So it's been apparent to me that since Tony's near top 8 result, more people are brewing with Green Devotion. I've run into a greater number of Devotion decks on Cockkatrice recently.
One deck someone play an Eldrazi based devotion deck.
Today I played against a deck running The Chain Veil, a card I forgot about. It's definitely a sweet card and should certainly be considered in Walker decks. I'm definitely going to brew a bit with this when I get a chance.
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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
So it's been apparent to me that since Tony's near top 8 result, more people are brewing with Green Devotion. I've run into a greater number of Devotion decks on Cockkatrice recently.
One deck someone play an Eldrazi based devotion deck.
Today I played against a deck running The Chain Veil, a card I forgot about. It's definitely a sweet card and should certainly be considered in Walker decks. I'm definitely going to brew a bit with this when I get a chance.
That’s awesome!!!
I thought about the Chain Veil with Garruk and Tezzerret but I think I got too far down the rabbit hole (as I tend to do ). I didn’t give any time to the idea though...it’s really cool that someone made it work. Hopefully they post it here sometime.
It’s exciting to see Green Devotion get a little more popular. Anthony really helped in a big way (as it could have been bad given Decandio’s difficulties with Devotion in the same tourney...likely just bad matchups). It is such an amazingly fun mechanic that a lot of people will be drawn to it.
Thanks for posting this. It’s great to hear about Cockatrice and other places where Modern are played.
still trying to fit the chain veil into my garruks list. I feel like i'm missing something without it. for what its worth, added 2 more wins and 1 loss to the deck. 12-3 total. this time it was Delver and its annoying remands that got me. though it match ups like that, that i've tried to insulate against. couldn't find either of my 2 arashi, the sky asunder
@curdbros
with the walkers list, what is your sideboard plan for storm?
Scavenging Ooze is interactive because it shuts down graveyard dependent plans, which means weakening Tarmogoyf, disrupting Angler or Tsaigur, negating Snapcaster/Rallier/Witness triggers, countering opposing Cranial Extractions, and more.
I also forgot to ask...how has your deck been doing? Any recent changes? I know you e been really strong with Primal Command and also played Devoted Druid for a time. I’m sure the community would be really interested in hearing an update about how that archetype has been.
I also forgot to ask...how has your deck been doing? Any recent changes? I know you e been really strong with Primal Command and also played Devoted Druid for a time. I’m sure the community would be really interested in hearing an update about how that archetype has been.
My life has recently become rather more complicated. MtG is on the backburner for a bit, so I haven't had opportunity to do any substantive testing or updating.
I also forgot to ask...how has your deck been doing? Any recent changes? I know you e been really strong with Primal Command and also played Devoted Druid for a time. I’m sure the community would be really interested in hearing an update about how that archetype has been.
My life has recently become rather more complicated. MtG is on the backburner for a bit, so I haven't had opportunity to do any substantive testing or updating.
I can only hope it has been complicated in a good way (i.e. birth of a child, meeting new partner, new job, etc.). You don't have to spare any details, but if there is anything we as a community can do to help (in the event of difficulties) please let us know (and/or PM me).
Hey Curdbros, I wouldn't be so hesitant about your walkers list. I think it's pretty strong. I ended up taking a similar version to my FNM on Thursday and took 1st place with it (4-0/8-1 matches). I believe the mixture of big butts with planeswalker backup is a pretty solid plan against a lot of decks, and the ones you can't really deal with you can always sideboard for. Here is what I brought:
Sideboard was meant to beat Control, Tron, graveyard decks and burn. I think the 4 Courser in the main already help in a lot of aggro matchups, so Finks would just round that out.
Overall I played against 2 Jeskai Flash decks, a Temur Flash deck, and 8 rack. Nothing super unfair, which I believe is this decks weakness. I ended up bringing in Carnage Tyrant in 3 of the rounds, and he was the nail in the coffin. Against counters, being able to Genesis Hydra into one is just unfair lol.
Anyway, I do think a superfriends list has merit, as it dodges the problems that Pact deck has with board wipes and spot removal. A lot of the times when playing a lot of little dudes, you feel real bad when they all get wiped, and there's no real way to come back. Luckily with this, you need a hard wipe to really get the same effect (Supreme Verdict/Damnation), your things stick around longer for sure. You sacrifice explosive one-turn wins for a grindy win yes, but it's not really a bad thing. You should win out in the end regardless. Anyway I dig a version like this, I think it can be tinkered with depending on the meta.
One nice interaction I found was the flip-side of Garruk Relentless being able to tutor up creatures. If I owned more than one, I would definitely like to try him out in a more creature-centric list like Just_Me's
Next week I'll be throwing together a Ghalta list and bringing that in most likely. Cheers all!
Hey Curdbros, I wouldn't be so hesitant about your walkers list. I think it's pretty strong. I ended up taking a similar version to my FNM on Thursday and took 1st place with it (4-0/8-1 matches). I believe the mixture of big butts with planeswalker backup is a pretty solid plan against a lot of decks, and the ones you can't really deal with you can always sideboard for. Here is what I brought:
Sideboard was meant to beat Control, Tron, graveyard decks and burn. I think the 4 Courser in the main already help in a lot of aggro matchups, so Finks would just round that out.
