**IZZET DRAGON CONTROL**
This deck was originally designed as an attempt to reintroduce Dragons in a semi competitive Modern environment. Throughout almost a year of continuous refinements and additions, it has reached a pretty stable state in which it can consistently bring good results against various matchups.
Before we dig deeper in specific card choices and the overall gameplay, you should keep two things in mind.
Above all, this is a deck created for Dragon lovers, so even though there are a few arguably better options or replacements for some of the Dragon Cards, this is a conscious decision that favours the overall approach. It is obvious that a few copies of Snapcaster Mage would help this shell, but then again this is true for pretty match every single deck that splashes blue in modern.
This is still a somewhat Budget Version of the deck, mainly because of my restricted mana base options.Obviously, lands like Scalding Tarn can improve the deck's consistency, but they are out of the budget for now.
** DECK INTRODUCTION **
The main reason this deck can actually work is by taking advantage of the DRAGON REVEAL mechanism, introduced in Dragons of Tarkir. Izzet colours give us Silumgar's Scorn & Draconic Roar that easily outclass every other Dragon Reveal card in my opinion.
Those two cards are super neglected in Modern and maybe for a good reason, but if you manage to play them accurately they can reward you with a modern-legal Counterspell & an improved Searing Blood.
The deck functions as a straightforward control archetype, trying to control the game early one with a lot of spot removal and counter spells while aiming to produce card advantage as well as card quality in multiple ways. As we reach the midgame and depending on the opponent, we can start using Dragons to create some pressure, defend or even finish the game quickly taking advantage of Dragon's evasion + haste. In certain matchups, the deck can even switch to a more counter/burn gameplay, provided that you have enough room to outrun your opponent. Overall, there is a lot of decision making in all stages of a game and enough complexity to keep things interesting until you can ultimately win!
**CARD ANALYSIS**
Draconic Roar
A really underappreciated card that really keeps this deck going. A 2 mana instant speed that bolts both creature and player at the shame time is priceless. In the current meta, of shock & fetch lands, a combination of Lightning Bolt &
Draconic Roar
can easily bring down the opponent to enough life that a single Dragon swing can become lethal. All this while keeping the board clean of small threats.
Silumgar's Scorn
We have said it already, that a modern legal Counterspell could turn around the whole format. We are as close as we can be with this card with a Dragon in hand. But even without one it still works as
Force Spike
and assuming your opponent is playing efficiently you can still counter things on the first few turns.
Twisted Image The best cantrip in modern hands down!! While this statement is arguably not 100% true, twisted image is a 100% underplayed card. It hits affinity hard, it completely destroys spellkite, Blood Artist, it kills all kinds of defenders, and even when it is not played as efficiently, it can save you from an all out pumped lethal threat like Klin fiend. In this specific deck it can also be used to protect you Icefall Regent from a bolt. All this while drawing a card...
//note//
Since the Izzet colour pie doesn't include hard removals, counterspells are the way of this deck in dealing with threats that can't be killed by bolts. ( This is the reason we try to keep at least 8 - 10 of them ) This means that you have to be able to play extremely accurately all the time, but you are surely going to be rewarded if you do. Bounces are the only other way that you can remove a resolved threat and hopefully counter it the next time it is being cast.
Thunderbreak Regent One of the best Dragon cards out there. Fits perfectly the 4 mana spot for this deck and while it doesn't have haste or a huge body it can work miracles especially with a counter in hand. 3 dmg to an opponent for trying to remove any of your Dragons is just sweet. In certain matchups that another Dragon with haste is important, you can exchange one of the regents for the stormbreath.
Icefall Regent is almost always a perfect card to draw or to start the game with. The ability to shut down a huge threat while also adding an additional 2 mana cost to any removal attempt is epic. The only drawback for this guy is its 3 toughness that unfortunately doesn't survive Anger of the Gods.
Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius Essentially if you untap with Mizzet on the battlefield the game is pretty over, well most of the time. It can produce extreme card advantage, be used as spot removal and all that combined with a pretty solid 5/5 flying body. Of course there is no doubt that in a Modern environment, the mana cost of is kind of out of place, way above the curve. Many can argue that he could easily be replaced, and that is perhaps true, but still I would suggest playing a few games with him in the mainboard especially in games against control. If you really want to replace him, I would suggest a second Glorybringer without a doubt. ( Pleade keep him in the sideboard for old time's sake :P )
more coming soon
**CARDS THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT**
Dragonlord's Servant acted as the backbone of the deck for a long time, but I've decided that it was time cut them for something that was actually doing something immediately. I find that cost reduction translated almost exclusively in a single turn advantage ( since you wont be casting multiple dragons in a single turn anytime soon ).
**EPILOGUE**
You might have to beat through it, and many times stay behind in development and threats but this deck is really fun to play with and pretty strong with the right cards in hand.
So if you are in a fiery mood for Dragons and tired of them being pushed down by mere weaklings
this deck will surely satisfy you and help you guide them to victory.
Feedback is always welcome. :)
