I still like it. Anger slaughters Megamorph decks. I feel like we are about 50% against the meta right now. I am currently on a more reactive version of the deck.
The format has gotten so fast that I am not sure we can afford to durdle. I am testing Jeskai Charms in that spot right now as they performed very well for me last weekend.
Actually, I cut my Anticipates for this Open. I found that I often had trouble finding time to cast them unless I was playing against control because I wanted to be casting threats on curve. I am sure my feelings on Dig are colored by the fact that I missed every single time I cast it. I know that I would have won one match if my Cruise were a Dig (4th card was the burn spell), but I was far from unhappy to see Cruise from that spot. I am cutting down to two draw spells and increasing my burn density anyway.
I bring in Disdainful Stroke, Negate, and Keranos. Keranos often wins on its own. You need to prioritize on keeping their dragons off the field, then protect your threats. I am looking into putting Jeskai Charm back in my deck and turn it into a quasi-burn deck. It worked well the last time control reared its head.
One person made Top 8 at the last open. It isn't a popular choice but I think it is viable. This is especially true if the meta keeps shifting to extremes (think Mono Red and Esper) as we have game against those kinds of decks much more than we do Abzan.
Anger hits x/3s like Caryatid, Raptor, and Sidisi as well as fliers like Hornet Queen and Ashcloud Phoenix. The exile is also sometimes important (see: Raptor, Phoenix).
I went down to 23 land because I seem to always draw more than probability suggests. I flooded out a lot this weekend.
Anticipate was neat. I had a hard time finding time to cast them but they can smooth out draws and help you find specific answers. I am going to 3 most likely since I have no real other idea what else to add.
Brimaz was indeed great. Rabblemaster is faster if unchecked but in most of the non-control board states he never would have been able to swing due to all the ground clutter. It did require contorting my mana base a bit to reliable get WW on 3.
I play Treasure Cruise instead of Dig because I only have 12 blue sources in the deck since I need WW and RR early on. I cannot reliably stretch the mana base any further to reliably get UU as well.
One-ofs:
Chandra: Only wanted one as a bit of a CA engine and token killer. She is getting cut.
Stormbreath Dragon: Was 2 but Ojutai was so good that I cut one for him. Still wanted a SBD for protection from white (won me a game). Might to up to two because he is awesome.
Ojutai: Replaced a SBD but only wanted one due to legend rule.
Jeskai Charm: I like having access to the lifelink mode as a surprise but don't want too many as they can get clunky. I usually run two but shaved to one this time for Anticipate. Might go to two or zero depending on testing. I didn't get much use out of it this weekend when I drew it.
Soulfire Grand Master: Quasi 4th Seeker that gives me a unique effect that I don't want to see too much of.
I run Cruise over Dig because I only have 12 blue sources in the deck, making double blue fairly troublesome. I already need double white and double red on time so I don't think I can strain the mana base any further to allow for Dig.
Stoke is fine without Rabblemaster. I can still convoke off of Brimaz and Mantis Rider easily enough. I have no use for Roast in this deck as Stance already kills Rhino and Tasigur while I need a viable answer to Stormbreath.
Chandra is more than just a 0 button for me. I use her +1 quite a bit to pick off tokens and get past big ground blockers. I have also been known to ultimate her in longer fights. She is more vulnerable than Siege to be sure but I feel the extra utility makes up for it, especially with all the enchantment hate showing up, especially Dromoka's Command.
Anger is necessary to fight all the graveyard based strategies and to permanently deal with Deathmist Raptor, which had an excellent showing at the Invitational. Anger also deals with enemy Mantis Riders and Hornet Queen nonsense. Taking out half of my own board is painful to be sure but the Brimaz and dragons survive the hit.
I would love to find room for Anticipate to smooth out my draws but cannot find room. Pretty much every slot has a purpose that I am not sure I can afford to cut. Draconic Roar is a test due to the extra dragons but would just become Lightning Strike if they don't work out.
They do but they dilute everything else you are trying to do. It makes us vulnerable to Wasteland and causes our Price of Progress to hurt us. Ensnaring Bridge gives us defense against fatties. You can beat Leyline with creatures, Flame Rift, Price of Progress, Sulfuric Vortex, etc. It is hard but doable. We are dead to an Iona but that is not worth weaking our deck so much for.
Tournament report is here.
Anticipate was neat. I had a hard time finding time to cast them but they can smooth out draws and help you find specific answers. I am going to 3 most likely since I have no real other idea what else to add.
Brimaz was indeed great. Rabblemaster is faster if unchecked but in most of the non-control board states he never would have been able to swing due to all the ground clutter. It did require contorting my mana base a bit to reliable get WW on 3.
I play Treasure Cruise instead of Dig because I only have 12 blue sources in the deck since I need WW and RR early on. I cannot reliably stretch the mana base any further to reliably get UU as well.
One-ofs:
Chandra: Only wanted one as a bit of a CA engine and token killer. She is getting cut.
Stormbreath Dragon: Was 2 but Ojutai was so good that I cut one for him. Still wanted a SBD for protection from white (won me a game). Might to up to two because he is awesome.
Ojutai: Replaced a SBD but only wanted one due to legend rule.
Jeskai Charm: I like having access to the lifelink mode as a surprise but don't want too many as they can get clunky. I usually run two but shaved to one this time for Anticipate. Might go to two or zero depending on testing. I didn't get much use out of it this weekend when I drew it.
Soulfire Grand Master: Quasi 4th Seeker that gives me a unique effect that I don't want to see too much of.
Stoke is fine without Rabblemaster. I can still convoke off of Brimaz and Mantis Rider easily enough. I have no use for Roast in this deck as Stance already kills Rhino and Tasigur while I need a viable answer to Stormbreath.
Chandra is more than just a 0 button for me. I use her +1 quite a bit to pick off tokens and get past big ground blockers. I have also been known to ultimate her in longer fights. She is more vulnerable than Siege to be sure but I feel the extra utility makes up for it, especially with all the enchantment hate showing up, especially Dromoka's Command.
Anger is necessary to fight all the graveyard based strategies and to permanently deal with Deathmist Raptor, which had an excellent showing at the Invitational. Anger also deals with enemy Mantis Riders and Hornet Queen nonsense. Taking out half of my own board is painful to be sure but the Brimaz and dragons survive the hit.
I would love to find room for Anticipate to smooth out my draws but cannot find room. Pretty much every slot has a purpose that I am not sure I can afford to cut. Draconic Roar is a test due to the extra dragons but would just become Lightning Strike if they don't work out.
2 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1 Dragonlord Ojutai
4 Mantis Rider
3 Seeker of the Way
1 Soulfire Grand Master
1 Stormbreath Dragon
4 Thunderbreak Regent
Spells
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Draconic Roar
2 Jeskai Charm
2 Lightning Strike
4 Stoke the Flames
3 Treasure Cruise
3 Valorous Stance
4 Wild Slash
3 Battlefield Forge
3 Flooded Strand
1 Island
1 Mountain
4 Mystic Monastery
3 Plains
2 Shivan Reef
2 Temple of Epiphany
4 Temple of Triumph
3 Anger of the Gods
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Disdainful Stroke
1 Erase
3 Glare of Heresy
1 Keranos, God of Storms
1 Narset Transcendent
2 Negate
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker