With every new set comes new possibility, the next set leak spoiled a card that had potential to neutralize big mana deck. While it was most likely printed against Tron, Nykthos is also a variant that will be hurt by Damping Sphere. Nykthos usually went at large extent to generate a large amount of mana, having from time to time up to 7 mana to spend on turn 2. While the old Nykthos was a fun deck to play and build when I worked on the primer with few others it never really showed result past the first few events when players didn't expect a genesis wave from the elf deck. Currently this build intend to transform Nykthos into a Sol land and curve at 6. Being relatively low to the ground, it curve nicely from aggressive 1-drop to Primeval Titan. The current list isn't optimal by any means and is thus why I request the help of the community to help me figure out how to better improove it's result. It is so far quite consistent and could be the next route in building a green nykthos deck.
While this deck might play G and Nykthos it is largely different than a Nykthos Green deck. Primeval Knight is looking to win with a Big Zoo game plan and eventually using Knight of the reliquary to fetch a second Nykthos to generate a huge Kessig Wolf Run. There is also a sub-theme with +1/+1 counter.
Knight of the Reliquary, she is the all-star in this deck, with her ability to fetch Nykthos and her ability to be a mana dork that turn bigger than Tarmogoyf late game is really strong. Her primary use lies in her ability to allow for 2 Nykthos activation in the same turn thus enabling a huge mana-boost without requiring a massive devotion count. While this ability is limited by the amount of Nykthos in our deck, we should be able to win with only 1 Kessig Wolf Run activation.
Kitchen Finks, the main philosophy to play this card is the fact that If we are not playing Knight on turn 3 then we are behind on our game plan so he is perfect to buy time and is also our tie-breaker against faster Zoo deck. Leatherback Baloth could also be played or his eventual upgrade, sadly it's only a vanilla beater and do not buy as much time as Kitchen Finks would.
Tireless Tracker (credit to Maxivz), could lead to enormous advantage with Knight of the Reliquary fetching lands everyturn and it's ability to have +1/+1 counter also helps making Avatar of the Resolute bigger.
Primeval Titanis our win condition. His ability to fetch for Kessig Wolf Run + Mountain enable us to generate an impressive amount of damage next turn. Primeval Titan could also fetch Inkmoth Nexus and Kessig for an infect kill.
Woodland Bellower is simply here to help the curve, I prefer to run 6 turn 4 play and he enable something similar to Primeval Titan by being able to fetch a Knight of the Reliquary and she does pretty much the same job. Woodland Bellower + Knight of the Reliquary might be better than a Primeval Titan only time will tell.
Support Card
Blossoming Defense is a counter spell and a combat trick, it can easily protect Inkmoth Nexus if we go for the infect kill.
Vines of Vastwood akin to Blossoming Defense but a little bit more pricey, protects devotion and is on the beat down plan.
Aspect of Hydra using devotion to boost a creature, the lack of protection makes it not so attractive.
Rancor is simply a nice and reliable boost spell that comes back into your hand and helps into turning low drop into viable late game creature.
Chord of Calling (credit to Just_Me) the inclusion of this card could greatly help in securing a quick Knight of the reliquary, it's inclusion would also come with the addition of Wall of Root which could lead to effectively running 8 Knight of the reliquary for Turn 3.While Nykthos would not be up and working next turn to cash in a Primeval Titan it is still relevant to note that with Wall of Root + Knight of the reliquary a turn 4 Titan is still possible.
Land
With Knight of the Reliquary comes the opportunity to play many lands as 1-of, some of these lands could include the following:
With the addition of Chord of Calling we can then play Archangel of Thune with Spike Feeder,Spike Feeder also contribute to Avatar of Resolute. Having an Infinite in the deck could also take some opponent by surprise.
Reclamation Sage: With the ability of Woodland Bellower to act as a chord of calling, you can easily fetch for this card after turn 4, it might come out too late against Affinity and is thus why Ancient Grudge is still a relevant choice.
