Hey everyone. I've been working on this same deck idea since Amonkhet spoilers, though in a Jund line of thinking. I've checked in on this thread from time to time for pointers, so thanks to everyone for their contributions. Like many have said, this deck can hang with a lot of them, though it lacks the push to finish strong. I just put together my sideboard, and think it will be likely that some of the cards find their way into the main (Like Nissa). The first candidate to replace would likely be Consuming Fervor, but I find that card to be really useful so far. Drop one on a Decimator Beetle, and things can get ugly. Let me know what you all think of the deck.
Sorry I had forgotten to change back my deckbox list from my Ghost Quarter experiment, and I edited the original list to reflect how it is now. It wasn't worth it for exactly the reasons you described. Also our Tron players moved onto other things, but as another player said it best, "picture a hand with two ghost quarters in it... with the way Mana runs in Tokens, is that a hand you'd want to keep, even against Tron?"
But thanks for the feedback Jongsl5, but also let me explain my choices.
On Raise the Alarm vs Auriok Champion...
I used to run 2 Raise the Alarm and a Secure the Wastes before switching to Auriok, so I totally understand the usefulness of some instant speed tokens to put pressure on early and to also unexpectedly finish out the game. I've settled on keeping Auriok in because it simply does so much more than two instant speed 1/1s for two mana when it comes to my playstyle. Generally, Auriok can only really be removed with Path (which is usually favorable), it can chump block a long list of aggressive creatures for entire games (Death's Shadow), and can even start a clock in some scenarios by getting in chip damage. But where Auriok shines is in the life gain. Increasingly I find myself favoring the control side of our control/aggro game plan; I feel like the longer a game goes, the better chance I have at winning. Auriok helps do that a lot, and also enables some game-breaking combos. Auriok and an Bitterblossom can be a unbreakable combo for a lot of decks game 1, and an Auriok out when a fully resolved Timely Reinforcements can completely flip games. I may eat these words tonight, but Auriok is key in the way I choose to play tokens.
On 5 Planeswalkers...
This is largely a result of my meta, which sees a lot of planeswalkers, a lot of time you need one out simply because the opponent will play one. Gideon is a real problem any deck has to immediately deal with, and with an Auriok out it can quickly get out of hand. Finally on seeing multiples, because my meta sees a lot of planeswalkers, there's a lot of hate and they are dealt with quickly. I've definitely dropped a Sorin and popped a token knowing he was doomed, only to replace him with another I got off the draw in the game.
On the sideboard...
I like Anguished Unmaking because it does everything, especially removing planeswalkers. Losing 3 life isn't a big deal in my deck either, so it's one of my most boarded cards to deal with all sorts of threats (especially Blood Moon). I hear you on the Lost Legacy though, but don't know what to board out.
Here's a question I've been rolling around at work today, is Zealous Persecution really THE BEST card to use in the "one of" slot? Often it's one of the first things I board out. I'm thinking about swapping it for a Secure the Wastes.
Hey Everyone. Thanks to all who regularly post on this thread. You all have helped me shape my deck and I love playing tokens.
I like playing Auriok Champions in the main. I feel like the combination of a Champion and a Bitterblossom is very difficult for most decks to deal with. I also keep more basics than normal in my land, because Blood Moon is popular in my meta. Speaking of that, we're running a tournament at our monthly FNM party. Would love some suggestions because I wanna take it all. The meta is a lot of burn, combo [valakut/living end], and some aggro creature decks, but there's also some grindy control decks [Various prisons/Esper Control] and a lot of walker based tactics.
I used to run 4x Xathrid Necromancer, maybe I'll go back to that. It just felt more like a contingency plan than a card that will help me win the game. Repel the Abominable is a good call too.
I was also looking at your Heroic Deck thread, and it got me back onto the idea I've had before that what this deck might really need is a splash of green for pump spells. Hardened Scales and Solidarity of Heroes immediately jump to mind. But then on the other hand why do I have black other than for Dark Confidant and Zealous Persecution really?
