3-1 This week, lost the last game to Possibility Storm the turn before I could win. C'est la vie.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
This is a list I've been tinkering with for the last two weeks. It's modeled after a list I saw on MtgGoldfish, but I couldn't find it tonight to link to it.
On the plus side, it can legitimately kill a non-interactive deck on turn-four. On the minus side, it's a dog to highly interactive red decks.
Boros Charm has been super and I've discovered - probably to no one's surprise - that Embercleave is pretty awesome. Even if it's attached only to a 3/3 that makes a mediocre turn-four into a back-breaker. I should probably just suck it up and buy two more Embercleaves and be done with it, but I'm a little stingier these days than I used to be.
White Orchid guy seems pretty sweet on turn three on the draw, but he may still just not be really worth it. He's pretty bad on the play but first strike does not suck, especially with a little pump from the team.
I want a copy or two of Fiendslayer Paladin for the side-board and I've ordered them. I had three copies but they mysteriously vanished, which probably isn't even interesting, much less relevant but I've already typed it.
Another copy or two of Brave the Elements might be worth a try.
Anyone trying anything similar? Any ideas, especially on the mono-red match-up?
I have played a similar list online off and on for a few months. As you said it can go aggro and win turn 4 or 5 easily if an oppenent is slow, on combo, etc. Removal and interaction hit the deck hard. I love Brave the Elements and always play 4. I probably play it more for protection from removal than I do to squeeze in that last attack. I have fiddled with Boros Charm and it always seems clunky. I'd probably play Embercleave online if it weren't for the online price. I am waiting until April to pick up the Event Deck with Embercleave for my paper deck.
I play a set of Skynight Vanguard as well. The flying is VERY meaningful and the extra 1/1 token can be helpful. Not a fan of KotWO in this list myself. In mono W it seems better, but to each their own.
It is a fun deck for sure. Every time I play I usually run into Supreme Verdict and the UW control deck. Usually a blow out and auto-loss. Although I had a sweet game where Legion's Initiative won me the game because of the Haste trigger of the card when activated. Good luck and keep us informed.
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
I haven't heard anything about an event deck and I can't find anything on-line. That will be nice as long as there's something of value besides the Embercleave.
KotWO is capable of fetching Sacred Foundry; that's the main reason I have him. I still don't think he'll stick around.
Boros Charm is just the best anti-Wrath tool. It's cheap and the other modes are good. All of the mono-W anti-wrath cards I can think of are 3-CMC.
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
One thing I have to say about your list is FIVE MOUNTAINS! FIVE! I mean, FIVE! Benalish Marshal has to be wondering what you're thinking! I questioned including one Mountain.
Bonecrusher Giant's Stomp does often seem over-costed or just plain inadequate, but it's a little card advantage, so I think one has to try it. Nonetheless, I see the appeal of more versatile, direct-damage spells.
Running 2 Tournament Grounds which can't be tapped for R (or W) for both Justice Strike, Lightning Strike (and turn 1 Champion) necessitates extra Mountains. I could probably get by with a 4/6 Mountain/Plains split or add 2 more Inspiring Vantage of which I do not own in paper or online, then drop to 3 Mountains. Basically it is a budgetary restraint at this time.
With that said, all 28 creatures are Knights and will get the buff from Veteran and can be cast off Grounds. With "only" 23 Knights in your deck (not counting Gideon's Knights) you are missing out on a few synergies. Not enough to be a major problem but not necessarily optimum either. You may be surprised how much removal Skyknight Vanguard draws out as well. The flying and token generation puts a scare in a lot of decks. Whatever the case the deck really can't hang with Bant Spirits, as I've tried. It almost makes me want to splash G to run CoCo in the deck ourselves.
I've played around with Boros Charm in the past. It always seemed I was one mana short playing it or never saw enough Wraths outside Supreme Verdict for it to be relevant. Again with 2 Grounds casting BC can be awkward. A definite drawback of Grounds for sure. BC seems a meta choice I suppose there. Charm is indeed a strong and versatile card.
With your 31 creatures I almost wonder if splashing G and running CoCo could be viable or not. I am hoping M21 brings us some more strong playable 3 cmc or less R and or W Knights.
Event Deck, Challenger deck, whatever they call them now. They are one in the same. I will be picking up the Red one for Embercleave and more Bonecrusher Giants as I don't own any right now.
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
My list is also budget-restrained, but I had the lands on hand and most of the other cards. I've only bought a few things to get it where it is.
