I chickened out at the last minute and put Silence in the sideboard instead of in the main. I found a few instances where I really wish I had one to cast, had one instance where it was "meh", but only because I was undergoing a bad-mana situation, and put it to good use before my attack phase, preventing a celestial flare from eating my geist.
Mutavault seemed ok, but Moorland Haunt was a HOUSE for me this weekend. It was especially painful against a deck that was trying to Drownyard me to death. His drownyard kept providing me spirit-fuel, and he had to ease back on trying to mill me.
With the extra lands in my Sideboard, I was able to include two Sigarda, Host of Herons, and I never had trouble casting her.
Silence worked ok but used Essence Scattertoday instead and I think that helps me more vs Jund which is very present at my LGS.
Not sure yet if I will keep it in my side board.
Some bant decks are evolving into 4c decks due to cards like Madcap Skills. Volcanic Strength is also a good sideboard card and Boros Charm is good for sweeps and double strike can end games...any thoughts?
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"I hope to have such a death—lying in triumph upon the broken bodies of those who slew me."
—Radha, Keldon warlord
At first I think budget deck, but then I see the Witchstalkers and the mana base. However, if this IS a low-mid range budget attempt, I would recommend trying mono-color decks instead to be able to save money for better non-land spells. Mono red or mono white seem to be working pretty well recently.
If you're a budget player you can stop reading here. Or keep reading for ideas, you choice
First, why 2 colors. Gift of Orzhova doesn't count since it's hybrid. This deck really thrives on 3. With no blue, you lose out on the better hexproof creatures in the format Geist and Stalker. Thus, this should be in a variant thread anyway (since it's not Bant Hexproof). You should also read this thread to see all the other blue cards that support the deck (primarily Moorland Haunt, Spectral Flight, and Simic Charm)
Broke out Bantchantments again after a few months of hibernation for a GPT Sunday, ended up undefeated in the swiss and prize split in the finals as neither of us were going to the GP.
No huge writeup, I honestly didn't keep any notes as i was just playing because I missed FNM & wanted to play, so going from memory.
Round 1 vs RG Aggro
2-1
Just came down to bashing through, kept a shaky hand G1 and didn't get a hexproof guy but got some beats in with a suited up pilgrim.
Round 2 vs UWR Control
2-1
Thought this would be a problem match, G1 lost to Aetherling beating me down. G2 & 3 he had to mull to 5 both times, and made some bad blocks with Resto so ended up taking it down. Triple ethereal armor, rancor & stalker hand in G2 helped out, baited out counters and got double armor then rancor onto him and it was game.
Round 3 vs Jund
2-1
Another one that was a tough match, got LotV online and got rid of my scout,
abrupt decay on my unflinching courage on the next guy decided the game when I couldn't stay in long enough to survive a thragtusk beatdown. G2 & 3 I had Sigarda in hand but never needed to cast it, I had almost nut draws to end the games quickly.
Round 4 vs GW Elf ramp
2-1
G1 I kept a stupid hand for laughs that consisted of forest, 4x rancor, pilgrim & spectral flight. Turn 2 drew a breeding pool, double rancor on the pilgrim. T3 he played elvish visionary to block, then conceded when I played the 3rd rancor & spectral flight. G2 got beat by plenty of elves getting pumped by township, and a timely thragtusk kept him in long enough. G3 got geist suited up swinging for T3 and it was over quickly
Round 5 vs Mono G Elf ramp
1-1-1
Ended up ID'ing this round, I was the only 4-0 player there and my opponent didn't want to risk losing out on Top 8. I was the highest points so still got to be on the play in top 8 which suited me & the deck just fine.
Semi Finals vs Junk Reanimator
2-1
My opponent this round also plays bantchantments, took it to a decent 15th place in a large (for Australia) 160 odd player PTQ earlier in the year and we'd been discussing strategy & decks earlier. Nothing too exciting, he knew my deck inside & out and knew what was coming his way before I announced it.
Quarter Finals vs GW Elf Ramp
2-0
Same opponent as earlier, G1 got through with geist. G2 I had to mull to 4 before I saw a land, a very painful position to be in. Ended up keeping Pilgrim, Breeding Pool, Geist & Spectral Flight.
T1 - Drew ethereal armor, shocked myself & played pilgrim
T2 - drew temple garden, windmill slammed it & geist down
T3 - drew land, suited up geist with the flight & armor and swung for 10. Opponent drew for his turn then conceded.
This was the most miracle game of the day, any land saved me but getting the armor as well was just icing on top.
Finals vs Mono G Elf Ramp
This was a concession from me after we prize split, we both weren't going to the GP but after 7 hours of games I was tired & hungry.
