Are you tired of facing the same Abzan Midrange, Sidisi Whip, and Red Aggro at FNM? Then this is the deck for you!
Not only does this deck function as a classic midrange deck; it also includes a sideboard packed with enough format hate to make your opponent regret ever copying their deck card for card. Now, here's a closer look at some of my card choices.
Creatures:
Like most midrange decks, this deck runs around 20 creatures. Because of the large amount of instant removal, most turns should leave you with mana untapped. I chose a majority of these creatures with this in mind, so that in a situation where a burn spell isn't needed, I can interact with my creatures on their turn.
With that in mind, I want to begin with my favorite card in the format:
Fleecemane Lion
. Not only is this guy a 3/3 for 2, but he can become IMMORTAL if you reach 5 mana, and there's nothing more satisfying than responding to a kill spell with an instant speed hexproof indestructible.
Next up is the new card, Shaman of the Great Hunt. A 4/2 with haste is decent, but the abilities are what make the card. If getting counters on your creatures after they deal damage wasn't enough, being able to draw at instant speed off one swing from a fleecemane or warden makes this card the midrange beast it is.
The other newcomer is
Warden of the First Tree
. This card is a no-brainer for any Selesnya or Golgari deck. It gets bigger at instant speed. In a deck like this, being able to sink mana into making a creature bigger at the end of their turn is everything you could want and more.
Next up is
Wingmate Roc
. This is a finisher for the deck, especially with a Shaman of the Great Hunt on the field. This plus the life gain can really change the course of a game.
Lastly is Yasova Dragonclaw. Obviously, having an extra creature attacking is great. Taking away a huge blocker is even better, especially if you want to swing all out. Even taking away a card like Monastary Mentor or Seeker of the Way can be great if you play a few combat tricks. Plus, a 4/2 for 3 is never bad.
Instants and Sorceries:
Apart from the creatures, this deck runs similarly to a burn deck, controlling the field to protect your creatures or dealing damage straight to the face to outrace your opponent. The burn package is pretty common and allows for plenty of play on your opponent's turn.
Stoke the Flames. Lightning Strike, and the new
Wild Slash
are all excellent cards for destroying some of the scarier cards in the format such as Goblin Rabblemaster or
Butcher of the Horde
while still allowing for damage directly to the face.
Crater's Claws
will almost always have the ferocious trigger, and can be used as a finisher or to deal with creatures too big for stoke (looking at you, Siege Rhino).
Planeswalkers:
Like any good midrange deck, a few decent walkers can be game changers. The walkers in this deck, being Ajani Steadfast and Xenagos, the Reveler, are purely for supporting your creatures. I think their abilities speak for themselves as for their spot in this deck.
Sideboard:
Now, for the most important part of this deck. Game two is where this deck will really shine against the cookie cutter decks of the current format.
First off is Ajani, Mentor of Heroes. This card is good against the few control decks in the format, not including whip. This Ajani can refill your hand and give you more creatures than they have answers.
Next up is
Circle of Flame
. If you have to go up against 50 1/1's, this is the card to bring in. Launch the Fleet and Goblin Rabblemaster are completely shut down by this card alone, which makes it so powerful in the sideboard.
Whip, in my opinion, is my least favorite deck to play against. However, it is easily shut down due to it's reliance on one card; whip.
Destructive Revelry
is not only a burn card, but also premium removal for not just whip, but also Courser of Kruphix. This can come in against alot of decks in the format.
A card that hasn't seen a lot of play, which is surprising to me, is Hushwing Gryff. Not only does this card shut down both whip and Siege Rhino, it also can come in at the end of their turn or even in response to a Hornet Queen reanimation.
Nyx-Fleece Ram is another card that goes hand and hand with
Circle of Flame
. An 0/5 that gains life can block almost anything, and for only two mana makes it ideal against red aggro. Also, just out of stoke range is always nice.
Lastly is a card that was a little iffy on my part, and is probably the most flexible card in the sideboard. Polis Crusher can not only trigger ferocity, but can also act as a great card against coursers, enchantment removal, nyx rams, and can even monstrosity to take out whips.
So anyways, that's the deck. I'm welcome to suggestions, so please comment with anything you think might spruce up the mainboard or sideboard, even if it's just numbers. Thanks for reading!
