replace polluted delta with a swamp.

Yeah, i can see it being a bad matchup because we don't have a 2 mana removal spell anymore (ulcerate doesn't count because it bleeds you life, playing right into the red deck's plan), so every removal spell you cast will set you back in tempo, especially against the sturdier 1-2 drops (eidolon of the great revel says hi).

The good thing is red's best answer to Drown in Sorrow is in Hall of Triumph and that's a one-of, if it even is there.

After a bunch of games against Rabble Red, it seems like the major players in the matchup are Brimaz , Rhino and Ajani. The constant between these is lifelink / vigilance, so if you're having trouble against aggro, a Whip of Erebos isn't that bad an idea. Sorin does the same effect albeit a bit less powerful because you don't usually have a bunch of creatures in the early game.

to bad you are not running red Circle of Flame is the perfect answer to rabble red

@Energycore thanks for the playtesting man, A Whip of Erebos would be a great sub out for Sorin, Solemn Visitor during those aggro matchups.

@Tingettley that's for sure

I wouldn't call it the perfect answer; the amount of 2-toughness threats that rabble red has have increased with khans (i'm looking mostly at war-name aspirant and monastery swiftspear), i'd use more high-impact answers if you're in red - anger of the gods mostly. I'd only include circle in need of redundancy.

Maybe there's a build of this deck splashing red instead of blue - that has Sarkhan as a great threat, anger as a straight upgrade to drown. This does mean we lose Sultai Charm but i believe we can cut it with the existence of Hero's Downfall, Crackling Doom if you're interested in the effect and Sign in Blood if you really need more than 4 card draw spells. We do lose Disenchant but i'm not sure it'll be needed.

Hmmm red does seem better than blue

@Energycore Something to ponder on for sure.

But Sultai Charm targets so much it'll be hard to fill. Especially with all the Ascendancy enchantments floating around, they could have some game changing effects. Particularly Abzan Ascension and Jeskai ascension come to my mind.

It's something to be messed around with, But i'm not a fan of the new Sarkhan really.

Well when it comes to red, remember that you will also have Deflecting Palm to open up to as well... and Mardu Charm which is instant speed Duress /Mizzium Mortars or 2 1/1 first strikers.

I liked your Riker Maneuver a lot and built it. I was so sad when Back to Nature was shown in M15. Anyways, Abzan is absolutely my colors. The beloved graveyard mechanic can be found better in Sultai but who cares?

I am very happy to see this build. There are not too many cards I would have to acquire (okok, Fetches I guess) and I really like the use of the flexible charms.

Looking at the one-of Erebos I am not too sure if he is worthwhile since you already have card draw at instant speed with your charms if you need it. Also where did Utter End go?

One more thing: I would actually like to see Ajani, Mentor of Heroes in here, maybe even over Liliana because both have 5cmc. It also digs for threats (not for any one card obviously) and can push your creatures if needed.

@Neoxtreem I got rid of Utter End because in between the charms I can remove anything anyways :P

And Ajani, Mentor of Heroes might work, He's been suggested a few times so I might test him out.

And thank you for the kind words :)I loved playing The Riker Maneuver but yet, wizards just had to reprint Back to Nature just in spite of me.

I've been playing Abzan super friends for about 2 months now and with khans there are so many good cards to add to it. You pretty much built the type of deck i would like to upgrade to. I never even thought of Siege Rhino but he seems to amazing to pass up! Thanks for the inspiration!! +1 from me!

I agree with Neoxtreem. The 1 of Erebos just doesnt seem to fit. I think swapping him out for a second Sorin would be the better bet. Same cmc, so it fills the same slot.

Tingettley//Neoxtreem

It's just an alternate source for card draw rather than just my charms as a backup plan, You really need to have the card draw in the deck for it to function well and as an Indestructible Greed that's pretty decent.

If anything I'd like to figure a way to trigger his devotion because he can survive a board wipe with all the other walkers.

lulz. having all of your black pws out gives you the devotion you need to make him active... and they survive boardwipes xD

I know but just barely =P

If only Sorin Markov was still in standard =(

would love to know how you did at FNM

@operationremie once I finish up getting the last few cards for the deck I'll definitely post some results from matches.

sounds good. i'm doing a very similar deck but without blue. as much as i want to do villainous wealth and sultai charm, i think i'm gonna just stick with 3 colors. so far, i have like 3-4 cards i have to fill with new stuff.

What do you intend to use Stain the Mind on? Which matches do you want to bring it in for?

Have you considered a single Empty the Pits in the sideboard for the grindy as hell mirror match?

+1

SSJRanulf it's for those matches where you know they are running multiple copies of something, Anything really. Polukranos, World Eater , Other walkers, Anything that will cause our deck problems.

I've thought about empty the pits but it wouldn't be worth it. 1 Drown in Sorrow and that becomes a waste of a turn.

Drown in Sorrow is a sorcery, empty is an instant. You use it on there end step and swing for game.

I'm not saying it's a godly card, but I think it's solid in the mirror match.

Hey Caligula if you wouldn't mind I got a deck for you to look at and test yours against! My brain child has been on the operating table for the last couple weeks since spoilers started and almost was going to give up on it until I saw green devotion still making an appearance at SCG NJ and Indianapolis. Here it is! Villainous Green Please bring on the filthy, analyze and critic it, with brutal honesty and test it out!

Hm... I don't quite see that Despise outdoes Thoughtseize , but I have never actually paid one black mana, looked at my opponents hand and taken something, so I know nothing about hand disruption. I think Kiora, the Crashing Wave would be a good fit here, planeswalkers synergise well with other planeswalkers.