The Plan: use powerful answers to slow down opponents while developing a boardstate that threathens to make many of the most powerful cards in the format ineffective. 3feri, oko, push, verdict, etc simply can't generate the same value here that they might in another matchup.
Why: having played modern BW tokens since pod was banned, I wanted to see how the archetype could play in Pioneer. I'm not confident in aggro tokens' ability to push for lethal, given the lack of efficient lord effects and flying tokens. Dreadhorde Invasion looks like a fixed Bitterblossom, but multiple copies do less, it has terrible interactions with lord effects, and it builds threats that die to fatal push, or get blocked by a lonely 1/1, so I can't justify it's inclusion. Hidden Stockpile has been a great source of value in my modern list and has very strong synergy with the best removal spell in Pioneer Fatal Push, so I decided to try and build around it.
I think landing and raise are better in more aggressive shells, and i fear they would end up being inefficient ways to trigger revolt in a list like this. I looked at a lot of more traditional bw token lists before settling on this one, but the format lacks access to a lot of the kinds of token generators that make the deck what it is in modern. Ultimately, i suspect that a more aggressive midrange tokens list should be in mardu colours, with a focus on enabling young peezy. But I'm not convinced three colour manabases can reliably cast stuff like downfall without fetches, and the boros prowess deck is probably the better use of the strongest cards in such a deck.
Start finish is defo worth a try, but I was concerned that finish would end up being too slow, since we have no discard outlets. I will be trying a version of the list with two or three copies, likely instead of the bankrupts and maindeck rally for the throne. A reliable discard outlet would make start finish much more appealing.
Early drafts of the list were more walker heavy and did run heart of Kiran, but I found Solemn sorin wasn't the same bomb he was in modern, often coming down on empty boards due to the lack of 3mana spirits in the format. When I cut back on him, i cut the hearts too. And again, i think it's a more reliable threat in more aggressive shells.
Ajani steadfast is a really interesting pseudo-lord, but I think he's weaker than both solemn sorin and ally Gideon, due to his inability to generate tokens of his own, and the need for a token rich existing boardstate.
Triplicate spirits is one of many potential cards that just can't quite get there imo. It needs the tokens generated by a more aggressive shell to be value, but without Intangible Virtue all it does is slow down your beats.
I've seen a couple cute archangel of thune decks, but the reliability with which this list can activate avacyn, the elk purifier, makes her the choice for the hidden stockpile lists imo. Being able to flash her in is relevant, too.
the lord effects in your earlier comment all have an argument for inclusion in wider, token-heavy lists for sure, though I dislike Benalish Marshall as he gives opponents a target for spot removal
4 Hidden Stockpile
2 Archangel Avacyn
3 Thoughtseize
1 Despise
3 Kaya's Wrath
2 Conclave Tribunal
4 Fatal Push
2 Hero's Downfall
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 Kaya, Orzhov Usurper
1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Oath of Liliana
1 Secure the Wastes
2 Bankrupt in Blood
2 Shambling Vent
3 Swamp
3 Plains
2 Castle Ardenvale
2 Castle Locthwain
2 Evolving Wilds
4 Fabled Passage
4 Godless Shrine
4 Isolated Chapel
2 Duress
2 Noxious Grasp
2 Pithing Needle
2 Rally for the Throne
2 Rest in Peace
2 Sundering Growth
1 Kaya's Wrath
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General
The Plan: use powerful answers to slow down opponents while developing a boardstate that threathens to make many of the most powerful cards in the format ineffective. 3feri, oko, push, verdict, etc simply can't generate the same value here that they might in another matchup.
Why: having played modern BW tokens since pod was banned, I wanted to see how the archetype could play in Pioneer. I'm not confident in aggro tokens' ability to push for lethal, given the lack of efficient lord effects and flying tokens. Dreadhorde Invasion looks like a fixed Bitterblossom, but multiple copies do less, it has terrible interactions with lord effects, and it builds threats that die to fatal push, or get blocked by a lonely 1/1, so I can't justify it's inclusion. Hidden Stockpile has been a great source of value in my modern list and has very strong synergy with the best removal spell in Pioneer Fatal Push, so I decided to try and build around it.
I'll be playing this list for the next month, and will report back. I doubt Bankrupt in Blood will make the cut, but the art is great. Walking Ballista and Field of the Dead have been major threats so far, Damping Sphere might have to come into the board.
I'm very interested to hear how other token players are fairing in Pioneer
As for token cards have you considered:
Legion's Landing, Raise the Alarm and Start // Finish ?
For buffs threre aren't many good options, mainly:
Spear of Heliod, Collective Effort/Unbreakable Formation, Venerated Loxodon and (the hard to cast) Benalish Marshal.
Start finish is defo worth a try, but I was concerned that finish would end up being too slow, since we have no discard outlets. I will be trying a version of the list with two or three copies, likely instead of the bankrupts and maindeck rally for the throne. A reliable discard outlet would make start finish much more appealing.
Early drafts of the list were more walker heavy and did run heart of Kiran, but I found Solemn sorin wasn't the same bomb he was in modern, often coming down on empty boards due to the lack of 3mana spirits in the format. When I cut back on him, i cut the hearts too. And again, i think it's a more reliable threat in more aggressive shells.
Triplicate Spirits is probably the only semi-playable card that makes flying tokens.
Archangel of Thune can be an option for the deck as it can gain life and buff the tokens.
It might even work better than Archangel Avacyn here
Triplicate spirits is one of many potential cards that just can't quite get there imo. It needs the tokens generated by a more aggressive shell to be value, but without Intangible Virtue all it does is slow down your beats.
I've seen a couple cute archangel of thune decks, but the reliability with which this list can activate avacyn, the elk purifier, makes her the choice for the hidden stockpile lists imo. Being able to flash her in is relevant, too.
the lord effects in your earlier comment all have an argument for inclusion in wider, token-heavy lists for sure, though I dislike Benalish Marshall as he gives opponents a target for spot removal