I think in addition to splashing blue, we should probably discuss red. I know in your initial post you mention red doesn't add much but both Cedric and LSV have advocated for it and are calling for it to be the next step up from straight GW Megamorph.
Scass, I don't know if you have premium or not, but I would check out Cedric's article but most definitely LSV's on the mothership.
This deck is heavily based on Michael's deck at the PT and the board is always going to reflect what I see at my local store. There isn't much I can say about the deck that hasn't already been said but I look forward to testing with Avatars.
whats up with the manabase? isnt using more fetches instead of lanowar wastes better?
You're probably right. Cutting them for 4 foothills and the 1 citadel for a smoldering marsh is probably a lot cleaner and fixes some problems I may run into later.
After seeing the immense success of GW Megamorph, I wanted to try my hand with Deathmist Raptor but I still think black is too necessary to cut completely due to how strong murderous cut is and how much value siege rhino still gives even if it isn't as immediately apparent to some people anymore. The mana might look messy but I feel even if it turns out to be less than optimal the card quality of my creatures and my spells should help offset it a little.
I think Knight of the White Orchid is still preferable in base white lists. However in more normal, less skewed lists, I can see Warden being the absolute go-to for sure.
I still don't like deathdealer because without urborg, I feel it's too hard to activate his abilities regularly. On the other hand, a base GW deck with warden is much easier to craft a manabase around. As for Nissa, I don't really like ruinous path; not because of the effect but rather the cost (1BB). I think if you tried based GW with wardens and 3 nissa (also cutting the ob nix for cost consideration), I think you will be much happier. Just my thoughts on the matter. Take them for what you will.
I haven't made any changes to my sideboard because I haven't tested against any top tier decks yet. My maindeck really doesn't need any explanations at this point, however I recently have been wanting to test wardens over the knights. Has anyone else done this? I still really like knight especially in combo with dromoka's command but I feel warden could provide much needed early pressure in the same vein as fleecemane lion once did. Thoughts?
I think if you run the knight version it is too hard on the mana to run ruinous path. You have to be base white and ruinous path wants you to lean more black even if it's a 2 of. I would rather see reave soul in that spot as a means of dealing with jace. I feel the same is true with Ob Nixilis. While the verdict is still out on the card, I would much rather have a 3rd Gideon in that spot as observed by various articles/videos and the open over the weekend, he is just better suited for an aggressive style deck.
As for your manabase I think it's pretty balanced. I would like more white but that is just personal bias, maybe cut a llanowar wastes for a 2nd canopy vista?
Deathdealers seem bad because of Hangarback. In addition to what TBuzz said, Brad Nelson has his finger on the pulse of bfz standard leading into the PT. His Aggro-Midrange idea is super strong right now.
This is my approach for Abzan for first week which starts tommorow: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/18-09-15-mJB-abzan-aggro/ . What do you think guys? Any changes? I expect many Rg aggro's and some spicy but clunky brews which rarely have any chance against Abzan, due to my tests. I obtained only 1 Gideon so far, and unless I will get more tomorrow I'll play 1 Gideon, 2 Sorins.
After reading Brad's article and watching the subsequent vs video on the deck, I'm sold on the more aggro-midrange list of abzan. I feel like this is where abzan is headed and I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of top players at the PT playing this type of deck with or without Gideon (likely with).
Initial list, as such the board is kind of a mess but abzan tends to have strong board options so I'm not worried right now. I'm also going back and fourth between 3-4 hangarbacks. Thoughts?
Went 3-0-1 in the swiss. 1st going into top 8. Ended up losing in 2 in the quarters.
Rd 1 - 5 Color Midrange (1-1-1) D
Rd 2 - UW Control (2-0) W
Rd 3 - Dark Jeskai (2-1) W
Rd 4 - UB Thopters (2-0) W
Quarters - Dark Jeskai (from Rd 3) (0-2) L
Kept a sketchy hand game 1 and that cost me then flooded out game 2.
I'll be at Game Day today in a few hours. I'll report back after.
Scass, I don't know if you have premium or not, but I would check out Cedric's article but most definitely LSV's on the mothership.
