In the interests of science, I took Auzzie51's list from the PTQ on 11/18 (changing Legion's Landing #4 to be Skymarcher Aspirant #3) out to Monday Night Magic. Given that it was non-tier competition, my poor mulliganing, bad sideboarding and sketchy play were not enough to sink this deck. 4-0 seems good to me, even though it never felt good. I beat Dimir Surveil, Gruul Dragons, Jeskai Legendary and Golgari along the way.
My sideboarding was kind of a dumpster fire, but I feel good about taking out Conclave Tribunal against Golgari (bad against Vivien, big Vraska) and bringing in Clifftop Retreat and Experimental Frenzy against Jeskai (useful for plowing through 4 Settles). I would add the fourth Tocatli Honor Guard to the sideboard in place of a Baffling End.
Deck is obviously good, but it doesn't always feel good to play, as many of the cards aren't individually that powerful.
There are lots of different builds. The Rustwing Falcons seem strong in the mirror. While the deck is not unbeatable, I think it can get results in metas that are not tergeting it.
Hopefully this gives a place for people to discuss this deck. I would be glad to hear from anybody else who is playing it. If someone with more experience wants to take over the thread, that works also.
Swept Standard Showdown yesterday with a pretty traditional list. Pulled a foil Steel Leaf, Foil Cleansing Nova, and Dragonskull Summit from my showdown packs (the best one I saw cracked had both a Lyra and a Niv in it though).
Honestly out of all our pumps Benalish Marshal most of the time seems to me like the weakest one. If I'd have to choose between Heroic Reinforcements, Venerated Loxodon, History of Benalia and Benalish Marshal I'd drop the last one for sure because he is the least threatening by himself out of all 4 of these. I wouldn't drop him in pure mono W version for sure though.
Reinforcements feels the weakest to me. On the play, both elephant and marshal keep you out of chainwhirler range. Dont get me wrong, adding 2x 2/2 bodies with haste is nice in a lot of matchups but from a defensive perspective (which I think is important in such a potentially fragile deck) its not as good. It also forces the deck to play more lands, which can also be detrimental at times
So I registered just to ask a question in this thread. First off, great insights so far. I've been away from the game for 5 years and am really enjoying trying to get back into standard with a deck like this. 2 questions:
1) Why not run an ajani pridemate lifegain package? I'll admit it's not working for me, but I think that might mostly be my lack of skill.
2) Some of the material on ChannelFireball suggests that they thought venerated was just too slow since you have to tap down everything for a full turn, rather than beating. Are they wrong, or is that an issue of being monowhite, rather than Wr?
So I registered just to ask a question in this thread. First off, great insights so far. I've been away from the game for 5 years and am really enjoying trying to get back into standard with a deck like this. 2 questions:
1) Why not run an ajani pridemate lifegain package? I'll admit it's not working for me, but I think that might mostly be my lack of skill.
2) Some of the material on ChannelFireball suggests that they thought venerated was just too slow since you have to tap down everything for a full turn, rather than beating. Are they wrong, or is that an issue of being monowhite, rather than Wr?
Would really appreciate any insights.
1) Pridemate makes the mirror more favorable and the additional life gain in that build makes mono red a slightly better matchup. But generally speaking im not a huge fan. You have to build around it specifically, and more often than not it will just eat removal
2) Regarding Loxodon, you have to pick your spots correctly. If you dont have favorable attacks, then taking a turn off to make them more favorable is worthwhile. And as I mentioned previously, saving the team from death by Chainwhirler is also a good reason
The Magnus Lantto article posted in the OP has detailed sideboarding plans.
He wrote a great explanation of the boros build, but almost none of this applies to the monowhite build.
Hmm. I feel confused.
Lantto says in the mirror: -Vanguard, -Bodyguard, -pumps, +removal, +big stuff, +card advantage. Applying that to Sliv3r's list (did I miss yours?) I get: -Vanguard, -Bodyguard, +Baffling End, +Tribunal, +Ajani, +Ixalan's Binding. Yeah, it would be nice to hear from Sliv3r also, but I think Lantto's ideas can be applied. In your shoes, I would be looking to consider various possibilities and plans to try.
Looking it over, I think a similar translation could be done for the other matchups, but I'm too lazy. What am I missing?
I'm surprised this thread is dead (no pun intended).
After rise of Azorius variant with Deputy of Detention and counterspells in side it has become dominant version of White Weenie. In my opinion this is just wrong - Deputy is better tempo-wise but way less consistent as it's not enchantment and both mono W and Boros versions have their tools against control and combo as well (well, maybe mono W has worse).