This has been the most consistent version I've played over the last 9-10 months, the only changes I plan to make are really the 2 flex slots in the deck & the sideboard. The daggers didn't make too much impact throughout the day, but were useful as a power boost that stuck around. Might change them back to Simic Charm's to combat abrupt decay, or to Gifts for the extra lifegain which kept me going in several games. Jedi paladin had almost 0 impact on the deck during the day, he only saw play once and got sided out for the witchstalker a lot of the time which also never hit the table. All the work was geist & stalker. I think 3 galdecovers is the correct number, it ended up being a chump blocker a lot of the time but was useful turn 1. I probably played 1 land too many, so might add Ajani back into the main as well.
Broke out Bantchantments again after a few months of hibernation for a GPT Sunday, ended up undefeated in the swiss and prize split in the finals as neither of us were going to the GP.
This looks like a great list, thank you for sharing. I do have some questions about sideboarding:
I've been playing this deck for a while with strangleroots mainboard and had some good success. I really like strangleroot in the deck and i rarly have problems casting it early.
And whats the plan vs jund? this is the deck that gives me the most trouble, and what sideboard cards are good here?
This looks like a great list, thank you for sharing.
I tried the list tonight at FNM and went a disappointing 2-2 for 5th place. The don't think I made any real mistakes, lost to Esper control and a Selesnya version of the deck. In the last games I drew 2x Fog and would have won if I had drawn anything useful in the last two turns instead of land.
I did not feel the Silver-Inlaid Dagger love. I like the argument about its durability and flexibility, but I feel I'd rather have Bonds of Faith instead. For now, I'm going back to Simic Charm (with Selesnya Charm in sideboard). When I have more time to experiment, I'm going to try Bonds of Faith.
This is the list that I brought to Game Day: Simic Charm is back, and down to 22 lands. I ended up winning both Saturday and Sunday at two different stores (although both were small events – where are people?).
This is the list that I brought to Game Day: Simic Charm is back, and down to 22 lands. I ended up winning both Saturday and Sunday at two different stores (although both were small events – where are people?).
Lost to Jund on Friday and feel Spell Rupture needs to be at least in the sideboard. Mana flooded in game 1 and had all my creatures wiped twice in second game.
I have been having a hard time thinking about the deck lately, knowing that so much is changing soon. I had a little shot of hope last night when i looked at theros spoilers and saw two creative auras. Neither one is amazing (and if im not mistaken i think one of them is a reprint) but i do feel encouraged.
A few good auras would give this deck a nice shot in the arm.
I know I have stopped playing this deck, but I came back in hopes to see what people thought of the GP in Japan on the weekend...
*insert crickets chirping here*
WTF??? Come on guys, I know rotation is in a month and a bit, but come on!!! "We" just won a friggin' Grand Prix!!!! I am almost ready to go back to this deck right up until rotation as I have had really good results with it. Rejoice, we are victorious!!!!
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LMAC
Decks I am playing:
taking suggestions (Legacy)
Elf Company GW (Modern)
Abbot Aggro R (Standard)
Maralen of the Mornsong B(Commander)
I am glad to see it of course but the only major innovation of M13 is the Fiendslayer Paladin and I think we pretty much had that covered a month ago. We were a homerun deck before, we're still a homerun deck. The environment is a little friendlier for us with Jund on a downturn.
I think that the Theros spoilers are hinting pretty strongly at a new direction for us to take. Without giving anything away I will say that hexproof creatures might not be strictly necessary anymore. Theros is going to be good for us one way or another. We might have to play it a little differently - perhaps even flip all the way into some kind of a pillow-fort shell for all I know. Whatever form it takes, I'm confident that aura-based strategies are going to be a force.
There are local metas that demand more lifegain but you're generally better off with spectral flight. If you do have a meta that demands GoO then you should play some Overgrown Tombs so that you have an easier time casting it.
I now have 8 Hallowed Fountain, which means I don't have to switch them between decks. I'm going to put Bant Hexproof back together again. There are at least 12 tournaments I can play in between now and rotation so it's worth a shot. This is how I'd go:
I'm still playing this and so proud of this deck. I remember when I was the only one playing this in my area. Posted my build on Ideas and then someone told me that it already has a thread at Developing. I couldn't have been more happier when I found out that I wasn't the only one trying this out.
It was only a handful of people back then concocting this deck, I wasn't even involve but I visit the thread a lot for new builds. Few people are playing it outside but then the deck was doing well online, then it won a GP, and then an SCG, and people began to take it more seriously.
