Baneslayer
Pioneer*
SCORE: 43 | 27 COMMENTS | 10133 VIEWS | IN 13 FOLDERS
First Pioneer Edition —Jan. 11, 2020
I went 3/1 in my first Pioneer event.
I think about half the store was playing a version of Red Deck Wins and I played against that twice. Those match ups go pretty well for me since most of their removal can't take out a Bishop without doubling down, all of their creatures die to Clarion, and the lifegain with this deck makes for a very easy mid-range win.
The other deck I won against was a Golgari Energy which was a very grueling match. In game three he must have used six destruction spells during the first eight turns as I curved in to each my creatures ... to include one on my before-game-Leyline in order to Thoughtseize me around turn 5. The disadvantage of that many removal spells is that his draw power fell and I beat him out with a resolved Lyra and Gisela in the end. They were very fun games.
The match I lost was against that mono-green Eldrazi build. The one game I did win was the most beautiful of the night though: I had flashed in Avacyn on his turn (he had ten life left and I had seven and my side of the board was clear at this point) after he played the green Cavalier (with reach). I had been sitting with Embercleave in my hand since the opening and I now had six mana on the board and a Brave the Elements to boot. I cast my protection from green spell, declared my attack and with my remaining five mana flashed in Embercleave for ten final damage ...it was awesome. Then he proceeded to stomp me with Eldrazi for two more games haha.
Overall very pleased with this first run. Will likely make some changes and we'll see where it goes.
Hexaflexagon says... #2
Hey man! Nice deck. I'm trying a similar concept to you in Standard currently. Have you considered Adanto Vanguard over Knight of Grace and Drover of the Mighty instead of Llanowar Elves? With Adanto Vanguard out on the field, you can cast Deafening Clarion, choosing both modes, and have the Vanguard gain indestructible. You then get a board wipe, three damage to your opponent and a creature still out on the battlefield, all for one life and three mana. As for the Drover, it goes well with that Carnage Tyrant in the sideboard and it helps you mana fix, allowing you to get out Resplendent Angel and Lyra with only one white mana land, making your deck much more consistent. Just my thoughts.
Good Luck,
Hexaflexagon
Selesnya Standard Midrange
Standard*
SCORE: 9 | 40 COMMENTS | 3087 VIEWS | IN 3 FOLDERS
December 26, 2018 1:43 a.m.
Thanks for the upvote and suggestions! I have considered the vanguard and have even playtested it a few times and I am very much leaning towards that over my Knight. When I first started paying this deck, my shop was seeing a LOT of W/B knights so it was an easy choice to capitalize on their black cards. Now that the meta has shifted, I think it's time to move on.
I've been considering pulling the Llanowar out all together since this is a mid-range deck, after all. But the turn two History or Angel is just too dang fun. The color problem hasn't been an issue for me since I run so many white/X colored lands that the benefit of Drover wouldn't really do it since I want Llanowar out on turn one. Granted, it doesn't happen that often and then your point is valid and I should just go for something with a little more synergy lol Still in the works, I guess. Thanks again!
December 26, 2018 7:15 a.m.
Any updates for RNA-release? Would definitely be interested to see how this deck evolves.
FlintSR says... #1
If you're looking into possible BG (for after rotation) try out Nightmare's Thirst. It helps with the lifegain, plus if you have a Fountain of Renewal & Ajani's Welcome it can be pretty efficient removal for one mana(even kills indestructible things). Not to mention helps further Ajani's Pridemate & Resplendent Angel (only if you are REEEEALLY looking for that 1 extra lifegain)
July 30, 2018 11:10 a.m.