banner created by .handslikeguns [PRIMER] GOLGARI AGGRO "THE PLAGUE"
INTRODUCTION
G/B is my favorite color combination. Now that we have some great color fixing, almost any deck is possible right now. I like the elements of this deck because it can play the beatdown or the control depending on the matchup. The creatures are tough and resilient, allowing them to have a very intimidating board presence. I feel that this deck is far different then the The Rock deck because it is a pure aggro deck.
WHY PLAY "THE PLAGUE"?
If you enjoy making other decks removal useless, this is the deck for you. If you enjoy turning guys sideways, this is the deck for you. If you like interacting with your opponents, this deck does that. It is really fun all the interactions that occur.
DECKLIST
So this is a deck that I've been testing. I think if we can find a couple minor tweaks, the deck could be a real player in Standard. Anyway, here is some decklist to start:
Predator Ooze: Indestructible guy, good at providing beatdown or being a good roadblock.
Dreg Mangler: Haste guy that hits hard and fast. Scavenge is actually a very good ability that is relevant later in the game.
Wolfir Avenger: Flash makes it very good against control decks. Regeneration makes it even better against control decks, and a problem for creature based decks.
Lotleth Troll: Creating a creature that gets bigger and regenerates is really good right now. Very little can actually deal with this card.
Strangleroot Geist: Haste + Undying. It is one of the best creatures available in all of Standard.
Arbor Elf: Helps ramp us into our powerful three drops.
Ulvenwald Tracker: Makes every creature a possible removal spell. When combined with Regeneration creatures, it gets even more value.
Rancor: Makes sure our tough creatures are able to push through damage or able to trade with bigger guys.
Garruk, Primal Hunter: Makes the right size tokens, 3/3, and draws cards. Best Planeswalker in Standard in my opinion. Played in the Sideboard as well.
Abrupt Decay: Versatile card that is good against RDW, Zombies, enchantments, Liliana of the Veil, etc. Good Sideboard card.
Ultimate Price: Removal is removal. Good Sideboard card.
Tragic Slip: Kills early mana dorks, allows you to take out bigger creatures later in the game with the Morbid ability. Keeps Falkenrath Aristocrat in check. Good Sideboard card.
SIDEBOARD
Mark of the Vampire: Gains life, very relevant against RDW and Zombies. Also makes our creatures bigger in the mirror.
Deathrite Shaman: This card does so much. Gaining life against other aggro decks or providing the last points of damage to finish off an opponent. It also is amazing against the Reanimator decks that are creeping up again. One of the best cards in any format period. Some list play this guy maindeck which is perfectly fine. If you do, I think you need to play at least a couple Evolving Wilds just in case you need ramp.
Here is What I have been playing with some decent success. This is more midrange than what you have proposed but still does well. I haven't been able to test iv very extensively, but I have high hopes for it.
Grisly Savage is incredible! Instant speed, take a creature or land out of the top five cards of you library. Not only that, but it also allows you to pitch cards to your graveyard for scavenge or flashback. Also fuels splinterfright and more importantly Kessig Cagebreakers. Gnaw to the bone is incredibly good against aggro. It hits faster than Thragtusk. It is instant speed. If you get a grisly salvage, or a Lotleth troll out it will usually get you 6 life at least. Also don't feel bad pitching it with a Grisly Salvage thanks to its flashback. If you cast it from your hand, you can really get a lot of use from it casting it twice. If you have any thoughts I'd be glad to hear them. I'm still not entirely happy with the Sideboard
So I've done a ton of analysis the past couple days of all the G/B aggro/midrange decks that have done well (top 8's and 4-0 in Standard Daily's). Mathematicaly speaking (taking all cards in all deck and figuring out the raw numbers of how many are included in each deck that does well) this seems like the best deck possible:
This data is compiled from the past month. A more recent trend I've noticed is that decks are including Increasing Savagery, which might be the missing piece of the deck. I think am going to test this deck for the next week:
This deck is basically trying to be like a combo deck in certain matchups, but as well plays the tough, resilient creatures so that it can grind out victorys as well. A dream scenerio would be this opening hand:
Then you just add discard and protection spells like Ranger's Guile and Sheltering Word and you have an all in version.
So yeah, that's what I've been able to gather from some analysis. I will keep you updated on my testing. If others would like to help out with testing, please hit me up.
I like this decklist. Couple things I would change:
- If I am running Deathrite Shaman in the maindeck (which I sometimes do because it is awesome), I would run at least 2 Evolving Wilds in the deck just for the possible interaction of ramping.
