Introduction: Here to bring misery to opponents everywhere, without any
further ado... Strait from the Mystic Sanctuary's of Eldraine, I present to you,
The Augurs of Bolas and the Amazing Flying Fish with backing vocals being
provided by the Ghostly Flickers... Izzet Sanctuary.
The Basics: Izzet Sanctuary is a Pauper counter/burn control deck that has its roots in
the ancient UR Counter Phoenix, and more recent UR Peregrine Drake decks.
With the recent printing of Throne of Eldraine's Mystic Sanctuary, URcontrol
decks have gained a seriously formidable recursion card to help win games.
Sanctuary is a deck built for the long game when your opponents deck runs
out of gas and seeks to take the game over from there, and it has the tools to
survive the early game, and can often turn on a dime to stabilize.
Ideally Sanctuary burns the small threats and saves its counters for the
larger threats. A really simple time tested counter/burn strategy that
should always be adhered to.
Mulldrifter/Augur of Bolas beats combined with a recurring stream of burn
and counters grind out the game.
Ghostly Flicker helps Sanctuary win games by reusing the etb triggers of
its creatures for maximum value and Mystic Sanctuary's for recycling
draw, burn/removal, and counters.
Deprive combined with Mystic Sanctuary forms a counterwall and can soft
lock an opponent. Deprive can also simply be used as a means to bouce
Mystic Sanctuary back into your hand to recur another valuable spell
that the situation calls for.
(Classic Control Deck 101, The slowdance of death) The really simple overview of the deck's strategy is that it 1 for 1's
the opponent until they run out of gas, establishes control of the
game and takes over from there.
Mulldrifter:
Universally agreed upon as being the best all around creature in the pauper
format, Mulldrifters are an incredibly important part of the Izzet Sanctuary
deck. Whether they are used as evasive finishers (once the deck has established
control of the game) or simply evoked for draw, they always perform their job
efficiently. In terms of sheer versatilty, they are the best 3 for 1’s in the format.
Augur of Bolas:
Augurs are an incredibly important component of the Izzet Sanctuary deck.
Coming down as early as turn 2 and replacing itself with an instant or sorcery
is just high efficiency. It's 1/3 stats are key because it helps to shore up early
defense versus aggro. Augur into Ponder/Preordain is a common play with
this deck, which can help you to keep a land light opening hand and they are
good at any point of the game as they aid in keeping the deck flowing with
draw, counters, and burn/removal which is what Izzet Sanctuary is all about.
Overall, they are one of the best 2 for 1's that this deck has access to.
truth_bomb, I've found Flickers and Sanctuary's are more than enough recur for the deck.
They're still a great card when they stick, but not really needed here. Excludes and more
land has been added in their stead. The deck runs better with 22 lands.
On a side note 2 days ago I switched to Snow, Skred, and Astrolabes and was really diggin' it,
then I found out just a few hours ago that Astrolabes got banhammered.
Thanks for the explanation, TC! I support increasing the land count to both hardcast Mulldrifterand turn on Mystic Sanctuary.
I feel you on the Arcum's Astrolabe ban. I mass ordered singles for this deck (inspired by you ) and bought Arcum's Astrolabe just b/c they're common and i'm already paying for shipping. Oh well.
My biggest concern w/this deck is stabilizing vs aggro b/c the blockers are so puny. How has your testing gone thus far?
truth_bomb, Full on Aggro (Mono G and MonoU, and Elves) along with Bogles are indeed
the decks hardest matchups thus far. I've actually contemplated on adding Dream Stalkers and Jilts maindeck with 2 Fade Aways in the side LoL! (but i did not).
Resolved River Boas with regen mana up are a problem.
When I can 1 for 1 everything they cast (countering and burning), by turns 6/7 I find they just
run out of gas. Running out of gas is Aggro's biggest weakness except for monoU.
Sanctuary beats Tron, Affinity, and is 50/50 vs UB control(really long games with graveyard
hate being a big factor).
I've not played vs. Pestilence or Tortured Existence yet.
