Here is an Abzan Tempo lest that I have been tweaking for a bit. It runs a lower creature density than you might find in other Abzan Aggro lists, but it makes up for it with the power of the prowess creatures that take over the game if un-answered aka Seeker of the Way and Monastery Mentor. The different combat tricks make people play cautiously or get ruined. God's Willing, valorous stance, and dromoka's command protect the creatures from the high removal density and help you maintain your tempo game. Generally I use one creature to race my opponents while playing reactive cards and gaining a little life. Seeker of the Way is hands down the most consistant threat in this list with its life gain and ability to hit for obscene amounts of damage after prowess triggers. Using dromoka's command with it on the field is pretty much living the dream. Seige Rhino is in here despite its lack of synergy with the rest of the deck because its MFing Siege Rhino (plus its invaluable in the aggro matchup). There are double Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoths to deal with any BB mana requirement while having access to plenty of White mana (a must to operate smoothly) The list has learning curve is a little steeper than a normal Abzan agro list but it’s very rewarding. Against Aggro
The deck plays some early defense and behaves more like a midrange list. Thoughtsieze, and Den Protector to some extent are weak in this match up. Drown in Sorrow shores up this matchup nicely as almost every creature is drown resistant. Duress is rather effective against burn/token lists. The deck seems to be favored in this matchup. Against Midrange
The main deck is rather effective against Midrange (with the exception of Sidisi Whip and hence the anafenza in the board). Every card with multiple modes are active and very useful. Myth Realized and Monetary mentor will take over the game is they are properly protected. Post board, I guess thoughtseize comes in along with a Hero’s Downfall and Dromoka’s Command depending on how much you feel you need them. Put anafenza in if you see any deathmist shenanigans. Put in Crux if you smell dragons for MAXIMUM OVER-TROLL. Take cards out at your own discretion in these matchups. Uxx Control
This is a hard match up but the addition of den protector shores it up a bit game 1. Myth Realized dodges board wipes and can hide until you have protection for it. Monastary Mentor is a bit of a liability in this matchup but can still steal games that you had no business winning and Dromoka’s Command is useless. Post-Board, Shred their hand with 4x Thoughtsieze and 3x Duress (also nets you a lot of cheap prowess triggers). Make Oujitai Suck it with 2x self-inflicted wounds and crux.
Used to run Myth Realized in the list but it has been underperforming since there are less straight up board whipes in the meta and more spot removal.
Against Aggro
The deck plays some early defense and behaves more like a midrange list. Thoughtsieze, and Den Protector to some extent are weak in this match up. Drown in Sorrow shores up this matchup nicely as almost every creature is drown resistant. Duress is rather effective against burn/token lists. The deck seems to be favored in this matchup.
Against Midrange
The main deck is rather effective against Midrange (with the exception of Sidisi Whip and hence the anafenza in the board). Every card with multiple modes are active and very useful. Myth Realized and Monetary mentor will take over the game is they are properly protected. Post board, I guess thoughtseize comes in along with a Hero’s Downfall and Dromoka’s Command depending on how much you feel you need them. Put anafenza in if you see any deathmist shenanigans. Put in Crux if you smell dragons for MAXIMUM OVER-TROLL. Take cards out at your own discretion in these matchups.
Uxx Control
This is a hard match up but the addition of den protector shores it up a bit game 1. Myth Realized dodges board wipes and can hide until you have protection for it. Monastary Mentor is a bit of a liability in this matchup but can still steal games that you had no business winning and Dromoka’s Command is useless. Post-Board, Shred their hand with 4x Thoughtsieze and 3x Duress (also nets you a lot of cheap prowess triggers). Make Oujitai Suck it with 2x self-inflicted wounds and crux.
Used to run Myth Realized in the list but it has been underperforming since there are less straight up board whipes in the meta and more spot removal.
4 Warden of the First Tree
4 Seeker of the Way
3 Monastery Mentor
3 Den Protector
4 Siege Rhino
Non-Creature (18)
2 Valorous Stance
1 Ultimate Price
3 Abzan Charm
2 Thoughtseize
3 Gods Willing
1 Hero's Downfall
2 Dromoka's Command
3 Defiant Strike
1 Murderous Cut
3 Forest
5 Plains
4 Windswept Heath
2 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
3 Temple of Silence
4 Llanowar Wastes
3 Sandsteppe Citadel
1 Hero's Downfall
2 Thoughtseize
1 Dromoka's Command
3 Drown in Sorrow
3 Duress
1 Crux of Fate
2 Self-Inflicted Wound
2 Anafenza, the Foremost
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Don't bump your threads. --Lugger
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