Anger of the Gods seems to be really well positioned given the success of RDW and UR thopters at the PT. This makes me want to play some variant of Jeskai control, leveraging the Theros 'mini-sweeper' along with Soulfire Grand Master. Below I'll describe the other card choices and pose questions for which I don't have the answer and would like input.
Anger of the Gods can completely wreck some of the more popular game plans floating around after the pt. I want at least three - four might be defensible.
Ugin, Ojutai x2, Elspeth - I'm not entirely sure about this suite of finishers; I just wanted a good mix of impactful endgame cards to wrap things up. Is Ojutai tenable given Languish? Is there a finisher I'm not thinking of which looks really good currently? Four win-cons may seems light, but a Soulfire Grand Master plus a burn spell has finished a good number of games for me.
Clash of Wills
- Really good turn two play. Necessary for beating many of the low-to-the-ground decks around. two feels like a good number.
Dig Through Time - 'cause I'm playing blue.
Wild Slash
, Lightning Strike - Need some early removal. I've been playing with just 4 strikes, but there were lots of times when I needed to kill something for one mana. Also, buying back for five mana feels really good. Is
Fiery Impulse
just better than slash? I worry about it not being able to hit faces/walkers but the three damage with spell mastery might be worth it? Thoughts?
Jeskai Charm - This is a response to UR thopters, given that we have no other way to deal with a 5/5 indestructable. It can also be a win-con with a Soulfire Grand Master and push Dragonlord Ojutai out of Languish range. Are there better options in this slot?
Soulfire Grand Master - this little guy is a rock-star. It's a lifelinker against aggressive decks, and card advantage in control mirrors. Firing off an Anger of the Gods with him and gaining 15+ life is nutz, and has won me numerous matches. On the other hand, he turns on our opponents' removal spells, which is not ideal. I'll often, given the luxury, hold him until I have the mana to play him and a burn spell. Dat life gain.
Valorous Stance - A way to deal with big green donks. Is
Swift Reckoning
better here as is doesn't have the toughness clause?
End Hostilities - as a one of since we have three Anger of the Gods.
Dissolve - is there any reason to run dissipate instead? Dissolve has been excellent.
Ojutai's Command - This is sometimes a complete blowout. Counter your dude and draw/get back Soulfire Grand Master is a huge swing. Draw gain four has also been really good for me against aggressive decks.
I've tried this as well as Sultai, and have had success with both. As I said, it seems to me that Anger of the Gods is in a really good spot right now. The trade-off seems to be that we get to play with an excellent sweeper, but our spot removal is not as robust as it would be if we played black. Is it worth it in the current meta? I think it's at least worth a try, and welcome feedback and suggestions.