I do feel vindicated, specially when back then I was reading and hearing comments like: "It's not a real deck", "It's a fun deck, that's all", and "Too casual". For me, this is one of the most fun decks I've ever played with and I hope its success continues beyond Innistrad.
I congratulate you guys for a job well done and hope to read more of your builds on Bant Aura/ Bant Enchantment/ Bant Hexproof/ or whatever it is called in the future.
Oh, and Bant Aura just won another GP recently.
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Going back to Europe Tonight. will say goodbye to you all.
I'm still playing this and so proud of this deck. I remember when I was the only one playing this in my area. Posted my build on Ideas and then someone told me that it already has a thread at Developing. I couldn't have been more happier when I found out that I wasn't the only one trying this out.
It was only a handful of people back then concocting this deck, I wasn't even involve but I visit the thread a lot for new builds. Few people are playing it outside but then the deck was doing well online, then it won a GP, and then an SCG, and people began to take it more seriously.
I do feel vindicated, specially when back then I was reading and hearing comments like: "It's not a real deck", "It's a fun deck, that's all", and "Too casual". For me, this is one of the most fun decks I've ever played with and I hope its success continues beyond Innistrad.
I congratulate you guys for a job well done and hope to read more of your builds on Bant Aura/ Bant Enchantment/ Bant Hexproof/ or whatever it is called in the future.
Oh, and Bant Aura just won another GP recently.
High five. Very nice.
Yes i am very proud to have worked on this. Unfortunately i think that the current version is essentially a mature concept which means i don't get to play johnny as much as i used to.
I for one believe that auras (the entire subtype) have lots of untapped potential. I think it is great to allow players to build up their side a bit without making themselves vulnerable to blowouts via wrath of god effects. Unfortunately the current environment is too creature centered for that.
I do sometimes worry that i might have missed a way to make an even better deck but i would imagine that if bant enchant got any better we'd be risking the intervention of the ban hammer.
Mutavault seemed ok, but Moorland Haunt was a HOUSE for me this weekend. It was especially painful against a deck that was trying to Drownyard me to death. His drownyard kept providing me spirit-fuel, and he had to ease back on trying to mill me.
With the extra lands in my Sideboard, I was able to include two Sigarda, Host of Herons, and I never had trouble casting her.
Not sure yet if I will keep it in my side board.
—Radha, Keldon warlord
4x Witchstalker
4x forced Adaptation
4x Trollhide
4x Gift of the orzhov
4x Dark favor
4x Indestructibility
4x Unflinching Courage
4x Putrefy
4x Temple Garden
4x Godless Shrine
4x Swamp
4x Forest
Any Advice?
UBRBLACK ROSE COMMANDERUBR
WURGBTrades - Looking for ABU Duals, Fetches, Ect. Have Liliana otV, Snapcaster Mages, Chrod of Calling, Alters!WURGB
Commander
Omnath, Locus of Mana
GWBUR Genju of The Realms RUBWG
At first I think budget deck, but then I see the Witchstalkers and the mana base. However, if this IS a low-mid range budget attempt, I would recommend trying mono-color decks instead to be able to save money for better non-land spells. Mono red or mono white seem to be working pretty well recently.
If you're a budget player you can stop reading here. Or keep reading for ideas, you choice
First, why 2 colors. Gift of Orzhova doesn't count since it's hybrid. This deck really thrives on 3. With no blue, you lose out on the better hexproof creatures in the format Geist and Stalker. Thus, this should be in a variant thread anyway (since it's not Bant Hexproof). You should also read this thread to see all the other blue cards that support the deck (primarily Moorland Haunt, Spectral Flight, and Simic Charm)
Second, why no Ethereal Armor or Rancor. You actually chose cards like Forced Adaptation over them when you still run white?
C Kozilek C
GB Gitrog GB
G Titania G
WU Brago WU
GB MerenGB
Duel Commander Decks
UR Keranos UR
BRG Jund BRG
GR Tron GR GW Tron GW
C Eldrazi Tron (SB) C
BG Lantern Control BG
UW Control (SB) UW
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Gladecover Scout
4 Invisible Stalker
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Fiendslayer Paladin
Pants
4 Ethereal Armor
4 Rancor
4 Spectral Flight
4 Unflinching Courage
2 Silver-inlaid Dagger
3 Forest
4 Breeding Pool
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Temple Garden
3 Hinterland Harbor
3 Sunpetal Grove
2 Glacial Fortress
2 Silence
3 Mending Touch
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
2 Selesnya Charm
3 Fog
3 Witchstalker
No huge writeup, I honestly didn't keep any notes as i was just playing because I missed FNM & wanted to play, so going from memory.
