A selesnya lifegain-overdrive build - 3rd place so far at FNM. Delivers threat after threat each of which requires removal or they can win me the game, all the while consistently creeping the life total upwards. The only creature that is not an immediate threat is the Sheep, and it quickly transforms with either Unflinching Courage or counters from ajani or the archangel. The sideboard is tailored to my local meta, and really delivers. I find the Deadly Recluse and
Witchstalker
almost always come in for game 2.
Providing lifegain: Courser of Kruphix, Fiendslayer Paladin, Nyx-Fleece Ram, Ajani Steadfast, Unflinching Courage - and the "win more" Archangel of Thune.
Lifegain triggers Ajani's Pridemate, Archangel of Thune.
Put the courage on the threats Brimaz, King of Oreskos, Fleecemane Lion, Loxodon Smiter, Ajani's Pridemate. Or a cat or cleric token. Or the Sheep because a 2/7 lifelink is a great turtle in this meta.
Heliod, God of the Sun: because vigilance makes everything twice as useful! Played this at FNM and Heliod was awesome every time he came out. Often devoted. Sometimes made Clerics. Awesome. Every time. Twice even caused a scoop when he came out.
Ajani Steadfast: Love this dude. Perfect as a 1-of, his abilities fit the deck and his casting cost is right where I like it.
Spear of Heliod: As most of my guys are on the small-ish side, this helps bring an edge to the deck that otherwise was a little lacking. Trying out as a 1-of, and so far I'm happy with the performance. I did drop 1 land (from 24 to 23) to make room for it.
Hall of Triumph
: I liked how the Spear was working out and wanted to double-up while still being able to stack them. I'll always name "white", so this misses the Coursers, but I think it is strong in this deck. I took out 1 Selesnya Charm (from 4 to 3) to make the slot for it.
Mana Confluence: Why, you ask? Because, says I - there are many 2-white or 2-green casting cost spells and I don't want to be mana screwed ever. In playing this for real - it makes sense. I have never been screwed (other than flood or lack... colours are always what I need). Plus I always gain back any life I lose to it. At FNM I kept an opening hand with 2 of these as the only lands and won the game.
SIDEBOARD
Deadly Recluse: Have a lot of red and black in my meta and this guy seems to scare the bejezus out of Blood Baron of Vizkopa, Stormbreath Dragon and
Desecration Demon
. Even the pesky
Chandra's Phoenix
is hesitant to attack.
Mistcutter Hydra
: Haste, uncounterable, pro-blue. Awesomeness.
Witchstalker
: Hexproof. Grows. Decent body. Hexproof. Green. And hexproof.
Pithing Needle: I hate AEtherling. And Elixir of Immortality. And planeswalkers. And mutavaults (unless they're mine). This card expresses my hatred perfectly.
Banishing Light: Sometimes it's the only answer.
Brave the Elements: I believe that this could be a late-game kill, provide pro-color against their defence and swing for a surprise ending. All my MB creatures except Courser are white. It works.
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice
: Can't seriously consider a selesnya lifegain deck without this one! But I still haven't figured out exactly how to fit it in...
Skylasher
: depending on how Blue my meta turns... right now there isn't too much.
