With the release of kaladesh, i wanted to work on a bant midrange deck that can deal with slightly aggresive boards and tone down the mid-range strats. It heavily incoparates the use of eldritch evolution to pave your way into victory.
Servant is our new leaf gilder, and aetherhub providing both colorless and energy combined synergizes with servant. You can bump her off for a familiar or gisela. I included gisela and bruna as the win-con/heavy hitting combo for the deck since the white gearhulk isn't much use after ETB, and it is something you can do against tempo-midrange options. Revolutionary Rebuff is simply the new mana leak against 80% of the non artifact decks, it allows the deck to get to the turns it needs on a tempo plan, as well as prepare your board against a boardwipe or huge threat when they tap out. Glimmer is basically read the bones for blue with 1 extra mana for instant speed, Instant 3 of imo and the reason why blue will be a competing color for this shaping meta.
Gideon and Tamiyo are the supporting allstars to allow a different angle of attack, and nissa's ultimate helps you keep up CA OR you can use her to ramp up if necessary. I might switch out some 2 and 3 drops, but i think servant being a dork to get T4, gisela/PW is better than being on the 2/3-> 4/5 plan. That might be wrong and i just cut the rebuffs for him and reflector mage.
You might want to have some more low mana answers for Aggro. R/W will look something like: Turn 1: Toolcraft Exemplar, Turn 2:Thraben Inspector, Bomat Courier swing for 4. Turn 3: Inventor's Apprentice, Bone Saw, Goblin Bushwhacker swing for 12 and that is on the modest end. Lethal is possible with some combos. Rebuff can counter Bushwhacker, but you have to have it in hand and you still take 7. The Servant only trades with one of them and you still take 10. That means best case you are left with no defense on board 6-9 life and facing 4 creatures on other side at the start of turn 3.
Rebuff is a tempo counter spell like mana leak, and it does counter a lot of things that isn't artifact. I am not so worried about a bunch of one drops, because the potential 2 drop into bush wacker is about a 12-18% hand. Where i can push out sylvan advocates, servants about 65% of the time into a nice 4 drop like gisela/gideon/tamiyo about 23% of the time. Or snap back on an advocate into reflector mage with the same percentage now. The deck before was streamlined, and changed to adapt to the current aggro-ish/ midrange format. The grafwidow is a decent lifesaver with displacer + vederous gearhulk. Mana still needs a heavy amount of fixing. NO idea if i should play fastlands or not.
You have a lot of options within Bant colors to not let aggro do what they want. Same with control.
Christmas Land hands are going to occur, it just happens.
Authority of the Consuls is good SB material against aggro. Helps slow them down.
Selfless Spirit is excellent against board wipes. Should at least be SB, if not MB depending on meta. Same with Avacyn.
Fairgrounds Warden, Reflector Mage and Spell Queller. All 3 drops that take out something on your opponent's side when they are cast.
I personally like Rashmi, Eternites Crafter as a solid 4 drop in Bant colors.
Strongest 5 drops would be Avacyn and Verdurous Gearhulk probably.
Sylvan Advocate synergizes well with Nissa, Vital Force.
Tamiya, Gideon, and Nissa are all good PWers in this deck.
Stasis Snare and Declaration in Stone are excellent for removal.
I personally don't run Aether Hub because I don't run additional energy generators. After its energy is expended, it just becomes a colorless mana. I feel Evolving Winds is more reliable.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Standard
Currently Playing: WGW/G HumansGW WUW/U SpiritsUW WGG/W TokensGW URU/R ProwessRU
Based on the success of Bant Aggro at SCG Open Indianapolis, this thread is moving to Established. Stewardship of MTGSalvation members interested in variants of this deck lies with you. Please let me know if this is a problem. -- hoser2
After a whole week of aggro, I am thinking people will stray away and play mid-range builds with 20-30% still playing R/W vehicles.
Playing 0 removal in a sorcery speed style deck also feels wrong as copter will just fly over out dudes. MBing some copies of impeccable timing solves this problem and 1-2 copies of blessed alliance helps with life and dudes as well. Blessed alliance can also help out protect your dudes with its' 3rd option.
I cut out eldritch evolution due to the loss of tempo and that is pretty much game over vs. aggro decks. I hence, switch to a heavier mid-range style deck and more removal.
I like Ali's path towards the future of bant midrange,and the inclusion of a single emrakul is awesome. But i hate how he did not have any copies of cataclysm, which is very good mainboard imo. Then you can side them out for fumigates or just have both for large t5 board wipes. MB filigree helps with life total and count towards the card type. Playing two copies of nissa is very powerful in out valuing the G/B delerium decks as well as the control decks. Cataclysm MB helps out vs. the aggro match ups along with linvala and grafwidow.
I play servant of the conduit and aetherhub as reliable energy producers. Both gives me the color i want for that moment and aetherhub helps pay for eldrazi displacer. Ill prob side avacyn and the rest, i don't think avacyn is good atm with stasis snare rolling around MB, so ill SB her in with natural state or appetite for the unnatural.
After a whole week of aggro, I am thinking people will stray away and play mid-range builds with 20-30% still playing R/W vehicles.
Playing 0 removal in a sorcery speed style deck also feels wrong as copter will just fly over out dudes. MBing some copies of impeccable timing solves this problem and 1-2 copies of blessed alliance helps with life and dudes as well. Blessed alliance can also help out protect your dudes with its' 3rd option.
I cut out eldritch evolution due to the loss of tempo and that is pretty much game over vs. aggro decks. I hence, switch to a heavier mid-range style deck and more removal.
I like Ali's path towards the future of bant midrange,and the inclusion of a single emrakul is awesome. But i hate how he did not have any copies of cataclysm, which is very good mainboard imo. Then you can side them out for fumigates or just have both for large t5 board wipes. MB filigree helps with life total and count towards the card type. Playing two copies of nissa is very powerful in out valuing the G/B delerium decks as well as the control decks. Cataclysm MB helps out vs. the aggro match ups along with linvala and grafwidow.
I play servant of the conduit and aetherhub as reliable energy producers. Both gives me the color i want for that moment and aetherhub helps pay for eldrazi displacer. Ill prob side avacyn and the rest, i don't think avacyn is good atm with stasis snare rolling around MB, so ill SB her in with natural state or appetite for the unnatural.
