No pain, no gain

Standard* Matador

SCORE: 24 | 23 COMMENTS | 10754 VIEWS | IN 23 FOLDERS


Rargonaut says... #1

I ran a similar deck to this awhile ago, so I know a couple of things that might help.

  1. Orzhov Charm is better than executioner's swing because of its' versatility.
  2. I get that dutifull thrull is ok for extorting, buuuuuuuuuuuuut that doesn't help with the fact that it just isn't that good. maybe Judge's Familiar or Dryad Militant would help a bit more.
  3. Angel of Serenity over deathpact?
  4. Profit and loss is interesting... but if it ends up working against you don't hesitate to take it out.
December 28, 2013 11:44 p.m.

danglosson says... #2

I don't necessarily disagree with Rargonaut because the versatility of Orzhov Charm does make it better in most ways.

However just to play devil's advocate I still like the idea of running Executioner's Swing because it can kill indestructible creatures. Since you aren't dealing damage to the target creature but rather lowering the creatures toughness the indestructible creature still dies. For instance Thassa, God of the Sea is a 5/5 but when targeted by Executioner's Swing it becomes a 0/0 negating it's ability to stay on the board.

The primary reason you may want to consider other options is because the opponent's creature has to deal damage first.

Truthfully it virtually takes care of most creatures you encounter. There is always a list of exceptions and in your case it would be the protection from black/white creatures (Stormbreath Dragon and Blood Baron of Vizkopa come to mind) and 4 of the 5 gods not to mention any of the green mana ramp fatties but nonetheless for a budget deck it's a viable option in my opinion. One could even argue it's underrated.

Otherwise, most of what I would have said about the deck list Rargonaut said first. The deck still looks fun for dirt cheap. Well done. +1

December 29, 2013 12:08 a.m.

Rargonaut says... #3

Executioner's Swing does do very well against thassa, which is a prominent part of standard. I think sideboarding it would be great if you play against mono blue a lot, otherwise there aren't enough threats that it kills to warrant it, in my opinion. (it kills almost no other relevant gods) other than Purphoros, God of the Forge which I haven't seen any of, but could easily be a thing in other places.

One last thing I forgot to mention, a creature based white deck can always use a Gods Willing or Brave the Elements against those removal.deck people. so that's a thing.

December 29, 2013 12:41 a.m.

May I ask what the card is?

December 29, 2013 1:08 a.m.

Matador says... #5

Thanks for the advice everyone I'll definitely consider the options and see where it goes.

I also really like using Profit / Loss because of one annoying card in standard right now and that is Master of Waves . That card completely shuts it down as well as any other 1 toughness creatures opponents are not willing to trade in combat.

December 29, 2013 3:18 p.m.

Rargonaut says... #8

I don't know how I forgot to bring this card up, but Blind Obedience is a fantastic way to extort as well as slow down annoying things like:

  1. Hastey Dudes like Ash Zealot or Mistcutter Hydra OR or Stormbreath Dragon
  2. Obzedat can no longer swing
  3. Whip of Erebos is not as abusable
  4. AEtherling is less god like but still fairly god like
  5. Spark Trooper is now a waste of 4 mana

It provides a hard to kill Extort trigger AND is not that expensive.

December 29, 2013 6:03 p.m.

Matador says... #9

good point Rargonaut I don't know why that isn't included in the deck but thanks for reminding me.

December 29, 2013 9:11 p.m.

chillistills says... #10

+1 for name and theme

January 4, 2014 6:34 p.m.

-Bean- says... #11

Oh man, what is that featured card? Its art is fantastic!

February 4, 2014 1:28 a.m.

Blizzicane says... #12

ProfessorDucky

That card is Famine and yeah it does look amazing. :3

February 4, 2014 1:32 a.m.

Deck looks great, I run a similar one that does extremely well at my FNM. I've actually won 4 or 5 local tourneys with it. It's The Leech (1st @ FNM) if you'd like ideas, although I have yet to update it for M15. One card I wanted to add is Wall of Essence . Might be a good sideboard card for you against blitz decks.

August 7, 2014 12:04 p.m.

Matador says... #14

Wall of Essence is a good card. I'll see what I can do about it thanks.

August 7, 2014 6:06 p.m.

LargePigeon15 says... #15

I like this build alot. I might give it a shot. In any event, what would you do to splash green for Collected Company ?

October 6, 2015 11:25 a.m.

Matador says... #16

Collected Company is a great way to trigger rally at instant speed LargePigeon15. I'd also put in Veteran Warleader as it would fit in the deck real well. Splashing green would probably make the deck more competitive, but I'd like to see what others have done for that idea.

October 6, 2015 10:34 p.m.

Kewbie says... #17

Can't believe you missed out Ally Encampment, it would be a great addition to this deck.

October 6, 2015 11:58 p.m.

Matador says... #18

Kewbie lol I forgot to add those in thanks for reminding me!

October 9, 2015 3:31 p.m.

Morialkar says... #19

I run a pretty similar list and I switched one of my March from the Tomb for a Rally the Ancestors which allows in a pinch to blurt out anything in the graveyard for a really low mana cost...

January 3, 2016 2:33 p.m.

Matador says... #20

Rally the Ancestors can be a bit more difficult to set up compared to March from the Tomb Morialkar. Unlike an aristocrat style deck, they have an sac outlet to trigger off Zulaport Cutthroat. If I don't have Kalastria Healer in the graveyard or on the battlefield, it ends up being a dead card or a desperate attempt to chump block which could bring back the cutthroat and chump block by surprise. But on the other hand, I can bring back Wingmate Roc and get a free 3/4 token out of it. If I went Mardu, I think Rally the Ancestors would be great due to the haste ally, but my play style is much different than Mardu.

January 3, 2016 10:18 p.m.

N1996 says... #23

Hey I run a deck a lot like yours I find that Eerie Interlude does a lot of work in the game to survive board wipes and a lot of life drain. I found that my deck does good most nights I was just wondering what you think of it Allies love life. Pleas look and comment always trying to make it better.

May 31, 2016 5:20 p.m.

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