Introduction: Here to bring misery to opponents everywhere, without any
further ado... Strait from the Mystic Sanctuary's of Eldraine, I present to you,
The Augurs of Bolas and the Amazing Flying Fish with backing vocals being
provided by the Ghostly Flickers... Izzet Sanctuary.
The Basics:
Izzet Sanctuary is a Pauper counter/burn control deck that has its roots in
the ancient UR Counter Phoenix, and more recent UR Peregrine Drake decks.
With the recent printing of Throne of Eldraine's Mystic Sanctuary, URcontrol
decks have gained a seriously formidable recursion card to help win games.
Sanctuary is a deck built for the long game when your opponents deck runs
out of gas and seeks to take the game over from there, and it has the tools to
survive the early game, and can often turn on a dime to stabilize.
Ideally Sanctuary burns the small threats and saves its counters for the
larger threats. A really simple time tested counter/burn strategy that
should always be adhered to.
Mulldrifter/Augur of Bolas beats combined with a recurring stream of burn
and counters grind out the game.
Ghostly Flicker helps Sanctuary win games by reusing the etb triggers of
its creatures for maximum value and Mystic Sanctuary's for recycling
draw, burn/removal, and counters.
Deprive combined with Mystic Sanctuary forms a counterwall and can soft
lock an opponent. Deprive can also simply be used as a means to bouce
Mystic Sanctuary back into your hand to recur another valuable spell
that the situation calls for.
(Classic Control Deck 101, The slowdance of death)
The really simple overview of the deck's strategy is that it 1 for 1's
the opponent until they run out of gas, establishes control of the
game and takes over from there.
4 Mulldrifter
4 Augur of Bolas
Counters:
4 Counterspell
4 Exclude
2 Deprive
Burn/Removal:
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Skred
2 Fire//Ice
2 Ghostly Flicker
Draw/Filter:
4 Ponder
4 Preordain
Lands:
3 Ash Barrens
2 Evolving Wilds
4 Mystic Sanctuary
10 Snow-Covered Island
3 Snow-Covered Mountain
3 Pyroblast
2 Hydroblast
2 Electrickery
2 Shenanigans
2 Stone Rain
2 Aura Flux
2 Bojuka Bog
3 Sea Gate Oracle
2 Dream Stalker
Counters:
4 Counterspell
3 Exclude
2 Deprive
Burn/Removal:
4 Lightning Bolt
3 Skred
2 Fire//Ice
2 Ghostly Flicker
Draw/Filter:
4 Preordain
3 Ponder
2 Brainstorm
Lands:
3 Ash Barrens
2 Evolving Wilds
4 Mystic Sanctuary
10 Snow-Covered Island
3 Snow-Covered Mountain
3 Pyroblast
2 Hydroblast
2 Electrickery
2 Shenanigans
2 Stone Rain
2 Aura Flux
2 Bojuka Bog
4 Augur of Bolas
Counters:
4 Counterspell
4 Dissolve
2 Deprive
2 Mana Leak
Burn/Removal:
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Skred
2 Ghostly Flicker
Draw/Filter:
4 Witching Well
4 Preordain
2 Rain of Revelation
Lands:
3 Ash Barrens
2 Evolving Wilds
4 Mystic Sanctuary
10 Snow-Covered Island
3 Snow-Covered Mountain
3 Pyroblast
2 Hydroblast
2 Electrickery
2 Shenanigans
2 Stone Rain
2 Aura Flux
2 Bojuka Bog
Card Desriptions: in process...
Universally agreed upon as being the best all around creature in the pauper
format, Mulldrifters are an incredibly important part of the Izzet Sanctuary
deck. Whether they are used as evasive finishers (once the deck has established
control of the game) or simply evoked for draw, they always perform their job
efficiently. In terms of sheer versatilty, they are the best 3 for 1’s in the format.
Augur of Bolas:
Augurs are an incredibly important component of the Izzet Sanctuary deck.
