I was wondering why everyone seems so down on including Garruk Primal hunter, the massive devotion boost, and token production seems really good. Even though you can -3 him right away which I’d rather wait a turn to do so it all seems powerful enough to warrant an inclusion, also I know most people will say it’s a super timmy ult, but a ton of 6/6 wurms aren’t anything to scoff at.granted no evasion or haste, anything really other then a board wipe will let you out muscle your opponent.
Thoughts?
I brewed with Primal Hunter for some time. I really liked the synergy between him and Genesis Hydra/Reverent Hunter. The problem here is that you are playing cards just to make Garruk PH more powerful. There is nothing wrong with this in theory; but the sum of the synergy between the cards will have to make up for the individual downsides.
I actually made a pretty fun deck that was somewhat of a "combo" deck (because of the card draw) that played both Garruk Wildspeaker and Garruk Primal Hunter along with Genesis Hydra, Reverent Hunter, Walking Ballista, and Bioshift. Essentially you would draw a million cards and make a million mana and then could move all of the +1/+1 counters from Hunter or Hydra over to a Ballista for the same-turn kill...
You don't have to do anything this crazy; but you really do want to take advantage of Primal Hunter's draw ability. I really do wish they would have started Primal Hunter at 4 Loyalty. He should not "kill himself" with a single negative trigger. That is a design flaw in my opinion. It's not his ultimate; so why does it remove him right away? It's not straight card draw (it requires a creature) so it is not too OP. That, however, is neither here nor there (my opinion on it isn't worth a hill of beans...).
You are absolutely right that Primal Hunter is a high enough power level to see play (and adds HEAPS of devotion). I think the only reason more decks don't play it is simply because it is very much a "build around me" card (rather than one that can just be placed in any Devotion deck. You really do want a good amount of large creatures and/or a way to keep him alive even if you trigger his negative ability when he first hits the board. I think a deck is out there that can take advantage of him. We just haven't made it yet.
Some great valid points. I really love this deck, and especially more so because it runs Garruk my fav walker. I agree that wildspeaker really is everything we are looking for, after play testing a lot I feel the biggest issues are when we inveitbly get into top deck mode, and when we desperately need to remove something problematic ( that’s why I’ve been testing Apex predator, and staying on theme ). I guess maybe I’m trying to hard to reinvent the wheel, when if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I keep trying to think if
Surrak hunt caller
Apex predator
Primal hunter
If there’s a way to make it all viable but I may end up going back to the stock list, tho I must say Apex really feels worth his salt.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s great news, and especially on the big bad hydra. How many are you running?
Ok I know I’m getting annoying and I do apologize if I am, but any thoughts on Vorinclex voice of hunger ?
Not annoying at all. Everyone here has asked a million questions and presented dozens of ideas...you can’t ask too much. We all just want to get better and get Devotion to “Tier” status.
Vorniclux is nuts...I thought of playing a copy in Garruk Green...my only issue was in 90% of the scenarios I played him I would have rather had a Craterhoof :). Having said that; it is quite different from Craterhoof (and there are match ups where it is more effective than Hoof...especially if they keep your board low.
In honesty, I haven’t played Vorniclux enough to have a strong opinion of it.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s awesome! Maybe that will be my “variable” slot (instead of Woodland Bellower). It’s not quite as “go wide”; but it is nice to have Chordable removal.
And you are right on Ruruc Thar...id always knew how incredible it was in the board; but I think we are all starting to see that it is potentially a main deck card...it just ends SOOO many decks. More importantly, however, is that it “Hosea” a lot of our worst match ups while also just being a well coated creature.
Shoot...I currently have a “Variable” Slot in my main deck...which do I choose?
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s great news, and especially on the big bad hydra. How many are you running?
Two, per my list on the prior page. I also periodically update the linked list in my signature.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s awesome! Maybe that will be my “variable” slot (instead of Woodland Bellower). It’s not quite as “go wide”; but it is nice to have Chordable removal.
