Dropped Hardened Scales Sword of the Animist and Jaddi Offshoot from the mainboard list.
I love what Hardened Scales does when triggered with either/both Sword of the Animist and Retreat to Kazandu but it just feels way to conditional for Scales to be relevant. There were multiple times tonight when I was digging to topdeck a wincon and hit Hardened Scales.
Out of the list for now, potentially not gone for ever. Gonna test this build and see how I feel.
October 10, 2015 1:12 a.m.
Tstainbrook I know right!
But it just feels a little to janky. I mean I guess I can run it in the 2of spot and move Temur Battle Rage to the SB. That seems close to as conditional.
October 10, 2015 1:13 a.m.
Moved Wild Slash back to the SB, and added back in 2x Hardened Scales MB.
Gonna test this tomorrow more, and depending on what hits more often and proves the better play I may move the Temur Battle Rage to the SBd back to running 4 Hardened Scales alongside 4 Retreat to Kazandu again cause yeah when they start triggering with an Undergrowth Champion or a Grove Rumbler on board it gets just silly.
October 10, 2015 1:20 a.m. Edited.
Awesomeperson says... #7
Nice build so far but you should include a couple creatures to take care of threats. You should replace Exquisite Artifact with heir of the wilds since it is significantly less mana and it can take out nearly anything. Also, it would be very helpful if you commented on my deck I'm currently trying to build, thanks.
October 10, 2015 1:27 a.m.
Hey Awesomeperson Thanks for the suggestions!
I dont think the build needs Heir of the Wilds as typically, I dont care much about there threats, other then the occasional Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger and to a lesser extent Siege Rhino if hes early in the game. Typically, the creatures are buffed so much m Landfall, Hardened Scales and Retreat to Kazandu that my goal is going to be to roll over as much trample damage as possible. If I lose a creature in the process, so be it.
Exquisite Firecraft proved to be more then fantastic as a 4of in the mainboard, very versatile burn.
October 10, 2015 10:43 a.m.
The more I try to drop Hardened Scales and 2of Sword of the Animist from the build the more I see the work they do.....
Hashtag DeckBuildersProblems
October 10, 2015 10:44 a.m.
Dropped 2x Sword of the Animist for 2x Animist's Awakening
Also dropped 1x Hardened Scales and 1x Retreat to Kazandu for 2x Crater's Claws
October 11, 2015 7:16 a.m.
Down to 2x Hardened Scales for 4x Retreat to Kazandu Feels more consistent
October 11, 2015 8:14 a.m.
Added 2x Oblivion Sower to the SB, replacing the 2x Omnath, Locus of Rage Seems more legit lol
October 12, 2015 6:37 p.m.
Actually, On this topic. How does everyone feel about running the 2x Oblivion Sower mainboard, and having 4x Abbot of Keral Keep in the Sideboard?
October 12, 2015 6:39 p.m.
Playtesting proved, Hardened Scales is out and Temur Battle Rage is in.
October 13, 2015 6:30 p.m.
tipster74743 says... #15
I've been following along with this and I'm liking where it's going...
Can you elaborate more on the Temur Battlerage vs. the Hardened Scales? I'm running only a single Hardened Scales in a deck similar to this one and when it's out its been wonderful. It out when I have a retreat or two out has been way too good. I can see how Temur Battlerage is a bit more powerful in your rendition since you have 8 tramplers, but... yeah. Elaborate please, I'd love to hear.
October 13, 2015 8:15 p.m.
In my list, I find Hardened Scales way to conditional. Its only relevant when I have a Retreat to Kazandu in play, and/or an Undergrowth Champion Given it is VERY good when these conditions are met, I just feel I am going to achieve more synergy and consistency from running the Temur Battle Rage in that slot.
October 13, 2015 8:22 p.m.
tipster74743 says... #17
And I see the Jaddi Offshoots gone, but I feel like the sword of the animists being removed kinda hurt you. I just did a couple of duels and yours seems a bit slower with the Oblivion Sowers. How has that been working out for you in actual games?
October 13, 2015 8:44 p.m.
Just playing with Oblivion Sower doubt he is going to make cut.
Sword of the Animist was replaced directly with Animist's Awakening which just seems better here. If I can Awaken for 5, and hit 2-3 lands off that, hopefully fetches with the 12 I am running lol, and the spell mastery trigger so they hit untapped thats enough landfall triggers on a Grove Rumbler and Makindi Sliderunner buffed from Retreat to Kazandu that its a lethal swing.
This will typically happen turn 5-7ish, but can happen earlier and comes from no where, short of counters and instant removal its a problem for any deck.
I want to run Jaddi Offshoot for sure.... but the deck is trying right now to produce as much offense as possible. Its certainly not off the short list.
October 13, 2015 8:52 p.m.
Dropped 2x Crater's Claws to the SB, cut the Oblivion Sower's added 4x Jaddi Offshoot's to the MB
October 13, 2015 9:06 p.m.
tipster74743 says... #20
I'm currently running one Sword of the Animist and two Animist's Awakening and I've felt that... well today for instance, I used the Animist's Awakening after not drawing a land, paid 6 and revealed 5 non-land cards. So I just had a Jaddi Offshoot and Snapping Gnarlid out there tapped out. I'm thinking a weird mix of one each or something may work. I'd hate to pull both Swords out in a game.
October 13, 2015 9:25 p.m.
tipster74743 says... #21
Also, something I see you aren't running here and you should look into, Den Protector. Megamorphing him and returning a Windswept Heath is so troll-facey.
October 13, 2015 9:47 p.m.
Den Protector has always been on my radar here, I just wanted the shell ready first.
Playing with him in the build now.
October 14, 2015 7:33 a.m.
lol..a little off deck topic.... but went to my Local to grab a set of Den Protector's had enough trade after the deal for a single pack. Cracked an Expo Overgrown Tomb :)
2 Expeditions from the same shop in under 24 hours
October 14, 2015 12:15 p.m.
The Grove Rumbler and Undergrowth Champion seem slow in this deck. Also, I'd suggest replacing the green retreat with the red one. But that is making it more an aggro shell, similar to my list Atarka RedFall .
October 15, 2015 8:05 a.m.
Grove Rumbler and Undergrowth Champion are both certainly slow in this shell, but come out as all stars in the mid-range game. They are there for just that reason. If my opponent is able to survive the initial turns 2-4 onslaught, then I want to ensure I have something that is still going to be a threat in the later turns. Dropping a Animist's Awakening that say hits 2 fetches, with spell mastery and then dropping a Temur Battle Rage on a Grove Rumbler can produce a 9/9 - 13/13 double striking trample machine as early as turn 5 potentially earlier off a god draw.
I tried running Retreat to Valakut Mainboard, and the synergy was just not there every time I hit it I would have preferred Retreat to Kazandu mainly for the counters so things like Den Protector stay mean even on their turn.
Thanks for the comments!
xGhostx says... #1
Made some substanial changes based on the meta at my FNM tonight. Let me know what everyone thinks.
Really contemplating fitting Nissa, Vastwood Seer Flip in as a 2of.
October 10, 2015 1:06 a.m.