Overall I played against 2 Jeskai Flash decks, a Temur Flash deck, and 8 rack. Nothing super unfair, which I believe is this decks weakness. I ended up bringing in Carnage Tyrant in 3 of the rounds, and he was the nail in the coffin. Against counters, being able to Genesis Hydra into one is just unfair lol.
Anyway, I do think a superfriends list has merit, as it dodges the problems that Pact deck has with board wipes and spot removal. A lot of the times when playing a lot of little dudes, you feel real bad when they all get wiped, and there's no real way to come back. Luckily with this, you need a hard wipe to really get the same effect (Supreme Verdict/Damnation), your things stick around longer for sure. You sacrifice explosive one-turn wins for a grindy win yes, but it's not really a bad thing. You should win out in the end regardless. Anyway I dig a version like this, I think it can be tinkered with depending on the meta.
One nice interaction I found was the flip-side of Garruk Relentless being able to tutor up creatures. If I owned more than one, I would definitely like to try him out in a more creature-centric list like Just_Me's
Next week I'll be throwing together a Ghalta list and bringing that in most likely. Cheers all!
That’s awesome!! 8-1 to win the whole thing is impressive.
I have been very happy with the deck. It took me a little while to get used to the speed of the deck (as turns 1,2, and sometimes 3 are very similar to all Green Devotion decks) but it’s turns 4+ that are different)...I do agree it is important to have a few blockers up front to both add Devotion and protect the walkers.
You become much more of a Control deck this way. I absolutely love it though. You just bury the opponent in value...you may not finish them off until turn 7; but you essentially win on turn 4.
I like your list (and really like the simplicity of the board)...I would like to get another Ob Nixilis and really want another Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh in the deck as well...Bolas GP is outrageously powerful in a deck like this. I would say if all of the Walkers I tried just to see how they would play, Nicol Bolas GP was the most surprising (as I didn’t think it’s abilities we suited for Modern as well as others)....
I love the idea of Carnage Tyrant. Genesis Hydra is the death-knell for Control; but even decks heavy with spot removal probably struggle with it.
P.S. I may have to try a 3/2 split if Birds/Sylvan Caryatid (with no Fertile Ground). Makes it a little less weak to both land destruction as well as Chalice on 1...good call.
I will second how much I like tyrant's against control! I think he's vastly superior to thrun for us.
but I'm also back with another real quick tournament report with my simic list. Went with -2 abrade +2 beast within this week. I really liked abrade in the past but with 5c humans running around I've felt I needed a little bit more than 3 damage, and hitting lands (tron/shift matchup) is an "I need that" for my SB.
2-1 jeskai nahiri
Carnage tyrant is a true terror in this. Got caught by 3(!) runed halos game 2 but had the removal and t2 nissa value town on g3.
2-0 saheeli cobra
I can't imagine this deck being that strong overall honestly, not sure where it came from. Perfect timing on dropping abrade for beast and Ballistas doin work here.
1...?-0 Jeskai tempo
Guy got suuuuuper salty after game 1 carnage tyrant and left the store!
Pretty smooth night overall actually and not a whole lot to report, I'm gonna keep working with beast within for a bit: I've noticed a lot of people have dropped it from their list (myself as well until now). What are all your thoughts on it?
1...?-0 Jeskai tempo
Guy got suuuuuper salty after game 1 carnage tyrant and left the store!
Lol, people are funny.
Beast Within is a great card and a fine sideboard card, but I'd rather play something else that's more focused and efficient unless I am feeling like my deck really needs another catch-all.
I not a fan of the chalice here, especially because and I think Oath should be in there. I would rather play Oath alongside Trinisphere instead of Chalice. I added a Whisperwood Elemental to have some security vs. Wrath effects, as I do in most of my decks.
I really like the Nissa list, and I do think it's one of the stronger Devotion decks so good job!
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
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 not a fan of the chalice here, especially because and I think Oath should be in there. I would rather play Oath alongside Trinisphere instead of Chalice. I added a Whisperwood Elemental to have some security vs. Wrath effects, as I do in most of my decks.
I still wholeheartedly disagree on chalice - a single 2 drop and 1 drops that aren't wincons are no big deal compared to absolutely hosing so many decks. Chalice, especially on 2, outright wins an insane amount of matches if it lands. In the year I've been running it it's easily the biggest factor in winning matches I would have lost, and I don't think trinisphere would have the same impact.
