Ghost Dad's Circus Stampede
Standard*
SCORE: 71 | 64 COMMENTS | 19532 VIEWS | IN 32 FOLDERS Top 8: 05/10
About the FNM —March 21, 2013
I went into the FNM event page for my LGS to put in my deck for last week (it didn't place top 8 but it still asked for place so I thought I might as well just throw it on there for #11) and it decided to display my deck on the top 8 tab of the front page. I didn't know it would do this even if the deck didn't make top 8. I'm not trying to lie myself into the front page or anything so please don't hate me!
mrbloo1848 says... #2
Ertl, I have the speed to deal with virtually any aggro short of Naya Blitz (which is the fastest deck in the format). I can usually reliably accelerate into 3 mana and begin my stabilization process. Lingering Souls, Loxodon Smiter, and the multitude of removals are there for this reason. I am pretty much all against creature-based acceleration because they're way too easy to remove which means having them in my deck will dilute my existing strength against control. I usually am able to take a few hits from aggro list and stabilize with Thragtusk or spirit tokens reliably by turns 4-5 (of course unless I run into some nut hand along the line of Burning-Tree Emissary into Burning-Tree into Burning-Tree into Flinthoof Boar, in which case I probably am screwed without Sever the Bloodline, but then again a lot of people are too.). I basically speed up my deck by slowing them down enough to where I can just win on draw quality alone.
Granted, I do stuggle against decks like Jund Aggro and Naya Humans if I run into below-average keeps or draws.
However, my meta is a lot different from yours. Midrange and non-Naya aggro lists are prevalent over here so I don't have to worry too much about building exclusively to deal with blitz-speed aggro since I will risk compromising my draw quality to keep up with other midrange lists. Our decks just have different ways of approaching aggro matchups. Yours relies on lifegain (which my deck used to do because Trostani, Selesnya's Voice is awesome) while mine relies on chump blockers and removals. Nice touch with Blood Artist, though. Gives you another win-con, sort of, and good synergy.
TL;DR: I agree that many aggro decks can potentially outrun my efforts to stabilize but I don't have to worry too much about them at my LGS and I have my own ways of stalling that have been working pretty well.
March 19, 2013 7:49 p.m.
I wish I could say the same. I am bloody irritated at my meta. I SWEAR EVERYONE has some version of Naya aggro. If your not seeing it in your meta.... I am envious of your luck. As you can tell, my entire sideboard is to revert back to a mid-range deck vs control. Give me some time to read through all of your previous matches and I will definitely give some feedback on changes I would make.
March 19, 2013 7:58 p.m.
It seems the only thing you struggle with is aggro. You have beaten nearly every mid-range/Control deck. I would like to say, add Trostani, Selesnya's Voice. But than I think... vs Control, she is not an answer. However, if you are already stomping control, removing a few cards to balance your deck vs aggro may really help. Their are a dozens reasons to add even a 1 of her to your deck. Her life gain on creature entrance synergizes perfectly with Obzedat, Ghost Council, Restoration Angel, Thragtusk, and Garruk, Primal Hunter. That is over half of your creatures. Her populate is terrifying along with Garruk, Primal Hunter, and Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. With 25 lands and a play set of Farseek, implementing one or two Stomping Ground allows for Kessig Wolf Run to be run. Kessig Wolf Run is an answer to Jund (maybe not the best). If they block anything with one mere creature, you can pump with trample for game. Plus it has some synergy with Gavony Township. Finally, I wanted to add to your comment on Blood Artist. I can't get over the last game I won with nothing but a Blood Artist, Garruk, Primal Hunter, and Trostani, Selesnya's Voice in play. I would create a 3/3 beast and gain 3 life, populate a beast and gain 3 life. I would proceed to block with the beasts to gain life and ping my opponent with Blood Artist. Best stall/ping combo ever lol.
March 19, 2013 8:29 p.m.
mrbloo1848 says... #5
Blood Artist definitely has a place in my heart, mainly because I've had my life totals painted a big red zero by that card and that earned him my respect.
I am in the process of making some cuts/changes to my mainboard and sideboard (based on my matches this weekend) and tests are underway. You should see some changes within the next few days so let me know what you think then.
I used to run a couple Trostani, Selesnya's Voice in my mainboard and she did great against aggro but she had problems with flyers (which I tend to see a ton of for no good reason). However, now that I run a set of Lingering Souls, I may make a spot for her just so I can use my old deck name of Trostedat, the Voice of the Council. Trust me, I have experienced all kinds of synergy between her and the rest of my creatures. I have taken triple Hellrider attacks to the face for several turns only to come out with a positive net lifegain thanks to Obzedat, Ghost Council and populated beast tokens, all on top of a Rhox Faithmender. It was quite stupid.
The whole playing two Stomping Ground/Sacred Foundry for the Kessig Wolf Run thing seems a bit too...uh I don't really know the perfect word to describe this...maybe "cute" or "inefficient"?....to me. But if your results proved otherwise, I am willing to give it a try since I am well aware of the power level of that card.
March 19, 2013 8:59 p.m.
I have found Kessig Wolf Run to help me end games vs creature based decks that can keep up creature for creature. I thought of suggesting it after reading your draw with Junk Rites. It allows you to swing that damage through even if he keeps blocking. AKA... one spirit token can win it for you. The other card I forgot to suggest was Unburial Rites. I was reluctant to use it at first. I only ran it due to courteousness towards a good friend. However, I found it to be similar to card advantage. Sitting on an Unburial Rites allows you to play more aggressive or feel safe knowing you can bring anything back. Not once but twice. Look forward to seeing your make-over so to say.
March 19, 2013 9:18 p.m.
mrbloo1848 says... #7
The issue about the Kessig Wolf Run is that I can't afford to run it mainboard along with other colorless sources without risking getting mana screwed and it would be rather awkward to side in in the event I run into that problem you mentioned. That draw against the junk at FNM was more of an issue of me playing too slowly and he got saved by the bell. I personally like the idea, but my color restrictions on various cards I run requires a relatively delicate mana split so I can't afford to disturb that balance (the land composition went through a few changes before having arrived at the current one. Playtesting gave me a good idea of what mana I need to reliably hit on what turn).
Tests are are still underway. Thanks for taking the time to look at and analyze my deck.
March 20, 2013 2:09 a.m.
That's what I was worried about. But I thought I would bring it up in the off chance that it worked. Don't forget about Unburial Rites. Honestly, give a one or two of a try.
Ertl says... #1
I would suggest speeding your deck up. Naya aggro will beat you 2-0 every match with your current build. I play Morglen as well. It used to be mid-range and similar to this. However, I have been forced to speed it up due to Naya's constant turn 4 wins. Take a look and maybe it will help you. Strait Up Naya Hate
March 19, 2013 7:11 p.m.