A one things to consider:
1) In my play testing cataclysm hulk has been underwhelming. Leaving them with a single creature and a choptor... isn't that bad for them.
Prior to seeing Ali's list, I also began to brew a similar list. Feedback appreciated.
I originally started playing a more traditional control-bant shell with counter-magic and torrential hulks.
I got a crazy idea to try to squeeze in Aetherworks Marvel. In order to accomplish this, I cut the counters and added Aether Theorist.
So far it's extremely promising in testing. The major thing I need to figure out is what top-end threats to include.
After a whole week of aggro, I am thinking people will stray away and play mid-range builds with 20-30% still playing R/W vehicles.
Playing 0 removal in a sorcery speed style deck also feels wrong as copter will just fly over out dudes. MBing some copies of impeccable timing solves this problem and 1-2 copies of blessed alliance helps with life and dudes as well. Blessed alliance can also help out protect your dudes with its' 3rd option.
I cut out eldritch evolution due to the loss of tempo and that is pretty much game over vs. aggro decks. I hence, switch to a heavier mid-range style deck and more removal.
I like Ali's path towards the future of bant midrange,and the inclusion of a single emrakul is awesome. But i hate how he did not have any copies of cataclysm, which is very good mainboard imo. Then you can side them out for fumigates or just have both for large t5 board wipes. MB filigree helps with life total and count towards the card type. Playing two copies of nissa is very powerful in out valuing the G/B delerium decks as well as the control decks. Cataclysm MB helps out vs. the aggro match ups along with linvala and grafwidow.
I play servant of the conduit and aetherhub as reliable energy producers. Both gives me the color i want for that moment and aetherhub helps pay for eldrazi displacer. Ill prob side avacyn and the rest, i don't think avacyn is good atm with stasis snare rolling around MB, so ill SB her in with natural state or appetite for the unnatural.
Why are you running Impeccable Timing over Stasis Snare? With the lack of enchantment hate, Stasis Snare is some of the best removal in the game. Its at instant speed and doesn't rely on power/toughness or mana cost. It snares pretty much everything except Brisela (this includes Emrakul when it comes down). Timing also isn't a guarantee for removal, instead just does damage. Seems too conditional.
The only reason I can see not running Stasis Snare is because of the 1WW cost, but it shouldn't be that hard to get 2 white sources and you don't necessarily need to have it by T3.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Standard
Currently Playing: WGW/G HumansGW WUW/U SpiritsUW WGG/W TokensGW URU/R ProwessRU
Here is my take on Bant Midrange. I figure if you can't beat the copter madness you might as well join it! This deck has been testing very well on MtGO so far. The amount of draw and options that this deck can generate is nuts at times. Let me know what you guys think?
Ihad been considering a Number of Falls but am trying to reduce the number of tapped lands. Tamiyo is the real deal in this style of deck and as Todd Stevens said no less than 4 and side out no more than 1, it is that good. Ihad thought of the blinky Angel but it seems too cute and fights for space with Avacyn, Gisela and Bruna.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Current Decks Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BWGUB Sultai Constrictor BUG Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG Modern : GB Golgari Elves BGGR Atarka Goblins RG Pauper : W Heroic WGB Delve BG
So had a rough day at a small PPTQ, 16ppl, going 1-2.
Round 1 R/G Energy 0-2 and didn't play a game of magic the match as I proceeded to flood both gameshaving 8 lands in play 4 in hand and an elvoving in the yard, started with 3. Of note, Hydra's hexproof was rough.
Round 2 R/W Humans 2-1 This match is rough but easier post board. Game 1 goes kinda long even after he gets a fast start as I get some stabilization with a pair of Tamiyo's b2b but he has answer's to my limited threat pkg I get and eventually overwhelm's me. Game 2 he gets stuck on 1 land and have a slower hand and allow him a chance to start getting back in before I can overpower with a Gearhulk and Tamiyo to get the needed removals. Game 3 goes to Turns as I get the board mucked up enough with lives at 8-7 2 of 3 blockers get Pia'd and I flash an Avacyn in, tapped due to Thalia, but can block and keep blocker goe to 2 he still ha 2 blockers back, I top a Tamiyo. Tamiyo, Field Researcher is the real deal in this style of deck.
Round 3 2-1 Jeskai Flash Clsssic match up, Green dudes vs. Blue spells. game 1 I get a pretty fast start with a couple Advocates and a Gearhulk. Game 2 he gets the goods in the way of 3 straight Fumigate's and is able to close it with some spirit's. Game 3 I stumble turns 3 and 4 and can't get back in.
Really was happy with most of the deck and seeing a few changes going forward, depending on what happens at the PT.
I will definitely be dropping Bruna, too cute. Going up to a 3rd and possibly a 4th Gisela. She is a removal magnet and boss when she sticks.
Going back to 25 lands and am still not sure if I want to include a pair of Falls or not, leaning towards yes.
Debating on a 3/3 split on Avacyn and Gearhulks, both are really good. Skywhaler's shot needs to be in the 75 somewhere as a 2 or 3 of, instant speed removals are important right now I believe.
After watching the PT this is what I came up with. This list definitely qualifies as more of an aggro list, but there's enough wiggle room to transform into a midrange deck vs. some of the other aggro decks.
I took some elements from the UW Flash/Spirits decks that did really well (Avacyn, Reflector, Queller, Spirit) and then added on the typical G elements of Gearhulks and Sylvan Advocates, with trackers in the sb and Tamiyo in the MB for grindy matches.
The copters are there both for card filtering and to interact with other U/W/x decks and copter focused strategies. Transitioning to a more midrange deck would probably take the Selfless Spirit out and some combination of copters for counters vs combo/control and removal vs. aggro.
I've been debating including Fairgrounds Warden as another removal tool into the MB, but I'm unsold on what to remove.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Standard: Mono B Eldrazi, G/B Delirium, whatever other brews I want || Modern: Abzan Elves
I'm running this version. I started with Adrian Sullivan's 6-4 deck as my base and have made tweaks here and there. The biggest one being I got rid of Servant of the Conduit. I've never really been hard up for mana and other than Aether Hub, nothing else uses energy. I noticed that Servant ended up being a dead card late in the game and I'm never really in a position where I absolutely need to ramp into anything. I also got rid of Woodland Wanderer for Reflector Mage. I feel like Wanderer is good but usually inefficient and the MAge has more value and can easily be sided for other cards in my board. The deck has been testing extremely well and I'm really happy with it. Tamiyo, Field Researcher is such an underrated card.