- Still not a fan of Garruk Relentless in this deck. I didn't get a chance to watch any of the tournament, so I'm not sure if anyone watched any Golgari Aggro Decks play to see how he performs. I just don't like him because he either ends up being an overcosted Searing Spear or gets eaten by a flier. This deck should be getting ready to end the game the turns that the Planeswalkers come done and start impacting the board. I could see maybe having some combination in the sideboard for certain matchups, but in the maindeck I would use either more pure removal or Increasing Savagery at this point.
- The Sideboard seems all over the place. I really have no idea what to make of most of these choices. Tribute to Hunger seems okay against the Bant Hexproof Enchantment decks, but they usually have mana dorks on the board as well. I suppose Golgari Charm is pretty good in this matchup as well though. I have no idea what to make of the creatures in the sideboard at all.
- I would run 4x Dreg Manger and 2x Wolfir Avenger instead of 3x of each. Dreg Mangler has more value in this deck because of his scavenge ability. I could see running a pair of Wolfir Avenger in the sideboard though.
I agree with you on garruk. Doesn't seem like we can protect him enough to play him main. Sideboard material for sure though.
Is 22 land the general consensus here? I'm wondering if I should be running 23 in a list with four 4-drops and a five. I'm trying out Vraska the Unseen and liking her much more than little G so far. She protects herself (kind of) and her removal is more versatile.
Also, what do you think is the minimum creature count required to make efficient use of the troll? I was originally running 3 trolls and 22 creatures but that wasn't working too well so I'm trying a creature package based off Ken Moser's list.
Not really sure what to make of this deck to be honest. It seems like it's trying to be the "all-in" version that I posted about earlier, but I'm not feeling certain card choices. For starters I would drop the Dryad Militants for Deathrite Shamans. Second thing I would do is drop the Elvish Visionarys for more Dreg Manglers. I actually like the Ulvenwald Trackers in the sideboard, and I've actually already done that it because I side it out all the time. Here is a decklist that I've been playing online:
I think naming a deck after a pro who won with it is terrible (a la Flores Red)
I think Golgari is a fine name. There have been many BG decks but most are usually categorized as The Rock, but that archetype has more of a midrange/control connotation to it. This is a BG deck that focuses on creatures and graveyard interactions with said creatures. If anyone remembers the Golgari from the original Ravnica block - that's exactly what they're all about.
Also, I think I like Ulvenwald Tracker in the main 60. It synergies too well with Ooze, the creatures that can regenerate, and undying. Creature decks are about to hit the fan come GTC release, (Idk if you have played against the Boros Human deck yet, but it's a bit ridiculous,) so gearing toward beating them more might not be a bad idea. With that being said, cards like Blood Artist and Golgari Charm seem like completely viable, main-deckable options; both cards make trading and the "all out" plan better. Let me know what you think about it
This is a terrific primer, Slater! Thanks for putting it together, looking forward to the videos! I've been lurking for a while, having just recently decided to get back into standard. I modified the Golgari event deck and morphed it into something similar before stumbling across this thread. A few thoughts based on the hybrid version I've been play-testing with locally...
In the "all-in" version, which seems to be like it may be more viable post-GTC release, it could make for some explosive turns and massive pressure, and has great synergy with almost every card.
Chuck a card to your Troll, +2/+2, T1 Elf, T2 Ooze, T3 Menace, Swing with the Ooze for +2 counters. Now your Increasing Savagery comes out of your hand like it was cast with flashback, and even scavenging a Mangler turns into a potential gamechanger. Heck, it may even make some of the counter-centric GTC cards like Burst of Strength viable!
My only concern is that it'd be too disrupting to the tempo of the deck, and maybe more suited for a less aggro version, because it's fighting for the T3/T4 slot with Deadbridge and Savagery. In playtesting thusfar, it has seemed to be a bit of a win-more card, but man are they entertaining wins!
Another inclusion I've been playing with is Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord. I'm not convinced that it's a good mainboard card, but I think I'm going to chuck 1-2 in my sideboard against midrange and cards like Olivia Voldaren. When I lose to midrange, it's generally because they're able to stave off my initial assault and regain board control at 1-6 life. Of the few games I've gotten Jarad into play in these situations, he's broken the stalemate for me by essentially acting as a 3 cost fling. That said, Essence Harvest may be the cheaper, more reliable alternative.
This is a terrific primer, Slater! Thanks for putting it together, looking forward to the videos! I've been lurking for a while, having just recently decided to get back into standard. I modified the Golgari event deck and morphed it into something similar before stumbling across this thread. A few thoughts based on the hybrid version I've been play-testing with locally...
In the "all-in" version, which seems to be like it may be more viable post-GTC release, it could make for some explosive turns and massive pressure, and has great synergy with almost every card.