@Fencerkid
What are your experiences with Mikaeus, the Lunarch? Also have been thinking about him before.
I'm reluctant to pull the Zealous Persecutions because that's the card that often wins me the game, and it doubles as a nasty board wipe against certain decks. Bonds of Faith is what I'd be more eager to board out, that or maybe a slide a few Inquisitions to the sideboard.
Mutavault is an interesting idea that I'll try out, but I think Hero of Bladehold is a little to high on the curve for me, same with Elspeth, and neither of their tokens do much for me. Took a look at your deck and want to ask how Skirsdag High Priest works for you in that deck? I run him in another BW aristocrat deck I'm still working on that has a lot of tokens, and I could see how he could be interesting here as he seems to completely change the nature of the game when he hits the board.
Some other cards I've been considering: Student of Warfare: I've read too much about this guy to not play test a bit. Seems very versatile. Grim Haruspex: Just to go all in for card advantage and make people pay for blocking/board wipes Silverblade Paladin: Again, seen a lot of press for this one. Still don't know if it's worth it.
Hey everyone. This is a BW Humans Aggro deck I've been playing with that I built using ideas from this thread (thanks guys) and other sources. It's pretty reliable at adapting and dealing with different decks, though I find it hard to win games against other aggro decks that extend beyond turn 5 or 6. I'm looking for feedback on the deck overall and also ideas for big finish cards to keep in the sideboard.
The deck used to have more creatures, namely Boros Elite and Mardu Shadowspear, which were great one drops, particularly Shadowspear on dash to pump up champions. My playgroup is combo heavy though, so I went with more discard and disruption. I look forward to your feedback, I really like playing humans and watching little dudes like us fight against all the craziness magic throws at them.
4 Blooming Marsh
3 Foreboding Ruins
5 Forest
3 Game Trail
3 Mountain
5 Swamp
Creatures:
3 Bone Picker
4 Channeler Initiate
2 Decimator Beetle
4 Exemplar of Strength
4 Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons
4 Soul-Scar Mage
4 Magma Spray
4 Shock
Enchantments:
4 Nest of Scarabs
4 Consuming Fervor
2 Bontu the Glorified
2 Grasp of Darkness
2 Dispossess
2 Lost Legacy
3 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
2 Rhonas the Indomitable
2 Soulstinger
But thanks for the feedback Jongsl5, but also let me explain my choices.
On Raise the Alarm vs Auriok Champion...
I used to run 2 Raise the Alarm and a Secure the Wastes before switching to Auriok, so I totally understand the usefulness of some instant speed tokens to put pressure on early and to also unexpectedly finish out the game. I've settled on keeping Auriok in because it simply does so much more than two instant speed 1/1s for two mana when it comes to my playstyle. Generally, Auriok can only really be removed with Path (which is usually favorable), it can chump block a long list of aggressive creatures for entire games (Death's Shadow), and can even start a clock in some scenarios by getting in chip damage. But where Auriok shines is in the life gain. Increasingly I find myself favoring the control side of our control/aggro game plan; I feel like the longer a game goes, the better chance I have at winning. Auriok helps do that a lot, and also enables some game-breaking combos. Auriok and an Bitterblossom can be a unbreakable combo for a lot of decks game 1, and an Auriok out when a fully resolved Timely Reinforcements can completely flip games. I may eat these words tonight, but Auriok is key in the way I choose to play tokens.
On 5 Planeswalkers...
This is largely a result of my meta, which sees a lot of planeswalkers, a lot of time you need one out simply because the opponent will play one. Gideon is a real problem any deck has to immediately deal with, and with an Auriok out it can quickly get out of hand. Finally on seeing multiples, because my meta sees a lot of planeswalkers, there's a lot of hate and they are dealt with quickly. I've definitely dropped a Sorin and popped a token knowing he was doomed, only to replace him with another I got off the draw in the game.
On the sideboard...