And you are right on Ruruc Thar...id always knew how incredible it was in the board; but I think we are all starting to see that it is potentially a main deck card...it just ends SOOO many decks. More importantly, however, is that it “Hosea” a lot of our worst match ups while also just being a well coated creature.
Shoot...I currently have a “Variable” Slot in my main deck...which do I choose?
If it's between those two, the first Ruric Thar is hands-down the right choice. He wins games that you simply have no other way to win, is a more efficient, powerful, and versatile threat, and more. Polukranos, as good as it is, fundamentally is an efficient creature plus low-end removal; while this may be the right call in some places, he doesn't give the deck an entirely different approach to search up the way Ruric Thar does.
Ok I know I’m getting annoying and I do apologize if I am, but any thoughts on Vorinclex voice of hunger ?
Not annoying at all. Everyone here has asked a million questions and presented dozens of ideas...you can’t ask too much. We all just want to get better and get Devotion to “Tier” status.
Vorniclux is nuts...I thought of playing a copy in Garruk Green...my only issue was in 90% of the scenarios I played him I would have rather had a Craterhoof :). Having said that; it is quite different from Craterhoof (and there are match ups where it is more effective than Hoof...especially if they keep your board low.
In honesty, I haven’t played Vorniclux enough to have a strong opinion of it.
I agree with this assessment. He's powerful to be sure, but at that much mana, we generally have better options. Only the White, Black, and Blue Praetors have enough fast impact to really be an object of consideration.
Regarding being tiered, I wouldn't stress over it too much. Breaking into tiered status requires mass-adoption more than actual performance (or even being good), and we can beat much of the tiered field. If anything, it's good to fly under the radar.
And also, definitely don't worry about being "annoying." As long as you are engaging in a dialogue, responding, and being thoughtful (all of which you are), we're generally grateful to talk about any idea. You're not one of those people who pulls stuff from a random site, and basically engages in a self-centered monologue where you put everyone else down to fixate on your own ideas of what the deck should be.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s great news, and especially on the big bad hydra. How many are you running?
[/spoiler]
Two, per my list on the prior page. I also periodically update the linked list in my signature.
[spoiler=CurdBros, regarding Ruric Thar vs Polukranos]
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s awesome! Maybe that will be my “variable” slot (instead of Woodland Bellower). It’s not quite as “go wide”; but it is nice to have Chordable removal.
And you are right on Ruruc Thar...id always knew how incredible it was in the board; but I think we are all starting to see that it is potentially a main deck card...it just ends SOOO many decks. More importantly, however, is that it “Hosea” a lot of our worst match ups while also just being a well coated creature.
Shoot...I currently have a “Variable” Slot in my main deck...which do I choose?
[/spoiler]
If it's between those two, the first Ruric Thar is hands-down the right choice. He wins games that you simply have no other way to win, is a more efficient, powerful, and versatile threat, and more. Polukranos, as good as it is, fundamentally is an efficient creature plus low-end removal; while this may be the right call in some places, he doesn't give the deck an entirely different approach to search up the way Ruric Thar does.
Ok I know I’m getting annoying and I do apologize if I am, but any thoughts on Vorinclex voice of hunger ?
Not annoying at all. Everyone here has asked a million questions and presented dozens of ideas...you can’t ask too much. We all just want to get better and get Devotion to “Tier” status.
Vorniclux is nuts...I thought of playing a copy in Garruk Green...my only issue was in 90% of the scenarios I played him I would have rather had a Craterhoof :). Having said that; it is quite different from Craterhoof (and there are match ups where it is more effective than Hoof...especially if they keep your board low.
In honesty, I haven’t played Vorniclux enough to have a strong opinion of it.
[/spoiler]
I agree with this assessment. He's powerful to be sure, but at that much mana, we generally have better options. Only the White, Black, and Blue Praetors have enough fast impact to really be an object of consideration.
