Have you thought of swapping out Evolutionary Leap for Retreat to Kazandu? Also, perhaps add some Gleam of Authority?

Yes, I am definitely considering adding Retreat to Kazandu. I will probably pick a couple up at release and try them out to see how they go.

The problem I have with Retreat to Kazandu is that it's slow for what this deck wants to do. What I'm getting at is that it competes with 4+ other cards on turn 3. Would you rather play that or:

Deathmist Raptor, Undergrowth Champion, Managorger Hydra, Den Protector face down, Avatar of the Resolute...

Basically to me and during testing, it felt like a dead card because during play it doesn't feel like it's on curve. You're not doing anything to move the game forward on turn 3 by dropping that card because it requires landfall to do anything. This is actually the most common problem people have with Hardened Scales. You drop it on turn 1 (preferably) and it doesn't do anything. However a 1 mana do nothing on its own card isn't too bad, a 3 mana one however is problematic when you're playing a deck that needs to move fast.

I would think that taking it out and putting in something like Abzan Falconer in order to give your entire team flying for the win would be better. Or Lantern Scout to give your entire team lifelink for a turn. Anyway maybe I just never got the value out of it.

I think you should really consider abzan falconer for this deck. I've been running a lot of gw counters lately and when you just suddenly make all your guys fliers with a 3 drop, the game can really start to tilt in your favor.

As for the retreat, I'd recommend citidel seidge. One more mana and you get and extra counter or tap down one of their creatures each turn, which is just a lot more value in my opinion.

Digging the rest though B)

Also Rot Shambler is a thing. Adding 2 in place of the Raptor.

I highly recommend Abzan Falconer for this deck. Play him late game after your opponent has used up some of their removal. Then, all your creatures become flying bombs.

Ive been building a deck like this for a while and I think cards like Deathmist Raptor and Retreat to Kazandu would be a little to slow although my build has a little more white with cards like Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit and Gleam of Authority. Rot Shambler seems like a great adition

This looks really good, I have been testing out a similar deck today. I had huge problems with Abzan Charm hitting, so I think Feat of Resistance seems like a great include, which I am definitely going to swap in.

I do have 2 suggestions I would like to mention, the first is Honored Hierarch. It is great when you can drop a Honored Hierarch turn 1, then a Hardened Scales followed by a Servant of the Scale next turn hitting renown on the Honored Hierarch. Turn 3 attack for 5, then tap the Honored Hierarch to cast Undergrowth Champion before hitting the landfall trigger.

The second card is Inspiring Call, works great to protect from board wipe spells and refuels your hand quite rapidly.

I'd remove Deathmist Raptor as I don't see it's place in this deck. You will likely have enough powerful creatures for blocking and enough with trample for attacking.

I love Feat of Resistance and would include a full set of four.

I have a similar Counter Culture deck, let me know what you think.

I'm particularly fond of Gleam of Authority it makes the game get out of hand really fast especially in multiples

Been able to do any testing with Undergrowth Champion?

Blackerlotus13 I will probably throw a couple Gleam of Authority in. I unfortunately gave mine away but at .50 I can pick a couple up without a problem.

syandell86 I got to play with one a little bit but mine from preorder doesn't come till Friday. You?

I haven't. Just kind of in the dark until someone gets some testing in.

syandell86 Ask me again next week and I'll be happy to tell you how it goes!

Will do.

http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/08-10-15-gw-counters/?cat=type

I almost have the same deck probably cheaper. it is competitive in casual game but i cannot win in FNM.

Suggestion?

I havent tested it out yet but it seems Undergrowth Champion might be a little slow paced for this deck, as it doesnt get around board wipes, id say just leave a couple of Den Protector and some protection spells. At best id say put 1 or 2 champion in the sideboard for some grind matches and go for Rot Shambler for more aggro.

Ive been testing my version of this deck for about a week now and other than Citadel Siege I wouldnt run any other drops greater than 3 unless you want to make more of a midrange deck.

Dont know how to edit posts but you can check out my Scales deck over here G/W Hardened Scales and perhaps leave a critique or 2 :D

Blackerlotus13 I think Undergrowth Champion is actually a really great card if you have a few fetchlands as it helps give you extra landfall triggers and other ways to get counters on him. He is essentially immune to any damage-based spell and additionally you can attack or block with him without hesitating as his counters absorb all the damage done to him. I just got mine today and will be trying it out and will report back after a few games on how he goes.

As for having a four drop, my only four drop is Gideon, Ally of Zendikar and he just kills it in an aggro deck. He gives you a 5/5 indestructible creature every turn that you can keep him alive or, in my deck with Lantern Scout, trigger Rally. I have tried and didn't love Citadel Siege but that was just from my experience. I know lots of people play with it and see success.

Tag me when you update on Undergrowth Champion!

syandell86 well I just played two games with a friend and dominated both games. First game I got both Undergrowth Champions out and they were very useful as they got bigger over time and him blocking them with his big guys was nothing to worry about. Second game I didn't get any but got to use Gideon, Ally of Zendikar and he worked amazingly! In both games I was able to beat my friend without actually taking any damage from him because I was able to hold him in the corner with Undergrowth or Gideon.

It also helped that he plays red/green and all he had was red removal so Undergrowth Champion was perfect against him!

Hrmm. Thanks.

Yeah no problem. I'll post more updates as I play more games against other decks too.

Swift Reckoning>Sheer Drop