab, to flip it on my turn, Thought Scour, Lightning Bolt, and formerly Think Twice to flip it on the opp's turn, (that will probably turn into Radical Idea if I build the deck again), and casting no spells is easy to flip the other way. It always felt like "the best huntmaster deck" when I boarded my two in out of sideboard, but I still didn't like it main deck since it felt too slow.
By the way, I just realized how well Radical Idea would work with the huntmaster, so any deck that can utilize that card well and the classic Think Twice stuff could get a lot of value out of the four cmc human.
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Yes, I know Bloodbraid Elf is the RG 4-drop in the format. So why Huntmaster? No real reason, really. I just love the card. And also because I have a playset just sitting in my binder. I started Magic during Avacyn Restored standard and loved blinking Huntmaster and Thragtusk using Restoration Angel. But I'm not necessarily looking to build that style of deck again in modern. If I were to give a real reason, Huntmaster's just such a super-value card, giving life gain against aggro, extra bodies against control, and being able to take over the game all on its own by constantly flipping.
So as a thought exercise, I wanted to figure out what would be the best way to build a deck centered around Huntmaster. So far, what I think I need to do is to maximize Huntmaster's value by ensuring that it can constantly flip. This lends itself to a playstyle pattern of tapping out for Huntmaster on T4 (or earlier with ramp), untap with it, passing the turn to let it flip on opponent's upkeep, then playing two instants during opponent's turn so that it flips back during my upkeep. The best colours for this would be RUG where I can use U's instants during my opponent's turn to achieve this. Speaking of instants, other great things in modern with flash would be Snapcaster Mage and Vendilion Clique. This would lend itself to a tempo-midrange kind of build with some burn. And since Huntmaster fills up the 4-drop slot, there wouldn't be space for BBEs, so this allows space to fit some countermagic which has counter-synergy with BBE.
Of course, this is all theory-crafting so far as I haven't had time recently to play any modern so I don't have the most realistic grasp on the current meta. What do you guys think, and if you have any other ideas?
However RUG might be better as it does have cheaper blinks. Naya VS Rug is rough. Here's a list of blinking cards you may like...
Cloudshift
Conjurer's Closet
Essence Flux
Long Road Home
Momentary Blink
Otherworldly Journey
Restoration Angel
Safe Haven
Siren's Ruse
Turn to Mist
Venser, the Sojourner
Vintage >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Legacy
EDH: UGEdric
Pauper: UR Delver
Modern: UGR Delver
Draft my cube: Eric's 390 Unpowered
Vintage >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Legacy
How are you going to come up with a Grixis list with Huntmaster? Do you mean to splash green just for Huntmasters?
Vintage >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Legacy
1x Primeval Titan
2x Thragtusk
4x Huntmaster of the Fells
4x Restoration Angel
4x Snapcaster Mage
Sorceries/Instants 17
3x Lightning Bolt
3x Long Road Home
3x Path to Exile
4x Otherworldly Journey
4x Turn to Mist
4x Venser, the Sojourner
Lands 24
1x Kessig Wolf Run
1x Stomping Grounds
1x Steam Vents
1x Sacred Foundry
2x Forest
2x Island
2x Plains
2x Breeding Pool
2x Hallowed Fountain
2x Temple Garden
4x Flooded Strand
4x Windswept Heath
Something I thought up. Wish there a creature in Modern that allows you to draw a card when it enters the field. Thragtusk nets you life while when it leaves you net 3/3 creatures. Huntermaster nets you life & wolves and when it flips over, shocks them. You can do without Primeval Titan but it does net you lands quick like Kessing Wolf Run for a backup finisher. 2 of each major basic in the event you go up against Blood Moon/Blood Magus decks. The fetch lands let you grab virtually any of the shocks you'll need. There's fast lands that are playable even check lands. But I'm not sure about an appropriate balance of shock, basic, fast and check lands. Venser is a constant Blink that can also give your quick KO with his minus ability & The last one is also just plain fun.
Vintage >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Legacy