Modern Green Stompy Primer

Modern Aggro Budget Counters GW (Selesnya) Primer Stompy Trample

thegreatgodloki

Creature (28)

• 4x Dryad Militant
• 4x Hexdrinker
• 4x Keen-Eyed Curator
• 4x Old-Growth Troll *f-pre*
• 4x Pawpatch Recruit
• 4x Strangleroot Geist
• 4x Werewolf Pack Leader *f-pre*

Land (20)

• 1x Boseiju, Who Endures
• 11x Forest
• 2x Lair of the Hydra
• 4x Nurturing Peatland
• 2x Treetop Village

Instant (6)

• 4x Aspect of Hydra
• 2x Vines of Vastwood

Enchantment (3)

• 3x Rancor

Sorcery (3)

• 3x Savage Swipe

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Sideboard

Instant (10)

• 3x Dismember
• 2x Force of Vigor
• 2x Life Goes On
• 3x Veil of Summer

Artifact (4)

• 2x Damping Sphere
• 2x Vexing Bauble

Sorcery (1)

• 1x Pick Your Poison

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My personal favorite, albeit, second modern deck and one that I've foiled/blinged out because I fell harshly in love with such a simple concept. I'm a Timmy, Power Gamer at heart since I've started magic. I was once playing my old Borderpost Restore Balance deck many moons ago, but when Electrodominance was spoiled and people were able to switch off the antique version, a combination of stubbornness and money made me fall out of the deck altogether. I stumbled upon a list in mtggoldfish and as cards slowly came out for it, I built into it finishing the deck in early 2020 when the pandemic hit, and thus this deck has never seen a LGS tabletop since.

Unfortunately,

As the modern format has evolved, the meta game has too, not only getting faster, stronger, and more resilient featuring cards, Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, Crashing Footfalls, Solitude, and even Prismatic Ending taking center stage, this archetype doesn't have the gas it once use to to outpace anything else. I still find it super fun for my friends table and if I happen to find a LGS nearby I'm 100% taking this with me always.

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History of Deck Changes

Change Log: 5.27.2021: Show

Out:
2 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer

In:
2 Briarhorn

Briarhorn
The reason for this change is I've never been happy with Syr. She's always been a "decent" two drop. She doesn't impact the board, doesn't protect herself, and needs an established board to work. Briarhorn on the other hand does several things

1. Has flash for immediate impact
2. Gives a creature +3/+3
3. Has an envoke cost of 1G
4. Fills the 2 drop spot
5. Evolves our Pelt Collector and Experiment One
6. Gives us more ways to push damage through.

Overall I like this change and takes pressure off of Aspect of Hydra to push damage through.

Change Log 9.27.2021: Show

Out:
2 Syr Faren,the Hengehammer (MB)
2 Old-Growth Troll (SB)
2 Kitchen Finks (SB)
2 Vines of Vastwood (MB)

In:
2 Skylasher (MB)
2 Apostle's Blessing (SB)
2 Weather the Storm (SB)
2 Snakeskin Veil (MB)

These changes were to deal with meta relevant match ups in my LGS.

Skylasher
Immune to almost all of removal Humans can put up against it, and it blocks their Mantis Riders all day. It stops Delver from connecting, and prevents Sprite Dragon, Stormwing Entity, and Murktide Agent from connecting with my face, combined with Snakeskin Veil keeps me alive for just a bit longer if I feel I can win.

Snakeskin Veil
Was added over Vines due to more synergy with the deck overall. Gives EO enough counters to regen, PC trample, Troll an additonal use of his ability, Avatar more counters, and steel leaf more Oomp. Adding in Hexproof also helps dodge removal as well.

Weather the Storm
Helps against burn, combo, storm, etc and just helps net life in general

Apostle's Blessing
Helps push through damage, dodge removal, and makes tough blockers against Tron and Urza decks

Change Log 11.27.2021: Show

Out:
2 Skylasher (MB)
2 Deglamer (SB)

In:
2 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer (MB)
2 Force of Vigor (SB)

Syr Faren, the Hengehammer
I found in games Skylasher just isn't as impactful as I wanted, good at stopping blue threats but not anything else. Syr Faren however, if she lives, delivers a good dose of damage and draws kill spells away from my other creatures.