Woodland Bellower: more of this card could help in bringing more bullet to the table while it self working on the main plan. Conclusion
As stated earlier, I am looking for some help to make this deck better. Clearly there is potential in this deck and it's also pretty budget even if it's not the goal to make it budget.
Nice list, this kinda remiends me of a list I have seen some time ago for tooth and nail here: https://www.channelfireball.com/articles/modern-tooth-and-nail/
I think maybe you could use some of the land spots for utility lands, since you are going to be using knight of the reliquary a lot 4 nykthos are kind of too much.
Also it might be a good idea to use either Tireless Tracker or Jadelight ranger instead of finks
There might also be some really nice interactions we could put out with bounce lands to activate multiple effects from lands. Maybe even an amulet of vigor could help? I will run some experiments later
Looking forward to see how this evolves as its using 2 of my favourite cards ever, knight and primeval.
Ow yes it does look similar in the fact that they play both Knight and Primeval Titan the main difference I see is that the deck dropped Mana dork for a Zoo game plan instead. Still I like its look since I used to play this build but instead running 4 Genesis wave and 2 Primal Command in the month when theros was released.
Tireless Tracker is pure gold with Knight of the Reliquary fetching lands everyturn could lead into an endless amount of clue.
I was still working on the Support land section, I added it quickly. I think 4 Nykthos is needed since it's always a good draw + Knight of the Reliquary ability to use 2 Nykthos in a single turn is why this deck exist.Also if you draw a Nykthos you could potentially use 3 Nykthos in the same turn turning into a really huge Kessig Wolf Run.
I always was a fan of Knight and Primeval, nice to see that you are a man of culture aswell.
If you aim for 6 mana, I think Chord of Calling might be sweet because it an instant threat vs control and Damping Sphere. And X = 3 = Knight. 3 also equals Reclamation Sage, incidently. I think that might be better as Rancor.
Since the deck is more midrange as aggro, I would consider Young Wolf as 9th 1 drop, for more resilience.
True I'll edit the thread to include it as a viable option, the only issue I have with Chord is that Woodland Bellower pretty much do the same thing as chord but better. I think adding Reclamation Sage to the list of card viable for sideboard would be a good idea. I added a quick version with Chord since you can still cast a turn 3 Chord to fetch Knight of the reliquary and it also opens up the ability to have an infinite combo on the side.
Maybe there is potential to add silver bullet to the list with more Woodland Bellower, the main thing to keep in mind is that we need 4 Devotion by turn 3 to cast Primeval Titan or Woodland Bellower on turn 4, otherwise Nykthos do not provide a superior ramping to running Utopia Sprawl and casting these Titan on turn 5 is easier to pull with Utopia Sprawl.
I do think we could work with the list and turn it into something quite different, It's simply important to keep Knight and Primeval Titan in the deck. Nykthos could still be used not as a ramp for Primeval Titan but as a way to cheat a Huge Kessig Late game.
Thank you for the reply and post your own decklist, your ideas could lead to a viable deck.
This list looks quite different I do not mind it being here but I'd like to know why you are running so many white drop? The Wilt-Leaf Liege idea is quite relevant but it does lower our devotion count making Nykthos less worth-it. I think where we need to make the cut is in the ability to generate enough mana early to cast primeval titan, the main idea is to cast it turn 4.
Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar is a card that could fit in the theme of using multiple Nykthos per turn and would greatly benefit from Knight effect.
I think Wilt-Leaf still gives you three Devotion (I may have been reading your comment incorrectly though). The hybrid ones are awesome because they can be used by both colors for Devotion count.
I think Wilt-Leaf still gives you three Devotion (I may have been reading your comment incorrectly though). The hybrid ones are awesome because they can be used by both colors for Devotion count.
Young Wolf is a nice addition, maybe I'll swap the Wild Nacalt for 1 Narnam Renegade (4 Young Wolf 1 Narnam or vis versa, Narnam as Deathtouch but Young Wolf is resilient)
I'll add Young Wolf and Jadelight Ranger to the primer, Ajani's Presence is quite nice for the indestructible and can easily save your field against wipe.
