Personally I'm a fan of small white based creatures. When devotion became a thing I was quite upset that White couldn't quite find a place in the metagame despite having a wide variety of creatures across the mana curve. This deck allows you to contuine to play those White Weenies while also casting big impacting spells such as Sphinx's Revelation and Angel of Serenity. It has some control elements as well in the deck which can always be fun.
The Creature list is pretty straight forward, play the best White, creatures possible that provide a lot of devotion towards the color. Creatures that also play well with Ephara are even better. Precinct Captain and Brimaz, King of Orsekos both provide a two devotion and play off of Ephara, allowing you to draw multiple cards. Boros Reckoner can cause a magnitude of problems for other creature based decks, while providing a ton of devotion.
Heliod is another creature/enchantment that works well with Ephara. He's hard to remove, and combined with Ephara he turns four mana into a 2/1 that draws you card. He also gives our creatures vigilance, which is very important against aggressive decks.
Soldier of the Pantheon is in the deck because he provides turn 1 devotion, threatens on turn 1, as well as still can gain you quite a bit of life in the format and dodge Detention Sphere, Boros Reckoner, Voice of Resurgence, Nightviel Specter, Frostburn Weird, and whatever other multicolor removal spell or creature I'm forgetting.
This deck is light on removal, only playing 4 Detention Sphere, and a single pacifism main board. Come sideboard, the deck is much better positioned against creatures by removing them with Banisher Priest and Last Breath. Detention Sphere is card you want to see each game if possible. Spear of Heliod can also act as removal, but generally it won't get the chance to.
The deck has a few tricks up its sleeve to put our creatures on par with other decks, or the ability to just flat out ignore them. Spear of Heliod makes our guys much bigger, as well as doubles as removal (though you generally you want to be spending your mana elsewhere). Brave the Elements allows us to alpha strike, and protect our devotion enablers.
Ajani, Caller of the Pride can improve our creatures, or flat out end the game (Double strike, flying Ephara is hilarious). Sometimes it's worth just putting +1/+1 counters on creatures, as opposed to just jumping.
A big part of what puts this deck in a good position is it's ability to draw cards from Ephara and Sphinx's Revelation. I've actually considered playing a third Ephara, just to draw more cards as opposed to the one of Pacifism.
Generally against decks with longer game plans (Mono-Black Devotion and U/W Control) you'll want to cast Sphinx's Revelation at some point, even if it's only for two to three.
Other than your creatures and Ajani, Caller of the Pride (I've killed people by hitting his ultimate), you have two main finishers. Angel of Serenity which removes any threats your creatures face, or threatens to refill your hand with creatures.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion also finishes and closes out games quickly, while probably being our best cards versus G/R Monsters.
Both of these can be cast as early as turn 4 with the hands.
These are cards that I currently don't play in my deck, but are worth considering if you want to build something like this.
Deupty of Acquittals interacts with well with Ephara, as well as can save your creatures from something terrible like... Bile Blight or Hero's Downfall.
Gideon, Champion of Justice is another great card that allows you to keep steady devotion, while threatening to blow up the board/attack for a lot. Trust me an indestructible 9/9 on turn 5 is scary!
Azorious Charm now this card would be extremely good for you against Aggro match ups. The ability to give your creatures life link, and set their attack back a turn is fantastic. Against other decks you can cycle it and draw another card.
Lyev Skyknight. Not digging Brimaz, King of Orsekos? Might wana try out Lyev Skyknight. His ability to fly, combined with the fact he can detain anything as he flies into play (INCLUDING PLANESWALKERS) is awesome.
Big fan of Brave the Elements. I would suggest you add a couple more of them.
Instead of Pacifism perhaps try Martial Law ? I know it is more costly, but one Pacifism doesn't seem to do much here. If you want removal, Celestial Flare would be a good option.
Blind Obedience is often overlooked but it absolutely wrecks decks that rely on haste and casting blockers after attacking. It also triggers Archangel in the late game.
For the love of god or whatever equivalent entity you worship, please change your icon pic. You're going to give some poor guy with epilepsy a seizure, and the rest of humanity a migraine.
Love,
Me.
P.S. - this deck looks amazing. wish I had the cash to afford it.
The sideboard needs some work. Well, the main deck too. The game plan is to clog up the board with Brimaz and the Captain until I can get Elspeth or Archangel out, at which point I should be able to easily overwhelm my opponent. Having played only 4 rounds with the deck, here's how I feel about it.