Force of Vigor
Deglamer was good when Heliod was around, but with the amount of searching, filtering, and recursion, sometimes straight up removing something is worth it

Change Log 12.1.2021: Show

Out:
2 Treetop Village (MB)
2 Apostle's Blessing (SB)

In:
2 Lair of the Hydra (MB)
2 Void Mirror (SB)

Lair of the Hydra
So it's the end of an era for Treetop Village. That ETB tapped clause has lost me more games than I can count, the 3/3 body is easily dealt with these days, and I can easily give other things trample. Lair of the Hydra offers the same draw back if entering late, but still allows the same explosive plays in the early game if in my opening hand so I won't be slowed down. YES the activation cost will NEVER rival that of Treetop, but it does provide a good mana sink late game to force the opponent to trade into it, I can use a Rancor to make it threatening, and I can always give it a +1/+1 counter with Snakeskin Veil to reduce one activation cost in a sense.

Void Mirror
This is card I can't believe I remember coming out, but then quickly forgetting. While I run 3 Damping Sphere SB I realized I don't really have a lock against Living End/Crashing Footfalls/Glimpse of Tomorrow/Or even free spells like Force of Negation and Eldrazis if I catch them off the back foot. While I like the idea of Apostle's Blessing, I never really found it useful in any match up I faced. Void Mirror should help bring some extra lock down/hinderance to Games 2 and 3 so I can devote more time to punching face.

Change Log: 12.07.2021 Show

Out:.
3 Barkhide Troll (MB).

In:.
3 Werewolf Pack Leader (MB).

Werewolf Pack Leader
As much as Barkhide Troll synergizes with my deck, I've finally converted to Pack leader. Same body, and I can use a Snakeskin Veil for impromptu protection, but that sweet card draw ability really gives me gas and puts pressure on the opponent to use their removal spells wisely.

Change Log: 3.28.23 Show

Out:
2 Snakeskin Veil (MB)
2 Forest (MB)

In:
2 Vines of Vastwood (MB)
2 Treetop Village (MB)

Vines of Vastwood
Without Barkhide Troll and how insanely fast and removal heavy the format is, Vines of Vastwood, delivers more upside for the same protection as Snakeskin Veil giving an insane +4/+4 which can help close out games.

Treetop Village
One question I ask myself in this competitive meta is how I keep the heat. Step one is to have creatures on standby like Lair of the Hydra. Step two is adding back in Treetop Village. This should help shore up some of the removal issues I'll face. Hydra is a great card to go overhead with, being able to pump over 4 toughness is huge, but for the cost to p/t ratio you can't beat the village. The village also coming with trample is a huge boon in preventing it from being chumped and not needing a Rancor to push damage. Now any available Aspect of Hydra and Vines of Vastwood ensure large amounts of damage can be delivered.

Change Log: 4.15.23 Show

Out:
4 Steel Leaf Champion (MB)
2 Weather the Storm (SB)

In:
4 Leatherback Baloth (MB)
2 Run Afoul (SB)

Leatherback Baloth
With the release of more powerful cards and damage-based removal like Fury and so many creatures able to buff over 2 power like Ledger Shredder and Dragon's Rage Channeler, Steel Leaf Champion isn't the unstoppable powerhouse it use to be. Having 4 toughness also means it can't trade/survive against some of moderns most efficient threats like Crashing Footfalls. This change, while bringing a much slower 4/5 body to the table, allows for more favorable trading and survivability. Plus, slapping a Rancor on him gives me a bus I can throw at the opponent.

Run Afoul
I wasn't impressed with Weather the Storm and wanted some more favorable removal that wouldn't cost 4 life. This card is fantastic removal since it doesn't target and is instant speed.

Change Log: 4.20.23 Show

Out:
2 Hexdrinker (MB)

In:
2 Dryad Militant (MB)

Dryad Militant
When Hexdrinker was first spoiled back in MH1, everyone was abuzz with how it would give Stompy a lot of reach. However over the course of the recent years a lot of removal has shifted from instant speed removal and focused more on sorcery speed like Prismatic Ending and Leyline Binding to creature base removal like the ever popular Fury and Solitude. Even if this wasn't the case, cards like Fire / Ice, Archmage's Charm, and even Fatal Push can be used in response to that final 3rd level up activation and kill it. Dryad Militant however hurts every deck it faces and supports the same 2/1 body Hexdrinker does for early game aggression.

Change Log 8.9.23 Show

Out:
2 Run Afoul (SB)

In:
2 Life Goes On (SB)

Life Goes On
I realized that I run into a lot of burn decks at my LGS now that I've returned and that I don't have any reliable ways to turn the corner. Any fliers I do come across Dismember kills them cleanly. On the rare chance I face reanimator and Archon of Cruelty, I can still Dismember it down to a 1/1 and let Avatar of the Resolute clean trade.

