Hoser, i'd run the black two drop that draws a card for 1 life over the seeker squire.
Also, 4x aether hub in the main instead of 4x evolving wilds as well as aethersphere harvester in the main.
Prolly should main vraska instead of the 5 mana ajani too. More board impactful
+2 cast out
+1 vraska
+4 aether hub
+2 aethersphere harvester
-4 evolving wilds
-1 ajani Unweilding
-1x hour of glory
-1 cast down (this doesn't hit anything you can't already hit with seal away (since youre also running cast out/push) i got into a big discussion about how seal away is BAD if you are running push also. It hits nothing of merit that isn't already dealt with in push/cast out
this is what i'd start with. I think the two 2 mana guys are bad too. the seeker and the 1/3 land guy. I'd replace both of those. 3x gearhulk and 1x lyra seems better too or 2 and 2
I took the old sultai climb snek deck for a spin online today. It was just as strong as I remember. Does anyone know why we moved away from this? I did slam 2 Vivien in the side tho for consistency and draw against control. She was great. Deck is still really strong. But I also want to sleeve up Ajani with Snek too. For the lulz.
Ajani with snek is kinda fun. Dunno how actually good it is mind you...
I've been working on a list on and off for a bit. Right off the hop you'll notice the glaring lack of Glint-Sleeves and Hubs, which is due to one collection fueling multiple decks. I've no way around it unless someone else decides to scrap their list and I can steal GSS back. Anyhoo, feel free to take this as a starting point of sorts and make it better!
Maybe it's due to collection constraints, but I would start with 4 Scattered Groves. They power up all 12 buddy lands.
ryota09 5-0ed a competitive MTGO league with Abzan Ajani Constrictor. The Constrictor synergies were moderate, but it looks strong with the knight package.
Corrado also 5-0ed with an interesting Bant list using Hadana's Climb and splashing W for On Serra's Wings.
Those are interesting lists. I'm surprised by zero Knight of Malice in that Abzan list. But I could definitely see some good things coming from knights. That Bant list seems more accurately described as G(uw), considering the only blue cards are Climb and some sideboard Negates. I'd rather Sultai my Climb for max Constrictor value but that's just me.
As far as my list goes, you're absolutely correct about Groves being better for the duals. I'll give them a shot and run checks instead of fastlands where I can. The early game speed is of most concern to me so I'll be keeping a close eye on how that plays out with an altered mana base.
I also discovered that Ajani really wasn't necessary. I've tended to win games on the back of Constrictor synergy alone. Can't cut the white completely tho; Shalai is just too good, and I like having access to white answers in the board. I ran it last Friday to a 3-1 finish, with a loss to Mardu and wins against 2 R/b and Jeskai Turns. Journey to Eternity is an outstanding singleton, especially against red once you stabilize, and I encourage others to give it a shot.
Having traded for my second Ajani, I can run my Abzan Constrictor list in a sanctioned tournament. Before adopting the knight theme, it was actually doing surprisingly well in limited informal testing. I am adopting the knight theme that some have been successful with on MTGO.
Unfortunately, events have not been firing as regularly as I would like, so I am not sure I will get any real feedback. Since this is a for-fun deck, I am not expecting competitive information of great value, but using Ajani to put multiple counters on creatures with Constrictor out in a real tournament would be fun.
It's been a while since i posted here since my attention to standard has been somewhat… well, nonexistent for the last month or so Instead i have been playing Modern @ FNM and Commander for fun, where most of the cards from the orriginal deck have found a 2nd home.
It's funny to see everyone trying out Abzan though! Lots of different flavour and less and less focussed on +1/+1 synergies.
Currently my deck of choice is Grixis, though i'm starting to feel it is time to let go of some rotating pieces. Resale value has dropped like crazy.
It's been a while since i posted here since my attention to standard has been somewhat… well, nonexistent for the last month or so Instead i have been playing Modern @ FNM and Commander for fun, where most of the cards from the orriginal deck have found a 2nd home.
It's funny to see everyone trying out Abzan though! Lots of different flavour and less and less focussed on +1/+1 synergies.
Currently my deck of choice is Grixis, though i'm starting to feel it is time to let go of some rotating pieces. Resale value has dropped like crazy.
How do you all feel about the upcomming rotation?
With no significant tournaments, I couldn't really justify spending much on M19 cards that I didn't open. But I traded for the two Ajanis I wanted and now I ordered a second M19 Bolas, so I seem to be in the same range as you. I want to play Ajani and Constrictor together just for fun. Unless I am shocked at the performance, I will want to play something else competitive for Store Championships.
I have been playing Grixis with a budget concession of one Bolas and Esper GPG and they have been fine. Honestly, I love the reanimator core of TSG, Champion of Wits and Liliana. While GPG was competitive, it's more combo-y and less grindy than I like, so I am leaning toward Grixis or Sultai Midrange.