Round 1 vs RG Aggro
2-1
Just came down to bashing through, kept a shaky hand G1 and didn't get a hexproof guy but got some beats in with a suited up pilgrim.
Round 2 vs UWR Control
2-1
Thought this would be a problem match, G1 lost to Aetherling beating me down. G2 & 3 he had to mull to 5 both times, and made some bad blocks with Resto so ended up taking it down. Triple ethereal armor, rancor & stalker hand in G2 helped out, baited out counters and got double armor then rancor onto him and it was game.
Round 3 vs Jund
2-1
Another one that was a tough match, got LotV online and got rid of my scout,
abrupt decay on my unflinching courage on the next guy decided the game when I couldn't stay in long enough to survive a thragtusk beatdown. G2 & 3 I had Sigarda in hand but never needed to cast it, I had almost nut draws to end the games quickly.
Round 4 vs GW Elf ramp
2-1
G1 I kept a stupid hand for laughs that consisted of forest, 4x rancor, pilgrim & spectral flight. Turn 2 drew a breeding pool, double rancor on the pilgrim. T3 he played elvish visionary to block, then conceded when I played the 3rd rancor & spectral flight. G2 got beat by plenty of elves getting pumped by township, and a timely thragtusk kept him in long enough. G3 got geist suited up swinging for T3 and it was over quickly
Round 5 vs Mono G Elf ramp
1-1-1
Ended up ID'ing this round, I was the only 4-0 player there and my opponent didn't want to risk losing out on Top 8. I was the highest points so still got to be on the play in top 8 which suited me & the deck just fine.
Semi Finals vs Junk Reanimator
2-1
My opponent this round also plays bantchantments, took it to a decent 15th place in a large (for Australia) 160 odd player PTQ earlier in the year and we'd been discussing strategy & decks earlier. Nothing too exciting, he knew my deck inside & out and knew what was coming his way before I announced it.
Quarter Finals vs GW Elf Ramp
2-0
Same opponent as earlier, G1 got through with geist. G2 I had to mull to 4 before I saw a land, a very painful position to be in. Ended up keeping Pilgrim, Breeding Pool, Geist & Spectral Flight.
T1 - Drew ethereal armor, shocked myself & played pilgrim
T2 - drew temple garden, windmill slammed it & geist down
T3 - drew land, suited up geist with the flight & armor and swung for 10. Opponent drew for his turn then conceded.
This was the most miracle game of the day, any land saved me but getting the armor as well was just icing on top.
Finals vs Mono G Elf Ramp
This was a concession from me after we prize split, we both weren't going to the GP but after 7 hours of games I was tired & hungry.
This has been the most consistent version I've played over the last 9-10 months, the only changes I plan to make are really the 2 flex slots in the deck & the sideboard. The daggers didn't make too much impact throughout the day, but were useful as a power boost that stuck around. Might change them back to Simic Charm's to combat abrupt decay, or to Gifts for the extra lifegain which kept me going in several games. Jedi paladin had almost 0 impact on the deck during the day, he only saw play once and got sided out for the witchstalker a lot of the time which also never hit the table. All the work was geist & stalker. I think 3 galdecovers is the correct number, it ended up being a chump blocker a lot of the time but was useful turn 1. I probably played 1 land too many, so might add Ajani back into the main as well.
1. When you side in Fog or Mending Touch, I assume you side out 2x Silver-inlaid Dagger. What is the third card that you side out?
2. When you side in Sigarda, Host of Herons, what do you side out?
3. Would you consider 4x Witchstalker?
And whats the plan vs jund? this is the deck that gives me the most trouble, and what sideboard cards are good here?
my list:
4 Geist of Saint traft
4 Invisible Stalker
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
4 Strangleroot Geist
3 Gladecover Scout
Other Spells
2 Simic Sharm
2 Selesnya Charm
3 Unflinching Courage
4 Spectral Flight
4 Ethereal Armor
4 Rancor
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Breeding Pool
4 Temple Garden
4 Sunpetal Grove
3 Hinterland Harbor
2 Forest
1 Glacial Fortress
3 Loxodon Smiter
3 Mending Touch
2 Negate
2 Nearheath Pilgrim
2 Fog
2 Feeling of Dread
1 Unflinching Courage
Also, Im open to suggestions on how to improve my deck.
I did not feel the Silver-Inlaid Dagger love. I like the argument about its durability and flexibility, but I feel I'd rather have Bonds of Faith instead. For now, I'm going back to Simic Charm (with Selesnya Charm in sideboard). When I have more time to experiment, I'm going to try Bonds of Faith.