Coming down as early as turn 2 and replacing itself with an instant or sorcery
is just high efficiency. It's 1/3 stats are key because it helps to shore up early
defense versus aggro. Augur into Ponder/Preordain is a common play with
this deck, which can help you to keep a land light opening hand and they are
good at any point of the game as they aid in keeping the deck flowing with
draw, counters, and burn/removal which is what Izzet Sanctuary is all about.
Overall, they are one of the best 2 for 1's that this deck has access to.
Counterspell:
Exclude:
Deprive:
Lightning Bolt:
Skred:
Kaervek's Torch:
Ghostly Flicker:
Ponder:
Preordain:
Ash Barrens:
Evolving Wilds:
Mystic Sanctuary:
Pyroblast:
Hydroblast:
Electrickery:
Shenanigans:
Stone Rain:
Aura Flux:
Bojuka Bog:
Pauper EDH: ~ Rhox War Monk ~ Scornful Aether-Lich ~ Ashenmoor Gouger ~ Ascended Lawmage ~ Nightscape Battlemage ~ Warden of the Eye ~ Hedge Troll ~ Dinrova Horror ~ Renata
Pauper 60: ~ Caw Blade ~ MonoU Delver ~ MonoW Monk Fish ~
Standard: ~ Boros Knights ~ RDW ~
Pioneer: ~ U BControl ~
Modern: ~ UB Control ~
Legacy/Vintage: ~ MonoU Delver ~
93/94: ~ Erhnamgeddon ~
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkfx2kA8gok&feature=emb_logo
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RYiZJFCK0
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j18HlKybrm8&feature=emb_logo
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiAEzfAgpbI
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vNr_4ubfMg
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJcwpxraL-g
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MyVNLVYNw
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-M5ffoArnY
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yQEBOPi_w&feature=emb_logo
extended - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLpUB9zpyr4&feature=emb_logo
Any suggestions on swapping them in?
* will test -2 Snaps/+2 Foil
Pauper EDH: ~ Rhox War Monk ~ Scornful Aether-Lich ~ Ashenmoor Gouger ~ Ascended Lawmage ~ Nightscape Battlemage ~ Warden of the Eye ~ Hedge Troll ~ Dinrova Horror ~ Renata
Pauper 60: ~ Caw Blade ~ MonoU Delver ~ MonoW Monk Fish ~
Standard: ~ Boros Knights ~ RDW ~
Pioneer: ~ U BControl ~
Modern: ~ UB Control ~
Legacy/Vintage: ~ MonoU Delver ~
93/94: ~ Erhnamgeddon ~
4 Archaeomancer
4 Augur of Bolas
4 Mulldrifter
2 Spire Golem
(10) Removal:
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Snap
2 Flame Slash
(8) Cantrips:
4 Ponder
4 Preordain
4 Counterspell
4 Ghostly Flicker
(20) Lands:
8 Island
4 Ash Barrens
4 Mystic Sanctuary
2 Mountain
1 Evolving Wilds
1 Terramorphic Expanse
4 Gut Shot (Elves)
3 Faerie Macabre (Tron)
2 Blue Elemental Blast
2 Hydroblast
2 Pyroblast
2 Red Elemental Blast
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkfx2kA8gok&feature=emb_logo
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RYiZJFCK0
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j18HlKybrm8&feature=emb_logo
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiAEzfAgpbI
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vNr_4ubfMg
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJcwpxraL-g
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MyVNLVYNw
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-M5ffoArnY
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yQEBOPi_w&feature=emb_logo
extended - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLpUB9zpyr4&feature=emb_logo
***Yeah, The 2/2 split of Deprive/Foil is the way to go. I think we’re onto something really good here.
Pauper EDH: ~ Rhox War Monk ~ Scornful Aether-Lich ~ Ashenmoor Gouger ~ Ascended Lawmage ~ Nightscape Battlemage ~ Warden of the Eye ~ Hedge Troll ~ Dinrova Horror ~ Renata
Pauper 60: ~ Caw Blade ~ MonoU Delver ~ MonoW Monk Fish ~
Standard: ~ Boros Knights ~ RDW ~
Pioneer: ~ U BControl ~
Modern: ~ UB Control ~
Legacy/Vintage: ~ MonoU Delver ~
93/94: ~ Erhnamgeddon ~
If redundant copies of Archaeomancer and Ghostly Flicker are too many, pitch the extra copies to Foil!
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkfx2kA8gok&feature=emb_logo
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RYiZJFCK0
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j18HlKybrm8&feature=emb_logo
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiAEzfAgpbI
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vNr_4ubfMg
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJcwpxraL-g
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MyVNLVYNw
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-M5ffoArnY
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yQEBOPi_w&feature=emb_logo
extended - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLpUB9zpyr4&feature=emb_logo
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkfx2kA8gok&feature=emb_logo
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RYiZJFCK0
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j18HlKybrm8&feature=emb_logo
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiAEzfAgpbI
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vNr_4ubfMg
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJcwpxraL-g
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MyVNLVYNw
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-M5ffoArnY
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yQEBOPi_w&feature=emb_logo
extended - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLpUB9zpyr4&feature=emb_logo
They're still a great card when they stick, but not really needed here. Excludes and more
land has been added in their stead. The deck runs better with 22 lands.
On a side note 2 days ago I switched to Snow, Skred, and Astrolabes and was really diggin' it,
then I found out just a few hours ago that Astrolabes got banhammered.
Pauper EDH: ~ Rhox War Monk ~ Scornful Aether-Lich ~ Ashenmoor Gouger ~ Ascended Lawmage ~ Nightscape Battlemage ~ Warden of the Eye ~ Hedge Troll ~ Dinrova Horror ~ Renata
Pauper 60: ~ Caw Blade ~ MonoU Delver ~ MonoW Monk Fish ~
Standard: ~ Boros Knights ~ RDW ~
Pioneer: ~ U BControl ~
Modern: ~ UB Control ~
Legacy/Vintage: ~ MonoU Delver ~
93/94: ~ Erhnamgeddon ~
I feel you on the Arcum's Astrolabe ban. I mass ordered singles for this deck (inspired by you
My biggest concern w/this deck is stabilizing vs aggro b/c the blockers are so puny. How has your testing gone thus far?
I can't wait to see your UB list! I built UG (https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/pauper/paper-pauper-and-peasant/811852-ugly), UW (your thread), and UR (this thread). I'm testing those 3 U/x pauper decks at my LGS and everyone has a blast!
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkfx2kA8gok&feature=emb_logo
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3RYiZJFCK0
limited - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j18HlKybrm8&feature=emb_logo
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiAEzfAgpbI
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vNr_4ubfMg
standard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJcwpxraL-g
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8MyVNLVYNw
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-M5ffoArnY
modern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_yQEBOPi_w&feature=emb_logo
extended - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLpUB9zpyr4&feature=emb_logo
the decks hardest matchups thus far. I've actually contemplated on adding Dream Stalkers and
Jilts maindeck with 2 Fade Aways in the side LoL! (but i did not).
Resolved River Boas with regen mana up are a problem.
When I can 1 for 1 everything they cast (countering and burning), by turns 6/7 I find they just
run out of gas. Running out of gas is Aggro's biggest weakness except for monoU.
Sanctuary beats Tron, Affinity, and is 50/50 vs UB control(really long games with graveyard
hate being a big factor).
I've not played vs. Pestilence or Tortured Existence yet.
Pauper EDH: ~ Rhox War Monk ~ Scornful Aether-Lich ~ Ashenmoor Gouger ~ Ascended Lawmage ~ Nightscape Battlemage ~ Warden of the Eye ~ Hedge Troll ~ Dinrova Horror ~ Renata
Pauper 60: ~ Caw Blade ~ MonoU Delver ~ MonoW Monk Fish ~
Standard: ~ Boros Knights ~ RDW ~
Pioneer: ~ U BControl ~
Modern: ~ UB Control ~
Legacy/Vintage: ~ MonoU Delver ~
93/94: ~ Erhnamgeddon ~