3 Deathmist Raptor
4 Den Protector
4 Hangarback Walker
3 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
3 Warden of the First Tree
4 Wingmate Roc
3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
4 Dromoka's Command
3 Silkwrap
4 Flooded Strand
6 Forest (270)
4 Plains (250)
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
2 Dragonlord Dromoka
2 Whisperwood Elemental
3 End Hostilities
4 Lantern Scout
1 Mastery of the Unseen
2 Surge of Righteousness
1 Valorous Stance
This deck is heavily based on Michael's deck at the PT and the board is always going to reflect what I see at my local store. There isn't much I can say about the deck that hasn't already been said but I look forward to testing with Avatars.
You're probably right. Cutting them for 4 foothills and the 1 citadel for a smoldering marsh is probably a lot cleaner and fixes some problems I may run into later.
4 Den Protector
4 Hangarback Walker
3 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
4 Siege Rhino
3 Wingmate Roc
3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
4 Abzan Charm
3 Dromoka's Command
3 Murderous Cut
1 Reave Soul
4 Flooded Strand
3 Forest (270)
4 Llanowar Wastes
1 Plains (250)
1 Sandsteppe Citadel
4 Shambling Vent
1 Sunken Hollow
4 Windswept Heath
4 Arashin Cleric
4 Duress
2 Self-Inflicted Wound
3 Ultimate Price
1 Utter End
1 Valorous Stance
After seeing the immense success of GW Megamorph, I wanted to try my hand with Deathmist Raptor but I still think black is too necessary to cut completely due to how strong murderous cut is and how much value siege rhino still gives even if it isn't as immediately apparent to some people anymore. The mana might look messy but I feel even if it turns out to be less than optimal the card quality of my creatures and my spells should help offset it a little.
Summary -
-2 ruinous path
-1 ob nix
-3 deathdealer
+3 warden
+3 nissa
4 Hangarback Walker
4 Knight of the White Orchid
4 Siege Rhino
3 Wingmate Roc
3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
4 Abzan Charm
3 Dromoka's Command
3 Murderous Cut
1 Reave Soul
1 Valorous Stance
4 Caves of Koilos
1 Forest (270)
3 Plains (250)
4 Flooded Strand
4 Shambling Vent
4 Windswept Heath
3 Sandsteppe Citadel
1 Sunken Hollow
4 Arashin Cleric
4 Duress
2 Self-Inflicted Wound
1 Tragic Arrogance
1 Ultimate Price
1 Utter End
2 Valorous Stance
I haven't made any changes to my sideboard because I haven't tested against any top tier decks yet. My maindeck really doesn't need any explanations at this point, however I recently have been wanting to test wardens over the knights. Has anyone else done this? I still really like knight especially in combo with dromoka's command but I feel warden could provide much needed early pressure in the same vein as fleecemane lion once did. Thoughts?
That's much better. I would still consider cutting a wastes for a vista though. Up to you.
I think if you run the knight version it is too hard on the mana to run ruinous path. You have to be base white and ruinous path wants you to lean more black even if it's a 2 of. I would rather see reave soul in that spot as a means of dealing with jace. I feel the same is true with Ob Nixilis. While the verdict is still out on the card, I would much rather have a 3rd Gideon in that spot as observed by various articles/videos and the open over the weekend, he is just better suited for an aggressive style deck.
As for your manabase I think it's pretty balanced. I would like more white but that is just personal bias, maybe cut a llanowar wastes for a 2nd canopy vista?
After reading Brad's article and watching the subsequent vs video on the deck, I'm sold on the more aggro-midrange list of abzan. I feel like this is where abzan is headed and I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of top players at the PT playing this type of deck with or without Gideon (likely with).
1 Dragonlord Dromoka
4 Hangarback Walker
3 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
4 Siege Rhino
3 Wingmate Roc
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
4 Abzan Charm
3 Dromoka's Command
2 Languish
2 Ruinous Path
1 Tragic Arrogance
1 Utter End
2 Caves of Koilos
2 Evolving Wilds
3 Forest
3 Llanowar Wastes
2 Plains
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
4 Shambling Vent
2 Swamp
4 Windswept Heath
4 Arashin Cleric
4 Duress
2 Self-Inflicted Wound
1 Tragic Arrogance
1 Ultimate Price
1 Utter End
2 Valorous Stance
Initial list, as such the board is kind of a mess but abzan tends to have strong board options so I'm not worried right now. I'm also going back and fourth between 3-4 hangarbacks. Thoughts?