Chuck a card to your Troll, +2/+2, T1 Elf, T2 Ooze, T3 Menace, Swing with the Ooze for +2 counters. Now your Increasing Savagery comes out of your hand like it was cast with flashback, and even scavenging a Mangler turns into a potential gamechanger. Heck, it may even make some of the counter-centric GTC cards like Burst of Strength viable!
My only concern is that it'd be too disrupting to the tempo of the deck, and maybe more suited for a less aggro version, because it's fighting for the T3/T4 slot with Deadbridge and Savagery. In playtesting thusfar, it has seemed to be a bit of a win-more card, but man are they entertaining wins!
Another inclusion I've been playing with is Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord. I'm not convinced that it's a good mainboard card, but I think I'm going to chuck 1-2 in my sideboard against midrange and cards like Olivia Voldaren. When I lose to midrange, it's generally because they're able to stave off my initial assault and regain board control at 1-6 life. Of the few games I've gotten Jarad into play in these situations, he's broken the stalemate for me by essentially acting as a 3 cost fling. That said, Essence Harvest may be the cheaper, more reliable alternative.
Welcome to the thread! Glad to see that this deck is beginning to pick up steam... I've been following since it kind of broke out at the 50k Championship on 12/1/2012 (I already was playing a deck similiar but it was missing something, turned out I needed Predator Ooze) with a top 16 showing. For those curious, here is that deck list:
Man has the deck evolved a lot since then. I am going to be posting up soon some more deck list that have done well.
EDIT: About Corpsejack Menace, he is exactly who we thought he was (anyone get that?), he is a win-more card. I wouldn't personally play him, but he could be fine in a more casual/budget version of the deck.
Greg Hatch piloted the same 74 cards (he swapped 1x Tragic Slip for an Ultimate Price in the sideboard) to a top 16 finish at SCG Open Los Angeles 12.15.2012, which is the same time that Brian Kibler was playing the deck at the SCG Invitational. Thanks to Kibler, the deck became much more mainstream.
This deck is when it started to move away from the Planeswalkers for good. I believe that this is the same time that Kibler went up to 4x Dreg Mangler and 4x Strangleroot Geist.
This is kind of a random deck. Not sure what to make Desecration Demon in this deck, but he could be a good finisher. One thing I don't like is that he has a higher curve then most of the other decks running 22 land, I would have at least went with 23 land with this list.
I have one more deck list for you, this is the deck that got first at this tournament:
I'm not seeing the elvish archdruid.. why do this exactly?
Makes Shaman and Arbor Elf bigger, also allows for a turn 4 7/7 primordial hydra or a turn 4 revenge of the hunted. Although, this deck doesn't seem to be an Golgari Aggro deck at all.
I find that list intriguing but also very strange
Why wouldn't he use rancor? And wouldn't one ideally be using the little elves for their abilities rather than swinging? Hence negating the elf lord. It's such a lackluster list.. I like desecration demon as maybe a 1 or 2 -of though. Not sure about 3..
What do you guys think about Wolfir Silverheart? And upping the curve in general?
I personally think that a lower curve deck is better.
This deck punishes the slow reacting "control" decks (read: all the come into play tapped lands, doing nothing early except ramping/filtering their hand, etc.) out there by playing hasty, hard hitting, resilient creatures. The deck beats the other aggro decks by playing creatures that are bigger and "faster" (haste).
You start upping the curve, you are looking to get into the midrange playstyle, at which point you might as well start playing Jund for some of the better midrange cards that Red offers.
Thought I would finally get those promised play testing videos up. I didn't exactly get paired against top of the line decks, but it still goes to show the power of this deck.
Match 1 was against a R/G midrange deck.
Match 2 was against a Grixis deck, but the guy raged quit the match.
Match 3 was a mirror match. I think that I got kinda lucky.
Match 4 was against a "mono" black deck, interesting deck.
I've been working on a list; its pretty much typical, but I've been trying to run vampire night hawk over wolfir avenger and I've beening running a 1 of wolfir silverheart to tutor with garruk's flipside. After watching slater's vids, I really like essence harvest over nighthawk...seems like it'd be tons easier on the mana base. Also, golgari charm is an awesome addendum ive been running 2 sb myself....maybe they should be maindeck to help with these new hexproof decks coming up...also a card worth looking into is tribute to hunger. I have a feeling an edict effect will be needed now that bant's mana is fixed properly. Also any gtc Ideas for this deck?
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banner created by .handslikeguns
[PRIMER] GOLGARI AGGRO "THE PLAGUE"
INTRODUCTION
G/B is my favorite color combination. Now that we have some great color fixing, almost any deck is possible right now. I like the elements of this deck because it can play the beatdown or the control depending on the matchup. The creatures are tough and resilient, allowing them to have a very intimidating board presence. I feel that this deck is far different then the The Rock deck because it is a pure aggro deck.
WHY PLAY "THE PLAGUE"?
If you enjoy making other decks removal useless, this is the deck for you. If you enjoy turning guys sideways, this is the deck for you. If you like interacting with your opponents, this deck does that. It is really fun all the interactions that occur.
DECKLIST
So this is a deck that I've been testing. I think if we can find a couple minor tweaks, the deck could be a real player in Standard. Anyway, here is some decklist to start:
4x Dreg Mangler
4x Predator Ooze
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
4x Ulvenwald Tracker
4x Deathrite Shaman
Enchantments - 4
4x Rancor
4x Ultimate Price
2x Tragic Slip
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
2x Golgari Guildgate
2x Evolving Wilds
9x Forest
1x Swamp
3x Tribute to Hunger
1x Abrupt Decay
1x Golgari Charm
2x Ranger's Guile
2x Tragic Slip
3x Duress
3x Appetite for Brains
3x Deadbridge Goliath
2x Yeva, Nature's Herald
4x Predator Ooze
3x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
1x Deathrite Shaman
4x Rancor
Spells - 5
3x Ultimate Price
2x Tragic Slip
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemtery
1x Golgari Guildgate
2x Evolving Wilds
10x Forest
1x Swamp
2x Sever the Bloodline
2x Abrupt Decay
3x Deathrite Shaman
1x Ulvenwald Tracker
1x Tragic Slip
4x Duress
2x Appetite for Brains
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
3x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
3x Lotleth Troll
3x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
Planeswalkers - 3
3x Garruk Relentless
Enchantments - 4
4x Rancor
2x Death Wind
1x Abrupt Decay
2x Ultimate Price
2x Ranger's Guile
Land - 23
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
2x Golgari Guildgate
2x Evolving Wilds
10x Forest
1x Swamp
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
2x Mark of the Vampire
2x Sever the Bloodline
1x Abrupt Decay
3x Deathrite Shaman
1x Tragic Slip
4x Duress
MAIN DECK CARDS
Deadbridge Goliath: Big Insect.
Yeva, Nature's Herald: Sees play in some decks.
Predator Ooze: Indestructible guy, good at providing beatdown or being a good roadblock.
Dreg Mangler: Haste guy that hits hard and fast. Scavenge is actually a very good ability that is relevant later in the game.
Wolfir Avenger: Flash makes it very good against control decks. Regeneration makes it even better against control decks, and a problem for creature based decks.
Lotleth Troll: Creating a creature that gets bigger and regenerates is really good right now. Very little can actually deal with this card.
Strangleroot Geist: Haste + Undying. It is one of the best creatures available in all of Standard.
Arbor Elf: Helps ramp us into our powerful three drops.
Ulvenwald Tracker: Makes every creature a possible removal spell. When combined with Regeneration creatures, it gets even more value.
Rancor: Makes sure our tough creatures are able to push through damage or able to trade with bigger guys.
Garruk Relentless: Removal spell that creates tokens afterwards. Can play a Birthing Pod role as well.
Garruk, Primal Hunter: Makes the right size tokens, 3/3, and draws cards. Best Planeswalker in Standard in my opinion. Played in the Sideboard as well.
Increasing Savagery: What's better then a Deadbridge Goliath? A build your own hasty version. Sees play in some decks.
Death Wind: Scaling removal. Was having problems with Olivia Voldaren and Huntmaster of the Fells, this takes care of them better then anything else I have tried so far.
Abrupt Decay: Versatile card that is good against RDW, Zombies, enchantments, Liliana of the Veil, etc. Good Sideboard card.
Ultimate Price: Removal is removal. Good Sideboard card.
Tragic Slip: Kills early mana dorks, allows you to take out bigger creatures later in the game with the Morbid ability. Keeps Falkenrath Aristocrat in check. Good Sideboard card.
SIDEBOARD
Mark of the Vampire: Gains life, very relevant against RDW and Zombies. Also makes our creatures bigger in the mirror.
Sever the Bloodline: Good removal. Lingering Souls is still a good card right now.
Deathrite Shaman: This card does so much. Gaining life against other aggro decks or providing the last points of damage to finish off an opponent. It also is amazing against the Reanimator decks that are creeping up again. One of the best cards in any format period. Some list play this guy maindeck which is perfectly fine. If you do, I think you need to play at least a couple Evolving Wilds just in case you need ramp.
Duress + Appetite for Brains: The ability to take out removal, planeswalkers, Thragtusk, Restoration Angel, Angel of Serenity, etc. can't be understated.
Tribute to Hunger or Devour Flesh: Hexproof guys are a problem.
Golgari Charm: Good sideboard cards, does multiple things well. I love casting this when the Champion of the Parish ability is on the stack from either Mayor of Avabruck or Gather the Townsfolk.
Ranger's Guile: Feeling of Dread and Azorius Charm really hurt this deck.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
Thanks
Mabbz on MTGO | Demgrinds on Twitch & Twitter | Helpdesk
I think the deck could do without 4 rakdos return
Help me come up with a deck name.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
4 Overgrown Tomb
4 Woodland Cemetery
4 Evolving Wilds
7 Swamp
5 Forest
Creatures 22
3 Deathrite Shaman
3 Lotleth Troll
2 Splinterfright
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Dreg Mangler
2 Deathbridge Goliath
1 Wolfir Silverheart
2 Kessig Cagebreakers
3 Underworld Connections
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Abrubt Decay
2 Ultimate Prise
4 Grisly Slavage
1 Sever the Bloodline
3 Appetite for Brains
3 Desecration Demon
1 Wolfir Silverheart
2 Mutilate
2 Grafdigger's Cage
3 Gnaw to the Bone
Grisly Savage is incredible! Instant speed, take a creature or land out of the top five cards of you library. Not only that, but it also allows you to pitch cards to your graveyard for scavenge or flashback. Also fuels splinterfright and more importantly Kessig Cagebreakers. Gnaw to the bone is incredibly good against aggro. It hits faster than Thragtusk. It is instant speed. If you get a grisly salvage, or a Lotleth troll out it will usually get you 6 life at least. Also don't feel bad pitching it with a Grisly Salvage thanks to its flashback. If you cast it from your hand, you can really get a lot of use from it casting it twice. If you have any thoughts I'd be glad to hear them. I'm still not entirely happy with the Sideboard
Credit to Rivenor for the AWESOME sig.
RKrenko, Mob BossR
RWBAlesha, Who Smiles at DeathBWR
BRRakdos, Lord of RiotsRB
BGRProssh, Skyraider of KherDeckRGB
Modern:WBTokensBW
Standard: BUGSultai DeliriumGUB
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
3x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
3x Strangleroot Geist
3x Ulvenwald Tracker
4x Arbor Elf
2x Garruk Relentless
1x Garruk, Primal Hunter
Enchantments - 4
4x Rancor
Spells - 6
3x Tragic Slip
3x Ultimate Price
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
3x Golgari Guildgate
11x Forest
2x Sever the Bloodline
3x Deathrite Shaman
2x Ranger's Guile
4x Appetite for Brains
4x Duress
This data is compiled from the past month. A more recent trend I've noticed is that decks are including Increasing Savagery, which might be the missing piece of the deck. I think am going to test this deck for the next week:
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Dreg Mangler
4x Predator Ooze
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Arbor Elf
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
2x Deathrite Shaman
2x Increasing Savagery
4x Rancor
2x Ranger's Guile
2x Ultimate Price
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
2x Golgari Guildgate
2x Evolving Wilds
9x Forest
1x Swamp
2x Sever the Bloodline
2x Increasing Savagery
4x Duress
3x Appetite For Brains
2x Deathrite Shaman
2x Ranger's Guile
This deck is basically trying to be like a combo deck in certain matchups, but as well plays the tough, resilient creatures so that it can grind out victorys as well. A dream scenerio would be this opening hand:
Overgrown Tomb
Forest
Forest
Arbor Elf
Stangleroot Geist or Dreg Mangler
Rancor
Increasing Savagery
This opening hand, in a goldfish, would kill turn 4. This is almost like the Bant Enchantment decks out there, but not so narrow.
If you really wanted, you could go "all in" on this as well, so you have the shell:
4x Stangleroot Geist
4x Dreg Mangler
4x Increasing Savagery
Then you just add discard and protection spells like Ranger's Guile and Sheltering Word and you have an all in version.
So yeah, that's what I've been able to gather from some analysis. I will keep you updated on my testing. If others would like to help out with testing, please hit me up.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
3x Dreg Mangler
3x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Stangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
3x Ulvenwald Tracker
2x Deathrite Shaman
2x Garruk Relentless
Enchantments - 4
4x Rancor
Spells - 3
2x Ultimate Price
1x Tragic Slip
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
3x Golgari Guildgate
10x Forest
1x Swamp
1x Yeva, Nature's Herald
1x Sever the Bloodline
1x Dreg Mangler
1x Wolfir Avenger
2x Tribute to Hunger
2x Golgari Charm
1x Deathrite Shaman
2x Tragic Slip
2x Duress
2x Appetite for Brains
I like this decklist. Couple things I would change:
- If I am running Deathrite Shaman in the maindeck (which I sometimes do because it is awesome), I would run at least 2 Evolving Wilds in the deck just for the possible interaction of ramping.