Regarding being tiered, I wouldn't stress over it too much. Breaking into tiered status requires mass-adoption more than actual performance (or even being good), and we can beat much of the tiered field. If anything, it's good to fly under the radar.
And also, definitely don't worry about being "annoying." As long as you are engaging in a dialogue, responding, and being thoughtful (all of which you are), we're generally grateful to talk about any idea. You're not one of those people who pulls stuff from a random site, and basically engages in a self-centered monologue where you put everyone else down to fixate on your own ideas of what the deck should be.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s great news, and especially on the big bad hydra. How many are you running?
[/spoiler]
Two, per my list on the prior page. I also periodically update the linked list in my signature.
[spoiler=CurdBros, regarding Ruric Thar vs Polukranos]
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s awesome! Maybe that will be my “variable” slot (instead of Woodland Bellower). It’s not quite as “go wide”; but it is nice to have Chordable removal.
And you are right on Ruruc Thar...id always knew how incredible it was in the board; but I think we are all starting to see that it is potentially a main deck card...it just ends SOOO many decks. More importantly, however, is that it “Hosea” a lot of our worst match ups while also just being a well coated creature.
Shoot...I currently have a “Variable” Slot in my main deck...which do I choose?
[/spoiler]
If it's between those two, the first Ruric Thar is hands-down the right choice. He wins games that you simply have no other way to win, is a more efficient, powerful, and versatile threat, and more. Polukranos, as good as it is, fundamentally is an efficient creature plus low-end removal; while this may be the right call in some places, he doesn't give the deck an entirely different approach to search up the way Ruric Thar does.
Ok I know I’m getting annoying and I do apologize if I am, but any thoughts on Vorinclex voice of hunger ?
Not annoying at all. Everyone here has asked a million questions and presented dozens of ideas...you can’t ask too much. We all just want to get better and get Devotion to “Tier” status.
Vorniclux is nuts...I thought of playing a copy in Garruk Green...my only issue was in 90% of the scenarios I played him I would have rather had a Craterhoof :). Having said that; it is quite different from Craterhoof (and there are match ups where it is more effective than Hoof...especially if they keep your board low.
In honesty, I haven’t played Vorniclux enough to have a strong opinion of it.
[/spoiler]
I agree with this assessment. He's powerful to be sure, but at that much mana, we generally have better options. Only the White, Black, and Blue Praetors have enough fast impact to really be an object of consideration.
Regarding being tiered, I wouldn't stress over it too much. Breaking into tiered status requires mass-adoption more than actual performance (or even being good), and we can beat much of the tiered field. If anything, it's good to fly under the radar.
And also, definitely don't worry about being "annoying." As long as you are engaging in a dialogue, responding, and being thoughtful (all of which you are), we're generally grateful to talk about any idea. You're not one of those people who pulls stuff from a random site, and basically engages in a self-centered monologue where you put everyone else down to fixate on your own ideas of what the deck should be.
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s great news, and especially on the big bad hydra. How many are you running?
[/spoiler]
Two, per my list on the prior page. I also periodically update the linked list in my signature.
[spoiler=CurdBros, regarding Ruric Thar vs Polukranos]
Played a few more matches. Won them handily. Ruric Thar is incredible, and I should have put this in the MD a year ago. Also, Polukranos earned concessions from Eldrazi and DnT players. I feel vindicated.
That’s awesome! Maybe that will be my “variable” slot (instead of Woodland Bellower). It’s not quite as “go wide”; but it is nice to have Chordable removal.
And you are right on Ruruc Thar...id always knew how incredible it was in the board; but I think we are all starting to see that it is potentially a main deck card...it just ends SOOO many decks. More importantly, however, is that it “Hosea” a lot of our worst match ups while also just being a well coated creature.
Shoot...I currently have a “Variable” Slot in my main deck...which do I choose?
[/spoiler]
If it's between those two, the first Ruric Thar is hands-down the right choice. He wins games that you simply have no other way to win, is a more efficient, powerful, and versatile threat, and more. Polukranos, as good as it is, fundamentally is an efficient creature plus low-end removal; while this may be the right call in some places, he doesn't give the deck an entirely different approach to search up the way Ruric Thar does.
