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My snake deck (that title took me two weeks...)

Casual GU (Simic) Midrange Ramp Snake Tokens

seshiro_of_the_orochi


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Welcome to Jukai Forest. There are snakes here, and they don't like visitors. So be careful if you meet them. Biting you isn't the worst they can do.


What an egoistic deck name, you might think. But guess what, I really thought hard on that one. Let me explain it. Many players do have 'their thing' about the game they love. For some, it's winning big tournaments. For some it's collecting that one card they started playing with and they want to get all different prints of it. For some, like me, it's that one deck they keep on thinking about and try to build it again and again because they want to work it the way they want. They try, they get frustrated because it doesn't work like they want it to work, but still, they can't stop the urge to try it.

For me, this is snake tribal. I started playing back when Darksteel was released in my country, and then, on some class trip, I bought the Champions of Kamagawa 'Snake's Path' theme deck. Ever since back then, I build many different versions with many new snakes I got my hands on, but it never worked out.

I grew older, finished school, studied and the game and the snakes kept hanging around. I got a job, but the urge to get 'my' snake deck never vanished. An increasing amount of years ago, I have finally been able to assemble the snake deck I wanted, and I really grappled with myself if I should post it here as I wasn't sure if it would stay 'mine' if I did. As this is a deck description, you might have a clue how I decided. So please, take a look at this piece of work that has changed a lot since i uploaded it.

Believe it or not, it still is a work in progress. I think about changing some numbers or adding something a lot, but this version makes me proud enough to post it. Feel free to comment and give +1, and tell me what you think I might change to make it 'mine' even more.

The deck is a tribal snake deck with many interesting synergies. It isn't straight forward 'tribal rush', but rather a slowly building constrictor that keeps on choking the opponent more and more the longer the games goes on.

Every tribal deck need lords of some kind. This deck has two incredible legendary snakes: The Snake boss is Seshiro the Anointed. When you untap with him, many times it's just game over for your opponent. That boost is insane. Six mana is a lot, but he is the reason to play this deck. Having Kaseto, Orochi Archmage is another pretty big advantage, as unblockable damage is obviously powerful. Kaseto can finish games on his own once I have enough mana, while also being useful when I'm on defense as his ability can still be used to pump blockers. Both of these combined can refill my hand very consistent, which synergizes well with Noose Constrictor.

These snakes have a filigree value engines that helps them build an impressive board:

Noose Constrictor and Commune with the Gods help me fill my graveyard and get Honored Hydra and Sosuke's Summons in there. Summons is THE snake card, and a great value engine on its own, granting you an incredible amount of tokens. It even has a little synergy with Noose Constrictor, as it can be used as a recurring combat trick. Ohran Viper is a creature most opponent's won't want to block, so it'll draw quite a few cards.

Honored Hydra and Stonecoil Serpent are the big trampling creatures to deal the damage, thus helping us to draw more cards with Seshiro the Anointed. Also, with the sheer draw power the deck has, Lorescale Coatl becomes a big beater in no time.

The mana base does what it should do: Work. Due to that, the deck is running very smooth, and as Sakura-Tribe Elder is the best snake in a vacuum, playing enough basics is still important.


Sakura-Tribe Scout: I was bought on her until some time ago. I was sure, she was a better Llanowar Elves, but then I realized the following: To make her a better elves, you need her and three other lands in your first eight cards. And even then, you need things to cast with the additional mana. Pretty tough restriction in my opinion.

Lotus Cobra: yeah, I know, super mana and so on, but I really don't need the mana she can provide. It just isn't necessary here. And even then, she still is kind of slow.

River Boa and Mire Boa: Great cards. I had the river boa and I really liked it. But it doesn't fit the rest of the strategy anymore.

Sosuke, Son of Seshiro and Sachi, Daughter of Seshiro: They would fit, but they aren't that great. I tried them, and they don't do that much.

I heavily hoped for some new snakes in Amonkhet, and considering Prowling Serpopard has been spoiled yesterday, it seems my hopes will be fulfilled. There now is a three-drop snake that has freaking four power. Now this is awesome, especially against control matchups. Let's hope for more awesome new snakes.

On Amonkhet, part2

As the naga dude has been spoiled today, my hopes on some new snake people have been crushed. The set still looks great though, and I'm still hoping for some more snakes.

On amonkhet, part 3

Well, Honored Hydra seems like new fodder for the deck. And considering we got a cat lord and a minotauer lord, the new snake lord is a realistic hope. And even if we actually get a snake and naga combi lord, it would be awesome considering some of the new naga (Vizier of the Menagerie)

On Amonkhet, part 4

Obviously, there won't be a snake lord (if, then it will be spoiled with 'the rest' that will be revealed today. And let's be honest, this is unlikely, though not impossible.). While I'm pressing away some tears, at least there are two awesome new snakes that I'll try to add to the list. Honored Hydra is good enough to take the place of Nemesis of Mortals, and Prowling Serpopard might find its way into the sideboard in exchange for Shielding Plax.


I'm drooling at the thought of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty coming out in about two months. The set will for sure give this deck new tools, and I can't wait to get my hands on all of these cool new slithering friends. In the meantime, it made me reconsider many choices for the deck and I made some updates to it. To shorten the time until february, chant with me: Orochi! Orochi! Orochi!


Did I forget about some snakes you think I should try? Do you like the deck? Give a +1. You don't? Please, leave a comment and tell me what you think I could change. Thanks for your comments!


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Revision 3 See all

(8 months ago)

-1 Forest main
-1 Island main
+1 Kaseto, Orochi Archmage main
+1 Stonecoil Serpent main
Top Ranked
  • Achieved #45 position overall 7 years ago
Date added 7 years
Last updated 5 months
Legality

This deck is Casual legal.

Rarity (main - side)

3 - 0 Mythic Rares

15 - 0 Rares

13 - 0 Uncommons

10 - 0 Commons

Cards 60
Avg. CMC 2.85
Tokens Honored Hydra 6/6 W, Snake 1/1 G
Folders Tribal, Tribal, Tracked decks, Maybe, Deck I'd Like to Playtest, reptilian decks of reptilianess, Liked decks, Thematic Decks, serpente, wish list
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