My take on Ryan Hovis's GB graveyard deck. he was 8-0 with it, then fell to 9-2 with it and ultimately missed top 8 (finished 33rd I think). But everyone agrees the deck is very interesting and theres something powerful there.
So I decided to take up the deck and try editing it a bit. Ryan had originally run 3
Perpetual Timepiece
, but said those were very bad and shouldn't have been in the deck. I also didn't like the full 4 copies of Noose Constrictor, as its really only there to help dump guys into the yard. So I cut a Constrictor and the 3 timepieces for 4 Smuggler's Copter. The card is absurd as you all probably know by now after watching it EVERYWHERE in both days of the open. There are also many low power cards in the deck that are just itching to get out of their dreams and into my car. Who me? yes, you. Talking to you, Gnarlwood Dryad and Haunted Dead along with its spirit. Another thing I've noted and been really happy about through testing so far is that copter is also a very respectable discard outlet! hit for 3, draw, discard my Haunted Dead, Profit.
Moving to the manabase, I normally wouldn't have aether hub here, but it's our only way of casting Prized Amalgam if need be. I still don't like the full playset, as drawing multiples early can be gamebreaking, so I cut it to 3. You don't need to cast amalgam THAT much.
In the board, the only Changes I made were shaving the third Collective Brutality and the third distended mindbender for two more instant speed removal spells in Grasp of Darknesses. brutality is fine, but i suspect the reason Ryan had the full 4 in the 75 was the mass discard, which again, I don't think we need more of. The third mindbender is questionable I think because you kinda have to cut
Decimator of the Provinces
for it, and that feels less than great. And if you're leaving in some of the Big Bad Pigs, 6 emergers is too many anyway. so 2 it is
This deck is explosive, and can win on T4 with just the opening hand and random cards drawn. There are many different ways to piece together this opener, but here's the most streamlined version:
T1: Land (6 cards left in hand on the play, 7 on the draw)
T2: Land Noose Constrictor (5 cards in hand on the play, 6 on the draw)
T3: Go to combat, attack with noose. discard a Prized Amalgam, a Haunted Dead, and two other cards of your choice. Thats a hit for 6, opp is at 14. (2 cards in hand on the play, 3 on the draw)
At the end of your opponent's second mainphase: Activate Haunted Dead, discarding two copies of Prized Amalgam. the 3 in the yard come back at the opponent's end step. (0 cards in hand on the play, 1 on the draw)
T4: attack for 14 on board, and you have either 1 or 2 cards in hand to pump noose if need be.... and that's a wrap! T4 kill in standard is awesome. you can also have a removal spell to kill an opponents creature if you happen to draw it T4 or just have it when you're on the draw.
There is also a way to get there using a
Decimator of the Provinces
on T4 after returning a
Ghoulsteed
on T3 if you have a couple other dudes on board, such as a couple amalgams discarded to the ghoulsteed and the noose to make for a big attack. you can also get there using an assortment of Gnarlwood Dryads and other small things. Big Piggy is hella explosive too. Beware he needs 3 green sources, tho.If you are interested in the deck, a +1 would be greatly appreciated! This deck is a work in progress, so any thoughts or suggestions are great and wanted. Thanks! :D
Here's Ryan's original deck tech: http://www.starcitygames.com/events/coverage/gb_graveyard_with_ryan_hovis.html