The big sideboarding I do is against decks that abuse flicker and I get rid of Reflector Mage in a lot of matchups for some counters or removal but it's generally still a workhorse. I've never really been in a positio where I feel like I have to side in Summary Dismissal, but with the new control craze, I'm sure eventually I will.
Bant is great. I always feel like I'm competitive, even when I lose and I really think the deck is one or two cards away from being solved as T1. Exciting times to be a bant player.
Loving the discussion so far and its very interesting to see what you guys are running in your decks. I have been a huge fan of Bant since the Alara block and love to see it succeed. I just went 6-0 in my last FNM and have been crushing in MtGO. I totally agree with RisingOutlaw in that this deck feels very competitive regardless of what I am up against. I never feel outclassed against control, aggro, or other mid-range decks. Below is the list of what I am currently running followed by some observations.
Now for some observations and card selection justification. First off, its easy to see that I prefer a more creature intensive build. The reason is that I feel this provides more flexibility against aggro with out having to add sweepers like fumigate or additional spot removal. An admission that I will make right now is that I am not a fan of Archangel Avacyn (shocker I know) in my build due to the heavy creature reliance. Instead I prefer to rely on Verdurous Gearhulk and Gisela, the Broken Blade as finishers.
Secondly, I feel that the amount of card advantage/manipulation that this deck can generate keeps this deck competitive with control. This comes from Smuggler's Copter, Thraben Inspector, Tireless Tracker, and the true star of the deck, Tamiyo, Field Researcher. In my opinion, this draw power rectifies the many "3 ofs" that I run that may appear to water the deck down at first glance.
Having more creatures lends itself to Tamiyo's abilities and the Copter has proved invaluable in not only keeping cards fresh but also as a 3/3 flying body that can win games. The inclusion of smaller creatures also lends itself to crewing the copter. Additionally, Thraben Inspector leads in so perfectly to Tireless Tracker that I almost feel its a sin to not run them together.
Lastly, I feel that 24 lands is the perfect amount for this deck, especially if you are running any Servant of the Conduit. Also, Lumbering Falls should be an auto include. It has won me many games and is especially powerful when run in conjunction with Sylvan Advocate.
Looking forward to your thoughts and input as we work to make this deck better!
After testing the last few days, I've noticed a few things.
1. I've beaten every single deck in the "Proven" sub forum multiple times. Bant is seriously one skilled pilot away from winning a GP.
2. In order to play bant effectively, you absolutely need to research the other decks. A lot of our surviving power comes from disrupting the opponent and it's important to know when to use counters or removal and on what. Most misplays will cripple your chances of winning, more so than any other deck I've ever played.
5. I never feel like a mulligan to 6 hurts my chances at winning.
6. Grab your Tamiyo's, Avacyns and Spell Quellers now before GP Providence. W/U Flash, W/U Control and Jeskai Control all share cards with us and I guarantee prices are going to spike. Especially since these these cards are all from the Return to Innistrad block that don't benefit from the lotto cards.
I went a totally different route... bant eldrazi panharmonicon... No walkers, just stuff... And it's quite rude and has all kinds of answers.
4 Servants
4 Cranes..
4 Prisms, might toss out eventually though in favor of creatures.
4 Filigree Familiars, just cuz I can
A pilgrim's eye and a pair of deflector mages
a pair of displacers and a few eerie interludes for shiggles
A full set of panharmonicons to play music with
a verdurous gearhulk and a pair of cloudblazers come to mind.
a pair of drowners, thought knot seers, a green hulk, and a single greenwarden to keep em all in line.
A bunch of lands
In the bullpen, I have some flowery defenses to negate the unnatural appetite and dismiss anything that can't be fumigated or smashed by a white hulk with another warden to keep the bullpen fully stocked.
Now to figure out how to make it all linked up by the names.
Needless to say, the deck is fun... Reminds me of modern bantdrazi..
I wasn't able to go to GP for no ride. So i just played game day. Pretty small due to GP providence and a lot of the heavy hitters went. SO it was pretty much t2 decks at game day.
Round 1: Metalwork colossus deck
Game 1 just use servant to pump out gideon and swing into this non interactive boardstate for quick game.
Game 2 same thing with eldrazi displacer instead and swung for 5 and cataclysmic him for game.
Round 2: Another metalwork deck
Game 1 like before, but i also had tamiyo to draw cards.
Game 2 it was more interactive when i didn't have anything to his t5 metalwork into deep fiend, he deep fiend multiple times to kill me
Game 3 I drew ceremonius to stop his nonsense and swung with gideon + cataclysmic
Round 3: Black/White Control
Game 1 he had removal for everything.
Game 2 I SB for a heavy mid late game, gideon and nissa got me there
Game 3 I got brisela out and he couldn't win after no draw power and 1-4-1 my cards
Round 4: reanimator gearhulk
Game 1 it took 2 gideons and a verderous gearhulk to end him before he could reanimate
game 2 he got enough removal and lands to everlast 2 dudes, i lost with no board
game 3 I just drew very badly and he had time to set up
It was only 8 people and the rest of the decks were tier 2-ish decks. Cataclysmic gearhulk was the nuts. I wish i knew about inventor's fair being legendary, which i forgot. I also played thalia's lancers to search for a card that gets me cataclysmic at instant speed is nice. Gideon was insane, should be 3-4 of in every deck. Servant of the conduit is insane for said t3 play.
Negate is the PREMIUM counter spell for this format, negating copters/consul flagship/marvelworks and planeswalkers are A+. Negating ruinous path and anguished unmaking makes it A+. Run 2-3 negate in your SB, it is the real deal for this format.
Deck has been overall pretty good. Inventor's fair will definitely need some amount of testing if i want to MB a cataclysmic or not. Searching up a verderous game 1 seems fine.
Round 1 2-0 U/G Energy This was against a young man just there for the Con and he didn't really have much going on with his U/G Energy deck.
Round 2 2-1 Abzan Good Stuff Game 1 I Mull to 5 and still get there with amazing top decks, Game 2 I stumble and can't find a 4th land to help. Game 3 he stumbles and I draw the Nuts to bull rush.
