My eternal search for a viable gates deck.
The story of this deck is the guards are turning into thieves, holding the gates and maybe hatching a monster ;-)
The idea started with Armory Guard, Way of the Thief and Hold the Gates. Defenders and guards. And Gates.
Basic strategy is to block until you can get Hold the Gates down to hopefully stabilise, then pump something unblockable.
Enchants focussed to drive Ethereal Armor and the Sphere of Safety.
Way of the Thief + ideally on Armory Guard, but can also go on any of the Pilgrims. Fallback usage (wasting unblockable) is to boost one of the Stalkers, or boost a defender if I really have to. Adds some damage to the Angelic Wall for some extra discouragement in defense, ie it might actually kill something. Can also put Ludovic's Test Subject out of reach of Searing Spear and the like and is probably wincon if you can actually flip him, or on Palisade Giant for laughs if you survive that long.
Ethereal Armor - nice early defensive option before a Hold the Gates gets out, but also a devastating one drop pump late game when I have a few enchants already in play. Can turn a 1/1 Invisible Stalker into a 5/5 hexproof + unblockable pain in the ass for one drop. Did I mention first strike in defense?
Abundant Growth - a bit questionable, but the card draw is nice, and it's an enchant so it powers the Ethereal Armor and Sphere of Safety. Can be good if you decide to really pump a Ludovic's Test Subject to get the blues you need. Also can give Moorland Haunt a colour option.
Angelic Wall - flying defender - yay! Even better when Hold the Gates is out
Armory Guard - early vigilance before Hold the Gates is nice, good blocker, and scary in his own right with Ethereal Armor + Way of the Thief late game.
Avacyn's Pilgrim - mana dork for extra white, helps to compensate for sloooow gate mana. How many is enough? A bit dependent on green though to get out.
Azorius Charm - life link when you have unblockables pumped, card draw if you're struggling, or bounce if needed, especially against creatures with counters to get them back under my defenders capabilities.
Basilica Guards a Defender with power - handy for the Extort, especially if you have stabilised with all defenders.
Divine Favor - I like the life boost, another unblockable or defender pump.
Ethereal Armor - ideally mid game once you have stabilised and have an unblockable running. Don't overlook first strike when defending.
Guardians of Akrasa - Exalted is handy as you often are defending with all except one Invisible Stalker who's pinging in each each turn. Extra sting on the ping.
Hold the Gates - the key to the deck (pardon the pun). You want this out ASAP so anything hitting the board is tougher straight away. Board wide vigilance is great when you have a few non defenders out.
Invisible Stalker - the primary threat. Ethereal Armor on him ASAP.
Ludevic's Test Subject
- this one is interesting, I look forward to the comments. Firstly, a fair blocker - 3 toughness for 2 drops. Secondly a mana efficiency element as I often find mid game I have mana to spare waiting on a draw, so can start putting counters on him. Thirdly early he's a distraction, as my main game is getting an Invisible Stalker going with Ethereal Armor and Divine Favor - so early he draws removal, late he draws attention because I can flip him in two turns is stabilised. Give him Way of the Thief and he's a massive target.Fourthly? Flip him and watch the fun...
Moorland Haunt - if you have to go so far as to 1 for 1 early on, bring them back with this, ideally after Gates comes out - more tough flyers.
Nearheath Pilgrim - pair with an Invisible Stalker once he's running, and also a Way of the Thief fallback target.
Palisade Giant - As this comes in late game, if you have an Ethereal Armor to spare, and Hold the Gates out - it can easily get 15+ toughness when it hits the Battlefield. How many is optimal?
Sphere of Safety - one of these out is great, two is fantastic - "You want to attack me? That'll be 8 mana each thanks." :-)
So... my questions...
Mana balance between gates and normal. Also colour ratios ok? Mana ramp options to counteract slow gates? Other creature suggestions? I could also add Black or Red with some gate changes given the colour fixing already at play from Abundant Growth.
And sideboard suggestions?
Thanks for your input - be nice, I'm a noob... only since Gatecrash.
