A Swift Death

Modern Mongol

SCORE: 12 | 17 COMMENTS | 2913 VIEWS | IN 2 FOLDERS


Kentertainer says... #1

I see a lot of people using 18 mana for a deck like this, but I think that's crazy, you're probably fine with 22, maybe even 20. A few cards to consider:

Coordinated Assault

Messenger's Speed

Ethereal Armor

March 19, 2014 4:04 p.m.

Mongol says... #2

The Coordinated Assault is one that just recently came across and I think may have a place, at least in the sideboard if nothing else. I've used Ethereal Armor before, but that was prior to adding the bestow creatures. Eidolon of Countless Battles does more for adding +1/+1 buffs, though with a bit more cost on the bestow. The idea is to get at least one Hero of Iroas out before casting that card, and I'm not sure if losing the first strike of Ethereal armor is such a big deal at this point. My hardest hitters are Fabled Hero and Anax and Cymede , who don't need it. The Boros Charm s take care of adding double strike to any other creature if needed.

I've given some thought to Messenger's Speed , though I simply haven't found room for haste. The idea behind the other combos is to get around any potential blockers with Madcap Skills and Gods Willing . The Holy Mantle is another option for this, which would hopefully only cost 3 mana on turn 4, which should be the end of the game if all goes well. In which case, the haste and trample won't do much good until turn 4 anyway, and by then the objective is to have the killing blow lined up already.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I may try 21 mana and see how things work out. Then go to 20 or back to 22 depending on how things play out.

March 19, 2014 6:11 p.m.

HamsterBoo says... #3

22 lands is definitely too many for a deck like this. I played it against my simic deck and noticed that Eidolon of Countless Battles , Hero of Iroas , Boros Charm , Gods Willing , and Madcap Skills were working very, very well together.

The place where I felt your deck falter somewhat was mostly in your 1 drop heroics, Akroan Crusader and Favored Hoplite . They just aren't good enough to ever warrant targeting them, so they just sit on the board as 1/1s and 1/2s. I would definitely suggest switching those out for something else (maybe even Legion Loyalist ).

The other thing I'd worry about for you is matches against red or white opponents. Your Gods Willing might remove your own auras, so you need to have some other way to get evasion.

March 19, 2014 8:22 p.m.

Mongol says... #4

The 1 droppers are there mainly to get 4 or 5 damage through on the second turn paired with a Madcap Skills . Other than that, I tend to agree that they really aren't worth targeting much. Legion Loyalist looks good, though purchasing him straight up would cost a bit much. I still don't have the dual lands I've listed, and I'm currently running a somewhat modern version of the deck with Clifftop Retreat s, along with some other aura combos, like Spirit Mantle .

This is definitely worth some more thought though, thanks for the suggestions.

March 19, 2014 9:35 p.m.

Kentertainer says... #5

Legion Loyalist doesn't suck, but for something more cohesive with this deck style, you might go with Nyxborn Rollicker or Nyxborn Shieldmate . This way if you draw at the start, great you have a 1 drop, but if you draw later, sure you have a bestow + heroic trigger. Either way it's a good card. You might consider Judge's Familiar to ward a little bit of early game removal (maybe sideboard?), also Soldier of the Pantheon deserves mention, 2 power for a 1 drop is always nice

March 20, 2014 4:22 p.m.

Mongol says... #6

Soldier of the Pantheon is something I've given consideration to and could definitely find a way in at some point. Even if he's just sitting there, he at least has potential to give me life. The Rollicker and Shieldmate I've thought about a little as well, but I'm not too sure if they're worth it. The point is a good one, though. I'm thinking the Hopeful Eidolon would be a better choice with the lifelink. The somewhat higher bestow cost doesn't really worry me with the Hero's of Iroas around. Judge's Familiar isn't something I've considered in this deck, which is odd since I use him in a U/W flyer control deck. Now that you mention it, he might be a very nice addition to this one, since he can stick around as flyer defense and a potential counter spell if I need him, where I'm running short on those. That is a pretty good idea, though having an owl among heroes kind of makes the deck look a little funny. lol

Thanks for the suggestions!

March 22, 2014 12:48 p.m.

godverdmme says... #7

I found out that the Favored Hoplite is one of the best cards to play in a deck like this. I know you want to play Fabled Hero or Hero of Iroas but i found out that at the time you can put your first enchantment on on of them they might as well be dead already thanks to black removal or blue bounce/removal. while at the same time you can already have turned that hoplite in some crazy strong creature that has to be blocked by 2 or more, shooting down other creatures with an Ordeal of Purphoros whilst having mana open to protect him with a Boros Charm or Gods Willing .

April 24, 2014 5:50 p.m.

Mongol says... #8

The Favored Hoplite is still in this deck because it has the ability to come out on turn 1, then turn 2 you can put a Madcap Skills on it for 5 damage directly. Or if they have 2 creatures and choose to block, it's likely those 2 creatures won't have more than a combined 5 toughness so early. Plus the prevent all damage that would be dealt to it is a big bonus later on when you decide to pump him up more. with Boros Charm and Titan's Strength .

I just wish he was a 2/1 instead of a 1/2. That would likely constitute making him a rare, however.

April 24, 2014 9:04 p.m.

Caharin says... #9

Brave the Elements that is all.

June 17, 2014 10:47 p.m.

nighthawk85 says... #10

I like Gift of Orzhova over Hopeful Eidolon . Gives you the same buff and ability but add to it flying to help avoid the blockers, as the deck seems to strive for. Takes one more Plains to cast, but one mana lower in overall cost.

July 27, 2014 10:26 a.m.

Mongol says... #11

I like Hopeful Eidolon as a potential 1 drop creature too. He can be beefed up to help gain life and deal damage while I'm waiting for something bigger to come out. I'll give more lifelink some consideration though. I see how well it works in your deck.

July 27, 2014 11:42 a.m.

The_Raven says... #12

Lol, sorry man. I didn't mean to steal your name! I just thought Temple of Triumph is R/W. My deck is RW. It's about heroes. So..... Yea.

Sorry.... Do you have an idea for a better name? :D

August 24, 2014 5:12 p.m.

Mongol says... #13

Lol, no problem man. I had the same idea as you can see. :)

August 24, 2014 5:41 p.m.

Headers13 says... #14

I've found Ordeal of Heliod more useful than Ordeal of Purphoros in the past, giving you more time for your deck to hit its stride. Brave the Elements is also incredibly useful for making all of your creatures unblockable and un-targetable at the same time and swinging for the win for only 1 mana.

August 29, 2014 3:15 p.m.

Mongol says... #15

I had Ordeal of Heliod in this deck at one point, but you may be right that it would be of more help in certain matchups. The Ordeal of Purphoros is ideal for this deck, as it can remove any weenies that might be in your way, or just tag on an additional 3 damage to the opponent where 3 damage can go a long way against a deck like this.

The one thing that keeps me in some games where I don't get the best draw is life gain through the Hopeful Eidolon , so I can see where the Ordeal of Heliod might be more useful on some occasions. I've got a couple Brave the Elements in my sideboard already for extra protection if up against heavy removal. I might need to increase the number though.

Thanks!

August 29, 2014 4:31 p.m.

Ninjadude51 says... #16

Dude, why the hell are there no Mutagenic Growths?

June 13, 2015 12:19 p.m.

Mongol says... #17

I'm honestly not sure, but that is a very valid suggestion! I do run a couple in my izzet aggro build, Rift Striker, though I've never given them consideration here.

Thanks!

June 13, 2015 12:36 p.m.

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