I tried oath for a while and didn't like how it interacted with the deck overall: bottoming summoner's pacts and my sideboard cards was infuriating when it happened, and the scry-ness of the deck really boosts the reliability of those sideboard cards (chalice). I ran serum visions in it's place for quite a while and if you're looking for smoothing things I think it's better overall, especially with nissa. I recently just put more lands in for topdeck courser/nissa/channelers and.. think I like their consistency a little bit more overall (only been ~3 nights with that change)
I will second how much I like tyrant's against control! I think he's vastly superior to thrun for us.
but I'm also back with another real quick tournament report with my simic list. Went with -2 abrade +2 beast within this week. I really liked abrade in the past but with 5c humans running around I've felt I needed a little bit more than 3 damage, and hitting lands (tron/shift matchup) is an "I need that" for my SB.
2-1 jeskai nahiri
Carnage tyrant is a true terror in this. Got caught by 3(!) runed halos game 2 but had the removal and t2 nissa value town on g3.
2-0 saheeli cobra
I can't imagine this deck being that strong overall honestly, not sure where it came from. Perfect timing on dropping abrade for beast and Ballistas doin work here.
1...?-0 Jeskai tempo
Guy got suuuuuper salty after game 1 carnage tyrant and left the store!
Pretty smooth night overall actually and not a whole lot to report, I'm gonna keep working with beast within for a bit: I've noticed a lot of people have dropped it from their list (myself as well until now). What are all your thoughts on it?
Awesome report! 4-0 ain't too shabby! Your list is a strong Pact list with a cool "Top of the Deck" value package. A few things I really like that I think others can take from your list:
1. Chameleon Colossus is REALLY good right now. It has always been good for us (and was underplayed) but now in particular it is strong (with the rise in Fatal Push, Death's Shadow, and Dismember).
2. I am a very big fan of your sideboard as well. If Chalice works, then more of us can and should play it. Also, in a list with that many 4-power creatures (if you include Channelers), Stubborn Denial becomes very potent.
3. Nissa, Steward of Elements is a wildly powerful card for us. The downside is that her -2 only works when you can see the top of your deck. having the Coursers AND Channelers ensures this happens often enough to warrant Nissa SOE's use. More people should try this package to see if it is the card selection/card draw that works best for them.
In terms of Beast Within...I have utilized them in my board quite a bit. I tend to do so when Tron and Valakut are prevalent in the meta (as it gives me "land hate" without only being land hate) and in decks where my answers being permanents is less important to the deck.
Having a card that can answer problem creatures, lands, AND/OR planeswalkers, artifacts, enchantments, etc. is nice. I think in the right meta that Beast Within is a GREAT choice. The 3/3 creature can be an issue for some decks (if you don't have a larger body on board) but the bigger downside to me is the 3-CMC. Sometimes you want your answer to be 1-2 mana (to be sure you can cast it quickly...and possibly cast another 1-2 drop in the same turn)...Having said that, you can always play both Beast within and a few faster creature answers (such as bolt, etc.).
Beast Within hits everything...so literally any problem permanent is dealt with. For that reason alone it is a good sideboard option for multiple different Devotion decks (not all, but likely a majority).
Hey guys, I have modified my build to use 4 Jadelight rangers and so far I am very happy. I have had way more consistent results and the deck is way faster, as turn 3 primal commands are easier to achieve and you can deal more damage to your opponent.
Jadelight ranger makes a great combo with BTE, its way easier to cast than the selkie and faster than the Courser.
Here's my current list:
Hey Maxivs! Very cool list. We have all been interested to hear more about Jadelight Ranger. From the sounds of things...she seems quite strong!
I wanted to let you know that on the top right of the toolbar you can click the "Deck" function. From there when you list the cards it will put them in a deck. You still have to put in your own headings (like "Creatures", "Enchantments", etc.) but it does the rest for you. I provided your list in a Deck format so it is easier for the community to read:
** If you want, you can literally hit the "Quote" button and just copy/paste the formatting from below for future reference **
You also don't have to provide the set for each card (unless it is important to you which version you are using). I hope this helps!
Great list! I hope to hear more about this. There are a lot of community members hear that play lists somewhat similar to this (just really good Devotion cards) and would love to hear about the deck, interactions, performance, etc. Thank you for taking the time to post it!
I not a fan of the chalice here, especially because and I think Oath should be in there. I would rather play Oath alongside Trinisphere instead of Chalice. I added a Whisperwood Elemental to have some security vs. Wrath effects, as I do in most of my decks.
I still wholeheartedly disagree on chalice - a single 2 drop and 1 drops that aren't wincons are no big deal compared to absolutely hosing so many decks. Chalice, especially on 2, outright wins an insane amount of matches if it lands. In the year I've been running it it's easily the biggest factor in winning matches I would have lost, and I don't think trinisphere would have the same impact.
I tried oath for a while and didn't like how it interacted with the deck overall: bottoming summoner's pacts and my sideboard cards was infuriating when it happened, and the scry-ness of the deck really boosts the reliability of those sideboard cards (chalice). I ran serum visions in it's place for quite a while and if you're looking for smoothing things I think it's better overall, especially with nissa. I recently just put more lands in for topdeck courser/nissa/channelers and.. think I like their consistency a little bit more overall (only been ~3 nights with that change)
I'm trying out whisperwood next week!