As for rotation, I am excited to see new decks, mechanics and cool Golgari and Selesnya Gold cards. The explore creatures are solid, as is Thorn Lieutenant. Dryad Greenseeker probably doesn't cut it, though. I will take another look at dinos if they have any support (probably not in a city world, but I can hope). Rise from the Grave, Isareth and Muldrotha seem sketchy, so we need a reanimation engine, but with Dimir and Golgari in Guilds, optimism on this front seems more justified.
I may be a bit early on this, and on the wrong thread. Is there a forum to discuss deck viability post rotation?
I've been out of standard for a few months, but I still have my B/G Snek deck with Steel leaf Champion addition laying around. I'm a casual FNM player and don't want to spend a bunch of $ right off the bat to play in the Return to Return to Ravnica standard.
I'm considering doing a Green stompy and/or midrange deck with some black. steel-leaf champion, llanowar elves, and Merfolk branch walker and jadelight ranger. Maybe some thrashing Brontodon. We already have cast down and Vraska's Contempt in black for removal.
Anyway, does anyone else feel like B/G midrange already has some decent building blocks to work with going into Ravnica?
I may be a bit early on this, and on the wrong thread. Is there a forum to discuss deck viability post rotation?
I've been out of standard for a few months, but I still have my B/G Snek deck with Steel leaf Champion addition laying around. I'm a casual FNM player and don't want to spend a bunch of $ right off the bat to play in the Return to Return to Ravnica standard.
I'm considering doing a Green stompy and/or midrange deck with some black. steel-leaf champion, llanowar elves, and Merfolk branch walker and jadelight ranger. Maybe some thrashing Brontodon. We already have cast down and Vraska's Contempt in black for removal.
Anyway, does anyone else feel like B/G midrange already has some decent building blocks to work with going into Ravnica?
You will note that there are already spoilers. There will soon be more. They can't be discussed here until the full spoilers are out. So discussion of specific uses of new cards need to be here.
That said, G-based Stompy is considered to be one of the decks least affected by rotation. Snek is obviously gone. With the R core rotating, we can hope that Chainwhirler doesn't have a deck and Llanowar Elves becomes playable. As I said above, I share your optimism. But I don't think I can really build new decks without seeing the new cards. I can't wait to start brewing in New Card Discussion.
Well would chainwhirler be considered the most dangerous 3drop in the format right now? I feel like steel champion is just as good.
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"To keep things 100, anything I state is an opinion and not intended to be a fact. Any and all suggestions I give are a 100% opinion. If you need further clarification take the conversation to a PM. I am not in the business of assuming things. I'm only interested in 1 business and that business serves 2 things, Cold L's and Hot Dub's."
The only thing I have trouble with is a turn two Goblin Electromancer. I don't have good removal for it and it allows my UR Arclight opponent to go off. Maybe Baffling End over Seal Away?
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Modern Decks
Jeskai Control
Mardu Pyromancer
RIP GU Infect
Also, 4x aether hub in the main instead of 4x evolving wilds as well as aethersphere harvester in the main.
Prolly should main vraska instead of the 5 mana ajani too. More board impactful
+2 cast out
+1 vraska
+4 aether hub
+2 aethersphere harvester
-4 evolving wilds
-1 ajani Unweilding
-1x hour of glory
-1 cast down (this doesn't hit anything you can't already hit with seal away (since youre also running cast out/push) i got into a big discussion about how seal away is BAD if you are running push also. It hits nothing of merit that isn't already dealt with in push/cast out
this is what i'd start with. I think the two 2 mana guys are bad too. the seeker and the 1/3 land guy. I'd replace both of those. 3x gearhulk and 1x lyra seems better too or 2 and 2
I've been working on a list on and off for a bit. Right off the hop you'll notice the glaring lack of Glint-Sleeves and Hubs, which is due to one collection fueling multiple decks. I've no way around it unless someone else decides to scrap their list and I can steal GSS back. Anyhoo, feel free to take this as a starting point of sorts and make it better!
3 Concealed Courtyard
4 Forest
1 Foul Orchard
1 Plains
2 Scattered Groves
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Swamp
4 Woodland Cemetery
4 Jadelight Ranger
1 Lyra Dawnbringer
2 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
3 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
2 Thrashing Brontodon
4 Walking Ballista
4 Winding Constrictor
2 Vine Mare
4 Fatal Push
2 Vraska's Contempt
1 Journey to Eternity
2 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
1 Vraska, Relic Seeker
1 Arguel's Blood Fast
2 Cast Down
2 Cast Out
2 Deathgorge Scavenger
1 Doomfall
4 Duress
2 Lifecrafter's Bestiary
1 Vraska, Relic Seeker
ryota09 5-0ed a competitive MTGO league with Abzan Ajani Constrictor. The Constrictor synergies were moderate, but it looks strong with the knight package.
Corrado also 5-0ed with an interesting Bant list using Hadana's Climb and splashing W for On Serra's Wings.