I've been really disappointed with Heliod. Whenever I played him I wished he were something with more white mana symbols for Nykthos. Which is kinda funny, b/c if I had more mana symbols on the table then maybe Heliod would be a creature and I'd like him more. But during my games I just wanted to be able to get more mana off Nykthos to play Archangels or Rev or really anything else. Also, Blind Obediance doesn't seem that great here. I often didn't have extra mana for the extort until I'd already stabalized and didn't really need it. The interaction with Archangel is cool, but if I had Archangel out I was probably already winning and I have other sources of lifegain. Getting a creature or two down early, whether it be to block against aggro or apply pressure to control, is crucial so I think I want to add Fiendslayer Paladin. I never got to play Ephara, so I definitely need to bump her number up. Blood Baren is an issue, and I assume that Stormbreath Dragon will be too. Technically I have answers to them, but not really good ones. I'm going to try adding Pongify to the board to deal with them. Also, I kept feeling like I wanted more non-creature permanents that provide devotion. I really love playing Ajani in my G/W aggro deck, I'm just not sure if it fits in here. It would be nice to be able to put Brimaz out of mortars range though. I'll be adding Angel of Serenity, I was just waiting on shipping. Also, while I'm planning on adding the Fiendslayer Paladin, I don't have any yet. So here's what I'm planning on playing at my shop tonight:
Devotion to Ephara, is a White/Blue midrange deck that focses on playing creatures, and drawing cards with Ephara, God of Polis or Sphinx's Revelation. Combined with Detention Sphere, Angel of Serenity, and Elspeth, Sun's Champion you can easily remove threats in your way to win the game.
Personally I'm a fan of small white based creatures. When devotion became a thing I was quite upset that White couldn't quite find a place in the metagame despite having a wide variety of creatures across the mana curve. This deck allows you to contuine to play those White Weenies while also casting big impacting spells such as Sphinx's Revelation and Angel of Serenity. It has some control elements as well in the deck which can always be fun.
4 Soldier of the Pantheon
4 Precinct Captain
4 Boros Reckoner
2 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Ephara, God of the Polis
2 Heliod, God of the Sun
2 Angel of Serenity
Spells: 11
4 Detention Sphere
1 Pacifism
2 Spear of Heliod
2 Brave the Elements
2 Sphinx's Revelation
2 Ajani, Caller of the Pride
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Lands: 25
2 Azorius Guildgate
4 Hallowed Fountain
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
12 Plains
4 Temple of Enlightenment
3 Banisher Priest
2 Glare of Heresy
2 Last Breath
2 Negate
3 Rapid Hybridization
3 Revoke Existence
The Creature list is pretty straight forward, play the best White, creatures possible that provide a lot of devotion towards the color. Creatures that also play well with Ephara are even better. Precinct Captain and Brimaz, King of Orsekos both provide a two devotion and play off of Ephara, allowing you to draw multiple cards. Boros Reckoner can cause a magnitude of problems for other creature based decks, while providing a ton of devotion.
Heliod is another creature/enchantment that works well with Ephara. He's hard to remove, and combined with Ephara he turns four mana into a 2/1 that draws you card. He also gives our creatures vigilance, which is very important against aggressive decks.
Soldier of the Pantheon is in the deck because he provides turn 1 devotion, threatens on turn 1, as well as still can gain you quite a bit of life in the format and dodge Detention Sphere, Boros Reckoner, Voice of Resurgence, Nightviel Specter, Frostburn Weird, and whatever other multicolor removal spell or creature I'm forgetting.
This deck is light on removal, only playing 4 Detention Sphere, and a single pacifism main board. Come sideboard, the deck is much better positioned against creatures by removing them with Banisher Priest and Last Breath. Detention Sphere is card you want to see each game if possible. Spear of Heliod can also act as removal, but generally it won't get the chance to.
The deck has a few tricks up its sleeve to put our creatures on par with other decks, or the ability to just flat out ignore them. Spear of Heliod makes our guys much bigger, as well as doubles as removal (though you generally you want to be spending your mana elsewhere). Brave the Elements allows us to alpha strike, and protect our devotion enablers.
Ajani, Caller of the Pride can improve our creatures, or flat out end the game (Double strike, flying Ephara is hilarious). Sometimes it's worth just putting +1/+1 counters on creatures, as opposed to just jumping.
A big part of what puts this deck in a good position is it's ability to draw cards from Ephara and Sphinx's Revelation. I've actually considered playing a third Ephara, just to draw more cards as opposed to the one of Pacifism.
Generally against decks with longer game plans (Mono-Black Devotion and U/W Control) you'll want to cast Sphinx's Revelation at some point, even if it's only for two to three.
Other than your creatures and Ajani, Caller of the Pride (I've killed people by hitting his ultimate), you have two main finishers. Angel of Serenity which removes any threats your creatures face, or threatens to refill your hand with creatures.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion also finishes and closes out games quickly, while probably being our best cards versus G/R Monsters.
Both of these can be cast as early as turn 4 with the hands.
These are cards that I currently don't play in my deck, but are worth considering if you want to build something like this.
Deupty of Acquittals interacts with well with Ephara, as well as can save your creatures from something terrible like... Bile Blight or Hero's Downfall.
Gideon, Champion of Justice is another great card that allows you to keep steady devotion, while threatening to blow up the board/attack for a lot. Trust me an indestructible 9/9 on turn 5 is scary!
