My current build for Standard. I was going to include Huntmasters, but then I found out that at sanctioned events you need to have 1 Huntmaster for every 1 double-sided card token substitute. Major sadface. So I'm not going to put another $75 into Huntmasters.
This version of the Jund Midrange is tuned more to fight aggressive strategies and performs quite well against them because it has so much removal and board-wipe capacity, as well as running vampire nighthawks. I am considering more copies of Olivia Voldaren, but I am looking for advice on how many more to play.
Now, a brief card overview:
Abrupt Decay helps tremendously against aggressive strategies by killing whatever I want, at instant speed. There is an added bonus of it being uncounterable as well. Against control, this kills opposing Oblivion Rings and Detention Spheres. I think this is a solid 2-of.
Bonfire of the Damned is really really good. I do have the option to get another if I need it, but I don't think I will. I simply don't think another copy is good because against creature-light control decks that only run Snapcaster Mage and Augur of Bolas Bonfire does very little. However, it trashes token-based strategies and aggressive strategies, even when hard-casted from the hand.
Deadbridge Goliath
is something I'm testing out. So far, it hasn't done anything much. I guess right now it's serving as kind of a 3rd Thragtusk of sorts...This slot could be replaced by something else if anyone has good suggestions.
Deathrite Shaman rocks. 4 Mainboard is a must. Wrecks reanimator, helps against undying creatures like Geralf's Messenger by exiling them, kills 1/1s, and can limit flashback spells or Snapcaster Mage tricks.
Dreadbore is as generic as it gets. Takes care of anything from Avacyn's Pilrim to Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker. It's in here for utility, as the only thing it can't kill is a Geist of Saint Traft.
Farseek is necessary as a four-of to ramp into more green mana for Garruk, Primal Hunter or to help you get a turn-four Thragtusk.
Garruk Relentless does work against mana dorks and small aggressively-minded creatures, and can tutor out my copies of Thragtusk or Olivia Voldaren as need be once it transforms. Against control it's a weaker Garruk, Primal Hunter, because it only makes 2/2 wolves as opposed to 3/3 beasts. This may get swapped for another Primal Hunter.
Garruk, Primal Hunter is quite good. Turn 4/5 Garruk, make a beast; next turn Thragtusk, draw five cards????!!!!! Pretty good, if you ask me. Plus, you keep Garruk and can make even more Beasts as you see fit.
Ghost Quarter, I personally think, is necessary as a 1-2 of in most decks that run less than 4 colors. Sometime it is a Wasteland because your opponent doesn't run basics, and sometimes they don't have a basic of whatever color you're trying to deprive them of. Also, this kills Vault of the Archangel, Kessig Wolf Run, [[Underworld Connections],
Abundant Growth
, and
Stensia Bloodhall
.
Mizzium Mortars sometimes serve as Bonfires 3 and 4 in this deck, but they can also take care of a Restoration Angel or another annoying threat.
Olivia Voldaren is pretty good all-around for only 4 mana. Kills mana guys, pings and steals big creatures, flies...it does work in this deck. I am unsure how many more I should add.
Pillar of Flame
answers Gravecrawler, Geralf's Messenger, and mana guys to prevent turn 2 Silverblade Paladin or Geist of Saint Traft. Very helpful, but I could see it going to the sideboard if other cards would be better.
Rakdos Keyrune blocks thragtusks and most other ground creatures well with its first strike, and also allows you to play a
Pillar of Flame
or Deathrite Shaman on the same turn you play it. This also ramps into a Thragtusk on turn 4. Against control, this dodges sorcery-speed removal like Supreme Verdict and Terminus.
Rakdos's Return is the best card against control. Ever. Cast it for their whole hand whenever you don't think they have a counterspell. Pretty much GG at that point, unless they counter with Sphinx's Revelation.
Sever the Bloodline is in as a singleton because exile is a big deal after the Innistrad block. Also, it has flashback, so you can get at least a 2-for-1 when you use this right. This is devastating against tokens.
Stensia Bloodhall
is pretty much an unkillable source of damage for the Control matchup, and the colorless mana source doesn't hurt that much in a world of shocklands, Farseek, and Rakdos Keyrune.
Thragtusk just is too good to omit. I only have two, so they're in here. If people come up with stuff to take out, I'll add in more as necessary.
Vampire Nighthawk rules the aggro and midrange matchups. It is very difficult to fight the lifelink every turn and the deathtouch is just ridiculous against everything.
Sideboard:
Duress, Slaughter Games, Underworld Connections, and Liliana of the Veil all come in for the difficult control matchup, and they do fine. Duress can pluck Revelation, Slaughter Games can name Revelation, Thragtusk, or Dissipate. Liliana makes them discard cards and sacrifice whatever threats they may have.
Sever the Bloodline and Golgari Charm come in against tokens and Zombies. I guess Golgari Charm would also come in against
Battle of Wits
if it was a deck...
Pithing Needle comes in against Lotleth Troll, Izzet Staticaster, or any planeswalker-based deck. Naming Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker with this shuts down Grixis, and naming Door to Nothingnes wins the Omnidoor Thragfire matchup.
Underworld Connections probably also could come in for midrange matchups.
Grafdigger's Cage is necessary for Reanimator matchups, against flashback decks, and against Snapcaster Mage
Please comment and leave suggestions/+1s if you like it.