Round 3 2-1 Mardu Reanimator Game 1 goes long as I get Tamiyo Ultimate and unload Advocate, Spirit and 2 Gearhulks and feel good, He drops a Cataclysmic and ultimate's his Sorin for 18 dudes, I couldn't draw a Dec in Stone. Game 3 I get some really good Tamiyo action and am able to push past his Hulks effectively.
Round 4 0-2 R/W Race Cars This deck. This has become my hardest matchup yet am still trying to figure out how to push it back to at least a 50/50 matchup as of now I have yet to win a match against it. I believe I may have over side-boarded a little too much, 12 cards. I was able to keep him at bay a little game 2 but just too much coming each turn to stem the tide.
Round 5 2-0 Mardu Reanimator again. This time I just get all the goods and he just can't get traction. This is turning into a really good matchup for this deck.
End of Swiss I am in 1st place going into Top 4.
Top 4 Round 1 2-0 B/G Delirium This is against my friend who I travel and test with and I basically helped build his deck. Game 1 I blow him out with Double Blessed Alliance after he gets a fast start with a Flayer and a Demon. Game 2 I get Tamiyo out and lock him down and Avacyn saves the day when he tries to remove my 5/6 Advocate with a Noxious.
Finals 1-2 R/w Race Cars At this point I was pretty sure I was not going to be able to go to Milwaukee as I am trying to go to the SCG Inv in ATL the weekend before, so I concede him the byes and we play it out anyway just for funsies. Game 1 he stumbles on Red mana and I am able to get there, next 2 same as our Swiss match, I just get rolled.
So now I need to figure out how to shore up the Race cars Match. Overall I am really pleased with this current build. Tamiyo, Field Researcher right now is the real deal. She stalls your opponent out enough to allow you to get ahead or gain parody. Drawing cards has been amazing, even targeting my opponents creatures is somewhat of a pseudo control mechanic. I did Ultimate her 2 times and it felt good both time although I did lose the match after as I overextended a bit much.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Current Decks Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BWGUB Sultai Constrictor BUG Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG Modern : GB Golgari Elves BGGR Atarka Goblins RG Pauper : W Heroic WGB Delve BG
Very happy to see this deck being competitive with T1.
To all those playing Gisela and Bruna, are you melding them as often as you had hoped? Is it the threat of the meld that makes them good as they attract removal that would otherwise be used on your bombs?
As for The green gearhulk, when you play him are you playing him as a straight 8/8 or are you putting the counters on someone else? If so, whom?
you just need better interaction in the early game, instead of skywhaler's shot, was stasis snare something you don't want to play? People were also cutting advocates for immolating glares. Immolating glares have been doing just as well for early interaction. Appetite for the unnatural is a better interaction than fragmentize, if you really wanted frag i would rather play natural state at that point.
Very happy to see this deck being competitive with T1.
To all those playing Gisela and Bruna, are you melding them as often as you had hoped? Is it the threat of the meld that makes them good as they attract removal that would otherwise be used on your bombs?
As for The green gearhulk, when you play him are you playing him as a straight 8/8 or are you putting the counters on someone else? If so, whom?
brisela has been mediocre, but i get it out 1/12 games. I used gisela mostly for gaining life and a heavy hitting flyer, i bulk it up with gearhulk or gideon emblem to go to town. Green Gearhulk has been the nuts, i would pump up my ally token/gisela/advocate. Or i can pump up my servant/himself/displacer or reflector mage. He has been very flexible in many situations.
If i do get out brisela, they have a 6% chance of drawing a board wipe or they just lose. I have a winrate of 60% of my games i put her out without getting board wiped, since fumigate is usually sideboarded.
So, I'm still loving this deck going 3-1 at FNM, got there late and started with a game 1 loss and flooded game 2. I read Sullivan's Article on his build yesterday and I am considering swapping out Gisela for Woodland Wanderer. Gisela is great but easily dealt with by most of the formats removals, whereas Wanderer is a bit harder to deal with and the Vigilance is relevant with Tamiyo's +1. Has anyone else been running Wanderer and how is it working for you? I ran it way back in my Temur Black Dragons build abusing Rattleclaw Mystic to jam a T3 6/6 Vigilance/Trample beast, this is starting to feel a lot like that and am looking to push the envelope with this build. Once again, Tamiyo, Field Researcher is the real deal right now, Bant don't need no Company, just some Field Research.
Interesting idea with woodland wanderer. Gisela is played, at least by me, because it allows Brisela as a potential wincon, and it is one of the few creatures that can effectively deal with WU spirits or WU flash.
This is my latest iteration, this is basically Bant Flash/Tempo at this time with a slightly different end game angle with Verdurous Gearhulk and Tamiyo, Field Researcher.
4 Servant of the Conduit
4 Filigree Familiar
3 Eldrazi Displacer
2 Gisela, broken blade
3 Verdurous Gearhulk
2 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
1 Bruna, Fading Light
2 Tamiyo
2 Gideon, ally of zendikar
1 Nissa, vital force
Spells: 11
4 Revolutionary Rebuff
4 Eldritch Evolution
3 Glimmer of genius
Lands: 25
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Aetherhub
4 Botanical Sancum
3 Lumbering Falls
3 Prairie Stream
3 Canopy Vista
2 Forest
1 Island
1 Plain
Servant is our new leaf gilder, and aetherhub providing both colorless and energy combined synergizes with servant. You can bump her off for a familiar or gisela. I included gisela and bruna as the win-con/heavy hitting combo for the deck since the white gearhulk isn't much use after ETB, and it is something you can do against tempo-midrange options. Revolutionary Rebuff is simply the new mana leak against 80% of the non artifact decks, it allows the deck to get to the turns it needs on a tempo plan, as well as prepare your board against a boardwipe or huge threat when they tap out. Glimmer is basically read the bones for blue with 1 extra mana for instant speed, Instant 3 of imo and the reason why blue will be a competing color for this shaping meta.
Gideon and Tamiyo are the supporting allstars to allow a different angle of attack, and nissa's ultimate helps you keep up CA OR you can use her to ramp up if necessary. I might switch out some 2 and 3 drops, but i think servant being a dork to get T4, gisela/PW is better than being on the 2/3-> 4/5 plan. That might be wrong and i just cut the rebuffs for him and reflector mage.