Ok I know I’m getting annoying and I do apologize if I am, but any thoughts on Vorinclex voice of hunger ?
Not annoying at all. Everyone here has asked a million questions and presented dozens of ideas...you can’t ask too much. We all just want to get better and get Devotion to “Tier” status.
Vorniclux is nuts...I thought of playing a copy in Garruk Green...my only issue was in 90% of the scenarios I played him I would have rather had a Craterhoof :). Having said that; it is quite different from Craterhoof (and there are match ups where it is more effective than Hoof...especially if they keep your board low.
In honesty, I haven’t played Vorniclux enough to have a strong opinion of it.
[/spoiler]
I agree with this assessment. He's powerful to be sure, but at that much mana, we generally have better options. Only the White, Black, and Blue Praetors have enough fast impact to really be an object of consideration.
Regarding being tiered, I wouldn't stress over it too much. Breaking into tiered status requires mass-adoption more than actual performance (or even being good), and we can beat much of the tiered field. If anything, it's good to fly under the radar.
And also, definitely don't worry about being "annoying." As long as you are engaging in a dialogue, responding, and being thoughtful (all of which you are), we're generally grateful to talk about any idea. You're not one of those people who pulls stuff from a random site, and basically engages in a self-centered monologue where you put everyone else down to fixate on your own ideas of what the deck should be.
Was that too on the nose?
No I very much appreciate your words, becuase I was feeling like I may have been.
Maybe I’ll do some play testing with him to see how he works, but as Curd stated probably would want Hoof in most of those situations. We sure have some great creatures to chose from that’s what makes tinkering so much fun.
At that point though, we might as well fully admit that we are embracing being RG Ponza rather than Devotion. Not that it's a bad deck, but it's a different deck.
I agree with Lord that you don’t want to get into territory where you are just a lesser version of Ponza. If you’ve found a balance between mana denial and devotion that works so that your angle of attack is different enough from Ponza; that’s great! It’s juat something to be mindful of. It’s really something we should all be mindful of...I call it being the “best” at something; but really all I mean is just making sure we aren’t a worse version of another deck.
A good example is the Vizier Combo...at one point I was leaning too hard on the combo (with multiple copies of Vizier and many tutors). At that point; I was just a worse version of Counter Company. By finding the balance (and essentially having a Chord-based Devotion deck with the potential for “oops I win” being a realistic avenue) I was able to make a deck that forces the opponent to be aware of/answer the combo even though I often will use Devoted Druid as a Devotion/Ramp enabler. It’s what Uegjo and Lord do as well (I only bring up “my” version as their version was just never as close to Counters Company as mine became due to the use of Chord).
I’m not saying that is true of your deck at all (I haven’t played it). I’m just saying it can happen to any/all of us and it is important to keep in our minds as we brew/tune.
I’ve been trying out Reki, the History of Kamigawa in my Garruk Green List...it has certainly been interesting. I’ll let you know as I play more if it is worth it.
I feel like it's going to be hard to get a lot of value from Reki, you will probably draw more cards from Courser, and it does a lot more with the 2/4 body, lifegain, and ability to see the top card.
So unfortunately I'm not sure I will be going to the Open, I'm hesitant to take a 12 and a half hour bus from NYC :/
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Always wear protection kids, sleeve up your deck.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Also, while G/W Walker devotion is a great deck, I think my Garruk Green is the top performing Devotion deck I've created, and I'm still waiting for some of the 75 cards to arrive in the mail.
I'm considering some changes. Even though I like Wolfbriar a lot, Whisperwood is more essential since it super important vs. certain decks that play sweepers. He's also a better play at 5 mana since usuallly you get the token, and then he can keep generating value. Wolbriar is fine at 5 mana but starts to get much better at 6 mana and up, and it obviously can take over the game immediately with a massive amount of mana. If I made the change it would also free up a spot in the sideboard, which is no small thing. I like playing with Wolfbriar so I'm keeping it in for now, but it's a serious thought.
