Tough Cookies

Standard* BG (Golgari) Budget

2npii

Creature (19)

• 3x Archers' Parapet
• 4x Disowned Ancestor
• 2x Nylea, God of the Hunt
• 2x Rotting Mastodon
• 4x Scourge of Skola Vale
• 4x Sylvan Caryatid

Land (22)

• 14x Forest
• 2x Jungle Hollow
• 6x Swamp

Enchantment (7)

• 4x Assault Formation
• 3x Fruit of the First Tree

Instant (8)

• 4x Grim Contest
• 4x Shape the Sands

Sorcery (4)

• 4x Kin-Tree Invocation

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Maybeboard

Creature (4)

• 1x Dazzling Ramparts
• 1x Meandering Towershell
• 1x Siege Rhino
• 1x Wandering Tombshell

Enchantment (1)

• 1x Sight of the Scalelords

Instant (3)

• 1x Abzan Charm
• 1x Hero's Downfall
• 1x Murderous Cut

Sorcery (1)

• 1x Drown in Sorrow

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I've tried brewing with Scourge of Skola Vale and Kin-Tree Invocation individually to little avail, but Assault Formation has made them both viable in a highly synergistic manner. The problem with my first attempts was that I was left with a bunch of walls that did nothing while I waited for the combo piece. Assault Formation turns these into threats so we can put the pressure on while we wait.

The aim is to drop a Disowned Ancestor , Archers' Parapet or Sylvan Caryatid followed by an Assault Formation, a Scourge of Skola Vale or a Shape the Sands + Kin-Tree Invocation . (This can provide up to a 13/13 spirit on turn 3, which can attack with trample if we manage to drop Nylea next turn). Initially Scourge was here to prevent waste by saccing anything that might be heading to the graveyard, but his combo with Fruit of the First Tree has made him an important piece by replenishing the hand. Rotting Mastodon is an effective 8/8 for 4B with Assault Formation out which helps keep the pressure on late game, and Nylea gives everyone trample. Grim Contest is effective removal given the theme.

The most powerful combo is that of Scourge of Skola Vale + Fruit of the First Tree as it effectively acts as a Sphinx's Revelation. Shape the Sands has synergy with everything; it improves the aforementioned combo, makes bigger spirits/ hydras with Kin-Tree Invocation / Scourge, increases the effectiveness of Grim Contest and can be used as a combat trick with Assault Formation.

I consider this budget as I already have the Caryatids which make up most of the price; replacing them with Voyaging Satyr and Nylea with an instant that gives trample cuts the cost down to $8. I'd like to try a more competative version, adding white for seige rhino and other Abzan goodies.

Let me know what you think!

Date added	10 years
Last updated	9 years
Legality	This deck is not Standard legal.
Rarity (main - side)	2 - 0 Mythic Rares 12 - 0 Rares 7 - 0 Uncommons 17 - 0 Commons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	2.42
Tokens	Spirit Warrior */* BG
Folders	test