I think the list is fairly decent, I would not mind having a tiny bit more interaction.. I might try to fit a banefire in.
I really enjoy Tireless Tracker for the pure card advantage it brings, if we ever flood on mana we can use it to draw + with knight of the reliquary you can easily get many clues per turn if you ever on the grind game.
no 1-drop and more 2 drop. The issue I find is that it is quite valuable to have a turn 1 creature, most of them either stay 1/1 and doesnt deal that much damage for example:
T1 1cmc drop
T2 1cmc deal 1 2cmc drop
T3 1cmc dealt 2 2cmc deal 2
T4 1cmc dealt 3 2cmc dealt 4
Which also conclude that Narnam while not being as resilient has more potential over Young Wolf if running a 9 1-drop list since she start at 2, evolution one will also be effectively be 2 and can easily climb to 3 and 4.
=
In conclusion I feel like the deck does have potential but we still have to work on the list for it to shine. I feel we have the proper card choice and will eventually get new cards to add to the deck with Dominaria releas but we need to work on the mana curve to ensure that we have the optimal use of our mana every turn.
Introduction
With every new set comes new possibility, the next set leak spoiled a card that had potential to neutralize big mana deck. While it was most likely printed against Tron, Nykthos is also a variant that will be hurt by Damping Sphere. Nykthos usually went at large extent to generate a large amount of mana, having from time to time up to 7 mana to spend on turn 2. While the old Nykthos was a fun deck to play and build when I worked on the primer with few others it never really showed result past the first few events when players didn't expect a genesis wave from the elf deck. Currently this build intend to transform Nykthos into a Sol land and curve at 6. Being relatively low to the ground, it curve nicely from aggressive 1-drop to Primeval Titan. The current list isn't optimal by any means and is thus why I request the help of the community to help me figure out how to better improove it's result. It is so far quite consistent and could be the next route in building a green nykthos deck.
While this deck might play G and Nykthos it is largely different than a Nykthos Green deck. Primeval Knight is looking to win with a Big Zoo game plan and eventually using Knight of the reliquary to fetch a second Nykthos to generate a huge Kessig Wolf Run. There is also a sub-theme with +1/+1 counter.
Current Decklist
1 CMC -
Narnam Renegade and Experiment One have the potential for being the strongest turn 1 play, both having the ability to generate +1/+1 counter in order to feed Avatar of the Resolute.
Young Wolf fit nicely into the deck and providing a resilient body to build up our devotion count.
The deck usually plays nine 1 cmc creatures but could easily go to 12 running a playset of each of these creature.
2 CMC
Strangleroot Geist and Avatar of the Resolute are probably the best GG creature, Tarmogoyf being 1G makes him not a viable pick but Avatar of the Resolute have potential of being the equivalent of Tarmogoyf (at least early game).While the deck support Avatar of the Resolute it's not our win condition and was simply picked because I felt Burning-Tree Emissary would not be appropriate after Damping Sphere + I never liked to spend all my hand into an Anger of the gods.
3 CMC
Knight of the Reliquary, she is the all-star in this deck, with her ability to fetch Nykthos and her ability to be a mana dork that turn bigger than Tarmogoyf late game is really strong. Her primary use lies in her ability to allow for 2 Nykthos activation in the same turn thus enabling a huge mana-boost without requiring a massive devotion count. While this ability is limited by the amount of Nykthos in our deck, we should be able to win with only 1 Kessig Wolf Run activation.
Kitchen Finks, the main philosophy to play this card is the fact that If we are not playing Knight on turn 3 then we are behind on our game plan so he is perfect to buy time and is also our tie-breaker against faster Zoo deck. Leatherback Baloth could also be played or his eventual upgrade, sadly it's only a vanilla beater and do not buy as much time as Kitchen Finks would.