I both agree and disagree here
I agree that decks running multiple cards that Oath cannot hit (or more importantly cards you would REALLY want to top deck like Pact/Chord/Command, etc.) can get away with not running Oath. Another large item to concern yourself with is the side board. On this case, Oath misses nearly your entire board...so I can see not using it (or at minimum siding it out).
Having said this...Oath is an AMAZING card...card selection is very important to smoothing out our decks. I personally think card selection and card draw are the most important factors to a succesfull devotion deck...fortunately your deck has ample card selection already (via Nissa SOE, Courser, and Pact). I think your curve can be sucessfully smoothed with those cards without the need for Oath. I generally would not tell someone NOT to run Oath...but given your available card selection, your board, and your curve I do think yours is a deck that can get away with not playing Oath of Nissa.
Without Oath, you can get away with Chalice of the Void as you simply don't run as many 1-2 drops as a lot of us (11 one drops and only 1 two drop). Since you will likely have a 1-drop out by the time you cast Chalice...it works well in your list. I can see Rendroc's concern in other lists (as it can be a nombo many times...shutting us out at the same time); but yours seems like the "nombo" isn't nearly as prevalent. I do think if you can play Chalice it is amazing. It hoses a lot of our worse match ups. I still may give it a try (and just side out a few 1-2 drops depending on the match up)...as if it truly can work; it is a good card for our tougher match ups (Storm, Infect, Counters Company, etc.)
1. Trying Courser of Kruphix in place of Carven Caryatid. I have always preferred cards that say "draw a card" over anything else (Visionary, Caryatid, etc.) however I think there is enough added benefit (beyond his life-gain, etc.) to warrant Courser's inclusion over Caryatid's. At minimum it should be tested. Really I just need to determine the best 3-drops of choice. I currently have five total "3-drop slots" so whatever the best options are between Courser, Caryatid, Nissa , or Jadelight Ranger need to be decided on.
The mana base doesn't have to get double red (or Oath) by turn 2-3.
Garruk Relentless may be able to kill 90% of the same creatures anyways (I can't think of too many 1-3 drop creatures where 4 damage is needed rather than 3)..
Garruk's tutor ability may come in handy to tutor up Genesis Hydra's and sideboard creatures.
The Veil-Cursed side can make a mini-overrun (which could be enough even at X=1 or X=2 (depending on the size of the army of tokens and/or if they have any +1/+1 counters on them from Nissa.
Pros for Chandra:
1. Chandra can ramp you.
2. Chandra can deal direct damage.
3. Chandra can "draw" a card
4. Chandra goes up to 5 loyalty (garruk either goes down or stays at 3 to start).
Pros for Garruk:
1. Garruk can give you another token (this can be a big deal)
2. Garruk can tutor for a Genesis Hydra (or sideboard creature).
3. Garruk can overrun your team.
4. Garruk adds devotion and is much easier on the mana base.
Chandra is a better card (in a vacuum she is much more powerful)...but Garruk could potentially be a better fit. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. It really is a matter of testing I think.
_______
Questions for the Community
What do you think? Should it be Chandra TOD or Garruk Relentless?
I feel I may be a little too concerned with having small creature removal at 4-CMC or less...how often do you feel it is important we have removal available before turn 3? Is it something to worry about in the main board (i.e. are there enough decks where this is a vital win-or-lose issue, or just sideboard in those instances?
Don’t get me wrong...Chandra TOD is an unbelievably powerful card...I may not remove it either way...it I just a matter of if a 4th Garruk Wildspeaker and/or 1-2 Garruk Relentless would be better (as it is obviously much easier on the mana base; but also could be better overall).
What are your thoughts?
The best news about the Walker builds...they can only get better! They print at least 2 walkers in every set
Hey Curdbros, I do think that having removal in the first few turns is a big deal. A lot of fair decks we can go over the top of, however sometimes there are some threats that you just need to deal with. Things I can think of - Reality Shmasher, TKS, Death Shadow, Baral, etc. I think it's a good idea to have interaction in the mainboard.
With respect to Chandra...I personally find that achieving multiple colors in a devotion deck can be pretty taxing on the manabase. Given that we only run 21 lands and 4 oaths, I've found myself in a pinch getting the right colors at the right time occasionally. I think having a mixture of double black, double red, and grixis colors is a bit too taxing on the manabase for my taste. I would go with Garruk Relentless. He proved to be pretty powerful when I got him on the board last week, and his tutor ability can be very helpful to find more gas like Genesis Hydra.
Hey Curdbros, I do think that having removal in the first few turns is a big deal. A lot of fair decks we can go over the top of, however sometimes there are some threats that you just need to deal with. Things I can think of - Reality Shmasher, TKS, Death Shadow, Baral, etc. I think it's a good idea to have interaction in the mainboard.