Deck as of now:
4 Servant of the conduit
4 Sylvan Advocate
3 Reflector Mage
2 Eldrazi Displacer
2 Gisela, the broken blade
2 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
2 Vederous Gearhulk
1 Grafwidow, Ishnah
1 Bruna, the fading light
2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Tamiyo, field researcher
Spells: 10
4 Eldritch Evolution
4 Revolutionary Rebuff
2 Glimmer of Genius
Lands: 25
4 Aetherhub
4 Evolving Wilds
3 Lumbering Falls
4 Canopy Vista
3 Prairie Stream
4 Forest
2 Plain
1 Island
Rebuff is a tempo counter spell like mana leak, and it does counter a lot of things that isn't artifact. I am not so worried about a bunch of one drops, because the potential 2 drop into bush wacker is about a 12-18% hand. Where i can push out sylvan advocates, servants about 65% of the time into a nice 4 drop like gisela/gideon/tamiyo about 23% of the time. Or snap back on an advocate into reflector mage with the same percentage now. The deck before was streamlined, and changed to adapt to the current aggro-ish/ midrange format. The grafwidow is a decent lifesaver with displacer + vederous gearhulk. Mana still needs a heavy amount of fixing. NO idea if i should play fastlands or not.
Christmas Land hands are going to occur, it just happens.
Authority of the Consuls is good SB material against aggro. Helps slow them down.
Selfless Spirit is excellent against board wipes. Should at least be SB, if not MB depending on meta. Same with Avacyn.
Fairgrounds Warden, Reflector Mage and Spell Queller. All 3 drops that take out something on your opponent's side when they are cast.
I personally like Rashmi, Eternites Crafter as a solid 4 drop in Bant colors.
Strongest 5 drops would be Avacyn and Verdurous Gearhulk probably.
Sylvan Advocate synergizes well with Nissa, Vital Force.
Tamiya, Gideon, and Nissa are all good PWers in this deck.
Stasis Snare and Declaration in Stone are excellent for removal.
I personally don't run Aether Hub because I don't run additional energy generators. After its energy is expended, it just becomes a colorless mana. I feel Evolving Winds is more reliable.
Currently Playing:
WGW/G HumansGW
WUW/U SpiritsUW
WGG/W TokensGW
URU/R ProwessRU
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
Playing 0 removal in a sorcery speed style deck also feels wrong as copter will just fly over out dudes. MBing some copies of impeccable timing solves this problem and 1-2 copies of blessed alliance helps with life and dudes as well. Blessed alliance can also help out protect your dudes with its' 3rd option.
I cut out eldritch evolution due to the loss of tempo and that is pretty much game over vs. aggro decks. I hence, switch to a heavier mid-range style deck and more removal.
4 Servant of the Conduit
2 Sylvan Advocate
2 Eldrazi Displacer
3 Reflector Mage
2 Gisela, the broken blade
2 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
1 Grafwidow
1 Linvala, the preserver
1 Bruna, the fading light
1 Emrakul, the promised end
4 Impeccable Timing
1 Blessed Alliance
3 Oath of Nissa
3 Glimmer of Genius
Planeswalkers: 6
2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Tamiyo, Field Researcher
2 Nissa, Vital Force
Lands: 24
4 Botanical Sancum
3 Evolving wilds
3 Lumbering Falls
4 Aetherhub
2 Canopy Vista
2 Prarie Stream
4 Forest
1 Plain
1 Island
I like Ali's path towards the future of bant midrange,and the inclusion of a single emrakul is awesome. But i hate how he did not have any copies of cataclysm, which is very good mainboard imo. Then you can side them out for fumigates or just have both for large t5 board wipes. MB filigree helps with life total and count towards the card type. Playing two copies of nissa is very powerful in out valuing the G/B delerium decks as well as the control decks. Cataclysm MB helps out vs. the aggro match ups along with linvala and grafwidow.
I play servant of the conduit and aetherhub as reliable energy producers. Both gives me the color i want for that moment and aetherhub helps pay for eldrazi displacer. Ill prob side avacyn and the rest, i don't think avacyn is good atm with stasis snare rolling around MB, so ill SB her in with natural state or appetite for the unnatural.
A one things to consider:
1) In my play testing cataclysm hulk has been underwhelming. Leaving them with a single creature and a choptor... isn't that bad for them.
Prior to seeing Ali's list, I also began to brew a similar list. Feedback appreciated.
I originally started playing a more traditional control-bant shell with counter-magic and torrential hulks.
I got a crazy idea to try to squeeze in Aetherworks Marvel. In order to accomplish this, I cut the counters and added Aether Theorist.
So far it's extremely promising in testing. The major thing I need to figure out is what top-end threats to include.
4x Aether Hub
2x Blighted Cataract
4x Botanical Sanctum
4x Evolving Wilds
1x Forest
4x Island
3x Plains
4x Prairie Stream
4x Aether Theorist
2x Archangel Avacyn
2x Eldrazi Displacer
1x Emrakul, the Promised End
1x Ishkanah, Grafwidow
4x Spell Queller
Enchantment (2)
2x Stasis Snare
4x Blessed Alliance
4x Glimmer of Genius
Sorcery (3)
1x Descend upon the Sinful
2x Fumigate
Planeswalker (6)
2x Nissa, Vital Force
4x Tamiyo, Field Researcher
Artifact (1)
1x Aetherworks Marvel
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Why are you running Impeccable Timing over Stasis Snare? With the lack of enchantment hate, Stasis Snare is some of the best removal in the game. Its at instant speed and doesn't rely on power/toughness or mana cost. It snares pretty much everything except Brisela (this includes Emrakul when it comes down). Timing also isn't a guarantee for removal, instead just does damage. Seems too conditional.
The only reason I can see not running Stasis Snare is because of the 1WW cost, but it shouldn't be that hard to get 2 white sources and you don't necessarily need to have it by T3.