Also, out of all the games I've played with Garruk Green, I've hardly ever had the chance to actually cast Slaughter Games, not that it needs to be tested, I know it's purpose and basically what to name in all matchups, but I'm wondering if I should just splash white rather than black for Eidolon. Probably not.
Since the hardest matchups I've faced so far are B/x decks, I'm wondering what sideboard card/s I can add to help a little. Maybe cut the Primal Command and add another Scooze since Scooze gains life like Command, but it's better at hating the gv, devotion enabler, and an early drop. It can shrink goyfs and steal creatures from opposing Scoozes. Yeah, I think scooze is just better in this deck.
I've won a bunch of matches against non-tier decks or bad players and I don't want to include those in the results
VS. Jeskai control WIN 2-1
- Game 1: can't remember but I win Game 2: outvalued and controlled and I lose Game 3: Long and eventually I just barely get enough dmg through with Kessig
VS. PIF Combo (w/Opt) WIN 2-0
- Game 1 a quick Ruric and they scoop, Game 2 SD hate cards to stall then Ruric and scoop
VS. Abzan Good stuff LOSS 0-2
- he plays goyfs and discard and Rhinos and Souls Wilt-Leaf Lieges and the pressure it just too much both games
(I did not have Baloth in this list for the match, Baloth is the last card I added, and it's actually perfect since it helps vs Burn and the deck needed either Thrag or Baloth while also helping vs. B/x decks. Baloth was the pick because it's great vs. Lili and also amazing with Pact)
VS. U/W control WIN 2-0
- Games 1 and 2: lots of mana very fast and just dumping cards which they won't be able to deal with way to fast for them, quick match
VS. 8-Rack WIN 2-0
- Game 1: Courser gains me life and nets me cards and I drop a Whisperwood and they scoop Games 2: turn 2 Inquisition sees two Courser, Visionary and Wildspeaker and they scoop (maybe not the best version, they running Liliana's Caress which seems bad
VS. U/B Faeries WIN 2-1
- I forget the games, but the games I won were not very close and the game he won was quite close
VS. Jund Loss 0-2
- Game 1: I was so close to winning but I made a risky block putting my at 3 life dead to Bolt and he drew it in two turns. Game 2: an anger hurt and then I didn't find some to stall the game and he was beating down with a big scooze while we were both hellbent. I feel like this match was very close, I could have won it.
VS. Eldrazi Tron WIN 2-0 Game 1: I come out fast and land a Whisper with a Hoof in hand to win easily next turn, he even had turn 3 Tron. Game 2: I land whisper and I suppose he realized his All is Dust isn't great anymore and I will overwhelm him and he scoops, albiet immaturely so I'm a bit disappointed he did it so early
VS. Grixis Death's Shadow WIN 2-0 Game 1: I'm on the draw and just do better stuff than my opponent Game 2: he gets stuck on 1 land for two turns and scoops
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Eidolon of Rhetoric is a stronger card against Storm combo, but only works until they can find removal. Ruric Thar, the Unbowed isn't bad against Storm, but also has game against many combo and control decks, and even some spell-heavy aggro decks like Grixis and Jund. On top of that, he's a 6/6 threat with Vigilance and Reach, which can often just win on his own (something Eidolon can rarely do). It's that flexibility that makes him MD-able. If I was just concerned about SB vs Storm alone, Eidolon is a better play (but Surgical Extractions, Tormod's Crypts, and Rest in Peaces may be better still).
To be clear, I wasn't comparing Eidolon to Ruric. I wasn't considering getting rid of Red, I was considering cutting the Overgrown Tomb and Slaughter Games for a Temple Garden and Eidolon. Rubric That is too slow much of the time against storm without cards to stall a turn or two. Eidolon and Slaughter Games can be cast quick so that's why I'm making the comparison and I'm definitely not cutting Red or Ruric.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Always wear protection kids, sleeve up your deck.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I think an Arbor Elf/Utopia Sprawl is probably the best mana acceleration for Dino modern like Devotion. I think RG or Naya is the way to go with RG leaning due to being able to play Blood Moon.