With respect to Chandra...I personally find that achieving multiple colors in a devotion deck can be pretty taxing on the manabase. Given that we only run 21 lands and 4 oaths, I've found myself in a pinch getting the right colors at the right time occasionally. I think having a mixture of double black, double red, and grixis colors is a bit too taxing on the manabase for my taste. I would go with Garruk Relentless. He proved to be pretty powerful when I got him on the board last week, and his tutor ability can be very helpful to find more gas like Genesis Hydra.
Just my two cents.
I think you’re right.
Chandra is a little more powerful; but it is a tax on the mana base. Nicol Bolas is not as bad (despite being three colors) as normally by the time you cast him (or get him off Hydra) you’ve found the means of fixing quite easily. Even when cast on turn 3; you generally will have it (as to get there by turn 3 you would often need a combination of 2-3 Oath, Bird, Caryatid, and/or Utopia Sprawl.
Thus far the deck has been really strong. I think with the right sideboard it is a potential viable Devotion deck! Thus far, the stats have it in the “viable” range as I defined it...and a strong board can push it over to “great” territory:). It has been super helpful to have you, Rendroc, and others help tune and discuss the deck as well. While you or course are building your own decks...being able to discuss similar lines, interaction me, etc. is great. it has definitely improved the deck.
One deck someone play an Eldrazi based devotion deck.
Today I played against a deck running The Chain Veil, a card I forgot about. It's definitely a sweet card and should certainly be considered in Walker decks. I'm definitely going to brew a bit with this when I get a chance.
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
That’s awesome!!!
I thought about the Chain Veil with Garruk and Tezzerret but I think I got too far down the rabbit hole (as I tend to do
It’s exciting to see Green Devotion get a little more popular. Anthony really helped in a big way (as it could have been bad given Decandio’s difficulties with Devotion in the same tourney...likely just bad matchups). It is such an amazingly fun mechanic that a lot of people will be drawn to it.
Thanks for posting this. It’s great to hear about Cockatrice and other places where Modern are played.
@curdbros
with the walkers list, what is your sideboard plan for storm?
I also forgot to ask...how has your deck been doing? Any recent changes? I know you e been really strong with Primal Command and also played Devoted Druid for a time. I’m sure the community would be really interested in hearing an update about how that archetype has been.
My life has recently become rather more complicated. MtG is on the backburner for a bit, so I haven't had opportunity to do any substantive testing or updating.
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
I can only hope it has been complicated in a good way (i.e. birth of a child, meeting new partner, new job, etc.). You don't have to spare any details, but if there is anything we as a community can do to help (in the event of difficulties) please let us know (and/or PM me).
Devoted Friends (Jund)
4x Arbor Elf
3x Birds of Paradise
2x Sylvan Caryatid
3x Carven Caryatid
4x Genesis Hydra
Planeswalker (15)
2x Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
3x Garruk Wildspeaker
2x Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2x Ob Nixilis Reignited
2x Vraska, Relic Seeker
2x Karn Liberated
2x Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh
4x Utopia Sprawl
4x Oath of Nissa
Land (21)
6x Green Fetch
2x Stomping Ground
2x Overgrown Tomb
6x Forest
4x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1x Kessig wolf Run
2x Abrupt Decay
2x Trinisphere
2x Scavenging Ooze
2x Blood Moon
2x Kitchen Finks
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
1x Engineered Explosives
1x Walking Ballista
1x Chandra, Flamecaller
_______
To answer the question against storm...Right now, I side in:
2x Abrupt Decay
2x Scavenging Ooze
1x Grafdiggers Cage
2x Trinisphere
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
** Edit **
Simplified the deck a bit after testing (01/22)
4 Arbor Elf
2 Birds of Paradise
2 Sylvan Caryatid
4 Courser of Kruphix
3 Carven Caryatid
3 Genesis Hydra
1 Hornet Queen
Other
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Oath of Nisaa
Planeswalkers
3 Garruk Wildspeaker
1 Garruk Relentless
3 Ob Nixilis Reignited
1 Karn Liberated
3 Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Verdant Catacombs
2 Misty Rainforest
2 Overgrown Tomb
1 Stomping Ground
1 Breeding Pool
7 Forests
4 Carnage Tyrant
4 Crumble to Dust
4 Relic of Progenitus
3 Kitchen Finks
Sideboard was meant to beat Control, Tron, graveyard decks and burn. I think the 4 Courser in the main already help in a lot of aggro matchups, so Finks would just round that out.
Overall I played against 2 Jeskai Flash decks, a Temur Flash deck, and 8 rack. Nothing super unfair, which I believe is this decks weakness. I ended up bringing in Carnage Tyrant in 3 of the rounds, and he was the nail in the coffin. Against counters, being able to Genesis Hydra into one is just unfair lol.
Anyway, I do think a superfriends list has merit, as it dodges the problems that Pact deck has with board wipes and spot removal. A lot of the times when playing a lot of little dudes, you feel real bad when they all get wiped, and there's no real way to come back. Luckily with this, you need a hard wipe to really get the same effect (Supreme Verdict/Damnation), your things stick around longer for sure. You sacrifice explosive one-turn wins for a grindy win yes, but it's not really a bad thing. You should win out in the end regardless. Anyway I dig a version like this, I think it can be tinkered with depending on the meta.