Change Log 12.18.23 Show

Out:
1 Dryad Militant (MB)

In:
1 Forest (MB)

This change was to give me less bricky hands and help acceleration going.

Change Log 1.1.24 Show

Out:
1 Forest (MB)
1 Dryad Militant (MB)

In:
2 Hexdrinker (MB)

Hexdrinker
I've been wanting a new mana sink for a while, and with Fury banned, I feel Hexdrinker can shine again. Whether it's sinking mana into it or as a simple 2/1 it'll draw removal which is fine if I have things out I want to protect.

Change Log 5.19.25 Show

Out:
4 Leatherback Baloth
2 Life Goes On

In:
4 Old-Growth Troll
2 Pick Your Poison

Old-Growth Troll
With Fury and Violent Outburst banned, this card I feel more comfortable with. "Dodges" all non-exile based removal, gives gas the deck with some late game bodies, ramps my Hexdrinker, Lair of the Hydra, and even Vines of Vastwood this card only downside is the body, which is still amazing

Pick Your Poison
I wanted more removal to slot alongside Force of Vigor and this has been super useful. 1 mana to remove almost anything I need and shores up my weakness to flying creatures.

Change Log 7.31.24 Show

In:
1 Werewolf Pack Leader
1 Forest
4 Pawpatch Recruit
4 Keen-Eyed Curator
2 Hexdrinker
2 Dryad Militant
3 Savage Swipe

Out:
4 Experiment One
4 Pelt Collector
4 Avatar of the Resolute
3 Dismember
2 Syr Faren, the Hengehammer

Let's start with the removals of Pelt Collector // Experiment One // Avatar of the Resolute

The package of Experiment One, Pelt Collector, and Avatar of the Resolute is still a good trio. However, it's slow and ancient by today's times. You can remove the PC/EOs before the ETB trigger, you can Tishana's Tidebinder and prevent it, and you can just remove them. The in my experience, I'd need at least 2 creatures with +1/+1 counters on them to ensure Avatar of the Resolute didn't just die to any standard removal.

Keen-Eyed Curator
Removing Syr Faren, the Hengehammer has been on my list for a while, but due to the lack of efficient GG pipped creatures, she stayed. Now with Keen-Eyed Curator not only do I get the same pip cost, but I get great GY hate and a threat.

Savage Swipe
This makes an appearance over Dismember due to both buffing a large portion of my creatures and being removal that doesn't damage me

Pawpatch Recruit
Taking the place of Pelt Collectors as a great hedge against any targeted interaction and a mana sink

Dryad Militant // Hexdrinker
Making these 4 of's has helped my deck compete in both midgame by having a body that can grow and slowing down any storm or spell deck that wants dileroum.

Change Log 1.14.25 Show

Out:
1 Forest

In:
1 Boseiju, Who Endures

Boseiju, Who Endures
I wanted to add another utility land to my deck due to how often I flood. I debated 2 copies, but couldn't bring myself to cut either another Forest or a Nurturing Peatland due to weakening myself to land removal and card draw.

Main Deck Creature Breakdown: 28

4 Pawpatch Recruit
A very good card in todays game. Any removal spell promises another creature gets better. Double up with either another copy or its offspring, and the board state gets insane.

4 Hexdrinker
A simple 2/1 that provides some much-needed mana sink/late game help

4 Dryad Militant
Relevant today as when it came out. She makes all graveyard dependent decks annoyed by shutting down Dragon's Rage Channelers, shrinking Tarmogoyfs, and messing up even the occasional Snapcaster Mage and Creeping Chill

4 Strangleroot Geist
Double Green Pips to fuel Aspect of Hydra and comes back from the dead. Very efficient overall and probably the best green creature ever.

4 Werewolf Pack Leader *f-pre*
One of the decks most recent addition giving this deck much needed draw power and mana sink to essentially staple a Rancor to it.

4 Old-Growth Troll *f-pre*
What's not to like (other than the 4/4 body). Dodges removal, ramps my deck, and provides some nice late game bodies, even if they enter tapped.

4 Keen-Eyed Curator
Very aggressive and well stated two drop that doubles as GY eater and a possibly 7/7 beater.

Main Deck Spell Breakdown: 12

4 Aspect of Hydra
The mainstay closer, and the card that started it all. Can come from nowhere for an insane combat trick and help give the deck a closer.

3 Rancor
This use to be a 4-of, but I found it too redundant and hand clogging. 3 seems to be my sweet spot in this deck.