Would this be a good place to discuss modern dinos in an arbor elf/utopia sprawl shell?
Dino Devotion has been talked about before, but it died out of the discussion because it was easily discovered to be not very competitive, though if you can make it work don't hesitate to post a list.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Always wear protection kids, sleeve up your deck.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I think the matchups that give me the most trouble are Scapeshift and B/x and Green Tron decks and I'd like to change my sideboard to help those matchups a bit. Cutting Primal Command and adding Scooze will help with the B/x decks (and any gv strats), but I want another card to help vs. Scapeshift. I could cut the second Ruric Thar in the sideboard for a 3rd Blood Moon which is great vs. all Tron decks and also Scapeshift.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Always wear protection kids, sleeve up your deck.
LEGACY: Soldier Stompy WW // Blue Stompy UU // Fit Variants BGRW // Sol Land Brews BGRUWC MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
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Some great valid points. I really love this deck, and especially more so because it runs Garruk my fav walker. I agree that wildspeaker really is everything we are looking for, after play testing a lot I feel the biggest issues are when we inveitbly get into top deck mode, and when we desperately need to remove something problematic ( that’s why I’ve been testing Apex predator, and staying on theme ). I guess maybe I’m trying to hard to reinvent the wheel, when if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I keep trying to think if
Surrak hunt caller
Apex predator
Primal hunter
If there’s a way to make it all viable but I may end up going back to the stock list, tho I must say Apex really feels worth his salt.
Modern: Merfolk UU // Green Devotion GG // SkRed Red RR
Legacy: Death & Taxes WW // Burn RR // Death's Shadow Delver UB
Commander: Brago UW // Karlov WB
That’s great news, and especially on the big bad hydra. How many are you running?
Not annoying at all. Everyone here has asked a million questions and presented dozens of ideas...you can’t ask too much. We all just want to get better and get Devotion to “Tier” status.
Vorniclux is nuts...I thought of playing a copy in Garruk Green...my only issue was in 90% of the scenarios I played him I would have rather had a Craterhoof :). Having said that; it is quite different from Craterhoof (and there are match ups where it is more effective than Hoof...especially if they keep your board low.
In honesty, I haven’t played Vorniclux enough to have a strong opinion of it.
That’s awesome! Maybe that will be my “variable” slot (instead of Woodland Bellower). It’s not quite as “go wide”; but it is nice to have Chordable removal.
And you are right on Ruruc Thar...id always knew how incredible it was in the board; but I think we are all starting to see that it is potentially a main deck card...it just ends SOOO many decks. More importantly, however, is that it “Hosea” a lot of our worst match ups while also just being a well coated creature.
Shoot...I currently have a “Variable” Slot in my main deck...which do I choose?
Two, per my list on the prior page. I also periodically update the linked list in my signature.
If it's between those two, the first Ruric Thar is hands-down the right choice. He wins games that you simply have no other way to win, is a more efficient, powerful, and versatile threat, and more. Polukranos, as good as it is, fundamentally is an efficient creature plus low-end removal; while this may be the right call in some places, he doesn't give the deck an entirely different approach to search up the way Ruric Thar does.
Regarding being tiered, I wouldn't stress over it too much. Breaking into tiered status requires mass-adoption more than actual performance (or even being good), and we can beat much of the tiered field. If anything, it's good to fly under the radar.
And also, definitely don't worry about being "annoying." As long as you are engaging in a dialogue, responding, and being thoughtful (all of which you are), we're generally grateful to talk about any idea. You're not one of those people who pulls stuff from a random site, and basically engages in a self-centered monologue where you put everyone else down to fixate on your own ideas of what the deck should be.
Was that too on the nose?