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Gladecover Scout
4 Invisible Stalker
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Fiendslayer Paladin
Pants
4 Ethereal Armor
4 Rancor
4 Spectral Flight
4 Unflinching Courage
3 Simic Charm
1 Forest
4 Breeding Pool
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Temple Garden
3 Hinterland Harbor
4 Sunpetal Grove
2 Glacial Fortress
3 Mending Touch
2 Sigarda, Host of Herons
3 Selesnya Charm
3 Fog
4 Witchstalker
By having 3x Simic Charm in the mainboard and 3x each of Mending Touch, Fog, and Selesnya Charm, sideboarding becomes easy swaps. Likewise, Witchstalker swaps with Fiendslayer Paladin when needed.
My best game was winning with just one land (Temple Garden) and a pumped up Avacyn's Pilgrim.
On Saturday, I played both the semifinal and final against UWR flash. I sided in Mending Touch and Witchstalker. In discussing with the players after the match, they said they feared Fiendslayer Paladin a lot more than Witchstalker. I disagree, since Azorius Charm hits Fiendslayer Paladin hard and red removal still doesn't touch Witchstalker. Thoughts?
Built in lifelink is hard to race for UWr Flash sometimes.
Modern Warp / UR Control / UR Storm / Naya Breachshift / ElectroBalance
Solidarity / Lands / Sneak and Show / Grixis Delver / Reanimator / Belcher / Storm / Dredge
A few good auras would give this deck a nice shot in the arm.
*insert crickets chirping here*
WTF??? Come on guys, I know rotation is in a month and a bit, but come on!!! "We" just won a friggin' Grand Prix!!!! I am almost ready to go back to this deck right up until rotation as I have had really good results with it. Rejoice, we are victorious!!!!
Decks I am playing:
taking suggestions (Legacy)
Elf Company GW (Modern)
Abbot Aggro R (Standard)
Maralen of the Mornsong B(Commander)
I think that the Theros spoilers are hinting pretty strongly at a new direction for us to take. Without giving anything away I will say that hexproof creatures might not be strictly necessary anymore. Theros is going to be good for us one way or another. We might have to play it a little differently - perhaps even flip all the way into some kind of a pillow-fort shell for all I know. Whatever form it takes, I'm confident that aura-based strategies are going to be a force.
There are local metas that demand more lifegain but you're generally better off with spectral flight. If you do have a meta that demands GoO then you should play some Overgrown Tombs so that you have an easier time casting it.
4 Avacyn's Pilgrim
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Gladecover Scout
4 Invisible Stalker
4 Voice of Resurgence
Enchantments (16)
4 Ethereal Armor
4 Rancor
4 Spectral Flight
4 Unflinching Courage
2 Simic Charm
Lands (22)
2 Forest
4 Breeding Pool
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Hinterland Harbor
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
1 Ajani, Caller of the Pride
4 Dryad Militant
4 Fiendslayer Paladin
4 Fog
2 Spell Rupture
It was only a handful of people back then concocting this deck, I wasn't even involve but I visit the thread a lot for new builds. Few people are playing it outside but then the deck was doing well online, then it won a GP, and then an SCG, and people began to take it more seriously.
I do feel vindicated, specially when back then I was reading and hearing comments like: "It's not a real deck", "It's a fun deck, that's all", and "Too casual". For me, this is one of the most fun decks I've ever played with and I hope its success continues beyond Innistrad.
I congratulate you guys for a job well done and hope to read more of your builds on Bant Aura/ Bant Enchantment/ Bant Hexproof/ or whatever it is called in the future.
Oh, and Bant Aura just won another GP recently.
High five. Very nice.
Yes i am very proud to have worked on this. Unfortunately i think that the current version is essentially a mature concept which means i don't get to play johnny as much as i used to.
I for one believe that auras (the entire subtype) have lots of untapped potential. I think it is great to allow players to build up their side a bit without making themselves vulnerable to blowouts via wrath of god effects. Unfortunately the current environment is too creature centered for that.
I do sometimes worry that i might have missed a way to make an even better deck but i would imagine that if bant enchant got any better we'd be risking the intervention of the ban hammer.
3 Avacyn's Pilgrim
3 Fiendslayer Paladin
4 Geist of Saint Traft
4 Gladecover Scout
4 Invisible Stalker
Enchantments (16)
4 Ethereal Armor
4 Rancor
4 Spectral Flight
4 Unflinching Courage
2 Simic Charm
Planeswalkers (2)
2 Ajani, Caller of the Pride
Lands (22)
2 Forest
4 Breeding Pool
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Hinterland Harbor
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
4 Dryad Militant
1 Fiendslayer Paladin
4 Fog
2 Oblivion Ring
4 Voice of Resurgence
I wonder what a Bant auras deck would look like post-rotation?