2 Vines of Vastwood
Protection spell AND a massive +4/+4 for just GG is huge. One of the best damage spells and protection spells we have in our arsenal.

3 Savage Swipe
While not as great as Dismember, I run this as a pump spell and a removal spell. Since 16 of my 28 creatures have 2 power, that means I can remove any x/4 on the field cleanly, or trade.

Main Deck Land Breakdown: 20.

11 Forest
Immune to Blood Moon and doesn't deal us damage like a lot fetch/dual heavy decks.

4 Nurturing Peatland
Allows me to play Dismember for 2 life instead of 4. Helps extend plays by drawing much needed cards at instance speed which could be an Aspect of Hydra or even a Rancor.

2 Treetop Village
2 mana 3/3 with trample. Only downside is it comes into play tapped which can cause issues if it is one of your starting lands. But is instrumental in pushing damage through or even making a surprised blocker.

2 Lair of the Hydra
A fast land if in your opening hand and another surprise blocker. While never on rate as Treetop Village, allows to go tall and acts as a mana sink. Needs assistance to help otherwise can be chumped, but if not watched can swallow blockers.

1 Boseiju, Who Endures
Fantastic Mainboard removal against almost anything.

Sideboard Summary: 15

3 Dismember
By moving my SB GY hate to the mainboard, I was able to move my better removal to my SB. Nothing hurts more than paying 4 late to remove a small creature.

3 Veil of Summer
Against any xUB decks, this is my silver bullet to not only extend plays, protect my resources, but also allows for a cantrip.

2 Damping Sphere
Because Tron, Storm, and Prowess decks exist. However, while it slows them down it does also slow me down since my T2 play doesn't develop much of a board. But when I do get it down early it helps.

2 Vexing Bauble
Great tech options against all "free" spells and the remaining elementals. Which also sacs itself to draw a card.

2 Life Goes On
A tiny bit of life gain against any other aggro mirror.

2 Force of Vigor
Just good generic hate

1 Pick Your Poison
Useful against anything I may need 1 mana for that Force of Vigor can't hit.

How to Pilot

After doing a lot of overhauls, testing, and playing against my friends I've come to the conclusion this list plays like a worse/day of old RDW. Spend mana, play aggressive one drops, swing sideways, and use pump spells when needed or play slow using Pawpatch Recruit as a 3 drop and taking time to leveling up Hexdrinker to even using Werewolf Pack Leader activated ability to swing in for 5 constantly.

Here are some notes of my preferred creature drops in order.

One Drops vs Two Drops

One thing to note, with the amount of One vs two drops in the deck, often times you're stuck between one two drop or two one drops. At that point its aggro swarm vs long time gain. If I have a Rancor or a Savage Swipe In hand I'll go with a double 1 drop. If I need a more heavy body, say they have a 2/x out I'll place a 3/3 to bait removal.

One Drops

1. Pawpatch Recruit
   This sets up any other creature played, or itself, an instant boost if one gets targeted.

2. Hexdrinker
   This is a good to play on the T2 because you can probably squeeze in a quick level up on T3

3. Dryad Militant
   If you're going against a graveyard deck, this takes priority over Pawpatch.

Two Drops

1. Strangleroot Geist
   Windmill slam this guy. He's everything we want and holds up well these days. Hate and undying and a 2/1 body.

2. Werewolf Pack Leader *f-pre*
   Slow and vulnerable to removal, but this on T2 followed by a Geist on T3 means you're drawing at least one card

3. Keen-Eyed Curator
   Like Dryad Militant, if you're against a graveyard deck, play this on two so you can start holding that mana on turn three, However, this does slow down the deck because you're holding mana constantly.

When to use spells

Rancor
Play one drop play Rancor. Play two drop. Play Rancor. Rancor is like mustard to a hotdog. Always play it.

Vines of Vastwood
I always hold this as a protection spell due to how removal heavy modern is these days, but having the extra mana to either close a game out or a good combat trick, its great.

Aspect of Hydra
The ace in the hole. Because of the amount one G pips in the deck, being able to explode for 3 -5 damage on top of other damage is amazing.

Savage Swipe
With how many small creatures are out there right now, being able to trade up and give your small creatures a buff is great.

Date added	3 years
Last updated	1 week
Legality	This deck is Modern legal.
Rarity (main - side)	4 - 0 Mythic Rares 25 - 2 Rares 11 - 7 Uncommons 9 - 3 Commons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	1.50
Tokens	Copy Clone, Pawpatch Recruit 1/1 G, Troll Warrior 4/4 G
Folders	Modern Decks, modern, Modern Favorites, Modern study decks