Im not sure how committed you are to Warden of the First Tree. But I decided to go with 4x Sylvan Caryatid. But I went more midrange. It doesn't look like Warden is going to get all the attention he was predicted to get. I would also up Sorin, Solemn Visitor to 2. I can't tell you how many games he has won me and he would just as good in here as it is in my deck. And Whip of Erebos works best with ETB effects best. So I would replace another sorin in your whip spot.And obviously some upgrades on your mana base. Kin tree invocation is pretty neat too. Curious to see how it plays. +1 You can check out my mid range version if you'd like ABZAN MIDRANGE(3rd Place FNM)

This is the main reason I went the aggro route instead of the more powerful midrange option: your deck: $400. mine: $180. And Sylvan Caryatid is one of the main reasons for that. So I would prefer to keep it aggro for that reason. So then the question is whether Warden of the First Tree is worth it. If not, what would replace him? more removal, hand disruption? I think he fills the role as the 5-8th aggro one drop. i do like the whip and Sorin Idea. ill try to get two in that case.

ESTABAUSS Yeah definitely mid range can be expensive. But i've usually gone the aggro route and wanted to take a different route this time in standard. Fortunately I was able to piece the deck together for about half that due to trades and already having most of the cards and scoring some incredible deals on Ebay. But let me know how Warden of the First Tree works out. I had a debate whether or not he fit in aggro or mid range. I said he somewhat fits in both but more towards the midrange side. Good luck

heir of the wilds

Maybe that could be better than Kin-Tree Invocation, but that card synergizes with 10 of the creatures in my deck, while Heir of the Wilds synergizes with 6.

So i presume Kin-Tree Invocation is the perfect follow up play to a Siege Rhino, Anafenza, the Foremost or a pumped up Rakshasa Deathdealer ? How consistently do you find yourself having the mana to pull that off?

How is Soldier of the Pantheon doing for you? I run Wingmate Roc in my own Abzan Aggro deck and he is very slow as i have no ramp.

+1 from me

I actually had a chance to trade for a Wingmate Roc the other day. Did not do it as I find I don't have the mana to cast him on turn 5, which is best unless you are midrange. Soldier of the Pantheon is incredible in this multi-colored format. Best thing I have done so far is block a 5/5 Battlewise Hoplite.On the Kin-Tree Invocation, It synergizes with 10 cards in my deck, (the ones you mentioned). When it works it is very powerful, either adding a blocker or another fat attacker. The times I play it are late in the game when I have the mana for it to work with the Rakshasa Deathdealer. One of the cards I'm open to changing though. Thanks for the comment and +1!

Pretty solid deck, the first time i ran it i got 1 mana per mulli... played it again and had all the mana in the world! I am a big fan of Warden of the First Tree as he works when you have 2 mana and he is just as viable late game.

I think i have finally come to terms that i need to build an abzan deck that more closely follows this, as my current one ***Please Help Abzan Scale to Infinity! is fun to play, but no where near as effective as this.

Thanks for the ideas in my next abzan deck! +1

You are very Welcome! I have found that these current low drops are amazing. This is due to the fact that they are all good on turn one or 2, but also in the later turns of the game. Rakshasa Deathdealer, Fleecemane Lion, Warden of the First Tree, and even Soldier of the Pantheon have uses in the later game.

Take out a Warden Of The First Tree, and add a second Thoughtseize

If I could I would. The one I have, I pulled.

To me i prefer the fleece mane over deathdealer just seems nice to not have to keep up the bg for regen if they try to kill it whereas fleece and can't get targeted with monstrous in the first place. Also I'd look at a new card Display of Dominance from dragons of tarkir as a sideboard for the control match ups to blank removal

Im so sorry I misread your decklist I thought it said only 2 lions my apologies

I'm Running Gods Willing at the moment to do just that. Do you think Display of Dominance is good enough to replace it as it cast an extra mana? It seems better that it can kill a wincon, and blank all spot removal for a turn; I'm just not sure it is worth an extra mana.

Im playing it because of the second mode as a way to deal with ashiok since like you i only have one downfall also it's partially a meta choice as I play against control often at my lcs.

Nice, solid deck +1!

Cut the Soldier of the Pantheon for Elvish Mystic, maybe? Seems out of place, you can't Abzan Charm it, and it dies to chump blockers.

@dondooleyThe thing about that is that Elvish Mystic ramps me into a four drop? just not a lot of use. I'll be honest though, Soldier of the Pantheon is often my worst creature in the deck. Do you have any other options for me to try?

It ramps you into a three drop; it's a 1/1 for 1 that makes 1G. 1st turn Elvish Mystic, second turn you can play Anafenza if you want. I understand you have a lot of two drops, but it gives you options to drop an anafenza instead of a rakshasa or a fleecemane if you need to. Or you can drop an instantly leveled up Warden. Or a turn three siege rhino.

I'll look around and see if there is a better one drop, though, if you still don't like the Elvish Mystic. I like a good challenge!

I think I'm seeing how the Mystic could help. I'll try it out and hope for some better aggressive creatures in the next release.

Sicne you're considering adding Elvish Mystic, allow me to advise you on what I've learned about it: it has no place in this deck type. I run a fairly similar deck (except I threw in Assault Formation and my curve goes to 5), and have completely cut out the mystics that I was originally running. Why? They're a dead draw in the late game, don't really do much in a low curve deck, and aren't really useful for anything more than chump blocks.

Now, as for what to run in place of that soldier you don't care for, I have a simple answer: 2 more Anafenza, the Foremost and 2 more cards that say kill or protect target creature, or you know, Valorous Stance, because it says both. And yes, I do mean 2 Anafenza. I know it takes the count to 4 on a legendary creature, but it actually feels good to have one on board and one in hand at times, because it means you're winning (probably). Other than those cards, my next best suggestion might be Courser of Kruphix. It doesn't quite fit in to aggro, but it's a good stabilizing card with some decent power and toughness to boot.

@Gnuispir8

That makes a lot of sense. I was having similar doubts about the mystic. Just don't like to raise my curve like that, no matter how small. In practice though, I thnk you are right. I'm going to hold off on Courser of Kruphix just for monetary reasons. (If I had money, I would build the midrange deck in the description). I'll test out your ideas, Thanks a lot!

I know there's only one but i think its one too many, Murderous Cut dosent synergise with the amount of permanants that dont want to die. Heroes downfall or utter end would do better.