Modern: Merfolk UU // Green Devotion GG // SkRed Red RR
Legacy: Death & Taxes WW // Burn RR // Death's Shadow Delver UB
Commander: Brago UW // Karlov WB
No I very much appreciate your words, becuase I was feeling like I may have been.
Maybe I’ll do some play testing with him to see how he works, but as Curd stated probably would want Hoof in most of those situations. We sure have some great creatures to chose from that’s what makes tinkering so much fun.
Modern: Merfolk UU // Green Devotion GG // SkRed Red RR
Legacy: Death & Taxes WW // Burn RR // Death's Shadow Delver UB
Commander: Brago UW // Karlov WB
A good example is the Vizier Combo...at one point I was leaning too hard on the combo (with multiple copies of Vizier and many tutors). At that point; I was just a worse version of Counter Company. By finding the balance (and essentially having a Chord-based Devotion deck with the potential for “oops I win” being a realistic avenue) I was able to make a deck that forces the opponent to be aware of/answer the combo even though I often will use Devoted Druid as a Devotion/Ramp enabler. It’s what Uegjo and Lord do as well (I only bring up “my” version as their version was just never as close to Counters Company as mine became due to the use of Chord).
I’m not saying that is true of your deck at all (I haven’t played it). I’m just saying it can happen to any/all of us and it is important to keep in our minds as we brew/tune.
So unfortunately I'm not sure I will be going to the Open, I'm hesitant to take a 12 and a half hour bus from NYC :/
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
That’s a LONG bus drive! That’s cool. If you do, we’re behind you. If not, we got plenty of ways to keep playing/improving our archetype.
I'm considering some changes. Even though I like Wolfbriar a lot, Whisperwood is more essential since it super important vs. certain decks that play sweepers. He's also a better play at 5 mana since usuallly you get the token, and then he can keep generating value. Wolbriar is fine at 5 mana but starts to get much better at 6 mana and up, and it obviously can take over the game immediately with a massive amount of mana. If I made the change it would also free up a spot in the sideboard, which is no small thing. I like playing with Wolfbriar so I'm keeping it in for now, but it's a serious thought.
Also, out of all the games I've played with Garruk Green, I've hardly ever had the chance to actually cast Slaughter Games, not that it needs to be tested, I know it's purpose and basically what to name in all matchups, but I'm wondering if I should just splash white rather than black for Eidolon. Probably not.
Since the hardest matchups I've faced so far are B/x decks, I'm wondering what sideboard card/s I can add to help a little. Maybe cut the Primal Command and add another Scooze since Scooze gains life like Command, but it's better at hating the gv, devotion enabler, and an early drop. It can shrink goyfs and steal creatures from opposing Scoozes. Yeah, I think scooze is just better in this deck.
CURRENT DECKLIST
// 24 Creature
4 Arbor Elf
2 Birds of Paradise
4 Elvish Visionary
4 Walking Ballista
3 Courser of Kruphix
1 Craterhoof Behemoth
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Acidic Slime
1 Hornet Queen
1 Whisperwood Elemental
1 Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
1 Wolfbriar Elemental
// 7 Enchantment
4 Utopia Sprawl
3 Oath of Nissa
2 Summoner's Pact
// 21 Land
6 Forest
2 Stomping Ground
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Wooded Foothills
2 Windswept Heath
2 Verdant Catacombs
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Misty Rainforest
// 6 Planeswalker
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
2 Garruk, Caller of Beasts
// 2 Artifact
2 Relic of Progenitus
1 Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
1 Whisperwood Elemental
2 Abrade
2 Blood Moon
1 Obstinate Baloth
1 Primal Command
2 Bonfire of the Damned
1 Creeping Corrosion
2 Slaughter Games
-1 Relic in SD
-1 Primal Command SD
-2 Relic SD
+1 Obstinate Baloth SD
+2 Grafdigger's Cage SD
