I would just like to point out that I made this BEFORE the KTK pro tour and that this has been my baby since before rotation. #junkhipster. Now, that being said, this is a fairly straight forward abzan midrange deck, that looks to be able to play the aggressive match up or the control whenever necessary. Now time for the completely unnecessary detailed description that I wrote because I was bored in class.
Creatures:
Anafenza, the Foremost - "Smiters have always been good, and my leading lady here is no less. 3 mana 4/4 with upside is fantastic. She allows me to be aggressive early if necessary, then when I am being overwhelmed, she blocks and kills things especially Brimaz, King of Oreskos. The best part is if I use Sylvan Caryatid before attacking she can pump the caryatid and nothing is better than a buff wall!
Courser of Kruphix - Everyone knows this guy is made of pure incremental advantage. In the aggro/burn match up this guy gets me life and a good blocker. In every other match up he gives me slight card advantage or allows me to hit my land drops in order to stay ahead or GET ahead. He is a straight 4 of, yet I never see him in my opening hand.....sigh....
Genesis Hydra - When I first saw this guy get spoiled, I was a little skeptical. Then I actually played this guy and he QUICKLY became one of my most favorite cards post rotation. I only run 2 because I do not want him in my opening hand and if I am missing land drops, he doesn't help. On the other side this guy gets me all the advantage in the midrange/control matchups and in aggro and burn he either comes out for sideboard cards, or he helps me solidify the win. My vote for sexiest card in M15.
Polukranos, World Eater - HIS NAME HAS WORLD EATER IN IT....NOMNOMNOM SON.... But for real, even without Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx this guy is incredible; he attacks for large numbers, he eats things like Goblin Rabblemaster, and he blocks, well, EVERYTHING. Polukranos never comes out and I actually find him more useful than Siege Rhino gasp Yeah, I said it, he is big enough for the creature match ups and more useful in MOST aggro matchups, but not burn. My vote for sexiest card in Theros.
Siege Rhino - OK, now I will admit that I was the guy that just did not think siege rhino was THAT good, especially since polukranos exists. However, after using him I do find having 3-4 of him is pretty solid in most match ups because it has reach and life gain. In midrange match ups I actually side him out if I am facing something with large creatures like Mono Green Devotion for more removal, in control I usually keep him in as a threat, and in burn he is ESSENTIAL for surviving and using as a threat. Still not my favorite, but still a great card. Also, trample coupled with removal spells are really funny when you kill them because you kill their blocker and trample over exact damage. Try it with your friends, they will hate you.....also taking applications for new friends!
Sylvan Caryatid - In my opinion, best creature in standard. This guy makes every multi-colored deck with green in it either possible or THAT much better. Ramping into elspeth or polukranos is fine and dandy and makes you smile, but also hitting every color makes you smile too. This guy may be reduced to 3 in some match ups like the mirror but never goes below that because he is essential in EVERY matchup. My vote for best mana dork in standard.
Wingmate Roc
- My first reaction to this guy being spoiled was, HOLY MOLY THIS GUY IS BONKERS. My secondary reaction was, oh you have to hit the raid other wise he is just a 5 man 3/4 flier which is fine I guess. Then my final reaction after using him was, HOLY MOLY THIS GUY IS BONKERS. I absolutely love him, the first time I played with him he saved my butt in many games and allowed me to come back for the win. Yeah, he has raid and you have to attack first, yeah, he isn't that big and things like Stormbreath Dragon kill him. BUT what you should be thinking is, YEAH, HE GIVES ME TWO FLIERS FOR 5 MANA, YEAH, HE IS WORTH THE ATTACK WITH ANYTHING IN THIS DECK BECAUSE HE BLOCKS OTHER FLIERS AND ATTACKS FOR TONS OF LIFE AND GAINS LIFE and of course YEAH YOU CAN ASK YOUR OPPONENT "CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING" BEFORE YOU SLAM THIS CARD, GET THE TRIGGER AND PROCEED TO CRUSH THEIR DREAMS OF WINNING A MATCH AT A LOW LEVEL TOURNAMENT THAT ONLY COSTED 5 DOLLARS MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Ahem sorry this guy is great in every match up midrange/control/aggro he will do everything for you. My vote for best comeback kid card from KTK.
Lets go into the sorceries now.....wait....*sorcery
Thoughtseize - OK, so, do me a favor, visualize your perfect opening hand that has the best card synergies and stacks like building blocks. OK, now imagine that I toppled your building block tower because I T1 took out whatever the most important card was.....teehee. Solid hand destruction, used in every format for a reason, and should be in almost every deck that runs black. The card is bonkers and we have life gain to offset those nasty opening hands of 2-3 Thoughtseizes. My vote for possibly the best card in standard.
Instants:
Abzan Charm
- WOOOHOOO I love me some charms. This charm does absolutely everything it gets rid of creatures against midrange, it draws cards against control, and helps make your blockers bigger against aggro. I was super excited about the charms and was super happy to find that my deck was going to get a big upgrade with this one card from khans. My vote for best card for an abzan deck.
Hero's Downfall - I mean its great it kills everything you want it to and should be played in almost every deck that runs black.
Utter End - This card is great and replaces Banishing Light against decks that may run Reclamation Sage or just enchantment removal. I may take it out for banishing light though if I face a lot of aggro.
Enchantments:
Whip of Erebos
- This card gives all the life and constant threats that you need in every match up. One time I won a game just by whipping back siege rhinos and polukranoses. Should be played more and was not played much before rotation and I think should be in more decks. My vote for most necessary card in a creature heavy deck.
Planeswalkers:
Elspeth, Sun's Champion - Probably the best planeswalker in standard right now. She makes dudes to put on pressure or protect herself and blows up things like Stormbreath Dragon or just other big things. I think she is the reason that you should play white in your deck over something like blue if you are considering BUG. She is just that useful.
Ajani, Mentor of Heroes - I was a little shaky on this guy but I really like him after using him. Being able to make your guys bigger when necessary for either the kill or to block is great. However, digging for more creatures or the necessary win con of garruk or elspeth is also fantastic and is the reason that I think every midrange deck should play him if you play a lot of planeswalkers or creatures.
Garruk, Apex Predator - This guy is a beast and I want to love him so much. 7 mana is a lot for a planeswalker, but he is an ultra bomb if you can get him to stick on the field. The only problem is that he is really slow and I play against a lot of fast decks so he gets sided out a lot. In reality he is a "fun-of" but is still a win con if he sticks. My vote for most badass planeswalker in standard.
Land:
I wanted to play 60 forests but my friends said that I shouldn't play that many and that I should play multiple colors.......whatever......
Thanks for reading if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave a comment and +1 if you like the deck. Also if you actually read the whole thing.....wow....just wow.....
