Taking a look at the primary power decks of the new standard format in Jeskai Tempo and Abzan Midrange/Aggro, I set out to create a deck to give those decks some problems.
Watching those decks play, I came to the conclusion that the way to best pressure them was with swarming creatures and with enough lifelink to keep pace with Wingmate Roc, Siege Rhino, Whip of Erebos, and Sorin, Solemn Visitor. I also needed to be able to shut down the Rhino and
Mantis Rider
as the main backbone threats.
To that end, I decided to build a Mardu aggro deck. In my estimation, the Mardu colors have very good aggro, token generation, lifelink sources and control.
This deck was the end result of those brew ideas. The first tournament I took it to was Khans of Tarkir Gameday and took second place, 2-0 against both Jeskai Tempo and Abzan Midrange. It won 8 straight games until losing in three games to the tournament champion, playing RW token aggro.
Here are the cards in the deck and the reasons that I play them:
Creatures
Bloodsoaked Champion: One of the best aggro cards in the deck. A recursive early threat cannot be overstated in a deck built around aggro.
Soldier of the Pantheon: Early lifelink and aggro that transitions to an excellent blocker against Abzan creatures.
Seeker of the Way
: An all around good card that can keep my life total up and is a pretty decent threat, especially with my plethora of three drop non-creature spells.
War-Name Aspirant
: In my opinion, a very underrated card. With raid, 3-power on turn two is pretty good then add in that he can't be blocked by Sylvan Caryatid or any mana dorks or Rabblemaster tokens and she becomes a potent early threat.
Goblin Rabblemaster
: Great card, obviously. Works with this deck very well as a master token generator and powerful threat that can win games on his own.
Grim Haruspex: With the amount of non-token creatures that can swing early, this is a very good response for when the opponent starts bringing out big creatures that can kill your small creatures. Keeps the deck from fizzling and makes 2-3 power early threats that much more powerful as it makes the opponent think about whether they want to take the damage or let me draw. Works very well with Bloodsoaked Champion in that you can bring the Champion back after having basically used him to draw a card.
Purphoros, God of the Forge: Is a good finisher with the amount of token generation and small creatures in the deck. With a couple small creatures, Ascendancy and Rabblemaster, it is conceivable that Purphoros can hit for 8-10. He doesn't become a creature too often, but it is possible.
Butcher of the Horde: The main finisher/stablizer of the deck. Hasty evasion with lifelink and vigilance with an abundant source of sacrifical fodder which is provided by the abundance of small creatures and made excellent by
Goblin Rabblemaster
, Bloodsoaked Champion, and Mardu Ascendancy.
Non-Creatures
Mardu Ascendancy: The main token generator of the deck (which seems crazy to say with Rabblemaster in the deck) but it just synergizes so well with Butcher of the Horde to give him his own sacrifice fodder every time he swings. It boosts the threat of the smaller creature swarm as they all generate their own goblin mate for free. I've also used it to save key creatures from targeted burn by using it's activated ability.
Crackling Doom: Arguably the best control in the deck. Having the opponent take 2 and sac their best creature cannot be understated. It also is at the perfect level to get the first prowess trigger from
Seeker of the Way
to really start to pull away early.
Hero's Downfall: Obviously, the best black control spell that takes care of most big threats, including planeswalkers.
Mardu Charm
: The most versatile spell in the deck. Can be used to kill most troublesome 4-toughness creatures, can be used to head off removal or buffs, and can be used to stock up on creatures to sac for Butcher of the Horde.
Sorin, Solemn Visitor: In my opinion, the best card in the deck. Combined with Mardu Ascendancy and a couple creatures, Sorin can stabilize your health very quickly or to pull away in health. He can also protect himself well, even from aerial attackers. Very good card and able to put the game away.
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
: Great finisher but with the emphasis on aggro, he is just a one-of due to mana cost (and dollar cost). But when he comes out, he is a very crazy threat and is very difficult to deal with.
Sideboard
Bile Blight: In the sideboard to deal with decks that answer with tokens of their own and for Jeskai decks to take out
Mantis Rider
. Can also deal with multiple pesky Elvish Mystic.
Deflecting Palm: I put this in the sideboard to deal with Green Ramp decks that try to hit for a big Crater's Claw or a big hydra.
Erase
: Specifically for
Jeskai Ascendancy
combo decks to kill the enchantment, and for Abzan decks to have another way to deal with Courser and Whip of Erebos.
Erebos, God of the Dead: To head off opposing decks that stabilize with lots of lifelink such as Wingmate Roc and Whip.
Hushwing Gryff: To head off opposing Purphoros triggers, Roc, Siege Rhino triggers, etc.
Utter End: A very good answer to Gods and Planeswalker decks. Also another way to deal with enchantments and Sarkhan.
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While Mardu and red in general (aside from Jeskai) have not done well in the professional standard scene, I think that it can do very well. It may not be a tier one deck, but I think the concept of Mardu aggro can be a very effective answer to the Abzan and Jeskai decks that have thus far, stolen the show.