Tireless Tracker (credit to Maxivz), could lead to enormous advantage with Knight of the Reliquary fetching lands everyturn and it's ability to have +1/+1 counter also helps making Avatar of the Resolute bigger.
Jadelight Ranger (credit to Maxivz).
6 CMC
Primeval Titanis our win condition. His ability to fetch for Kessig Wolf Run + Mountain enable us to generate an impressive amount of damage next turn. Primeval Titan could also fetch Inkmoth Nexus and Kessig for an infect kill.
Woodland Bellower is simply here to help the curve, I prefer to run 6 turn 4 play and he enable something similar to Primeval Titan by being able to fetch a Knight of the Reliquary and she does pretty much the same job. Woodland Bellower + Knight of the Reliquary might be better than a Primeval Titan only time will tell.
Support Card
Blossoming Defense is a counter spell and a combat trick, it can easily protect Inkmoth Nexus if we go for the infect kill.
Vines of Vastwood akin to Blossoming Defense but a little bit more pricey, protects devotion and is on the beat down plan.
Aspect of Hydra using devotion to boost a creature, the lack of protection makes it not so attractive.
Rancor is simply a nice and reliable boost spell that comes back into your hand and helps into turning low drop into viable late game creature.
Chord of Calling (credit to Just_Me) the inclusion of this card could greatly help in securing a quick Knight of the reliquary, it's inclusion would also come with the addition of Wall of Root which could lead to effectively running 8 Knight of the reliquary for Turn 3.While Nykthos would not be up and working next turn to cash in a Primeval Titan it is still relevant to note that with Wall of Root + Knight of the reliquary a turn 4 Titan is still possible.
Land
With Knight of the Reliquary comes the opportunity to play many lands as 1-of, some of these lands could include the following:
Vault of the Archangel
Inkmoth Nexus
Kessig Wolf Run
Ghost Quarter/Tectonic Edge/Land of Ruin, those could also be played in conjunction with Crucible of Worlds but it is better not to stretch the deck too much for it takes away it's substance.
Nykthos, Shrine to nyx
4 Experiment One
1 Wild Nacatl
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Avatar of the Resolute
4 Knight of the Reliquary
3 Tireless Tracker
4 Primeval Titan
2 Woodland Bellower
2 Rancor
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Windswept Heath
4 Temple Garden
1 Stomping Ground
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Forest
1 Plains
Deck running Chord of calling could look something in the line of:
4 Experiment One
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Wall of Roots
4 Avatar of the Resolute
4 Knight of the Reliquary
1 Spike Feeder
1 Archangel of Thune
4 Primeval Titan
2 Woodland Bellower
2 Chord of Calling
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Windswept Heath
4 Temple Garden
1 Stomping Ground
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Forest
1 Plains
With the addition of Chord of Calling we can then play Archangel of Thune with Spike Feeder,Spike Feeder also contribute to Avatar of Resolute. Having an Infinite in the deck could also take some opponent by surprise.
The optimal line of play:
Turn 1 : Narnam Renegade or Experiment One
Turn 2 : Avatar of Resolute or Strangleroot Geist
Turn 3 : Knight of the Reliquary
Turn 4 : Primeval Titan
Turn 5 : Kessig Wolf Run for X = 10 by Activating Nykthos using Knight of the Reliquary to Fetch an other Nykthos with 5 devotion on the board.
Sideboard
Artifact Hate:
Reclamation Sage: With the ability of Woodland Bellower to act as a chord of calling, you can easily fetch for this card after turn 4, it might come out too late against Affinity and is thus why Ancient Grudge is still a relevant choice.
Woodland Bellower: more of this card could help in bringing more bullet to the table while it self working on the main plan.
Conclusion
As stated earlier, I am looking for some help to make this deck better. Clearly there is potential in this deck and it's also pretty budget even if it's not the goal to make it budget.
Thank you for Reading - In construction
Ow yes it does look similar in the fact that they play both Knight and Primeval Titan the main difference I see is that the deck dropped Mana dork for a Zoo game plan instead. Still I like its look since I used to play this build but instead running 4 Genesis wave and 2 Primal Command in the month when theros was released.