Also Unbreakable Formation - I don't really know why all of a sudden ppl are playing this card when Make a Stand was around here for a long time already...
What are your thoughts - what is your favourite version of WW?
Are you kidding? Unbreakable Formation seems nuts to me. Counters plus a free attack where I can't lose anything and don't even tap stuff (except to Settle). The first one seems automatic, as the biggest drawback seems like not triggering Hero of Precinct One. Blanking Kaya's Wrath, Gates Ablaze, Clarion or Nova seems worth. I am looking at Heroic Reinforcements generally and even considering Jeskai. On Arena, Tajic mostly protecting against Gates Ablaze and Clarion has been relevant.
Are you kidding? Unbreakable Formation seems nuts to me. Counters plus a free attack where I can't lose anything and don't even tap stuff (except to Settle).
This free attack matters only vs creature decks and only when the board state is even. On defence Make a Stand is better. It may prove to be a surprise factor during attack after blockers are declared as well. With Unbreakable Formation opponent already knows what he's facing and he can arrange blockers properly. In every other scenario it's the same spell.
Are counters and vigilance really worth it? To me Make a Stand is just more flexible and all around better card.
My creature picks are purely anti mono R as there are a lot of them in my local meta but honestly the choice of 1 and 2 drops comes down to personal preference. I'm torn between Snubhorn Sentry and Skymarcher Aspirant though. Dinosaur is the biggest possible one drop, even though it's not that agressive, but on the other hand the pure pressure vampire provides, as well as reach later on, proved to be crucial quite often. Demystify is surprisingly good against mono U and Nexus but it's still underwhelming choice and I'd prefer to find some other answer to the latter. Nexus is hardest matchup for me but mono W doesn't have many answers to this deck so destroying Wilderness Reclamation at instant speed is just great.
Fifth place at Star City Games Classic Dallas with Mono-W
No History of Benalia in this deck? Wow. I'm really curious about this decision. I believe this card is one of the main reasons to play this deck and I wouldn't even dream about cutting it from the list.
Also 1st and 2nd place of SCG Classic is literally mono W with U splash for sideboard. Not playing mainboard Deputy of Detention is in my opinion proper as it's not agressive enough and flexible to be played like that.
Apparently Pride of Conquerors isn't good enough anymore to be played. I think this card is decent enough to be played as 1-of mainboard as a combat trick and occasionally living through -x/-x wipes of Sultai but maybe simply Negate does the job better. I think this is the list I like most although I'd switch Skymarcher Aspirants for Tithe Takers at least in some numbers.
The mono W maindeck already is (and was) strong by itself and only thing to optimize was sideboard. As hard as I love mono W version I have to admit that these Negates may be the thing this deck needed to be huge and splashing U just to get these is just enough.
I'm also surprised Unbreakable Formation is played maindeck so much... And how it's used? I maybe should give this card another try.
I tried different splashes but like mono white the best. I don't think Deputy is particularly strong outside of the mirror match. Counterspells also seem like a trap to me. Ajani is nuts in many post board games. I don't care if I flood on them from time to time, I'm sick of seeing 0 in the games I need them.
It leans midrange and I thought it could grind and take a Chainwhirler and keep on trucking. I tweaked (worsened) it a bit to match my existing Arena collection and am just 1-2 on ranked Bo3. Early days, but it seems to lack the explosiveness of the 'whirler-be-damned version I have been grinding on ranked Bo1.
It leans midrange and I thought it could grind and take a Chainwhirler and keep on trucking. I tweaked (worsened) it a bit to match my existing Arena collection and am just 1-2 on ranked Bo3. Early days, but it seems to lack the explosiveness of the 'whirler-be-damned version I have been grinding on ranked Bo1.
tbh that list looks even more soft to chainwhirler with all the x/1s.
I feel like there is a consensus that mono red is a bad MU for this archetype, but I've found it to be the opposite. Either my Sb strategy is better or I'm just lucky, who knows.
Now up to 3-2 and the losses were close, but the deck feels terrible and I haven't cast Divine Visitation yet. Totally loving Warboss and Reinforcements, though. The Rekindling Phoenixes that I threw in (at the cost of guildgates. Yeah, I know, but I wanted to test out the other cards before committing wildcards) and Lyra have been good.
