"When the Simic and Golgari clashed in the Kalonian woodlands they quickly realized that they would have to work together to survive. The results were quite splendid."
The Simic and Golgari both have effective methods of racking up large quantities of +1/+1 counters. In conjunction with the formidable Kalonian Hydra they can yield truly massive creatures in very few turns.
Creatures
Kalonian Hydra - The key player; an exponential increase in counters is a very good place to start.
Corpsejack Menace - The Golgari's most powerful (offensive) asset in my opinion. He causes Kalonian Hydra to triple to number of +1/+1 counters on everything every time it attacks and multiple instances lead to a ridiculous number of counters.
Vorel of the Hull Clade - One of the Simic's best offerings in the +1/+1 counter department, especially used in conjunction with KH and CM.
Deadbridge Goliath - The best value for money in a scavenger I've managed to find. If you ever have to resort to JO then put this guy in your graveyard every time; tutor CM, then scavenge this guy for 10 counters!
Nylea, God of the Hunt - Mainly there for the trample.
Elvish Mystic, Sylvan Caryatid - Just for a bit of ramp.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Could be good for draw, although on my test runs by turn six my creatures are usually big enough for her to mill me to death... (Maybe)
Necropolis Regent - Perfect for getting initial counters on creatures and for adding an extra factor of two each turn, but a bit heavy on the black mana, so just the one. (Also, I love the relation of her flavour text to the theme of this deck!) Would probably be the first to go if necessary, but a nice idea I think.
Sorcery
Jarad's Order - Jarad himself is too slow, and too reliant on black mana, for this deck, however this spell is perfect for retrieving CM and KH at the cost of a turn.
Give / Take - Give is great for getting the first few tokens on a creature so that CM, KH and VHC can start building and Take can provide some early draw (by the late game you would probably end up milling yourself!).
Instants
Burst of Strength - I originally had loads of these and others like it for untapping VHC to use him multiple times, but a few playtests made it clear that they weren't necessary. However it's a nice combo to have tucked away and it's good for an initial counter to set the ball rolling.
Golgari Charm - Emergency regeneration for board clearance.
Putrefy - Removal, just in case.
Enchantments
Death's Presence - For when your 96/96 KH gets Doom-Bladed! "Everyone's a Vastwood Hydra!"
Planeswalkers
Garruk, Caller of Beasts - Hopefully by turn six you'll have established a strong foundation of KH, CM and VHC, but if things are going horribly wrong he can help you get back on track. If things are going to plan you can use him to keep on churning out CMs with the aim of hitting four digit counter stacks! (Maybe)
- Here's an example of an optimal opening;
T1 - Forest, Elvish MysticT2 - Island, VHC or Gyre SageT3 - Swamp, CMT4 - Any land, KH (enters as an 8/8 thanks to CM)
Now the foundation is laid to start building. You can use turn 5 to retrieve another CM and discard to Deadbridge Goliath so that by turn seven you could have scavenged DG for 20 counters, not to mention a potentially tripling, then pentipling (that's five) of counters thanks to KH and accumulating CMs.
- This is the first deck I've made that could be considered anywhere near competitive, so any feedback would be massively appreciated, especially with regards to a sideboard as I've had little to no experience with building them. Thanks!