Tireless Tracker is pure gold with Knight of the Reliquary fetching lands everyturn could lead into an endless amount of clue.
I was still working on the Support land section, I added it quickly. I think 4 Nykthos is needed since it's always a good draw + Knight of the Reliquary ability to use 2 Nykthos in a single turn is why this deck exist.Also if you draw a Nykthos you could potentially use 3 Nykthos in the same turn turning into a really huge Kessig Wolf Run.
I always was a fan of Knight and Primeval, nice to see that you are a man of culture aswell.
True I'll edit the thread to include it as a viable option, the only issue I have with Chord is that Woodland Bellower pretty much do the same thing as chord but better. I think adding Reclamation Sage to the list of card viable for sideboard would be a good idea. I added a quick version with Chord since you can still cast a turn 3 Chord to fetch Knight of the reliquary and it also opens up the ability to have an infinite combo on the side.
Maybe there is potential to add silver bullet to the list with more Woodland Bellower, the main thing to keep in mind is that we need 4 Devotion by turn 3 to cast Primeval Titan or Woodland Bellower on turn 4, otherwise Nykthos do not provide a superior ramping to running Utopia Sprawl and casting these Titan on turn 5 is easier to pull with Utopia Sprawl.
I do think we could work with the list and turn it into something quite different, It's simply important to keep Knight and Primeval Titan in the deck. Nykthos could still be used not as a ramp for Primeval Titan but as a way to cheat a Huge Kessig Late game.
Thank you for the reply and post your own decklist, your ideas could lead to a viable deck.
Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar is a card that could fit in the theme of using multiple Nykthos per turn and would greatly benefit from Knight effect.
I think Wilt-Leaf still gives you three Devotion (I may have been reading your comment incorrectly though). The hybrid ones are awesome because they can be used by both colors for Devotion count.
True. ^^
-
How does it test so far with the UW list?
I'll add Young Wolf and Jadelight Ranger to the primer, Ajani's Presence is quite nice for the indestructible and can easily save your field against wipe.
Been testing with Thrive but I still prefer blossoming defense. Vines of Vastwood is also really strong and Aspect of Hydra is also quite decent but I rather have the ability to protect my devotion.
I think the list is fairly decent, I would not mind having a tiny bit more interaction.. I might try to fit a banefire in.
I really enjoy Tireless Tracker for the pure card advantage it brings, if we ever flood on mana we can use it to draw + with knight of the reliquary you can easily get many clues per turn if you ever on the grind game.
4 Experiment One
1 Narnam Renegade
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Avatar of the Resolute
4 Knight of the Reliquary
3 Tireless Tracker
4 Primeval Titan
2 Woodland Bellower
2 Vines of Vastwood
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Windswept Heath
4 Temple Garden
1 Stomping Ground
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Inkmoth Nexus
4 Forest
1 Plains
I might try 12 1-drop
Edit:
no 1-drop and more 2 drop. The issue I find is that it is quite valuable to have a turn 1 creature, most of them either stay 1/1 and doesnt deal that much damage for example:
T1 1cmc drop
T2 1cmc deal 1 2cmc drop
T3 1cmc dealt 2 2cmc deal 2
T4 1cmc dealt 3 2cmc dealt 4
Which also conclude that Narnam while not being as resilient has more potential over Young Wolf if running a 9 1-drop list since she start at 2, evolution one will also be effectively be 2 and can easily climb to 3 and 4.
=
In conclusion I feel like the deck does have potential but we still have to work on the list for it to shine. I feel we have the proper card choice and will eventually get new cards to add to the deck with Dominaria releas but we need to work on the mana curve to ensure that we have the optimal use of our mana every turn.
Knight of the Reliquary + Arena . I think its do little more as Inkmoth Nexus. We have the big Mana and big creatures, to get a real use from this support card.
This is super interesting I'll loook into it thanks!