I tried different splashes but like mono white the best. I don't think Deputy is particularly strong outside of the mirror match. Counterspells also seem like a trap to me.
Yeah, that's my thoughts as well after some testing on MTGA. Mono W still feels the best.
I went with the idea of moving 2 copies of Adanto Vanguard from main to SB and it worked well for now. 4 copies must be in 75 as the vampire is great vs control and Drakes but not so good vs other aggro decks as it's purely offensive creature. Tithe Taker also was great, mainly vs mono U taxing their counterspells and Flash creatures also being an ******** vs boardwipes on control and Gates matchups. I can't imagine playing less than 4.
Also I've maindecked 2 Unbreakable Formations. This card really overperformed in my games on MTGA and during Standard Showdowns. I had to experience its impact to change my opinion about that card.
Only thing is lack of strong options vs Nexus but as it's not as popular as before I don't feel any need to do so. If it would become popular I'd probably go for U splash for Negates.
I don't think going 4 Ajanis is good idea. Never got more than 2 copies in hand but it isn't that easy to consistantly cast 4 mana spell on curve with 20-21 lands. Especially while most of my games end up with me having ~3 lands. Or being screwed. Or flooding but then I don't have enough creatures on board and Ajani needs creatures on board. Plus your deck doesn't have enough flyers to defend him from mono U, Drakes or Krasis. I don't sideboard him that often as pre RNA. 3 is enough because he's still crucial in matchups where you have to outvalue opponents creatures but I can live without him.
This is the deck I've been playing in Arena. I'm currently at Gold 2, I think. It's a suboptimal version of white weenie (I don't have the rares to build the good version) but it has game against mono-red and mono-blue and can get quick enough draws to beat control decks occasionally. Struggles vs. midrange and in the pseudo mirror match.
Haazda Marshal has been surprisingly good vs. control decks. If you get a double Haazda Martial in your hand then you are well on your way to over running them. You'll hit City's Blessing quickly and if you draw Pride of Conquerors it's just a beating.
I know Ajani's Welcome is considered a kind of scrubby card but I'm leaning heavily on Ajani's Pridemate in this build so I think it's necessary until I can upgrade. A lack of Tithe Taker, Benalish Marshal, Venerated Loxodon is what's holding me back. I've been able to slowly grind my way up in Bo1. Curious to see if I hit a wall at some point and stop progressing altogether. Other random decks got me to Gold but this semi-poverty version of white weenie is what got me moving up in Gold. Unbreakable Formation is the rare that you absolutely have to have. I kind of splurged to get the four Legion's Landing and while that's a great card you can sub another one-drop for it if you need to.
Random thought. I don't know if anyone would be willing to seriously consider Suncleanser right now but I think it's an underrated card as well. Wildgrowth Walker, Runaway Steam-Kin, Pteramander, Skarrgan Hellkite and Hydroid Krasis are cards that come to mind immediately that it would be effective against. Plus it's got a fat butt so it's great for holding the ground as well. I think maybe running a couple in the sideboard could be justified.
Update 2/21/2019: Made Platinum finally.
Update 2/25/2019: Got one win away from Platinum Tier 1 and then went on a horrendous losing streak. Have cut two land for two History of Benalia.
It's got 20 one drops so the idea is still to barf out weenies as quick as you can (keep in mind this is really meant to be an Arena deck) but Growth-Chamber Guardian is there to give you some card advantage and a way to recover if things go wrong. Shanna, Sisay's Legacy is probably not the optimal choice here but I couldn't decide where else to go. She seemed like a reasonable replacement beatstick for Ajani's Pridemate. I already have the Growth-Chamber Guardians so I'd just need to pick up the uncommons (which I should probably do even if I stick with mono-white) and then the dual lands so this wouldn't be impossible for me to build.
@Bowen
The problem with lifegain mono W is that you don't have enough payoffs for gaining so much life and your creatures aren't that threatetning by themselves. Before rotation there was Crested Sunmare beside Ajani's Pridemate and he was real deal in this deck. If I would go for this type of deck it would have more grindy midrange approach with Divine Visitation, Dawn of Hope and bunch of token makers instead of full aggro.
I've tried Suncleanser in sideboard and he was cute. He did stop some cards you've mentioned but that's all. The thing is Baffling End does the job better and gets rid of far more threats. He was cool during Kaladesh standard because he stopped energy decks. Now there isn't much reason to keep him.