One nice interaction I found was the flip-side of Garruk Relentless being able to tutor up creatures. If I owned more than one, I would definitely like to try him out in a more creature-centric list like Just_Me's
Next week I'll be throwing together a Ghalta list and bringing that in most likely. Cheers all!
That’s awesome!! 8-1 to win the whole thing is impressive.
I have been very happy with the deck. It took me a little while to get used to the speed of the deck (as turns 1,2, and sometimes 3 are very similar to all Green Devotion decks) but it’s turns 4+ that are different)...I do agree it is important to have a few blockers up front to both add Devotion and protect the walkers.
You become much more of a Control deck this way. I absolutely love it though. You just bury the opponent in value...you may not finish them off until turn 7; but you essentially win on turn 4.
I like your list (and really like the simplicity of the board)...I would like to get another Ob Nixilis and really want another Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh in the deck as well...Bolas GP is outrageously powerful in a deck like this. I would say if all of the Walkers I tried just to see how they would play, Nicol Bolas GP was the most surprising (as I didn’t think it’s abilities we suited for Modern as well as others)....
I love the idea of Carnage Tyrant. Genesis Hydra is the death-knell for Control; but even decks heavy with spot removal probably struggle with it.
P.S. I may have to try a 3/2 split if Birds/Sylvan Caryatid (with no Fertile Ground). Makes it a little less weak to both land destruction as well as Chalice on 1...good call.
Devoted Friends (Jund)
4x Arbor Elf
3x Birds of Paradise
2x Sylvan Caryatid
3x Carven Caryatid
4x Genesis Hydra
Planeswalker (15)
2x Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
3x Garruk Wildspeaker
2x Chandra, Torch of Defiance
2x Ob Nixilis Reignited
2x Vraska, Relic Seeker
2x Karn Liberated
2x Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh
4x Utopia Sprawl
4x Oath of Nissa
Land (21)
6x Green Fetch
2x Stomping Ground
2x Overgrown Tomb
6x Forest
4x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1x Kessig Wolf Run
2x Abrupt Decay
2x Trinisphere
2x Scavenging Ooze
2x Blood Moon
2x Kitchen Finks
1x Grafdigger's Cage
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
1x Engineered Explosives
1x Walking Ballista
1x Chandra, Flamecaller
but I'm also back with another real quick tournament report with my simic list. Went with -2 abrade +2 beast within this week. I really liked abrade in the past but with 5c humans running around I've felt I needed a little bit more than 3 damage, and hitting lands (tron/shift matchup) is an "I need that" for my SB.
2-1 jeskai nahiri
Carnage tyrant is a true terror in this. Got caught by 3(!) runed halos game 2 but had the removal and t2 nissa value town on g3.
2-0 saheeli cobra
I can't imagine this deck being that strong overall honestly, not sure where it came from. Perfect timing on dropping abrade for beast and Ballistas doin work here.
1...?-0 Jeskai tempo
Guy got suuuuuper salty after game 1 carnage tyrant and left the store!
2-1 Grixis Shadow
Chameleon colossus and Chalice of the void doin their jobs.
Pretty smooth night overall actually and not a whole lot to report, I'm gonna keep working with beast within for a bit: I've noticed a lot of people have dropped it from their list (myself as well until now). What are all your thoughts on it?
Lol, people are funny.
Beast Within is a great card and a fine sideboard card, but I'd rather play something else that's more focused and efficient unless I am feeling like my deck really needs another catch-all.
I not a fan of the chalice here, especially because and I think Oath should be in there. I would rather play Oath alongside Trinisphere instead of Chalice. I added a Whisperwood Elemental to have some security vs. Wrath effects, as I do in most of my decks.
I really like the Nissa list, and I do think it's one of the stronger Devotion decks so good job!
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
// 19 Creature
4 Arbor Elf
3 Birds of Paradise
4 Courser of Kruphix
2 Genesis Hydra
2 Scavenging Ooze
2 Walking Ballista
1 Hornet Queen
1 Craterhoof Behemoth
// 8 Enchantment
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Oath of Nissa
// 21 Land
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Misty Rainforest
2 Windswept Heath
1 Wooded Foothills
2 Overgrown Tomb
1 Stomping Ground
1 Breeding Pool
6 Forest
2 Garruk Relentless
2 Ob Nixilis Reignited
2 Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh
2 Vraska, Relic Seeker
3 Relic of Progenitus
3 Carnage Tyrant
3 Kitchen Finks
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Walking Ballista
3 Blood Moon
1 Crumble to Dust
MODERN: Pure Pili-ness GU // Red Devotion RR // Green Devotion Variants GRWUG // U/G Emerge CGU // Lots and Lots of Brews BGRUWC
I still wholeheartedly disagree on chalice - a single 2 drop and 1 drops that aren't wincons are no big deal compared to absolutely hosing so many decks. Chalice, especially on 2, outright wins an insane amount of matches if it lands. In the year I've been running it it's easily the biggest factor in winning matches I would have lost, and I don't think trinisphere would have the same impact.
