Introduction:
I've always enjoyed a Tribal playstyle. The synergy these types of decks are always fun. Each card builds off and helps the other, while some cards can win a game on their own and still hold flavor.
Colors:
I chose White for this deck because, in my opinion, white houses some of the best humans in the game such as Champion of the Parish, Mirran Crusader, and Student of Warfare. It also holds some of the best removal and anthems as well as sideboard options.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
I haven't really been able to play this deck competitively yet due to my work schedule. So outside of the kitchen table, I do not know what to expect. If anyone can give me options in which to playtest against, or if someone can give me their insights playing with a deck like this, that would be greatly appreciated.
Strategy:
There are 2 main strategies you should follow if you choose to play this deck. The first is optimal, while the second is still reliable. Both will be able to deal 20+ damage by turn 5.
-Strategy 1: Student of Warfare
To execute this strategy, you want to turn 1 play the Student. Turn 2 you should follow up by leveling the Student up to level 2. Turn 3 you should start to lay down your Honor of the Pure and Path to Exile and bannisher priest to clear the way for the Student followed up on Turn 4 with Elspeth, Knight-Errant. Turn 5 deals Lethal. Obviously this is best case scenario.
Strategy 2: Champion of the Parish
Turn 1 Champion of the Parish. Turn 2 you would either play
Accorder Paladin
. Turn 3 you'd want to follow up with Silverblade Paladin bound to the Champion. Turn 4 plays Elspeth, Knight-Errant and Turn 5 deals Lethal. Also, this is obviously best case scenario.
If things go wrong, you have Hero of Bladehold, Mirran Crusader and Dawn Charm to help pick things up, where as Knight of the White Orchid is useful to net you some needed mana if you happen to be running short.
You would want to mulligan until you have one or the the other of Champion of the Parish or Student of Warfare. If you don't set up your board presence early, there is no coming back.
Learning to sideboard and an explanation of what and why will come with further play testing.
Where can I take this deck?
-White/Red: If I go this route, I open myself up to a much more aggro based game and can potentially win on turn 4. It will allow access to cards such as Lightning Bolt, Lightning Helix and Chained to the Rocks.
-White/Black: If I go this route, it will allow the deck to become more resilient against combo decks, allowing me to interact with my opponent more with cards such as inquistion of kozilek, Thoughtseize, and
Sin Collector
as well as enabling me to use a sac engine to create zombies and free hits between Xathrid Necromancer and Cartel Aristocrat.
-White/Blue: Opens me up to being more reactive than proactive with spells such as Mana Leak and Remand putting me in a much more tempo paced game. Also allows me to keep hand advantage with blue's plethora of draw spells and much better cantrips than white has to offer.
While I am willing to explore these different options, I would like to remain in a tribal setting. I would be willing to divert from Humans if there is no way that they can be as competitive as I hope them to be. Please feel free to offer suggestions/insights to flaws I have in my deck as well as letting me know in which direction I should take into adding a second color.