Currently Playing:
WGW/G HumansGW
WUW/U SpiritsUW
WGG/W TokensGW
URU/R ProwessRU
4 Servant of the Conduit
3 Verdurous Gearhulk
3 Tireless Tracker
3 Sylvan Advocate
3 Reflector Mage
2 Selfless Spirit
3 Thraben Inspector
3 Spell Queller
Other: 12
1 Nissa, Vital Force
1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 Dovin Baan
2 Tamiyo, Field Researcher
3 Smuggler's Copter
2 Declaration in Stone
2 Welcome to the Fold
4 Botanical Sanctum
4 Evolving Wilds
3 Fortified Village
3 Prairie Stream
2 Lumbering Falls
4 Forest
3 Plains
1 Island
1 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
3 Fragmentize
1 Selfless Spirit
2 Void Grafter
2 Stasis Snare
1 Declaration in Stone
2 Appetite for the Unnatural
3 Negate
2x Archangel Avacyn
1x Bruna, the Fading Light
2x Gisela, the Broken Blade
3x Reflector Mage
3x Selfless Spirit
4x Servant of the Conduit
4x Sylvan Advocate
3x Verdurous Gearhulk
Sorcery (3)
3x Declaration in Stone
Land (26)
4x Aether Hub
4x Botanical Sanctum
2x Canopy Vista
4x Evolving Wilds
3x Forest
1x Island
6x Plains
2x Prairie Stream
3x Blessed Alliance
2x Blossoming Defense
Planeswalker (4)
4x Tamiyo, Field Researcher
3x Appetite for the Unnatural
2x Ceremonious Rejection
2x Fumigate
3x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1x Linvala, the Preserver
2x Pulse of Murasa
2x Summary Dismissal
Current Decks
Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BW GUB Sultai Constrictor BUG
Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG
Modern : GB Golgari Elves BG GR Atarka Goblins RG
Pauper : W Heroic W GB Delve BG
Since you run a full set of Sylvan Advocate why don't you include some man-lands to take advantage of the buff. I would cut two Aether Hub and add two Lumbering Falls. Additionally, I would drop a Tamiyo, Field Researcher and add one Nissa, Vital Force to further take advantage of the potential bonus.
One card I have been toying with adding is Wispweaver Angel to bounce our cards for added value. Cards like Verdurous Gearhulk, Reflector Mage, ,Servant of the Conduit and Thraben Inspector would all benefit from this. Plus the idea of casting Wispweaver Angel targeting Verdurous Gearhulk to create an 8/8 flyer is very appealing. Thoughts on this?
Current Decks
Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BW GUB Sultai Constrictor BUG
Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG
Modern : GB Golgari Elves BG GR Atarka Goblins RG
Pauper : W Heroic W GB Delve BG
Round 1 R/G Energy 0-2 and didn't play a game of magic the match as I proceeded to flood both gameshaving 8 lands in play 4 in hand and an elvoving in the yard, started with 3. Of note, Hydra's hexproof was rough.
Round 2 R/W Humans 2-1 This match is rough but easier post board. Game 1 goes kinda long even after he gets a fast start as I get some stabilization with a pair of Tamiyo's b2b but he has answer's to my limited threat pkg I get and eventually overwhelm's me. Game 2 he gets stuck on 1 land and have a slower hand and allow him a chance to start getting back in before I can overpower with a Gearhulk and Tamiyo to get the needed removals. Game 3 goes to Turns as I get the board mucked up enough with lives at 8-7 2 of 3 blockers get Pia'd and I flash an Avacyn in, tapped due to Thalia, but can block and keep blocker goe to 2 he still ha 2 blockers back, I top a Tamiyo. Tamiyo, Field Researcher is the real deal in this style of deck.
Round 3 2-1 Jeskai Flash Clsssic match up, Green dudes vs. Blue spells. game 1 I get a pretty fast start with a couple Advocates and a Gearhulk. Game 2 he gets the goods in the way of 3 straight Fumigate's and is able to close it with some spirit's. Game 3 I stumble turns 3 and 4 and can't get back in.
Really was happy with most of the deck and seeing a few changes going forward, depending on what happens at the PT.
I will definitely be dropping Bruna, too cute. Going up to a 3rd and possibly a 4th Gisela. She is a removal magnet and boss when she sticks.
Going back to 25 lands and am still not sure if I want to include a pair of Falls or not, leaning towards yes.
Debating on a 3/3 split on Avacyn and Gearhulks, both are really good.
Skywhaler's shot needs to be in the 75 somewhere as a 2 or 3 of, instant speed removals are important right now I believe.
Current Decks
Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BW GUB Sultai Constrictor BUG
Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG
Modern : GB Golgari Elves BG GR Atarka Goblins RG
Pauper : W Heroic W GB Delve BG
3 Botanical Sanctum
2 Forest
2 Island
4 Lumbering Falls
5 Plains
4 Port Town
4 Prairie Stream
Spells
4 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
4 Smuggler's Copter
2 Tamiyo, Field Researcher
3 Archangel Avacyn
4 Reflector Mage
4 Selfless Spirit
4 Spell Queller
3 Sylvan Advocate
4 Thraben Inspector
4 Verdurous Gearhulk
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Ceremonious Rejection
2 Fragmentize
1 Linvala, the Preserver
2 Negate
2 Stasis Snare
2 Summary Dismissal
2 Tireless Tracker
After watching the PT this is what I came up with. This list definitely qualifies as more of an aggro list, but there's enough wiggle room to transform into a midrange deck vs. some of the other aggro decks.
I took some elements from the UW Flash/Spirits decks that did really well (Avacyn, Reflector, Queller, Spirit) and then added on the typical G elements of Gearhulks and Sylvan Advocates, with trackers in the sb and Tamiyo in the MB for grindy matches.
The copters are there both for card filtering and to interact with other U/W/x decks and copter focused strategies. Transitioning to a more midrange deck would probably take the Selfless Spirit out and some combination of copters for counters vs combo/control and removal vs. aggro.
I've been debating including Fairgrounds Warden as another removal tool into the MB, but I'm unsold on what to remove.
2 Botanical Sanctum
2 Canopy Vista
4 Evolving Wilds
3 Forest
2 Island
3 Plains
3 Lumbering Falls
4 Prairie Stream
Spells
4 Tamiyo, Field Researcher
3 Blossoming Defense
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Negate
2 Spell Shrivel
2 Stasis Snare
1 Immolating Glare
4 Sylvan Advocate
4 Spell Queller
4 Reflector Mage
2 Tireless Tracker
4 Archangel Avacyn
1 Lumbering Falls
1 Linvala, the Preserver
1 Dispel
1 Blessed Alliance
1 Negate
1 Quarantine Field
1 Stasis Snare
1 Thalia, Heretic Cathar
1 Tireless Tracker
2 Fumigate
3 Summary Dismissal
1 Skywhaler's Shot
I'm running this version. I started with Adrian Sullivan's 6-4 deck as my base and have made tweaks here and there. The biggest one being I got rid of Servant of the Conduit. I've never really been hard up for mana and other than Aether Hub, nothing else uses energy. I noticed that Servant ended up being a dead card late in the game and I'm never really in a position where I absolutely need to ramp into anything. I also got rid of Woodland Wanderer for Reflector Mage. I feel like Wanderer is good but usually inefficient and the MAge has more value and can easily be sided for other cards in my board. The deck has been testing extremely well and I'm really happy with it. Tamiyo, Field Researcher is such an underrated card.