Sure, there are plenty of limitations in my deck design. But as long as I win more games than I lose I can climb in the rankings on Arena. It would be a very poor choice to take this deck to a tournament with 5+ rounds of swiss and a cut to top 8 but for Arena it's just fine. I almost broke into Platinum last night but then hit a losing streak.
EDIT: Oh! Oh! I just found an improvement. I'm going to drop the Ajani's Welcome and play Charge instead.
In the interests of science, I took Auzzie51's list from the PTQ on 11/18 (changing Legion's Landing #4 to be Skymarcher Aspirant #3) out to Monday Night Magic. Given that it was non-tier competition, my poor mulliganing, bad sideboarding and sketchy play were not enough to sink this deck. 4-0 seems good to me, even though it never felt good. I beat Dimir Surveil, Gruul Dragons, Jeskai Legendary and Golgari along the way.
My sideboarding was kind of a dumpster fire, but I feel good about taking out Conclave Tribunal against Golgari (bad against Vivien, big Vraska) and bringing in Clifftop Retreat and Experimental Frenzy against Jeskai (useful for plowing through 4 Settles). I would add the fourth Tocatli Honor Guard to the sideboard in place of a Baffling End.
Deck is obviously good, but it doesn't always feel good to play, as many of the cards aren't individually that powerful.
Here is Auzzie51's slightly tweaked list:
4 Adanto Vanguard
4 Rustwing Falcon
4 Hunted Witness
3 Skymarcher Aspirant
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Venerated Loxodon
3 Legion's Landing
4 History of Benalia
4 Conclave Tribunal
Land
14 Plains
2 Clifftop Retreat
4 Sacred Foundry
Instant
2 Pride of Conquerors
3 Tocatli Honor Guard
1 Aurelia, Exemplar of Justice
1 Shalai, Voice of Plenty
2 Baffling End
2 Experimental Frenzy
2 Clifftop Retreat
1 Settle the Wreckage
1 Banefire
2 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
There are lots of different builds. The Rustwing Falcons seem strong in the mirror. While the deck is not unbeatable, I think it can get results in metas that are not tergeting it.
auzzie51 made the 5-0 deck dump on 11/26/18 with this updated deck.
MTGS member Tiemuuu 8-0ed the Standard MOCS on 11/24/18 with this deck.
This Mono-W version ran up an MTGO 5-0 on 11/29: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1494307#paper
8th at SCG Classic Baltimore here.
Top 8 GP Shizuoka here.
Good finishes in MTGO PTQ here and here.
Articles, videos, etc.:
Hopefully this gives a place for people to discuss this deck. I would be glad to hear from anybody else who is playing it. If someone with more experience wants to take over the thread, that works also.
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1486563#paper
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
14x Plains
4x Sacred Foundry
2x Clifftop Retreat
Creatures (26)
4x Skymarcher Aspirant
4x Dauntless Bodyguard
4x Snubhorn Sentry
2x Healer's Hawk
4x Adanto Vanguard
4x Benalish Marshal
4x Venerated Loxodon
4x Legion's Landing
4x Conclave Tribunal
4x History of Benalia
Instant (2)
2x Pride of Conquerors
4x Tocatli Honor Guard
3x Experimental Frenzy
2x Clifftop Retreat
2x Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
2x Response // Resurgence
1x Banefire
1x Make a Stand
I think I'm going to cut 1 SB Frenzy for a Settle though
You can have a look at how the matches went for me: https://youtu.be/OWcqsixiRno
Not playing Benalish Marshal might be insane, but I can't help my biases. The mono white version is insanely advantaged in the mirror.
Youtube Channel
1) Why not run an ajani pridemate lifegain package? I'll admit it's not working for me, but I think that might mostly be my lack of skill.
2) Some of the material on ChannelFireball suggests that they thought venerated was just too slow since you have to tap down everything for a full turn, rather than beating. Are they wrong, or is that an issue of being monowhite, rather than Wr?
Would really appreciate any insights.
2) Regarding Loxodon, you have to pick your spots correctly. If you dont have favorable attacks, then taking a turn off to make them more favorable is worthwhile. And as I mentioned previously, saving the team from death by Chainwhirler is also a good reason
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
He wrote a great explanation of the boros build, but almost none of this applies to the monowhite build.
Lantto says in the mirror: -Vanguard, -Bodyguard, -pumps, +removal, +big stuff, +card advantage. Applying that to Sliv3r's list (did I miss yours?) I get: -Vanguard, -Bodyguard, +Baffling End, +Tribunal, +Ajani, +Ixalan's Binding. Yeah, it would be nice to hear from Sliv3r also, but I think Lantto's ideas can be applied. In your shoes, I would be looking to consider various possibilities and plans to try.