- Still not a fan of Garruk Relentless in this deck. I didn't get a chance to watch any of the tournament, so I'm not sure if anyone watched any Golgari Aggro Decks play to see how he performs. I just don't like him because he either ends up being an overcosted Searing Spear or gets eaten by a flier. This deck should be getting ready to end the game the turns that the Planeswalkers come done and start impacting the board. I could see maybe having some combination in the sideboard for certain matchups, but in the maindeck I would use either more pure removal or Increasing Savagery at this point.
- The Sideboard seems all over the place. I really have no idea what to make of most of these choices. Tribute to Hunger seems okay against the Bant Hexproof Enchantment decks, but they usually have mana dorks on the board as well. I suppose Golgari Charm is pretty good in this matchup as well though. I have no idea what to make of the creatures in the sideboard at all.
- I would run 4x Dreg Manger and 2x Wolfir Avenger instead of 3x of each. Dreg Mangler has more value in this deck because of his scavenge ability. I could see running a pair of Wolfir Avenger in the sideboard though.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
Is 22 land the general consensus here? I'm wondering if I should be running 23 in a list with four 4-drops and a five. I'm trying out Vraska the Unseen and liking her much more than little G so far. She protects herself (kind of) and her removal is more versatile.
Also, what do you think is the minimum creature count required to make efficient use of the troll? I was originally running 3 trolls and 22 creatures but that wasn't working too well so I'm trying a creature package based off Ken Moser's list.
4 Arbor Elf
2 Ulvenwald Tracker
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Lotleth Troll
4 Dreg Mangler
4 Predator Ooze
2 Wolfir Avenger
2 Deadbridge Goliath
2 Yeva, Nature's Herald
4 Rancor
4 Tragic Slip
1 Ultimate Price
1 Vraska the Unseen
Lands 22:
4 Overgrown Tomb
4 Woodland Cemetery
3 Golgari Guildgate
10 Forest
1 Swamp
3 Deathrite Shaman
1 Ulvenwald Tracker
2 Golgari Charm
2 Abrupt Decay
2 Tribute to Hunger
2 Triumph of Ferocity
1 Essence Harvest
2 Garruk Relentless
Draft My Cube!
Vraksa the Unseen could be a good inclusion, I do like how it can destroy almost anything.
I believe the magic number for Lotleth Troll is between 25 and 30 creatures maindeck.
Try out Increasing Savagery in your maindeck in place of the Yeva, Nature's Herald (not really feeling it in this deck). It fits nicely with the scavange cost of Dreg Mangler and Deadbridge Goliath (it gives you "pump" spells at the 4, 5, and 6 CMC slots).
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
B Lover Since '09 ~
Standard:
meh.
Modern:
Urzatron GR
Vintage:
Contol-Slaver UBR
EDH:
Drana B
Jhoira UR
Savra BG
Turned into:
Adun Oakenshield BGR
Sharuum BUW
Turned into:
Memnarch U
KiKi-Jiki R
Turned into:
Godo R
Turned into:
Aurelia RW
The Mimeoplasm UBG
Rasputin Dreamweaver UW
Turned into:
Geist of Saint Traft -French 1v1 UW
Nekusar UBR
Well, the deck was developed before Kibler played it, and secondly that is a terrible name for this deck.
EDIT: Also wanted to add another decklist from a top 8 in the MTGO Standard Premier on 1.13.2013
4x Predator Ooze
2x Dreg Mangler
4x Strangleroot Geist
2x Elvish Visionary
4x Arbor Elf
2x Dryad Militant
Spells - 19
4x Increasing Savagery
4x Essence Harvest
2x Abrupt Decay
1x Golgari Charm
4x Ranger's Guile
4x Rancor
Land - 23
3x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
13x Forest
3x Swamp
2x Cavern of Souls
2x Deathrite Shaman
1x Dryad Militant
1x Golgari Charm
1x Sheltering Word
1x Thragtusk
2x Tragic Slip
2x Tribute to Hunger
1x Ultimate Price
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
Not really sure what to make of this deck to be honest. It seems like it's trying to be the "all-in" version that I posted about earlier, but I'm not feeling certain card choices. For starters I would drop the Dryad Militants for Deathrite Shamans. Second thing I would do is drop the Elvish Visionarys for more Dreg Manglers. I actually like the Ulvenwald Trackers in the sideboard, and I've actually already done that it because I side it out all the time. Here is a decklist that I've been playing online:
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
4x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
3x Ulvenwald Tracker
1x Deathrite Shaman
4x Rancor
Spells - 6
2x Death Wind
1x Ultimate Price
3x Tragic Slip
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
3x Golgari Guildgate
2x Evolving Wilds
8x Forest
1x Swamp
2x Sever the Bloodline
2x Mark of the Vampire
2x Tribute to Hunger
1x Abrupt Decay
2x Cremate
3x Duress
3x Appetite for Brains
This above deck list has been doing very good.