The big sideboarding I do is against decks that abuse flicker and I get rid of Reflector Mage in a lot of matchups for some counters or removal but it's generally still a workhorse. I've never really been in a positio where I feel like I have to side in Summary Dismissal, but with the new control craze, I'm sure eventually I will.
No Gideon, Ally of Zendikar or Smuggler's Copter. I have many ways to garner card advantage and I don't think this is aggressive enough to warrant Gideon. I'm considering Verdurous Gearhulk but I like Archangel Avacyn as my finisher so far.
Bant is great. I always feel like I'm competitive, even when I lose and I really think the deck is one or two cards away from being solved as T1. Exciting times to be a bant player.
3 Servant of the Conduit
3 Verdurous Gearhulk
3 Spell Queller
3 Thraben Inspector
3 Tireless Tracker
3 Sylvan Advocate
3 Reflector Mage
2 Gisela, the Broken Blade
Other(13)
1 Nissa, Vital Force
3 Smuggler's Copter
3 Tamiyo, Field Researcher
2 Blossoming Defense
2 Negate
2 Declaration in Stone
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Fortified Village
3 Botanical Sanctum
3 Prairie Stream
2 Lumbering Falls
4 Forest
3 Plains
1 Island
3 Fragmentize
2 Selfless Spirit
2 Void Grafter
2 Stasis Snare
1 Declaration in Stone
1 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
1 Negate
1 Dovin Baan
1 Skywhaler's Shot
1 Appetite for the Unnatural
Now for some observations and card selection justification. First off, its easy to see that I prefer a more creature intensive build. The reason is that I feel this provides more flexibility against aggro with out having to add sweepers like fumigate or additional spot removal. An admission that I will make right now is that I am not a fan of Archangel Avacyn (shocker I know) in my build due to the heavy creature reliance. Instead I prefer to rely on Verdurous Gearhulk and Gisela, the Broken Blade as finishers.
Secondly, I feel that the amount of card advantage/manipulation that this deck can generate keeps this deck competitive with control. This comes from Smuggler's Copter, Thraben Inspector, Tireless Tracker, and the true star of the deck, Tamiyo, Field Researcher. In my opinion, this draw power rectifies the many "3 ofs" that I run that may appear to water the deck down at first glance.
Having more creatures lends itself to Tamiyo's abilities and the Copter has proved invaluable in not only keeping cards fresh but also as a 3/3 flying body that can win games. The inclusion of smaller creatures also lends itself to crewing the copter. Additionally, Thraben Inspector leads in so perfectly to Tireless Tracker that I almost feel its a sin to not run them together.
Lastly, I feel that 24 lands is the perfect amount for this deck, especially if you are running any Servant of the Conduit. Also, Lumbering Falls should be an auto include. It has won me many games and is especially powerful when run in conjunction with Sylvan Advocate.
Looking forward to your thoughts and input as we work to make this deck better!
1. I've beaten every single deck in the "Proven" sub forum multiple times. Bant is seriously one skilled pilot away from winning a GP.
2. In order to play bant effectively, you absolutely need to research the other decks. A lot of our surviving power comes from disrupting the opponent and it's important to know when to use counters or removal and on what. Most misplays will cripple your chances of winning, more so than any other deck I've ever played.
3. My most dreaded match up is Azorious Control.
4. Lumbering Falls is so cash.
5. I never feel like a mulligan to 6 hurts my chances at winning.
6. Grab your Tamiyo's, Avacyns and Spell Quellers now before GP Providence. W/U Flash, W/U Control and Jeskai Control all share cards with us and I guarantee prices are going to spike. Especially since these these cards are all from the Return to Innistrad block that don't benefit from the lotto cards.
4 Servants
4 Cranes..
4 Prisms, might toss out eventually though in favor of creatures.
4 Filigree Familiars, just cuz I can
A pilgrim's eye and a pair of deflector mages
a pair of displacers and a few eerie interludes for shiggles
A full set of panharmonicons to play music with
a verdurous gearhulk and a pair of cloudblazers come to mind.
a pair of drowners, thought knot seers, a green hulk, and a single greenwarden to keep em all in line.
A bunch of lands
In the bullpen, I have some flowery defenses to negate the unnatural appetite and dismiss anything that can't be fumigated or smashed by a white hulk with another warden to keep the bullpen fully stocked.
Now to figure out how to make it all linked up by the names.
Needless to say, the deck is fun... Reminds me of modern bantdrazi..
Round 1: Metalwork colossus deck
Game 1 just use servant to pump out gideon and swing into this non interactive boardstate for quick game.
Game 2 same thing with eldrazi displacer instead and swung for 5 and cataclysmic him for game.
Round 2: Another metalwork deck
Game 1 like before, but i also had tamiyo to draw cards.
Game 2 it was more interactive when i didn't have anything to his t5 metalwork into deep fiend, he deep fiend multiple times to kill me
Game 3 I drew ceremonius to stop his nonsense and swung with gideon + cataclysmic
Round 3: Black/White Control
Game 1 he had removal for everything.
Game 2 I SB for a heavy mid late game, gideon and nissa got me there
Game 3 I got brisela out and he couldn't win after no draw power and 1-4-1 my cards
Round 4: reanimator gearhulk
Game 1 it took 2 gideons and a verderous gearhulk to end him before he could reanimate
game 2 he got enough removal and lands to everlast 2 dudes, i lost with no board
game 3 I just drew very badly and he had time to set up
It was only 8 people and the rest of the decks were tier 2-ish decks. Cataclysmic gearhulk was the nuts. I wish i knew about inventor's fair being legendary, which i forgot. I also played thalia's lancers to search for a card that gets me cataclysmic at instant speed is nice. Gideon was insane, should be 3-4 of in every deck. Servant of the conduit is insane for said t3 play.
Negate is the PREMIUM counter spell for this format, negating copters/consul flagship/marvelworks and planeswalkers are A+. Negating ruinous path and anguished unmaking makes it A+. Run 2-3 negate in your SB, it is the real deal for this format.