Looking it over, I think a similar translation could be done for the other matchups, but I'm too lazy. What am I missing?
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
After rise of Azorius variant with Deputy of Detention and counterspells in side it has become dominant version of White Weenie. In my opinion this is just wrong - Deputy is better tempo-wise but way less consistent as it's not enchantment and both mono W and Boros versions have their tools against control and combo as well (well, maybe mono W has worse).
Also Unbreakable Formation - I don't really know why all of a sudden ppl are playing this card when Make a Stand was around here for a long time already...
What are your thoughts - what is your favourite version of WW?
Are you still on Mono-W?
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
This free attack matters only vs creature decks and only when the board state is even. On defence Make a Stand is better. It may prove to be a surprise factor during attack after blockers are declared as well. With Unbreakable Formation opponent already knows what he's facing and he can arrange blockers properly. In every other scenario it's the same spell.
Are counters and vigilance really worth it? To me Make a Stand is just more flexible and all around better card.
I'm still playing mono W. It looks now like this:
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
2 Hunted Witness
4 Snubhorn Sentry
4 Adanto Vanguard
4 Tithe Taker
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Venerated Loxodon
1 Pride of Conquerors
4 History of Benalia
1 Make a Stand
4 Conclave Tribunal
2 Demystify
3 Baffling End
2 Sorcerous Spyglass
4 Tocatli Honor Guard
1 Make a Stand
3 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
My creature picks are purely anti mono R as there are a lot of them in my local meta but honestly the choice of 1 and 2 drops comes down to personal preference. I'm torn between Snubhorn Sentry and Skymarcher Aspirant though. Dinosaur is the biggest possible one drop, even though it's not that agressive, but on the other hand the pure pressure vampire provides, as well as reach later on, proved to be crucial quite often.
Demystify is surprisingly good against mono U and Nexus but it's still underwhelming choice and I'd prefer to find some other answer to the latter. Nexus is hardest matchup for me but mono W doesn't have many answers to this deck so destroying Wilderness Reclamation at instant speed is just great.
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
No History of Benalia in this deck? Wow. I'm really curious about this decision. I believe this card is one of the main reasons to play this deck and I wouldn't even dream about cutting it from the list.
Also 1st and 2nd place of SCG Classic is literally mono W with U splash for sideboard. Not playing mainboard Deputy of Detention is in my opinion proper as it's not agressive enough and flexible to be played like that.
Apparently Pride of Conquerors isn't good enough anymore to be played. I think this card is decent enough to be played as 1-of mainboard as a combat trick and occasionally living through -x/-x wipes of Sultai but maybe simply Negate does the job better.
I think this is the list I like most although I'd switch Skymarcher Aspirants for Tithe Takers at least in some numbers.
The mono W maindeck already is (and was) strong by itself and only thing to optimize was sideboard. As hard as I love mono W version I have to admit that these Negates may be the thing this deck needed to be huge and splashing U just to get these is just enough.
I'm also surprised Unbreakable Formation is played maindeck so much... And how it's used? I maybe should give this card another try.
Youtube Channel
https://www.mtggoldfish.com/deck/1650149#paper
It leans midrange and I thought it could grind and take a Chainwhirler and keep on trucking. I tweaked (worsened) it a bit to match my existing Arena collection and am just 1-2 on ranked Bo3. Early days, but it seems to lack the explosiveness of the 'whirler-be-damned version I have been grinding on ranked Bo1.
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
tbh that list looks even more soft to chainwhirler with all the x/1s.
I feel like there is a consensus that mono red is a bad MU for this archetype, but I've found it to be the opposite. Either my Sb strategy is better or I'm just lucky, who knows.
Youtube Channel
RNA Standard: Grixis Midrange, Jund Deathwhirler, Sultai Vannifar
GRN Standard: Red Midrange, Mono-Blue Tempo, Wr Aggro, Gruul Experimental Dinosaurs, Sultai Midrange, Jeskai Midrange
Modern: Bant Spirits
Forcing a single archetype in all formats: too many colors, bad mana.
Yeah, that's my thoughts as well after some testing on MTGA. Mono W still feels the best.