I tried oath for a while and didn't like how it interacted with the deck overall: bottoming summoner's pacts and my sideboard cards was infuriating when it happened, and the scry-ness of the deck really boosts the reliability of those sideboard cards (chalice). I ran serum visions in it's place for quite a while and if you're looking for smoothing things I think it's better overall, especially with nissa. I recently just put more lands in for topdeck courser/nissa/channelers and.. think I like their consistency a little bit more overall (only been ~3 nights with that change)
I'm trying out whisperwood next week!
Awesome report! 4-0 ain't too shabby! Your list is a strong Pact list with a cool "Top of the Deck" value package. A few things I really like that I think others can take from your list:
1. Chameleon Colossus is REALLY good right now. It has always been good for us (and was underplayed) but now in particular it is strong (with the rise in Fatal Push, Death's Shadow, and Dismember).
2. I am a very big fan of your sideboard as well. If Chalice works, then more of us can and should play it. Also, in a list with that many 4-power creatures (if you include Channelers), Stubborn Denial becomes very potent.
3. Nissa, Steward of Elements is a wildly powerful card for us. The downside is that her -2 only works when you can see the top of your deck. having the Coursers AND Channelers ensures this happens often enough to warrant Nissa SOE's use. More people should try this package to see if it is the card selection/card draw that works best for them.
In terms of Beast Within...I have utilized them in my board quite a bit. I tend to do so when Tron and Valakut are prevalent in the meta (as it gives me "land hate" without only being land hate) and in decks where my answers being permanents is less important to the deck.
Having a card that can answer problem creatures, lands, AND/OR planeswalkers, artifacts, enchantments, etc. is nice. I think in the right meta that Beast Within is a GREAT choice. The 3/3 creature can be an issue for some decks (if you don't have a larger body on board) but the bigger downside to me is the 3-CMC. Sometimes you want your answer to be 1-2 mana (to be sure you can cast it quickly...and possibly cast another 1-2 drop in the same turn)...Having said that, you can always play both Beast within and a few faster creature answers (such as bolt, etc.).
Beast Within hits everything...so literally any problem permanent is dealt with. For that reason alone it is a good sideboard option for multiple different Devotion decks (not all, but likely a majority).
Hey Maxivs! Very cool list. We have all been interested to hear more about Jadelight Ranger. From the sounds of things...she seems quite strong!
I wanted to let you know that on the top right of the toolbar you can click the "Deck" function. From there when you list the cards it will put them in a deck. You still have to put in your own headings (like "Creatures", "Enchantments", etc.) but it does the rest for you. I provided your list in a Deck format so it is easier for the community to read:
** If you want, you can literally hit the "Quote" button and just copy/paste the formatting from below for future reference **
4x Arbor Elf
2x Birds of Paradise
4x Burning-Tree Emissary
1x Scavenging Ooze
4x Jadelight Ranger
3x Eternal Witness
1x Chameleon Colossus
1x Thrun, the Last Troll
1x Acidic Slime
1x Primeval Titan
1x Craterhoof Behemoth
3x Oath of Nissa
4x Utopia Sprawl
Planeswalker
3x Garruk Wildspeaker
Instant/Sorcery
3x Chord of Calling
3x Primal Command
Land
15x Forest
1x Ghost Quarter
1x Kessig Wolf Run
4x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
You also don't have to provide the set for each card (unless it is important to you which version you are using). I hope this helps!
Great list! I hope to hear more about this. There are a lot of community members hear that play lists somewhat similar to this (just really good Devotion cards) and would love to hear about the deck, interactions, performance, etc. Thank you for taking the time to post it!
I both agree and disagree here
I agree that decks running multiple cards that Oath cannot hit (or more importantly cards you would REALLY want to top deck like Pact/Chord/Command, etc.) can get away with not running Oath. Another large item to concern yourself with is the side board. On this case, Oath misses nearly your entire board...so I can see not using it (or at minimum siding it out).
Having said this...Oath is an AMAZING card...card selection is very important to smoothing out our decks. I personally think card selection and card draw are the most important factors to a succesfull devotion deck...fortunately your deck has ample card selection already (via Nissa SOE, Courser, and Pact). I think your curve can be sucessfully smoothed with those cards without the need for Oath. I generally would not tell someone NOT to run Oath...but given your available card selection, your board, and your curve I do think yours is a deck that can get away with not playing Oath of Nissa.
Without Oath, you can get away with Chalice of the Void as you simply don't run as many 1-2 drops as a lot of us (11 one drops and only 1 two drop). Since you will likely have a 1-drop out by the time you cast Chalice...it works well in your list. I can see Rendroc's concern in other lists (as it can be a nombo many times...shutting us out at the same time); but yours seems like the "nombo" isn't nearly as prevalent. I do think if you can play Chalice it is amazing. It hoses a lot of our worse match ups. I still may give it a try (and just side out a few 1-2 drops depending on the match up)...as if it truly can work; it is a good card for our tougher match ups (Storm, Infect, Counters Company, etc.)
