This is a look into the return of Bant hexproof in standard by using auras and reactive spells to defend themselves against meta threats, as well as craving its way into the scene once again. While not having nearly as many hexproof creatures, auras help in asserting dominance as well as the low average converted mana cost (cmc).
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-The Creatures-
Hero of Iroas
: This card increases efficiency of all your auras. This card helps make big turn 3 plays and on. Basically play this card like a legendary creature, having more than one reduces efficiency but is an important 'glue' card in the deck in setting up the Voltron or being Voltron.
Battlewise Hoplite
: Contests Favored Hoplite as THE go to Voltron. His heroic is very strong at setting up the cards you need, when you need them. Even if you only effectively use scry once, his preparation helps decisively improve the game.
Favored Hoplite : Adversary to
Battlewise Hoplite
, a one drop that has a solid body that his heroic only keeps protecting himself. Very good early game and can be easily protected on turn two, he stands very strong but requires your hand to keep him that way in the late game if you drop an empty one albeit only a single reactive spell.
Witchstalker
: The only naturally Hexproof in the deck, he is strong in a meta that is overwhelmed by black and blue spells. His 3cmc body for 6 even stats is very good and can potentially be a Voltron, though his counters rely on the opponent which is not that great of a thing.
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-The Auras-
Alpha Authority : The second glue card of the deck. Provides hexproof and can cost only 1cmc. Also, the 'narrow door' mechanic of the card can help against double and triple blocks and increases survivability.
Aqueous Form : Basically, this card actually says 'Let slam the gas pedal for victory.' Unblockable and scry along with a 1cmc naturally is broken inside of this deck. All-star card for sure.
Ordeal of Thassa
: Situational draw power that slowly becomes less situational, can easily be popped from turn 4 on and sometimes popping on turn 3. Can also be a 1cmc with
Hero of Iroas
, provides good value.
Unflinching Courage : The powerhouse enchantment, at minimum will make a creature into a 4/5 with trample and lifelink. Typically the last enchantment played or used when someone keeps chump blocking your Alpha Authority voltron that hasn't been blessed with Aqueous Form yet.
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The Response:
Gods Willing : Hailed as the best heroic trigger, protection from a color AND scry is very valuable for a natural 1 cmc. However this does not protect against Supreme Verdict, which is the only downside.
Ranger's Guile
: One turn of hexproof and triggers heroic. Very helpful to stop early removal threats like Phraika's Cure and Lightning Strike if you don't have a Gods Willing.
Selesnya Charm
: Very strong charm that triggers heroic with a strong buff along with removal against very strong cards (mostly Polukranos, World Eater or buffed
AEtherling
). The token can also be a good Voltron to build on since it has vigilance in times of need.
Simic Charm : Powerhouse heroic buff and mass hexproof is pretty useful. Also gives board control, which is fairly helpful.
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Why all the Temples? - I use 12 Temples for two reasons: mana-fixing and draw-fixing. This deck doesn't always need to have open mana to be guns' blazing. Since the deck has a really low average cmc, lands coming in tapped for 3 turns is okay. However, the scrying Temples give overwhelms this disadvantage and helps set up the advantage in the deck.
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The Sideboard(Note: If you want to recreate this deck, take in account only the cards with *. These are cards that greatly combat weaknesses in the deck.
*
Mortal's Resolve
: The best sidedeck card this deck can have. Triggers heroic and prevents all removal beside hand removal, which includes Supreme Verdict. A must have in the B/W or Esper Control matchup.
*Gods Willing : The fourth Gods Willing is put here since you need to be playing this card as a response to other cards or for swinging for lethal. Since swinging for lethal with this card is not as likely, you definitely want to side this card in on the Red deck matchups that use Anger of the Gods. Best used in Devotion deck matchups.
*Pithing Needle : Very good card that stops cards from being used or played for at least a moment. Better used reactively, though sometimes a proactive approach does work.
Last Breath : Good against
Pack Rat
and other bears, better to use against Mono Black.
Revoke Existence
: If they are using gods or god weapons as a win condition, side these in.
Selesnya Charm
: The other two Charms, used mostly against other creature based decks.
Witchstalker
: Mainly for another beater in the mono black blue matchup, brings the pain quite firmly.
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Rejected Cards (aka opinions)
Ephara's Enlightenment
: While this gives flying and a 1/1 counter, the card is rather clunky as the only value you'll be getting is when you over commit to the field in this deck. This card requires token generation to truly shine and this deck does not provide it.
Phalanx Leader : Same as above, this card requires multiple cards on the board where this deck can win with only one card sometimes. Also can get
Spark Jolt
right when it comes out, which is mostly a jab at the CMC to P/T ratio.
Meletis Astronomer
: I want to run this card SO badly but the problem with him is that his Heroic ability can be very detrimental. You never want to choose between two enchantments. Even having to choose from one enchantment and a creature is very difficult and poses problem. Along with that, the deck has stronger cards and better CMC to P/T ratio plus generally scaling better. Maybe one day there will be a deck for him but not here.
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Please leave a comment or upvote, I am looking forward to feedback. Also if you use a deck like this at a FNM, please tell how you did!