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.
As far as my list goes, you're absolutely correct about Groves being better for the duals. I'll give them a shot and run checks instead of fastlands where I can. The early game speed is of most concern to me so I'll be keeping a close eye on how that plays out with an altered mana base.
I also discovered that Ajani really wasn't necessary. I've tended to win games on the back of Constrictor synergy alone. Can't cut the white completely tho; Shalai is just too good, and I like having access to white answers in the board. I ran it last Friday to a 3-1 finish, with a loss to Mardu and wins against 2 R/b and Jeskai Turns. Journey to Eternity is an outstanding singleton, especially against red once you stabilize, and I encourage others to give it a shot.
Here is my latest idea to run out on Wednesday:
1 Dryad Greenseeker
4 Knight of Grace
4 Knight of Malice
1 Thorn Lieutenant
4 Winding Constrictor
2 Rishkar, Peema Renegade
2 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
1 Lyra Dawnbringer
Enchantment
4 History of Benalia
1 Cast Out
1 Ixalan's Binding
1 The Eldest Reborn
2 Forest
2 Plains
1 Swamp
4 Scattered Groves
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Isolated Chapel
4 Woodland Cemetery
Artifact
4 Walking Ballista
2 Verdurous Gearhulk
Planeswalker
1 Ajani Unyielding
2 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
4 Glint-Sleeve Siphoner
1 Arguel's Blood Fast
2 Lifecrafter's Bestiary
2 Thrashing Brontodon
1 Hour of Glory
2 Duress
1 Nissa, Vital Force
1 Vivien Reid
1 Vraska, Relic Seeker
Unfortunately, events have not been firing as regularly as I would like, so I am not sure I will get any real feedback. Since this is a for-fun deck, I am not expecting competitive information of great value, but using Ajani to put multiple counters on creatures with Constrictor out in a real tournament would be fun.
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.
It's funny to see everyone trying out Abzan though! Lots of different flavour and less and less focussed on +1/+1 synergies.
Currently my deck of choice is Grixis, though i'm starting to feel it is time to let go of some rotating pieces. Resale value has dropped like crazy.
How do you all feel about the upcomming rotation?
Modern: WUBRG Humans - GBW Traverse - GWU Knightfall - GRW Bushwhacker Zoo -
I have been playing Grixis with a budget concession of one Bolas and Esper GPG and they have been fine. Honestly, I love the reanimator core of TSG, Champion of Wits and Liliana. While GPG was competitive, it's more combo-y and less grindy than I like, so I am leaning toward Grixis or Sultai Midrange.
As for rotation, I am excited to see new decks, mechanics and cool Golgari and Selesnya Gold cards. The explore creatures are solid, as is Thorn Lieutenant. Dryad Greenseeker probably doesn't cut it, though. I will take another look at dinos if they have any support (probably not in a city world, but I can hope). Rise from the Grave, Isareth and Muldrotha seem sketchy, so we need a reanimation engine, but with Dimir and Golgari in Guilds, optimism on this front seems more justified.
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.
I've been out of standard for a few months, but I still have my B/G Snek deck with Steel leaf Champion addition laying around. I'm a casual FNM player and don't want to spend a bunch of $ right off the bat to play in the Return to Return to Ravnica standard.
I'm considering doing a Green stompy and/or midrange deck with some black. steel-leaf champion, llanowar elves, and Merfolk branch walker and jadelight ranger. Maybe some thrashing Brontodon. We already have cast down and Vraska's Contempt in black for removal.
Anyway, does anyone else feel like B/G midrange already has some decent building blocks to work with going into Ravnica?
That said, G-based Stompy is considered to be one of the decks least affected by rotation. Snek is obviously gone. With the R core rotating, we can hope that Chainwhirler doesn't have a deck and Llanowar Elves becomes playable. As I said above, I share your optimism. But I don't think I can really build new decks without seeing the new cards. I can't wait to start brewing in New Card Discussion.
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.
-Stay Frosty
grinding down opponent, with both Vraskas and Vivian Reid to keep the value creatures coming
3 Knight of Grace
3 Thorn Lieutenant
3 Resplendent Angel
3 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
3 Lyra Dawnbringer
2 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
2 Vivien Reid
4 History of Benalia
3 Ixalan's Binding
4 Flower // Flourish
10 Plains
5 Forest
4 Temple Garden
4 Sunpetal Grove
2 Deathgorge Scavenger
3 Carnage Tyrant
2 Dawn of Hope
2 Invoke the Divine
2 Settle the Wreckage
The only thing I have trouble with is a turn two Goblin Electromancer. I don't have good removal for it and it allows my UR Arclight opponent to go off. Maybe Baffling End over Seal Away?
Jeskai Control
Mardu Pyromancer
RIP GU Infect
A_E_I_Own_U, I think I asked you to start this. If you feel burned, I apologize and welcome any appropriate private feedback.
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.