Thalia's Lieutenant is not a Knight but all of the Knights are Human, so she works well. The Giant benefits only from the Marshal but the Giant brings a little something extra to the party and he's above the curve to begin with.
There is no way I'd try a third color in Pioneer. Not happening! I generally stayed away from three-color decks even in Modern although I did run a few from time to time.
I have thought about a Gx Knight deck but it hasn't gotten beyond that stage yet. Knight of Autumn is a sweet card and I have a warm feeling for Syr Faren, the Still Mispelled (it's HeNgehammer, not HeDgehammer LOL). Unfortunately the missing lands for allied colors is a big problem in Pioneer.
Bant Spirits does it for CoCo. Its a Tier 1 deck. 3 colors is highly doable. If I were playing 30 or 31 creatures (all at 3 cmc or less) in a 2 color deck I would definitely consider it. I am almost to that point with the deck already. My problem is that I don't feel like spending 10 plus bucks a pop for e-cards on Magic Online. I may fiddle around with it in paper as I own a playset of CoCo and most of the requisite lands.
With that said, 2 colors is much more comfortable and more consistent for sure. Also I love Thalia's Lieutenant in a mono white or all human list. In the list I run I am hesistant. Good luck with what you decide to run.
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
3-1 this week, lost the last game to Possibility Storm the turn before I could win. C'est la vie.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
What would you think about making room for 1 or 2 of History of Benalia?
Seems good in a world full of removal. Could also "dodge" Possibility Storm on turn 4 or 5 if you cast it just before opponents can play PS.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
What would you think about making room for 1 or 2 of History of Benalia?
Seems good in a world full of removal. Could also "dodge" Possibility Storm on turn 4 or 5 if you cast it just before opponents can play PS.
I can't get behind History of Benalia even though all of the decks I've found online have three or four copies. I'm sure everyone else is probably right and I'm wrong, but I just don't want to roll that way. I want to play something that impacts the board right away.
At some point, I might just go for it but I'm not ready yet.
The trouble with Possibility Storm is the game is usually over the next turn.
reviving this old thread. Going Mardu feels good, as it opens access to Corpse Knight and Curry Favor. Drains the opponent fast. My only real problem is getting black on time to cast Dreadbore.. because the knight land cannot produce colored mana for it.
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
4 Venerable Knight
2 Fervent Champion
4 Inspiring Veteran
4 Thalia's Lieutenant
4 Worthy Knight
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Bonecrusher Giant
22 Lands
4 Battlefield Forge
2 Castle Ardenvale
4 Clifftop Retreat
4 Inspiring Vantage
1 Mountain
3 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
2 Brave the Elements
3 Boros Charm
1 Godsend
2 Embercleave
15 Side-board cards
2 Fiendslayer Paladin
2 Silence
2 Soul-Guide Lantern
1 Boros Charm
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Declaration in Stone
1 Return to the Ranks
1 Banishing Light
2 Settle the Wreckage
3-1 This week, lost the last game to Possibility Storm the turn before I could win. C'est la vie.
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
4 Venerable Knight
4 Inspiring Veteran
3 Knight of the White Orchid
4 Thalia's Lieutenant
4 Worthy Knight
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Bonecrusher Giant
22 Lands
4 Battlefield Forge
2 Castle Ardenvale
4 Clifftop Retreat
4 Inspiring Vantage
1 Mountain
3 Plains
4 Sacred Foundry
2 Brave the Elements
3 Boros Charm
1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 Embercleave
15 Side-board cards
2 Embereth Shieldbreaker
1 Knight of the White Orchid
1 Blast Zone
2 Silence
2 Soul-Guide Lantern
1 Boros Charm
2 Declaration in Stone
1 Return to the Ranks
1 Banishing Light
2 Settle the Wreckage
On the plus side, it can legitimately kill a non-interactive deck on turn-four. On the minus side, it's a dog to highly interactive red decks.
Boros Charm has been super and I've discovered - probably to no one's surprise - that Embercleave is pretty awesome. Even if it's attached only to a 3/3 that makes a mediocre turn-four into a back-breaker. I should probably just suck it up and buy two more Embercleaves and be done with it, but I'm a little stingier these days than I used to be.
White Orchid guy seems pretty sweet on turn three on the draw, but he may still just not be really worth it. He's pretty bad on the play but first strike does not suck, especially with a little pump from the team.
I want a copy or two of Fiendslayer Paladin for the side-board and I've ordered them. I had three copies but they mysteriously vanished, which probably isn't even interesting, much less relevant but I've already typed it.
Another copy or two of Brave the Elements might be worth a try.