I like Anguished Unmaking because it does everything, especially removing planeswalkers. Losing 3 life isn't a big deal in my deck either, so it's one of my most boarded cards to deal with all sorts of threats (especially Blood Moon). I hear you on the Lost Legacy though, but don't know what to board out.
Here's a question I've been rolling around at work today, is Zealous Persecution really THE BEST card to use in the "one of" slot? Often it's one of the first things I board out. I'm thinking about swapping it for a Secure the Wastes.
I like playing Auriok Champions in the main. I feel like the combination of a Champion and a Bitterblossom is very difficult for most decks to deal with. I also keep more basics than normal in my land, because Blood Moon is popular in my meta. Speaking of that, we're running a tournament at our monthly FNM party. Would love some suggestions because I wanna take it all. The meta is a lot of burn, combo [valakut/living end], and some aggro creature decks, but there's also some grindy control decks [Various prisons/Esper Control] and a lot of walker based tactics.
4 Concealed Courtyard
2 Fetid Heath
2 Godless Shrine
4 Marsh Flats
4 Plains
2 Shambling Vent
3 Swamp
1 Vault of the Archangel
2 Windswept Heath
Creatures
3 Auriok Champion
4 Bitterblossom
4 Lingering Souls
3 Spectral Procession
Removal
2 Fatal Push
4 Path to Exile
Hand Hate
4 Inquisition on Kozilek
2 Thoughtseize
Anthem
4 Intangible Virtue
The Special Card
1 Zealous Persecution
Planeswalkers
2 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2 Anguished Unmaking
2 Blessed Alliance
2 Rest in Peace
2 Runed Halo
2 Selfless Spirit
2 Stony Silence
3 Timely Reinforcements
I used to run 4x Xathrid Necromancer, maybe I'll go back to that. It just felt more like a contingency plan than a card that will help me win the game. Repel the Abominable is a good call too.
I was also looking at your Heroic Deck thread, and it got me back onto the idea I've had before that what this deck might really need is a splash of green for pump spells. Hardened Scales and Solidarity of Heroes immediately jump to mind. But then on the other hand why do I have black other than for Dark Confidant and Zealous Persecution really?
@Fencerkid
What are your experiences with Mikaeus, the Lunarch? Also have been thinking about him before.
I'm reluctant to pull the Zealous Persecutions because that's the card that often wins me the game, and it doubles as a nasty board wipe against certain decks. Bonds of Faith is what I'd be more eager to board out, that or maybe a slide a few Inquisitions to the sideboard.
Mutavault is an interesting idea that I'll try out, but I think Hero of Bladehold is a little to high on the curve for me, same with Elspeth, and neither of their tokens do much for me. Took a look at your deck and want to ask how Skirsdag High Priest works for you in that deck? I run him in another BW aristocrat deck I'm still working on that has a lot of tokens, and I could see how he could be interesting here as he seems to completely change the nature of the game when he hits the board.
Some other cards I've been considering:
Student of Warfare: I've read too much about this guy to not play test a bit. Seems very versatile.
Grim Haruspex: Just to go all in for card advantage and make people pay for blocking/board wipes
Silverblade Paladin: Again, seen a lot of press for this one. Still don't know if it's worth it.
4 Champion of the Parish
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Thalia's Lieutenant
4 Dark Confidant
3 Kytheon, Hero of Akros
Instant
4 Path to Exile
4 Zealous Persecution
4 Gather the Townsfolk
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
Enchantment
4 Bonds of Faith
Land
4 Marsh Flats
4 Godless Shrine
4 Isolated Chapel
5 Plains
4 Swamp
3 Xathrid Necromancer
3 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
3 Brave the Elements
2 Tormod's Crypt
2 Pithing Needle
2 Stony Silence
The deck used to have more creatures, namely Boros Elite and Mardu Shadowspear, which were great one drops, particularly Shadowspear on dash to pump up champions. My playgroup is combo heavy though, so I went with more discard and disruption. I look forward to your feedback, I really like playing humans and watching little dudes like us fight against all the craziness magic throws at them.