Azorious Charm now this card would be extremely good for you against Aggro match ups. The ability to give your creatures life link, and set their attack back a turn is fantastic. Against other decks you can cycle it and draw another card.
Lyev Skyknight. Not digging Brimaz, King of Orsekos? Might wana try out Lyev Skyknight. His ability to fly, combined with the fact he can detain anything as he flies into play (INCLUDING PLANESWALKERS) is awesome.
Lavinia of the Tenth is a card that surprisingly can setup alpha strikes and end games for you. She hits most creatures in the format, as well as Jace, Architect of Thought.
This deck is still very much a work in progress (especially the sideboard). All comments and criticism are welcome, as long as they are constructive.
Standard
WUW/U HumansUW
Modern
WBW/B TokensBW
Instead of Pacifism perhaps try Martial Law ? I know it is more costly, but one Pacifism doesn't seem to do much here. If you want removal, Celestial Flare would be a good option.
4x Precinct Captain
3x Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2x Fiendslayer Paladin
2x Heliod, God of the Sun
2x Ephara, God of the Polis
4x Archangel of Thune
1x Angel of Serenity
Spells (16)
2x Blind Obedience
3x Celestial Flare
4x Detention Sphere
2x Spear of Heliod
2x Elspeth, Sun's Champion
3x Sphinx's Revelation
12x Plains
4x Island
4x Temple of Enlightenment
4x Hallowed Fountain
2x Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
3x Daring Skyjek
4x Soldier of the Pantheon
3x Supreme Verdict
2x Jace, Memory Adept
1x Elixir of Immortality
2x Revoke Existence
For card reasonings, check out my thread: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/standard-type-2/standard-deck-creation/504873-devotion-to-archangel-u-w-midrange-edition?page=5
Blind Obedience is often overlooked but it absolutely wrecks decks that rely on haste and casting blockers after attacking. It also triggers Archangel in the late game.
Arrest would also work well in this deck.
For the love of god or whatever equivalent entity you worship, please change your icon pic. You're going to give some poor guy with epilepsy a seizure, and the rest of humanity a migraine.
Love,
Me.
P.S. - this deck looks amazing. wish I had the cash to afford it.
4 Archangel of Thune
4 Precinct Captain
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1 Ephara, God of the Polis
2 Heliod, God of the Sun
Planeswalkers (4)
4 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Lands (27)
3 Island
11 Plains
2 Azorius Guildgate
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Temple of Enlightenment
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2 Blind Obedience
4 Detention Sphere
4 Azorius Charm
3 Sphinx's Revelation
2 Spear Of Heliod
1 Pithing Needle
3 Glare of Heresy
2 Celestial Flare
2 Last Breath
3 Negate
2 Revoke Existence
2 Supreme Verdict
The sideboard needs some work. Well, the main deck too. The game plan is to clog up the board with Brimaz and the Captain until I can get Elspeth or Archangel out, at which point I should be able to easily overwhelm my opponent. Having played only 4 rounds with the deck, here's how I feel about it.
I've been really disappointed with Heliod. Whenever I played him I wished he were something with more white mana symbols for Nykthos. Which is kinda funny, b/c if I had more mana symbols on the table then maybe Heliod would be a creature and I'd like him more. But during my games I just wanted to be able to get more mana off Nykthos to play Archangels or Rev or really anything else. Also, Blind Obediance doesn't seem that great here. I often didn't have extra mana for the extort until I'd already stabalized and didn't really need it. The interaction with Archangel is cool, but if I had Archangel out I was probably already winning and I have other sources of lifegain. Getting a creature or two down early, whether it be to block against aggro or apply pressure to control, is crucial so I think I want to add Fiendslayer Paladin. I never got to play Ephara, so I definitely need to bump her number up. Blood Baren is an issue, and I assume that Stormbreath Dragon will be too. Technically I have answers to them, but not really good ones. I'm going to try adding Pongify to the board to deal with them. Also, I kept feeling like I wanted more non-creature permanents that provide devotion. I really love playing Ajani in my G/W aggro deck, I'm just not sure if it fits in here. It would be nice to be able to put Brimaz out of mortars range though. I'll be adding Angel of Serenity, I was just waiting on shipping. Also, while I'm planning on adding the Fiendslayer Paladin, I don't have any yet. So here's what I'm planning on playing at my shop tonight:
4 Archangel of Thune
4 Precinct Captain
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Ephara, God of the Polis
Planeswalkers (5)
3 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
2 Ajani, Caller of the Pride
Lands (27)
3 Island
11 Plains
2 Azorius Guildgate
4 Hallowed Fountain
4 Temple of Enlightenment
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Detention Sphere
4 Azorius Charm
4 Sphinx's Revelation
3 Spear Of Heliod
3 Angel of Serenity
2 Glare of Heresy
4 Pongify
2 Negate
2 Revoke Existence
2 Supreme Verdict