-
+1 Whisperwood MD
-1 Wolfbriar MD
I've won a bunch of matches against non-tier decks or bad players and I don't want to include those in the results
VS. Jeskai control WIN 2-1
- Game 1: can't remember but I win Game 2: outvalued and controlled and I lose Game 3: Long and eventually I just barely get enough dmg through with Kessig
VS. PIF Combo (w/Opt) WIN 2-0
- Game 1 a quick Ruric and they scoop, Game 2 SD hate cards to stall then Ruric and scoop
VS. Abzan Good stuff LOSS 0-2
- he plays goyfs and discard and Rhinos and Souls Wilt-Leaf Lieges and the pressure it just too much both games
(I did not have Baloth in this list for the match, Baloth is the last card I added, and it's actually perfect since it helps vs Burn and the deck needed either Thrag or Baloth while also helping vs. B/x decks. Baloth was the pick because it's great vs. Lili and also amazing with Pact)
VS. U/W control WIN 2-0
- Games 1 and 2: lots of mana very fast and just dumping cards which they won't be able to deal with way to fast for them, quick match
VS. 8-Rack WIN 2-0
- Game 1: Courser gains me life and nets me cards and I drop a Whisperwood and they scoop Games 2: turn 2 Inquisition sees two Courser, Visionary and Wildspeaker and they scoop
VS. U/B Faeries WIN 2-1
- I forget the games, but the games I won were not very close and the game he won was quite close
VS. Jund Loss 0-2
- Game 1: I was so close to winning but I made a risky block putting my at 3 life dead to Bolt and he drew it in two turns. Game 2: an anger hurt and then I didn't find some to stall the game and he was beating down with a big scooze while we were both hellbent. I feel like this match was very close, I could have won it.
VS. Eldrazi Tron WIN 2-0 Game 1: I come out fast and land a Whisper with a Hoof in hand to win easily next turn, he even had turn 3 Tron. Game 2: I land whisper and I suppose he realized his All is Dust isn't great anymore and I will overwhelm him and he scoops, albiet immaturely so I'm a bit disappointed he did it so early
VS. Grixis Death's Shadow WIN 2-0 Game 1: I'm on the draw and just do better stuff than my opponent Game 2: he gets stuck on 1 land for two turns and scoops
TOTAL RESULTS:
7-2
G/W Walker Devotion
// 15 Creature
4 Arbor Elf
4 Walking Ballista
4 Kitchen Finks
3 Birds of Paradise
// 8 Enchantment
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Oath of Nissa
// 21 Land
3 Temple Garden
5 Forest
1 Gavony Township
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2 Windswept Heath
2 Misty Rainforest
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Wooded Foothills
3 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Elspeth Tirel
2 Ajani, Mentor of Heroes
1 Gideon Jura
2 Garruk Relentless
1 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Eidolon of Rhetoric
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
2 Wheel of Sun and Moon
2 Stony Silence
3 Gideon's Intervention
1 Ajani, Mentor of Heroes
2 Creeping Corrosion
swap Leyline of Sanctity for Gideon's Intervention
+1 Township MD
-1 Nykthos MD
-
-1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar MD
+1 Garruk Relentless MD
-
-1 Grafdigger's Cage SD
+1 Relic SD
-
+1 Chord of Calling SD
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Modern: Merfolk UU // Green Devotion GG // SkRed Red RR
Legacy: Death & Taxes WW // Burn RR // Death's Shadow Delver UB
Commander: Brago UW // Karlov WB
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
Decandio mentioned possibly playing Devotion in his article today!
I may have to try a Nissa, Vastwood Seer
I think an Arbor Elf/Utopia Sprawl is probably the best mana acceleration for Dino modern like Devotion. I think RG or Naya is the way to go with RG leaning due to being able to play Blood Moon.
Would this be a good place to discuss modern dinos in an arbor elf/utopia sprawl shell?
Dino Devotion has been talked about before, but it died out of the discussion because it was easily discovered to be not very competitive, though if you can make it work don't hesitate to post a list.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC