Abzan: Midrange Control

Standard*

Englishnickel

Creature (17)

• 2x Anafenza, the Foremost
• 2x Courser of Kruphix
• 2x Ob Nixilis, Unshackled
• 2x Rakshasa Deathdealer
• 3x Siege Rhino
• 3x Soldier of the Pantheon
• 3x Sylvan Caryatid

Planeswalker (4)

• 2x Ajani Steadfast
• 2x Elspeth, Sun's Champion

Land (24)

• 3x Forest
• 2x Mana Confluence
• 3x Plains
• 3x Sandsteppe Citadel
• 4x Swamp
• 2x Temple of Malady
• 2x Temple of Plenty
• 1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
• 4x Windswept Heath

Enchantment (2)

• 2x Abzan Ascendancy

Instant (9)

• 3x Abzan Charm
• 3x Hero's Downfall
• 2x Solidarity of Heroes
• 1x Utter End

Sorcery (4)

• 4x Thoughtseize

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Sideboard

Creature (2)

• 2x Phyrexian Revoker

Planeswalker (1)

• 1x Garruk, Apex Predator

Enchantment (2)

• 2x Banishing Light

Instant (9)

• 4x Bile Blight
• 3x Deicide
• 2x Utter End

Sorcery (1)

• 1x Duneblast

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Hey y'all, I'm looking for some criticism on this deck, I've proxied it with some success, but I can't help but feel like it's lacking somewhere.

Strategies

Turn 1: Mana into Soldier of the Pantheon or Thoughtseize, get that card advantage goin' on and protect yourself from immediate threats.

Turn 2: Sylvan Caryatid for ramp, or Rakshasa if you have no other options. Rakshasa becomes a late game monster if you have ramp and mana

Turn 3: Here's where things get scary. You have a few options, ranging from Anafenza to build up Soldier (Which can be an unblockable monster if they are running lots of colors) to Siege Rhino (for a beater and hp recoup from Thoughtseize), to Courser of Kruphix (for extra planning and lifegain), to removal. Hold off on Ascendancy for at least one turn if possible. As for charm, it's never a dead draw, but is possibly too early to play yet. Against Temur, it's a great option for that early Khan. Anafenza already is a direct counter to Sidisi.

Turn 4: More of the same, if you've been pumping up your creatures, it's a good time for an Ascendancy and post-swing Solidarity of Heroes. If you have Sylvans out, Ob Nixilis shuts down those sac lands or evolving wilds. also Chord of Calling.

Turn 5: Game over. You've just put down a big, fat Ajani and are ankle deep in fat bastards. Or you can use a timely Hero's Downfall to take care of something nasty.

Turn 6/7: Let's face it, you're probably not having a perfect draw, maybe you're getting your face beat in, but have managed to protect a valuable fatty. Time for Duneblast! Now, the tables are turned with a big mofo on your side of the table. Better yet, maybe you've got a bunch of blockers from Elspeth that you're pumping with Ajani, soon to be big flying terror monsters.

Post-7: Rinse, wash, repeat. Add control when necessary.

Date added	10 years
Last updated	10 years
Legality	This deck is not Standard legal.
Rarity (main - side)	12 - 1 Mythic Rares 27 - 8 Rares 11 - 6 Uncommons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	2.92
Tokens	Beast 3/3 B, Emblem Ajani Steadfast, Emblem Elspeth, Sun's Champion, Emblem Garruk, Apex Predator, Soldier 1/1 W, Spirit 1/1 W