This is a brew I whipped up and it's actually been doing better than I expected. Most notably I just took it to GP Minneapolis--my first ever GP--and it made it to day 2 with a 7-1-1 record. Day 2 the deck didn't perform quite as well, but still had some very fun and memorable moments! I finished out the weekend with a 9-5-1 record that I was very proud of overall.
In addition to that great standing, it has also won:
-3rd at a PPTQ
-5th at a Super IQ
-1st at several FNMs
This deck has a lot of synergies I really love and I recommend just trying it out. It can hold it's own in the midrange, and then ramp up to some heavy hitting stuff. Most games, i don't cast Great Aurora (because I don't see it or because I'm already ahead). But every time I have cast it, I won the game. Not most of the time. Every. Time. It's especially great with the board is clogged up or when your opponent has answered all your threats. Here is a break down of the cards:
Oath of Nissa: Great for early or late game! Even out your starting hand, or find a bomb you desperately need on turn 9.
Deathcap Cultivator
: A strictly better version of
Leaf Gilder
. I'm running 2 of each to hedge any
Declaration in Stone
exiles. Plus it's hilarious when they think you're running Jund if you play him on turn 2.
Tireless Tracker: A MUST!! He does everything you want. He gives you card advantage when you ramp, as well as protects you from creatures in the early game. Most importantly, his clues up your Great Aurora count, either as permanents on the field or as cards in your hand. Remember both count toward The Great Aurora.
Sylvan Advocate: He's big by turn 4 with Explosive Vegetation. I once played him on turn 2 and turn 3. Then Explosived turn 4 and swung in for 8. Brutal.
Nissa, Vastwood Seer
: So easy to get her online it's not even funny. The card advantage in the late game is real. And with all the landfall triggers in this deck, half the time you're even hoping to put a land into play.
Arlinn Kord
: Haste & Vigilance, wolves, shooting people and creatures. What more could you want? She can up your Aurora count by making tokens, or can give your Atarka +2/+2 haste & vigilance. Especially great to drop after Aurora along with any creature. The clean board is like a welcome mat to smash your opponent in the face! Also great with Nissa on with 7 lands. Flip Nissa, make Ashaya token, play Arlinn, swing for 6 vigilance/haste.
Chandra, Flamecaller: A true MVP. Clear the board, draw a new hand of cards with you're out of gas, or just bash in for 6. All great.
Omnath, Locus of Rage: This card wins games. Always play him when you have another land in hand though. That way you're guaranteed to get a 5/5 with him. Best part about him is 2nd ability. 3 damage whenever ANY elemental you control dies?? YES PLEASE! Did I mention Chandra and Nissa also make elementals? And try sacrificing those elementals to Westvale Abbey
. Yeah, that's 15 damage to ANYTHING you want, PLUS a 9/7 flyer coming in for your face.
Gaea's Revenge
: Yes, I have 1 in the mainboard. Because he WINS GAMES. I can't tell you how many times my opponents and tapped out their creatures or had an empty board with removal in hand to be surprised by this guy. 8/5 haste with semi-hexproof. The only thing that can stop him is Bounding Krasis and Dromoka's Command. Also he's AMAZING after a Great Aurora.
I think the rest of the cards in this deck are pretty self-explanatory. Ramp spells, great creatures already in other ramp builds, etc. But if you have any questions about any of this, please let me know! Or even better, if you have suggestions I'd be happy to hear them! Always looking for ways to improve the deck. Just remember--everything in this deck works to up our Great Aurora count, either by upping our permanent count, cards in hand, or both.
Fun side note: If you're opponent plays Stasis Snare or
Silkwrap
, don't worry! You're Great Aurora will shuffle those pesky enchantments away, leaving you with your creature on the field. And if it's a Tireless Tracker or Omnath, Locus of Rage, you're in luck! Because now you get a BUNCH of landfall triggers! Once I got 14 clues when my Tracker was freed after an Aurora. Another time I got 8 Elemental Tokens. Both were game-ending. So. Much. Fun.
