The obvious downside of defenders is their inability to attack, which is why some defenders don't even have an attack at all. To make up for that, they have extra high defenses.
The goal of this deck is to take advantage of that trade-off by using creatures with high defense, plus often cheap mana cost, to attack thanks to
Assault Formation
. Otherwise, the main strategy is to survive until that comes out, or other abzan big creatures come out. While this is an abzan midrange deck, it can ramp and play pretty fast, with the right cards.
Assault Formation
: this is the centerpiece of this deck. While it is possible to win without this card, nearly every other card in this deck combos with
Assault Formation
, or it's removal/protection.
Dragonlord Dromoka: the main win-con, in case you don't draw the card above, although it combos perfectly with Assault. A 7/7 flying with lifelink that can't be countered, has another great ability, and can attack as early as turn 6? That's what I like to hear!
Dragon's Eye Sentry
: Turns into a 3/3 with first strike for 1 mana with
Assault Formation
. Otherwise, helps take care of aggro weanies early board.
Guardians of Meletis
: Its colorless mana helps early if the land isn't going the right way exactly, and becomes a 6/6 for 3 mana with Assault.
Hornet Nest: It may cause some opponents to hold off their attack for a bit, in order to not have to deal with the 1/1 deathtouch creatures. Or, turn the tables on them, and attack thanks to
Assault Formation
. Also combos well with Valorous Stance, allowing you to use the ability twice and generate even more flying with deathtouch creatures.
Hundred-Handed One: In the odd chance you don't get Assault, this can help hold the opponent at bay, while simultaneously keeping the pressure on by attacking. Its real power is when you do have Assault on the board, and this is monstrous, turning it into an 8/8 with vigilance that can block any number of creatures.
Meandering Towershell
: Combos great with
Kin-Tree Invocation
. While the delayed attacking isn't great, the fact it will hit for 9 when it does attack, is fantastic for 5 mana.
Sylvan Caryatid: Helps ramp, and fits the theme of cheap mana cost defenders. If this weren't a budget deck, might have 1 or 2 more to help make the deck ramp faster.
Wall of Essence
: With Assault, becomes a 4/4 that gives you life if it's blocked.
Citadel Siege: Either helps delay your opponent until you can get big creatures out, or helps pump your creatures.
Kin-Tree Invocation
: With all the high defense in this deck, this often ends up being a 6/6 or better creature, for two mana!
A lot of instants to get rid of troublesome planes walkers, tough to deal with creatures, or protection against opponents removal. Descriptions on those coming later.
I could use suggestions for sideboard, as well as the maybeboard, too.