This next deck list is something I'm going to be playing today and I will be recording some games as well to post up later:
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
4x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Stangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
4x Deathrite Shaman
4x Rancor
Spells - 6
3x Ultimate Price
3x Tragic Slip
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
1x Golgari Guildgate
4x Evolving Wilds
8x Forest
1x Swamp
2x Sever the Bloodline
2x Essence Harvest
2x Abrupt Decay
2x Golgari Charm
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
3x Duress
2x Appetite for Brains
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
I think Golgari is a fine name. There have been many BG decks but most are usually categorized as The Rock, but that archetype has more of a midrange/control connotation to it. This is a BG deck that focuses on creatures and graveyard interactions with said creatures. If anyone remembers the Golgari from the original Ravnica block - that's exactly what they're all about.
Draft My Cube!
I like that name a lot actually. It just keeps growing and spreading.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
What do you guys think about 1-2 slots for Corpsejack Menace?
In the "all-in" version, which seems to be like it may be more viable post-GTC release, it could make for some explosive turns and massive pressure, and has great synergy with almost every card.
Chuck a card to your Troll, +2/+2, T1 Elf, T2 Ooze, T3 Menace, Swing with the Ooze for +2 counters. Now your Increasing Savagery comes out of your hand like it was cast with flashback, and even scavenging a Mangler turns into a potential gamechanger. Heck, it may even make some of the counter-centric GTC cards like Burst of Strength viable!
My only concern is that it'd be too disrupting to the tempo of the deck, and maybe more suited for a less aggro version, because it's fighting for the T3/T4 slot with Deadbridge and Savagery. In playtesting thusfar, it has seemed to be a bit of a win-more card, but man are they entertaining wins!
Another inclusion I've been playing with is Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord. I'm not convinced that it's a good mainboard card, but I think I'm going to chuck 1-2 in my sideboard against midrange and cards like Olivia Voldaren. When I lose to midrange, it's generally because they're able to stave off my initial assault and regain board control at 1-6 life. Of the few games I've gotten Jarad into play in these situations, he's broken the stalemate for me by essentially acting as a 3 cost fling. That said, Essence Harvest may be the cheaper, more reliable alternative.
Welcome to the thread! Glad to see that this deck is beginning to pick up steam... I've been following since it kind of broke out at the 50k Championship on 12/1/2012 (I already was playing a deck similiar but it was missing something, turned out I needed Predator Ooze) with a top 16 showing. For those curious, here is that deck list:
3x Wolfir Silverheart
4x Predator Ooze
3x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
Planeswalkers - 5
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
3x Garruk Relentless
4x Rancor
Spells - 5
2x Ultimate Price
3x Tragic Slip
Land - 24
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
4x Golgari Guildgate
12x Forest
1x Garruk, Primal Hunter
2x Vraska the Unseen
3x Silklash Spider
2x Thragtusk
2x Triumph of Ferocity
2x Ground Seal
2x Abrupt Decay
1x Golgari Charm
Man has the deck evolved a lot since then. I am going to be posting up soon some more deck list that have done well.
EDIT: About Corpsejack Menace, he is exactly who we thought he was (anyone get that?), he is a win-more card. I wouldn't personally play him, but he could be fine in a more casual/budget version of the deck.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
3x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
3x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
3x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
3x Ulvenwald Tracker
Planeswalkers - 3
1x Garruk, Primal Hunter
2x Garruk Relentless
4x Rancor
Spells - 4
3x Ultimate Price
1x Tragic Slip
Land - 23
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
3x Golgari Guildgate
11x Forest
1x Swamp
1x Garruk, Primal Hunter
2x Sever the Bloodline
3x Deathrite Shaman
2x Ranger's Guile
2x Tragic Slip
4x Duress
1x Appetite for Brains
Greg Hatch piloted the same 74 cards (he swapped 1x Tragic Slip for an Ultimate Price in the sideboard) to a top 16 finish at SCG Open Los Angeles 12.15.2012, which is the same time that Brian Kibler was playing the deck at the SCG Invitational. Thanks to Kibler, the deck became much more mainstream.