Deck updated after game day
4 Servant of the Conduit
2 Sylvan Advocate
3 Reflector Mage
2 Eldrazi Displacer
2 Gisela, the broken blade
2 Verderous Gearhulk
1 Thalia's Lancers
1 Linvala, the preserver
1 Bruna, the fading light
1 Emrakul, the promised end
Spells: 7
3 Stasis snare
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Negate
3 Oath of Nissa
Planeswalkers: 6
2 Tamiyo, Field Researcher
2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Nissa, Vital Force
Lands: 25
4 Botanical Sancum
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Aetherhub
2 Inventor's Fair
3 Canopy Vista
3 Prairie Stream
2 Forest
2 Plain
1 Island
2 Summary Dismissal
1 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Ceremonious Rejection
3 Appetite for the Unnatural
1 Declaration in Stone
2 Cataclysmic Gearhulk
2 Fumigate
1 Bruna, the fading light
Deck has been overall pretty good. Inventor's fair will definitely need some amount of testing if i want to MB a cataclysmic or not. Searching up a verderous game 1 seems fine.
2x Aether Hub
3x Botanical Sanctum
4x Evolving Wilds
3x Forest
3x Fortified Village
1x Island
2x Lumbering Falls
4x Plains
3x Prairie Stream
Creature (23)
3x Archangel Avacyn
3x Gisela, the Broken Blade
4x Reflector Mage
2x Selfless Spirit
4x Servant of the Conduit
4x Sylvan Advocate
3x Verdurous Gearhulk
2x Blessed Alliance
3x Blossoming Defense
3x Skywhaler's Shot
Planeswalker (4)
4x Tamiyo, Field Researcher
1x Appetite for the Unnatural
3x Ceremonious Rejection
2x Declaration in Stone
1x Descend upon the Sinful
3x Fragmentize
1x Linvala, the Preserver
2x Negate
2x Summary Dismissal
Round 1 2-0 U/G Energy This was against a young man just there for the Con and he didn't really have much going on with his U/G Energy deck.
Round 2 2-1 Abzan Good Stuff Game 1 I Mull to 5 and still get there with amazing top decks, Game 2 I stumble and can't find a 4th land to help. Game 3 he stumbles and I draw the Nuts to bull rush.
Round 3 2-1 Mardu Reanimator Game 1 goes long as I get Tamiyo Ultimate and unload Advocate, Spirit and 2 Gearhulks and feel good, He drops a Cataclysmic and ultimate's his Sorin for 18 dudes, I couldn't draw a Dec in Stone. Game 3 I get some really good Tamiyo action and am able to push past his Hulks effectively.
Round 4 0-2 R/W Race Cars This deck. This has become my hardest matchup yet am still trying to figure out how to push it back to at least a 50/50 matchup as of now I have yet to win a match against it. I believe I may have over side-boarded a little too much, 12 cards. I was able to keep him at bay a little game 2 but just too much coming each turn to stem the tide.
Round 5 2-0 Mardu Reanimator again. This time I just get all the goods and he just can't get traction. This is turning into a really good matchup for this deck.
End of Swiss I am in 1st place going into Top 4.
Top 4 Round 1 2-0 B/G Delirium This is against my friend who I travel and test with and I basically helped build his deck. Game 1 I blow him out with Double Blessed Alliance after he gets a fast start with a Flayer and a Demon. Game 2 I get Tamiyo out and lock him down and Avacyn saves the day when he tries to remove my 5/6 Advocate with a Noxious.
Finals 1-2 R/w Race Cars At this point I was pretty sure I was not going to be able to go to Milwaukee as I am trying to go to the SCG Inv in ATL the weekend before, so I concede him the byes and we play it out anyway just for funsies. Game 1 he stumbles on Red mana and I am able to get there, next 2 same as our Swiss match, I just get rolled.
So now I need to figure out how to shore up the Race cars Match. Overall I am really pleased with this current build. Tamiyo, Field Researcher right now is the real deal. She stalls your opponent out enough to allow you to get ahead or gain parody. Drawing cards has been amazing, even targeting my opponents creatures is somewhat of a pseudo control mechanic. I did Ultimate her 2 times and it felt good both time although I did lose the match after as I overextended a bit much.
Current Decks
Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BW GUB Sultai Constrictor BUG
Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG
Modern : GB Golgari Elves BG GR Atarka Goblins RG
Pauper : W Heroic W GB Delve BG
To all those playing Gisela and Bruna, are you melding them as often as you had hoped? Is it the threat of the meld that makes them good as they attract removal that would otherwise be used on your bombs?
As for The green gearhulk, when you play him are you playing him as a straight 8/8 or are you putting the counters on someone else? If so, whom?
brisela has been mediocre, but i get it out 1/12 games. I used gisela mostly for gaining life and a heavy hitting flyer, i bulk it up with gearhulk or gideon emblem to go to town. Green Gearhulk has been the nuts, i would pump up my ally token/gisela/advocate. Or i can pump up my servant/himself/displacer or reflector mage. He has been very flexible in many situations.
If i do get out brisela, they have a 6% chance of drawing a board wipe or they just lose. I have a winrate of 60% of my games i put her out without getting board wiped, since fumigate is usually sideboarded.
Current Decks
Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BW GUB Sultai Constrictor BUG
Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG
Modern : GB Golgari Elves BG GR Atarka Goblins RG
Pauper : W Heroic W GB Delve BG
2x Aether Hub
3x Botanical Sanctum
3x Canopy Vista
4x Evolving Wilds
2x Forest
1x Island
2x Lumbering Falls
4x Plains
3x Port Town
1x Prairie Stream
4x Archangel Avacyn
4x Reflector Mage
4x Selfless Spirit
4x Servant of the Conduit
4x Spell Queller
2x Verdurous Gearhulk
Instant (9)
3x Blessed Alliance
3x Blossoming Defense
3x Unsubstantiate
Planeswalker (4)
4x Tamiyo, Field Researcher
2x Ceremonious Rejection
2x Declaration in Stone
2x Fumigate
2x Ishkanah, Grafwidow
3x Natural State
2x Negate
2x Stasis Snare
Current Decks
Standard : WB Orzhov Vampires BW GUB Sultai Constrictor BUG
Brawl : GB Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons BG
Modern : GB Golgari Elves BG GR Atarka Goblins RG
Pauper : W Heroic W GB Delve BG