Anyone trying anything similar? Any ideas, especially on the mono-red match-up?
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
I play a set of Skynight Vanguard as well. The flying is VERY meaningful and the extra 1/1 token can be helpful. Not a fan of KotWO in this list myself. In mono W it seems better, but to each their own.
It is a fun deck for sure. Every time I play I usually run into Supreme Verdict and the UW control deck. Usually a blow out and auto-loss. Although I had a sweet game where Legion's Initiative won me the game because of the Haste trigger of the card when activated. Good luck and keep us informed.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
KotWO is capable of fetching Sacred Foundry; that's the main reason I have him. I still don't think he'll stick around.
Boros Charm is just the best anti-Wrath tool. It's cheap and the other modes are good. All of the mono-W anti-wrath cards I can think of are 3-CMC.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
4 Fervent Champion
4 Inspiring Veteran
4 Worthy Knight
4 Skynight Vanguard
4 Benalish Marshall
4 Brave the Elements
2 Declaration in Stone
2 Lightning Strike
2 Justice Strike
4 Sacred Foundry
4 Battlefield Forge
2 Inspiring Vantage
2 Tournament Grounds
5 Mountain
5 Plains
2 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Deafening Clarion
2 Knight of Grace
3 Devout Decree
2 Deafening Silence
2 Fragmentize
Yes I am considering Fiendslayer Paladin over Knight of Grace in the SB.
When I acquire an Embercleave it will go in the main 60 somewhere.
A few small differences from your list for sure, but the same basic concept/archetype.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Bonecrusher Giant's Stomp does often seem over-costed or just plain inadequate, but it's a little card advantage, so I think one has to try it. Nonetheless, I see the appeal of more versatile, direct-damage spells.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
With that said, all 28 creatures are Knights and will get the buff from Veteran and can be cast off Grounds. With "only" 23 Knights in your deck (not counting Gideon's Knights) you are missing out on a few synergies. Not enough to be a major problem but not necessarily optimum either. You may be surprised how much removal Skyknight Vanguard draws out as well. The flying and token generation puts a scare in a lot of decks. Whatever the case the deck really can't hang with Bant Spirits, as I've tried. It almost makes me want to splash G to run CoCo in the deck ourselves.
I've played around with Boros Charm in the past. It always seemed I was one mana short playing it or never saw enough Wraths outside Supreme Verdict for it to be relevant. Again with 2 Grounds casting BC can be awkward. A definite drawback of Grounds for sure. BC seems a meta choice I suppose there. Charm is indeed a strong and versatile card.
With your 31 creatures I almost wonder if splashing G and running CoCo could be viable or not. I am hoping M21 brings us some more strong playable 3 cmc or less R and or W Knights.
Event Deck, Challenger deck, whatever they call them now. They are one in the same. I will be picking up the Red one for Embercleave and more Bonecrusher Giants as I don't own any right now.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Thalia's Lieutenant is not a Knight but all of the Knights are Human, so she works well. The Giant benefits only from the Marshal but the Giant brings a little something extra to the party and he's above the curve to begin with.
There is no way I'd try a third color in Pioneer. Not happening! I generally stayed away from three-color decks even in Modern although I did run a few from time to time.
I have thought about a Gx Knight deck but it hasn't gotten beyond that stage yet. Knight of Autumn is a sweet card and I have a warm feeling for Syr Faren, the Still Mispelled (it's HeNgehammer, not HeDgehammer LOL). Unfortunately the missing lands for allied colors is a big problem in Pioneer.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
Bant Spirits does it for CoCo. Its a Tier 1 deck. 3 colors is highly doable. If I were playing 30 or 31 creatures (all at 3 cmc or less) in a 2 color deck I would definitely consider it. I am almost to that point with the deck already. My problem is that I don't feel like spending 10 plus bucks a pop for e-cards on Magic Online. I may fiddle around with it in paper as I own a playset of CoCo and most of the requisite lands.
With that said, 2 colors is much more comfortable and more consistent for sure. Also I love Thalia's Lieutenant in a mono white or all human list. In the list I run I am hesistant. Good luck with what you decide to run.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
My Rally Zombies won a prize pack with the second Embercleave in the first tournament of the night, which was a nice little bonus. I almost went with a Theros pack but decided on Eldraine instead. It turned out to be a good call.
O.P. updated with current list.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
Seems good in a world full of removal. Could also "dodge" Possibility Storm on turn 4 or 5 if you cast it just before opponents can play PS.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
At some point, I might just go for it but I'm not ready yet.
The trouble with Possibility Storm is the game is usually over the next turn.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
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