PATRIOT
This deck is my take on W/U/R Aggro/Control, and how it is the deck to play in the current meta. Here's the breakdown:
Creatures:
Geist of Saint Traft - Traft is by far my favorite card in the current standard, and is possibly in my top 5 of all time. This deck centralizes on hitting with Traft and connecting for that 6+ damage every single turn. Traft is the most powerful 3 drop creature in this meta and forces an opponent's hand. Running four copies, Traft is your MVP in this deck.
Lyev Skyknight
- This guy is nuts. Even though he's a 3 drop, we really treat him as a 4 drop in this deck. You want to drop Skyknight right after Geist of Saint Traft. This deck is all about clearing the path, and Skyknight delivers. 3 in the air is nothing to scoff at either. Bouncing him with Restoration Angel is also a valuable move.
Restoration Angel - We all know how good Angel is here. She bounces, she's a flash flying blocker, she's a monster. Best used with
Lyev Skyknight
, Silverblade Paladin and Snapcaster Mage.
Snapcaster Mage - Snapcaster should really fall underneath instant/sorcery, but he is in fact a creature. Getting back your charms and your burn spells is so valuable in this deck, he is an auto-include in a deck like this.
Thundermaw Hellkite - Great against token decks, and will get in for 5 as soon as he hits. This dude is a serious tank and most of the time your finisher.
Instant/Sorcery:
Azorius Charm - When this charm spoiled, I didn't like it. But I didn't like it because I didn't understand its insane value. The most valuable of the three abilities is the removal of an attacker or blocker. This is vital in getting Traft through, or rescuing one of your own in a tricky situation. A swing in life gain and extra card draw when needed is also exactly what you could ask for.
Pillar of Flame
/Searing Spear/Izzet Charm - Burn is the true powerhouse in this deck. Ideally, you want to race your opponent and win with this deck. The burn accessible gives you that extra reach to get there. Pillar helps you get rid of pesky Undying guys like Geralf's Messenger or Strangleroot Geist. One of Izzet Charm's many great abilities to removing those attackers from Geist of Saint Traft's way. Searing Spear is great, next best thing to a format with Lightning Bolt
Dissipate/Essence Scatter/Syncopate/Izzet Charm - Who says counterspells are dead? This package of counters offers the greatest defense your deck can ask for. Countering and exiling with Dissipate and Syncopate allows you to punish and defend against this graveyard-centric meta. Izzet Charm lets you counter those Liliana of the Veil or Entreat the Angels that we find so bothersome. And finally, with the expectation of no countermagic and the use of varying creature types in decks and i.e. less Cavern of Souls, playing Essence Scatter almost seems like cheating.
Sideboard: (Work in Progress)
Negate - Playing against spell heavy decks like WUR Control? Side in the Negate for the Essence Scatter
Purify the Grave
- Spot graveyard removal is so important against Gravecrawler, Undying creatures, Snapcaster targets, or of course reanimator. The flashback makes it that much better.
Dungeon Geists
- Not as relevant against decks running Restoration Angel, but against decks like Jund, keeping an opponents Thragtusk tapped down while controlling a 3/3 flyer is great. Restoration Angel can also be used to change tapped targets.
Bonfire of the Damned - After seeing a reduction in play, this card may actually be a saving grace in the sideboard against weenie aggro and tokens. Sweepers are always important, and this one adds a little burn to it. Not bad at all.
Izzet Charm - Sometimes you just need one more.
Detention Sphere - Occasionally you'll need this extra removal against Planeswalkers, creatures, or tokens. This may vary too.
Summary:
This deck is fast, very fast, and is reminiscent of early Delver builds in standard. The cards synergy well together, and the deck will only get better as Boros comes in in Gatecrash. I'm looking forward to taking it the Charleston Grand Prix and reporting back with its success.
