"Shooting at the walls of heartache, bang bang" - Scandal. Yes, I am that warrior player. I enjoyed it in standard back during the Khans block, and still play it casually today. I will admit, it has had mixed results in modern FNM, but it can be sneaky good at times, even late. I am looking for some real constructive criticism. I do realize that a humans build would be much better, so no need to mention it. I am looking to max this deck out to its potential and just be content with that.
This deck just wants to drop dudes, combo, and get to the next match as quick as possible. I prefer not to play removal or disruption, and try to get those effects from creatures and board presence, lots of board presence as well as going wide. The deck benefits from lifelink sources such as Sorin, Solemn Visitor and Glory-Bound Initiate. The mana base is pretty consistent, but I do plan on adding Cavern of Souls. I really push it though, with 22 lands. I am open to suggestions here as well.
An example of optimal turn sequences would be:
Turn 1: Bloodsoaked Champion
Turn 2: Bloodsoaked Champion + Chief of the Edge
swing for 3
Turn 3: Arashin Foremost + Bloodsoaked Champion + Chief of the Edge
swing for 9
Turn 4: Sorin, Solemn Visitor anthems with his first ability, swing for 19 plus lifelink
Or:
Turn 3: Adaptive Automaton swing for 8
Turn 4: Sorin, Solemn Visitor, Arashin Foremost, or Oketra's Monument playing for turn 5
Aven Skirmisher gives this deck a flyer that can chump block
Usher of the Fallen Curves into itself and is useful against control. It also creates tokens for Graf Reaver
Blood-Chin Rager provides menace to warriors
Athreos, God of Passage punishes board wipes or removal. Unearth can bring him back.
Glory-Bound Initiate a solid turn two drop that provides lifelink for burn as well as an exerted 4 power to combo with Arashin Foremost.
Zurgo Helmsmasher a warrior that can get large and finish games. Oketra's Monument can cheat him out on turn four.
Oketra's Monument provides mana reduction for warriors as well as tokens which pairs well with Graf Reaver and Fleshbag Marauder for their sac requirements.
Kaya's Guile is a great utility card that creates a sort of third copy of Fleshbag Maraduer, Tormod's Crypt, as well a create a flying token.
Unsettled Mariner provides protection with counter ability that anthems with warriors
The deck does utilize the graveyard, bringing back Bloodsoaked Champion and dead warriors with Garna, the Bloodflame as well as Unearth.
Sideboard:
Fleshbag Marauder deals with hexproof
Graf Reaver kills planeswalkers
Unearth for recursion of warriors and Athreos, God of Passage
Path to Exile for problematic threats
Tormod's Crypt is self explanatory
Fragmentize for Artifact and Enchantment hate
This deck wants to always drop more warriors or a planeswalker and prefers to not play sorcery or instants if at all possible. Going wide and board presence are primary, while using menace, lords, and combos to push damage through quickly. It gets removal from creature effects.
The deck's glaring deficiency is card draw. I try to make up for it through recursion. Unearth has a cycling and Silent Clearing can help provide a little gas if we get flooded. I am definitely open to suggestions on this.
I feel like I have maximized this deck as it is. I have tried an Abzan build using Collected Company but felt adding green slowed the deck down and made it more difficult to manage mana by adding a non-creature third color. It was also easy to predict when it was going to be cast, which usually meant it was countered. I also run quite a few one-drops, so playing it only to reveal two or three one-drop creatures was underwhelming. It could pull off some nice plays, though.
Let me know you opinions, thoughts, or any helpful suggestions.