My Record so far is 9-2-3 over 3 small tournaments (FNM). The losses came on the first day I played the deck with a slightly less optimal manabase and creature choice(Deathmist Raptor doesn't quite fit with the game plan). The draws were against Esper control and a virtual mirror G/B aristocrats that went to time, but I was a Rally away from winning each.
Easiest win so far: Abzan Aggro that didn't run a full set of Anafenza.
Most difficult win: R/G landfall, it required me to trade alot of creatures in combat but I pulled off some sweet Company hits game 3 to seal it.
This deck uses Collected Company to accelerate the board state and Rally the Ancestors to combo finish with Zulaport Cutthroat and Nantuko Husk plus a bunch of dudes that are really 2 in 1s.
Currently testing whether
Butcher of the Horde
works out better than Smothering Abomination since I usually side the abomination out against any tier 1 decks. Butcher + Blisterpod = 5 dmg and 5 lifegain without Zulaport on board, with him it's 7 and 7, a fairly big swing.
The deck is very much midrange-minded, and has some trouble against punishing aggro decks, in game 1, like Atarka Red that goes big on a single creature you don't chump block. Against most other decks it is a relatively stable grind to the combo finish.
Sideboarding guide (so far):
Atarka Red
(sideboard is the same for R/G landfall(burn) but that matchup is easier)
Worst matchup by far, a lot better in game 2. Make them dump their burn on your blisterpod/Carrier Thrall. Pray to draw your removal in time. If you survive to turn 5, the game becomes much more favorable.
Out:
2x Smothering Abomination
2x Bloodsoaked Champion
1x Rally the Ancestors
In:
3x Surge of Righteousness
2x Ultimate Price
GW Megamorph
Abzan Charm is the best answer in this matchup for most things, but a well timed Crackling Doom can hit an upticked Gideon too. Trust your Collected Company to pull a Merciless Executioner/Fleshbag Marauder for making combat tricky.
Out:
2x Bloodsoaked Champion
2x Carrier Thrall
1x Grim Haruspex
1x Abzan Ascendancy
1x Rally the Ancestors
In:
2x Ultimate Price
1x Abzan Charm
2x Crackling Doom
2x Merciless Executioner
Jeskai (any form)
If you see Jeskai Ascendancy swap in Caustic Caterpillar instead of Merciless Executioner.
Out:
2x Smothering Abomination
1x Grim Haruspex
1x Rally the Ancestors
1x Abzan Ascendancy
In:
2x Crackling Doom
1x Abzan Charm
2x Merciless Executioner
Abzan Aggro
The only majorly troublesome card they have is Anafenza, the Foremost since she negates creature card death triggers. Save removal for her if at all possible.
Out:
2x Smothering Abomination
2x Bloodsoaked Champion
1x Rally the Ancestors
In:
1x Abzan Charm
2x Crackling Doom
2x Surge of Righteousness
Esper Control
Hold onto 1 Merciless Executioner/Fleshbag Marauder for dragon appearances after turn 5. Expect either a rapid combo win with your superior board state or a long grind until you get a window for Rally the ancestors to combo out with Husk and Cutthroat.
Out:
1x Abzan Charm
2x Smothering Abomination
In:
2x Merciless Executioner
1x Crackling Doom