4 Dauntless Bodyguard
2 Hunted Witness
2 Skymarcher Aspirant
4 Snubhorn Sentry
2 Adanto Vanguard
4 Tithe Taker
4 Benalish Marshal
4 Venerated Loxodon
4 History of Benalia
2 Unbreakable Formation
4 Conclave Tribunal
2 Demystify
2 Adanto Vanguard
4 Baffling End
4 Tocatli Honor Guard
3 Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
I went with the idea of moving 2 copies of Adanto Vanguard from main to SB and it worked well for now. 4 copies must be in 75 as the vampire is great vs control and Drakes but not so good vs other aggro decks as it's purely offensive creature.
Tithe Taker also was great, mainly vs mono U taxing their counterspells and Flash creatures also being an ******** vs boardwipes on control and Gates matchups. I can't imagine playing less than 4.
Also I've maindecked 2 Unbreakable Formations. This card really overperformed in my games on MTGA and during Standard Showdowns. I had to experience its impact to change my opinion about that card.
Only thing is lack of strong options vs Nexus but as it's not as popular as before I don't feel any need to do so. If it would become popular I'd probably go for U splash for Negates.
I don't think going 4 Ajanis is good idea. Never got more than 2 copies in hand but it isn't that easy to consistantly cast 4 mana spell on curve with 20-21 lands. Especially while most of my games end up with me having ~3 lands. Or being screwed. Or flooding but then I don't have enough creatures on board and Ajani needs creatures on board. Plus your deck doesn't have enough flyers to defend him from mono U, Drakes or Krasis. I don't sideboard him that often as pre RNA. 3 is enough because he's still crucial in matchups where you have to outvalue opponents creatures but I can live without him.
4 Healer's Hawk
4 Hunted Witness
4 Legion's Landing
4 Leonin Vanguard
4 Impassioned Orator
4 Ajani's Pridemate
4 Pride of Conquerors
4 Unbreakable Formation
I know Ajani's Welcome is considered a kind of scrubby card but I'm leaning heavily on Ajani's Pridemate in this build so I think it's necessary until I can upgrade. A lack of Tithe Taker, Benalish Marshal, Venerated Loxodon is what's holding me back. I've been able to slowly grind my way up in Bo1. Curious to see if I hit a wall at some point and stop progressing altogether. Other random decks got me to Gold but this semi-poverty version of white weenie is what got me moving up in Gold. Unbreakable Formation is the rare that you absolutely have to have. I kind of splurged to get the four Legion's Landing and while that's a great card you can sub another one-drop for it if you need to.
Random thought. I don't know if anyone would be willing to seriously consider Suncleanser right now but I think it's an underrated card as well. Wildgrowth Walker, Runaway Steam-Kin, Pteramander, Skarrgan Hellkite and Hydroid Krasis are cards that come to mind immediately that it would be effective against. Plus it's got a fat butt so it's great for holding the ground as well. I think maybe running a couple in the sideboard could be justified.
Update 2/21/2019: Made Platinum finally.
Update 2/25/2019: Got one win away from Platinum Tier 1 and then went on a horrendous losing streak.
4 Snubhorn Sentry
4 Haazda Marshal
4 Legion's Landing
4 Skymarcher Aspirant
4 Growth-Chamber Guardian
3 Shanna, Sisay's Legacy
4 Pride of Conquerors
4 Unbreakable Formation
1 Forest
4 Sunpetal Grove
4 Temple Garden
12 Plains
The problem with lifegain mono W is that you don't have enough payoffs for gaining so much life and your creatures aren't that threatetning by themselves. Before rotation there was Crested Sunmare beside Ajani's Pridemate and he was real deal in this deck. If I would go for this type of deck it would have more grindy midrange approach with Divine Visitation, Dawn of Hope and bunch of token makers instead of full aggro.
If you want to play Ajani's Welcome I'd rather go with Fountain of Renewal.
Also running so many 1-drops seems like a bad idea if they are not getting pumped soon so lack of Benalish Marshal and, especially, Venerated Loxodon hurts a lot. White has a lot of decent 2-drops like Adanto Vanguard, Knight of Grace, Silverbeak Griffin or Sunhome Stalwart. I'd change some of the 1-drops for one of these.
I've tried Suncleanser in sideboard and he was cute. He did stop some cards you've mentioned but that's all. The thing is Baffling End does the job better and gets rid of far more threats. He was cool during Kaladesh standard because he stopped energy decks. Now there isn't much reason to keep him.
EDIT: Oh! Oh! I just found an improvement. I'm going to drop the Ajani's Welcome and play Charge instead.