There aren't many cheap hexproof creatures in Standard. Luckily, it doesn't take many to make a Hexproof deck, and Wizards just gave us
Barkhide Troll
. Let's see what we can do with this oldie-but-goodie archetype.
CREATURES
<1>
Llanowar Elves
: Helps speed everything up & makes it possible to drop a t2 Troll with mana up for hexproof. Also, it's always nice to have a disposable body around in case your opponent tries sac effects to get around your creatures' resistance to other types of removal.
<2>
Paradise Druid
: Flexible option that can play support by ramping & fixing for colors. With
Sentinel's Mark
, it abandons its dork duties & becomes an unconditional hexproof threat.
Barkhide Troll
: Already a sizable body for its cost, with a built-in +1/+1 counter for hexproof. Also, in this deck, there are plenty of ways to give his hide additional layers in case your opponent tries to stack removal spells.
Adanto Vanguard
: Not quite hexproof, but still resilient to most removal, and a great pairing alongside a hexproof threat in case of a wrath so you can immediately get back to work while the opponent is tapped out.
BUFFS
<1>
Curious Obsession
: Easy 4-of. This deck typically wants to be attacking, so it tends to stick around & provide solid card advantage.
<2>
Assure / Assemble
: Protection from wrath effects & combat damage, with a bonus counter to stack on the Troll or any other recipient. The Assemble side isn't exactly part of the plan but it's there if you need it.
One With the Wind
: Good buff for its cheap cost plus evasion. Exactly what this kind of deck is looking for.
Sentinel's Mark
: Turns the Druid into a legit hexproof threat & is great for races against aggro decks, providing both a quick life boost & the ability for your buffed creature to both attack & defend. That means no worrying about when to deploy Obsessions.
<3>
Hadana's Climb
: The closer of the deck. Gives a counter or two at first, then provides a potentially-huge buff & evasion. With a Troll it can flip on its 2nd turn out, and with the planeswalkers around, it can take its land form immediately.
<4>
Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants
: Can bring any of the creatures back from the graveyard & gives out counters every turn. The Planeswalkers also have the advantage of not being tied to the creature they are buffing in case that creature bites the dust, unlike the Auras.
Vivien, Arkbow Ranger
: While the 2 counters per turn are certainly nice, giving trample to huge creatures is what really makes this card shine in this kind of deck. It also offers pretty much the only removal in the deck & access to a variety of sideboard haters (in progress).
SIDEBOARD
Obviously a work in progress, but for at least some of it I'm thinking of creating a toolbox for Vivien's -5 ability to grab matchup-specific options.
