RUG, or Temur, is setting up quite nicely for post-rotation fatty decks. However, what seems to be overlooked is its ability to play tempo-control as well. With AEtherspouts serving as a pseudo-wipe, tough-to-kill creatures like Savage Knuckleblade and
Prognostic Sphinx
, a bevy of terrific countermagic including
Temur Charm
, and Prophet of Kruphix allowing twice the tempo and keeping me untapped, this style of deck should hold its own against both fast aggro and removal-heavy control.
CREATURES
Embodiment of Spring: I'm testing out this new dork over Elvish Mystic due to its defensive capabilities and resistance to cheap burn. Anything that shuffles while tutoring lands with Courser of Kruphix can't be terrible.
Sylvan Caryatid: The perfect defensive mana dork.
Courser of Kruphix: Life gain, card advantage, and the ideal p/t combo for taking on today's aggro.
Savage Knuckleblade: The best card from Khans imo. A 4/4 on turn 3 is nothing to scoff at if I need an early defender, but using him as a late beater is where he really shines. Prophet of Kruphix allows for his abilities to be fully abused.
Prognostic Sphinx
: Maybe the new control finisher, even though he pales in comparison to AEtherling. His Scry is bonkers with Courser of Kruphix, and now that Supreme Verdict is out of Standard, he can be nearly untouchable in a deck with counterspells.
Prophet of Kruphix: The engine. Gives creatures pseudo-vigilance, keeps my counters at the ready, and allows me to run circles around my opponent with tempo.
Surrak Dragonclaw: Flash helps him make the cut, as he works nicely with AEtherspouts and Jace's Ingenuity. Otherwise, he helps my removal-resistant creatures make it to the battlefield and is an efficient body for 5, not to mention a combat trick by granting trample.
SPELLS
Voyage's End
: After RTR block gave us so much great cheap removal, the new Standard looks pretty thin at 1- and 2-drop. After weighing options like Void Snare, Magma Jet, Lightning Strike, and
Singing Bell Strike
, I opted for this due to its instant speed, Scry, ability to save a creature from removal, and synergy with counterspells. I also like that it deals with large or small creatures, unlike most removal at that cmc which tends to be conditional.
Temur Charm
: Arguably the best Charm in Khans. A Mana Leak that can also deal with what's on the board or provide a win con is extremely powerful.
Dissolve: This deck likes counterspells and deck manipulation.
AEtherspouts: Not quite Cyclonic Rift, but a fantastic answer for any and all attackers. Unlike traditional wipes, this doesn't get beat by Indestructible, Regenerate, etc and it leaves my creatures alone. Having one of these in hand allows me to swing without worry.
Jace's Ingenuity: A far cry from Sphinx's Revelation, but we can only work with what's available. Sitting at 5 cmc works nicely with Prophet of Kruphix, AEtherspouts, and Surrak Dragonclaw.