3x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
4x Dreg Mangler
2x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
3x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
3x Ulvenwald Tracker
Planeswalkers - 2
2x Garruk Relentless
4x Rancor
Spells - 4
1x Ultimate Price
3x Tragic Slip
Land - 23
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
1x Golgari Guildgate
2x Evolving Wilds
11x Forest
1x Swamp
3x Silklash Spider
2x Garruk Relentless
2x Sever the Bloodline
4x Deathrite Shaman
4x Duress
This deck is when it started to move away from the Planeswalkers for good. I believe that this is the same time that Kibler went up to 4x Dreg Mangler and 4x Strangleroot Geist.
2x Deadbridge Goliath
4x Predator Ooze
3x Dreg Mangler
3x Wolfir Avenger
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
1x Deathrite Shaman
2x Garruk Relentless
Enchantments - 4
4x Rancor
Spells - 5
2x Tribute to Hunger
1x Abrupt Decay
2x Ultimate Price
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
4x Golgari Guildgate
10x Forest
2x Sever the Bloodline
1x Wolfir Avenger
2x Liliana of the Veil
2x Triumph of Ferocity
1x Tribute to Hunger
1x Abrupt Decay
2x Deathrite Shaman
2x Appetite for Brains
2x Duress
2x Wolfir Silverheart
1x Desecration Demon
2x Deadbridge Goliath
3x Predator Ooze
4x Dreg Mangler
4x Lotleth Troll
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Arbor Elf
Planeswalkers - 3
2x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Garruk Relentless
3x Rancor
Spells - 8
3x Abrupt Decay
2x Sign in Blood
1x Ultimate Price
2x Tragic Slip
Land - 22
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
11x Forest
3x Swamp
2x Thragtusk
1x Garruk, Primal Hunter
1x Vraska the Unseen
1x Desecration Demon
2x Sever the Bloodline
2x Knight of Infamy
2x Ground Seal
2x Ulvenwald Tracker
2x Pithing Needle
This is kind of a random deck. Not sure what to make Desecration Demon in this deck, but he could be a good finisher. One thing I don't like is that he has a higher curve then most of the other decks running 22 land, I would have at least went with 23 land with this list.
I have one more deck list for you, this is the deck that got first at this tournament:
2x Primordial Hydra
3x Wolfir Silverheart
3x Desecration Demon
4x Elvish Archdruid
4x Arbor Elf
4x Deathrite Shaman
Planeswalkers - 3
3x Liliana of the Veil
Spells - 15
1x Revenge of the Hunted
2x Ultimate Price
4x Farseek
4x Ranger's Guile
4x Tragic Slip
4x Overgrown Tomb
4x Woodland Cemetery
11x Forest
3x Swamp
1x Revenge of the Hunted
2x Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
3x Naturalize
3x Plummet
1x Ultimate Price
3x Rancor
2x Tormod's Crypt
This deck I for sure would run 23 land minimum, and Liliana of the Veil seems next to impossible to land in decent time for her to make an impact (unless you are holding it to kill Geist of Saint Traft and/or Invisible Stalker). I do like the addition of Elvish Archdruid with it running the Deathrite Shaman in the main deck though.
Well, those are some other deck list to ponder over. Let me know how your testing goes.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
Draft My Cube!
Makes Shaman and Arbor Elf bigger, also allows for a turn 4 7/7 primordial hydra or a turn 4 revenge of the hunted. Although, this deck doesn't seem to be an Golgari Aggro deck at all.
Just for those explosive plays on turns 3 and 4, like a big Ooze or DD and another threat.
I personally wouldn't play it, but some people might like that option of having a lot of mana early game.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
Why wouldn't he use rancor? And wouldn't one ideally be using the little elves for their abilities rather than swinging? Hence negating the elf lord. It's such a lackluster list.. I like desecration demon as maybe a 1 or 2 -of though. Not sure about 3..
What do you guys think about Wolfir Silverheart? And upping the curve in general?
Draft My Cube!
This deck punishes the slow reacting "control" decks (read: all the come into play tapped lands, doing nothing early except ramping/filtering their hand, etc.) out there by playing hasty, hard hitting, resilient creatures. The deck beats the other aggro decks by playing creatures that are bigger and "faster" (haste).
You start upping the curve, you are looking to get into the midrange playstyle, at which point you might as well start playing Jund for some of the better midrange cards that Red offers.
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710
Match 1 was against a R/G midrange deck.
Match 2 was against a Grixis deck, but the guy raged quit the match.
Match 3 was a mirror match. I think that I got kinda lucky.
Match 4 was against a "mono" black deck, interesting deck.
Here is the playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYvY5Yfwxyw&list=PLdokYnSNfwiogoWsa6abpnt-D_30rN6ga
Look for me on MTGO, sslater
Follow me on Twitter, @slatertheman
My youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/sslater22710