An attempt at a more aggressive Dark Jeskai. Any thoughts would be appreciated thanks :)
The Deck
The basic idea is to do what jeskai does best and attempt to capitalize on value, this particular deck also attempts to provide a steady stream of threats to help apply pressure on multiple fronts. Aiming to have a better match ups against the Dark Jeskai control decks that seem to be very popular at this time, while also providing a stable main board plan for Atarka Red decks and faster decks like these.
I have found that Abzan isn't too bad a match up unless they are playing Warden of the First Tree. this deck seems to struggle with that card, especially if they continue to draw more of them or start dropping Siege Rhino which is very likely. Another troublesome deck is Aristocrats Otherwise this deck (from what play testing I've done) has performed well.
Im trying to design the sideboard to let us flip into a more controlling Role as per when needed. though this is a work in progress.
Land Base
The land base has been skimped on in regards to total number. I personally cant stand running more than 25 land and personally don't see the need to go any higher. this is a personal decision and obviously if someone was to copy the list, they are well within their right to make any changes they feel fit. I have never had a problem outside the expected "mana screw" that all players are subject to, and have never really experienced a problem using Soulfire Grand Master ability, as this is the most expensive thing to use in the deck, I feel as though the mana base is fine.
Because the mana curve typically starts at 2 for us (being that we rarely need to cast a spell on turn 1) we can get away with a large amount of come into play tapped lands e.g Smoldering Marsh however it's recommended that the fetches are used to get at least 2 basic lands before fetching up the other dual's to help smoothen the play of mana come the late game.
Non-creature Spells
4x Crackling Doom - This is out answer to anything big, this includes Siege Rhino any of the Dragonlords and so on.
1x Jeskai Charm - This is here to give us flexibility. being able to bounce a troublesome permanent, provide reach to help close off the match and at worse providing us life link to our Mantis Riders.
3x Fiery Impulse - Small stuff removal, kill's all threats in the jeskai control mirrors, as well as other annoying permanents like Hangarback Walker (though not the best trade), Den Protector and so on. This was chosen over Wild Slash because it also has the ability to kill Mantis Rider and other 3 toughness creatures.
2x Dig Through Time - Refills the hand, helps did for particular answers, all round awesome card. Another option is Treasure Cruise however i haven't tested and is an easy way to cut the cost of the deck just a little bit :D
2x Dispel - This is here for spot removal protection and to help prevent other Dig Through Time and burn spells from going off. I would choose Negate over this however I didn't like how cluttered the 2 and 3 drop slots were getting.
3x Kolaghan's Command - Awesome card, can kill a Hangarback Walker while also forcing a discard or burning something else. returning creatures, allowing yourself to continue to ally pressure is also pretty darn nice! this card is one of the main reasons we are splashing black.
2x Ojutai's Command - Another amazing utility card, countering opposing creatures returning most of our threats to the battlefield, drawing a card or simply gaining 4 health in the aggro/burn match ups is just pure value.
1x Painful Truths - Only 1 of these main board. in here for a similar reason to dig through time, however is more flexible with the mana cost depending on what you want to do with it. provides 3 new cards refilling your hand. its essentially just a 3rd dig, while also not putting any more stress on the graveyard (not that there was much anyway)
2x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar - The top of our aggressive Curve, he allows us to continue summoning creatures. press the attack with himself as a 5/5 or simply giving an anthem effect to what creatures we already have on out board. he does plenty of work for us.
Creatures
4x Mantis Rider - The further decks move away from this card, the better it gets for us. this beautiful creature has an amazing clock, provides a blocker against aggressive decks, and has evasion. at worst, its 3 mana for 3 damage, plus it will absorb a removal spell.
4x Soulfire Grand Master - Low costed 2/2 with life link and provides late game recursion for our instant and sorcery spells. Fiery Impulse and Crackling Doom also net us health with this bad boy out.
4x Seeker of the Way - The least interesting creature on our curve, he will more times than not, just be swinging for 3 damage/life link. hes mainly in here to provide another early aggressive threat.
4x Jace, Vryn's Prodigy
- This isn't his best home, but he provides stability to our draws, loots us into either the land or the spells we require, and once flipped is excellent again other aggressive strategies, and allows us to get recursion off our expended instants and sorcery's.
Sideboard
3x Arashin Cleric - This is Primarily for Atarka Red variants, however is also a fine sideboard card against Aristocrats.
2x Disdainful Stroke - For control and Abzan Matchups, also nice against bring to light decks.
2x Duress - For the mirror match and for control match ups.
2x Negate - For the mirror match and for control match ups.
1x Painful Truths - For the grindier match ups.
2x Radiant Flames - boarded in for the aggro match ups and for decks running small creatures.
2x Roast - Mainly for Abzan match ups however can be brought in for any deck containing annoying ground pounders. Is also nice gaining 5 life in aggro match ups in conjunction with Soulfire Grand Master.
1x Utter End - Our 1 answer all, gives us the ability to answer pesky plainswalkers better as well as enchantments.
Additional cards for the 75
Felidar Cub - If there are troublesome enchantments in your area, a fantastic card in the sideboard.
Monastery Mentor - this is an awesome card that can win the game by itself, and thankfully this deck runs enough non creature spells for this guy to be effective.
Exert Influence - taking best creatures is always fun!
Wild Slash - Another awesome burn card, this however can go to the face, providing the deck more reach.
Murderous Cut - Fantastic Removal and with the relaxed nature of our graveyard interaction, would fit in perfectly.
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - If you go for a 26 land build, ugin here could provide a nice card for more annoying match ups like Abzan.
Thanks for looking at the deck, if you have any though's on it please leave a comment. I understand that this list is VERY SIMILAR to other jeskai decks and I refuse to take any credit for coming up with the original concept. I've built this myself after playing with and fiddling with the deck for a few weeks now however I'm sure I'm not the first person to bring a deck like this to the table.
Thankyou for your time, and hopefully if you try this build. you will enjoy it! :D
