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Abzan Milling...wait what!? [Top 1-4 FNMs]

Standard BGW (Abzan, Junk) FNM Mill Theme/Gimmick

usurphling

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Creature (22)

Planeswalker (1)

Land (24)

Enchantment (5)

Artifact (8)

Sideboard

Creature (5)

Enchantment (1)

Instant (5)

Sorcery (4)

Who says Blue based decks can only mill their opponents? Abzan can too. Inspired from Travis Woo's article about Pyxis of Pandemonium builds, this deck can either mill your opponents out using pyxis and altar of the brood or kill your opponents using constellation and ETB triggers. Either way, its fun when you exile their top card of their library and wondering if we exile their non-permanent cards. On the other hand, when you decide to flip Pyxis, its guaranteed that we have permanents that will enter the battlefield and either wreaking havoc the field or simply mill your opponents.

In this deck, you should be aware on the order of spells you are casting in order for you to make this deck effective. Also, be careful when you activate Pyxis of Pandemonium's sac ability. It can make or break the whole game. Remember, the active player has the priority when you flip Pyxis so plan carefully when you want to use it. Also, you can choose which cards will enter first when you flip Pyxis that's why choose those cards wisely.

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Edit: 8/16/15

Recently, Origins added some great cards to improve constellation thus constellation decks are popping everywhere however, this deck is a split wincon - either you get milled out or get trampled out with constellation creatures. Enjoy it until Theros rotates out soon.

Differences with Abzan Constellation and this deck:

Abzan Constellation decks focuses on pure enchantments to make use of constellation triggers. On the other hand, this deck focuses on "enters the battlefield" (ETB) effects to maximize the uses of Altar of the Brood and Pyxis of Pandemonium . Its just that constellation triggers also fit on this deck.

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The ETB permanents and constellation creatures are there to fuel up the deck. They're very good cards to flip and they are very good cards to mill with altar.

  • Brain Maggot - cheap constellation triggers and great hand disruption tool.
  • Herald of the Pantheon - very good addition to this deck. Now I can cast my enchantments for less in case of mana screwed due to either bad luck or being milled/exiled by pyxis. Also, the lifegain is very relevant to survive aggressive decks.
  • Courser of Kruphix - helps you decide whether you exile the top card of your library using Pyxis and of course gaining life from lands.
  • Whip of Erebos - another constellation trigger and another way to mill your opponents by reviving your creatures (specially hornet queen)
  • Banishing Light - very good spot removal against non-creatures (read: Planeswalkers) and can be a constellation trigger
  • Eidolon of Blossoms - your draw engine specially in mid-late game. I only put 3 so that I won't be screwed from multiple instances of it late game.
  • Siege Rhino - stabilizes your life points and prevents aggro decks from going further to your life points.
  • Doomwake Giant - potential boardwipe!
  • Hornet Queen - flying, deathtouch anyone? plus you can simply mill 5 automatically as she enters the battlefield and with multiple altars, you can mill up to 20 cards.
  • Starfield of Nyx - constellation decks got better thanks to this. You can bring back your fallen enchantments back to the battlefield and use it again.

Take note: Once all your enchantments become creatures, their power and toughness changes: Brain Maggot becomes a 2/2 (kinda nice improvement), Courser becomes a 3/3 (kinda sad), Doomwake becomes a 5/5 (its ok), Eidolon of Blossoms becomes a 4/4 (great!)

  • Temur Sabertooth is just there to bounce your creatures and retrigger your ETB effects or just simply make her indestructible in times of trouble.

The only planeswalker here in this deck is Elspeth, Sun's Champion. Its not just to finish your opponents with her soldiers and board wipe big creatures but also helps you to mill 3 every turn.

Sideboards:

The deck is always open for comments and suggestions specially for this upcoming new set. A +1 is always appreciated!

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4th place FNM — Aug. 28, 2015
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Round 1 - Mardu Midrange Dragons: Won 2-1

First round was dominated with dragons and removals by my opponent. Second game was dominated by my 3 siege rhinos. Third game was lucky for me, herald of pantheon helped me to stabilize the game with timely banishing lights and eventually won with doomwake giants.

Round 2 - Sultai Midrange: Won 2-0

First round was a nice start for me destroying my opponent's tempo with Altar of the Brood + 2 Pyxis of Pandemoniums. Mid game, he got lucky when he played a Priest of the Blood Rite and Master of the Feast but my elspeth destroyed both of them. Eventually he was milled out with my combo.

Second round was a breeze. With Herald of the Pantheon, I played my doomwake giants and Eidolon of Blossoms easily and got the win.

Round 3 - UW control: Won 2-1

This is a weird UW control that I dealt because it was a budget. First round was nice. Altar and pyxis was present here but that Frost Walker was annoying to the point i didnt get a removal spell. That was a lost from me. Second game, I SB my Thoughtseize and crippled him with that and Brain Maggot preventing him to counter my spells and won with my enchantment creatures. Third game was the same but he almost got me with his Frost Walker. Luckily, I got my Banishing Lights and won with siege rhinos.

Round 4 - BR Warriors: Won 2-1

First round he just dominated me with dashed creatures. Second round was a comeback.Herald of pantheon helped me stay in the game consistently casting brain maggots and banishing light and eventually won the game with Doomwake Giant. Third game was intense. His Warbringer and Ambuscade Shaman was a pain dashing his guys for less. Thanks to Doomwake Giant and Temur Sabertooth, they helped me defend until Hornet Queen came in and killed all of them and win the game.

Round 5 - UG Turbo Fog: Won 2-0

First round was dominated with Altar + Pyxis combo and disrupted his combo and got the win. Second round was also a win. A first turn altar was a pain for him then he tried to mill me with Grindclock and a Sphinx's Tutelage but Banishing Lights removed them in the game and eventually milled him out and win the game.

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Overall, I will definitely use this deck until Theros Block cards rotate out soon. +1s and comments and suggestions will be appreciated.

Updated for Origins! — Aug. 16, 2015
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Revision 3 See all

(9 years ago)

+2 Abzan Charm side
+1 Agent of Erebos side
+1 Arbor Colossus side
+3 Brain Maggot main
+1 Caves of Koilos main
-3 Fleecemane Lion side
+1 Gaea's Revenge side
-1 Garruk, Apex Predator side
-1 Glare of Heresy side
+4 Herald of the Pantheon main
-1 Hornet Queen main
+1 Llanowar Wastes main
-4 Nyx-Fleece Ram main
-2 Read the Bones side
-1 Reclamation Sage side
+2 Starfield of Nyx side
-1 Temple of Malady main
-2 Temple of Silence main
-1 Thoughtseize main
+1 Tragic Arrogance side
Top Ranked
  • Achieved #15 position overall 9 years ago
Date added 9 years
Last updated 9 years
Legality

This deck is not Standard legal.
Rarity (main - side)

3 - 5 Mythic Rares

37 - 3 Rares

12 - 7 Uncommons

1 - 0 Commons
Cards 60
Avg. CMC 3.08
Tokens Emblem Elspeth, Sun's Champion, Insect 1/1 G w/ Flying, Deathtouch, Soldier 1/1 W
Folders Liked, standard
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