The Mission
This deck is designed to get a few, over-buffed heroes out onto the battlefield in double time and on a budget.
The Critters
In choosing the deck I started with the cheap heroes with persistent effects. Favored Hoplite is great if you can play it on the first turn, and I added Akroan Crusader to pad out the one drop creatures. Phalanx Leader can become a counter generating machine particularly with the two target instants.
Anax and Cymede doesn't have a persistent heroic, but the team trample is a great effect. Fabled Hero with double strike is a super hitter with a couple of buffs.
After some play testing revealed a weakness to Lightning Strike I added the Yoked Ox to the side board. While not super threatening when it enters the battle field it looks a lot beefier with an enchantment or two (any one for Madcap Cows?).
The Instants
Secondly I chose the two-target instants Coordinated Assault and Dauntless Onslaught for the double buff bonanza. Attacking with two Phalanx Leaders and spicing the attack with one of these will add two tokens and the instant effect to each, which is not shabby.
I originally added Pit Fight as a removal card, but after a kind suggestion replaced it with the much better Fall of the Hammer.
I put Gods Willing in the side board if you need some defensive cards. It's also good to make one of your critters unblockable for a final strike. I am still tempted to put in Brave the Elements but that one doesn't do any hero buffing, so I have left it out for now.
TheEnchantments
I added Madcap Skills because it's just dangerous. If you play it on turn two on your Favored Hoplite he's likely to be unblockable for a hit or two. That would be 10 damage by turn three with no other help.
Gift of Orzhova and Messenger's Speed add ways of getting past to those pesky defenders.
I added Ethereal Armor because it plays nicely with all the other enchantments on hand. Yes in a perfect draw you can attack with a 26/27 trample on turn three...
Dragon Mantle not only buffs the heroic for one mana, but also has the great 'draw a card' side effect. This helps keep the inevitable card disadvantage at bay a little. It also gives you something to use any spare red mana on when you swing.
I had originally thought to use Chosen by Heliod because of it's 'draw a card' effect, but it's not very threatening and is only a single buff.
I added Ordeal of Heliod to the side board to go with the Yoked Ox. If I can't create the Madcap Ox of Orzhova I'd at least like to get three counters on it from swinging with the ordeal.
Go Fast
If the opponents aren't overrun by turn six or seven this deck may start top decking, but there are a lot of ways to have a dangerous looking battlefield by turn four.