Devoted Friends (Jund)
4x Arbor Elf
3x Birds of Paradise
2x Sylvan Caryatid
3x Courser of Kruphix
4x Genesis Hydra
Planeswalker (15)
2x Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
3x Garruk Wildspeaker
2x Garruk Relentless
2x Ob Nixilis Reignited
2x Vraska, Relic Seeker
2x Karn Liberated
2x Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh
4x Utopia Sprawl
4x Oath of Nissa
Land (21)
6x Green Fetch
2x Stomping Ground
2x Overgrown Tomb
6x Forest
4x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1x Kessig wolf Run
2x Abrupt Decay
3x Chalice of the Void
2x Scavenging Ooze
2x Fulminator Mage
2x Kitchen Finks
1x Carnage Tyrant
1x Ruric Thar, the Unbowed
1x Walking Ballista
1x Chandra, Flamecaller
The only board changes currently are
1. Addition of Chalice of the Void (in place of Trinisphere and Engineered Explosives)
2. Addition Carnage Tyrant (in place of Grafdiggers Cage).
The main-board changes are:
1. Trying Courser of Kruphix in place of Carven Caryatid. I have always preferred cards that say "draw a card" over anything else (Visionary, Caryatid, etc.) however I think there is enough added benefit (beyond his life-gain, etc.) to warrant Courser's inclusion over Caryatid's. At minimum it should be tested. Really I just need to determine the best 3-drops of choice. I currently have five total "3-drop slots" so whatever the best options are between Courser, Caryatid, Nissa , or Jadelight Ranger need to be decided on.
2. Trying Garruk Relentless in the Chandra, Torch of Defiance spots. I ask some questions below; but my thoughts were:
I have gone back and forth with whether this slot should be Chandra, Torch of Defiance or Garruk Relentless the pros/cons of each area in the spoiler below:
Pros for Chandra:
1. Chandra can ramp you.
2. Chandra can deal direct damage.
3. Chandra can "draw" a card
4. Chandra goes up to 5 loyalty (garruk either goes down or stays at 3 to start).
Pros for Garruk:
1. Garruk can give you another token (this can be a big deal)
2. Garruk can tutor for a Genesis Hydra (or sideboard creature).
3. Garruk can overrun your team.
4. Garruk adds devotion and is much easier on the mana base.
Chandra is a better card (in a vacuum she is much more powerful)...but Garruk could potentially be a better fit. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. It really is a matter of testing I think.
_______
Questions for the Community
What do you think? Should it be Chandra TOD or Garruk Relentless?
I feel I may be a little too concerned with having small creature removal at 4-CMC or less...how often do you feel it is important we have removal available before turn 3? Is it something to worry about in the main board (i.e. are there enough decks where this is a vital win-or-lose issue, or just sideboard in those instances?
Don’t get me wrong...Chandra TOD is an unbelievably powerful card...I may not remove it either way...it I just a matter of if a 4th Garruk Wildspeaker and/or 1-2 Garruk Relentless would be better (as it is obviously much easier on the mana base; but also could be better overall).
What are your thoughts?
The best news about the Walker builds...they can only get better! They print at least 2 walkers in every set
Hey Curdbros, I do think that having removal in the first few turns is a big deal. A lot of fair decks we can go over the top of, however sometimes there are some threats that you just need to deal with. Things I can think of - Reality Shmasher, TKS, Death Shadow, Baral, etc. I think it's a good idea to have interaction in the mainboard.
With respect to Chandra...I personally find that achieving multiple colors in a devotion deck can be pretty taxing on the manabase. Given that we only run 21 lands and 4 oaths, I've found myself in a pinch getting the right colors at the right time occasionally. I think having a mixture of double black, double red, and grixis colors is a bit too taxing on the manabase for my taste. I would go with Garruk Relentless. He proved to be pretty powerful when I got him on the board last week, and his tutor ability can be very helpful to find more gas like Genesis Hydra.
Just my two cents.
I think you’re right.
Chandra is a little more powerful; but it is a tax on the mana base. Nicol Bolas is not as bad (despite being three colors) as normally by the time you cast him (or get him off Hydra) you’ve found the means of fixing quite easily. Even when cast on turn 3; you generally will have it (as to get there by turn 3 you would often need a combination of 2-3 Oath, Bird, Caryatid, and/or Utopia Sprawl.
Thus far the deck has been really strong. I think with the right sideboard it is a potential viable Devotion deck! Thus far, the stats have it in the “viable” range as I defined it...and a strong board can push it over to “great” territory:). It has been super helpful to have you, Rendroc, and others help tune and discuss the deck as well. While you or course are building your own decks...being able to discuss similar lines, interaction me, etc. is great. it has definitely improved the deck.