Den Protector is always a good add in this deck.

I'd also add more Managorger Hydra as they tend to get really big, really quickly.

Avatar does NOT grow each turn... read the card again

@scubasteve95 He grows incrementally based on creatures with counters. So, assuming I'm playing creatures (which I intend to do) he grows. Perhaps I chose the wrong words to use. But, the idea is as turns increase so do the amount of creatures with counters, so avatar grows as turns pass. Hopefully that helps you understand

Also check Gleam of Authority

@oscargrough the effect only triggers once.

Undergrowth Champion and Retreat to Kazandu are REDICULOUS with hardened scales

Managorger Hydra is better than Undergrowth Champion IMO, and Retreat costs too much for what it does.

@grenville, I know. I guess I'm trying to say that avatar's potential for p/t can vary. He makes a good early, mid and late drop for this reason. Of course assuming I have creatures on the battlefield.

So, I play tested with some friends last night. I need a way to deal with swarms of little allies. Suggestions? Valorous Stance sat in my hand unless I needed the indestructibility clause. Thinking about splashing red & going naya. For Rolling Thunder , Twin Bolt , Arc Lightning Boiling Earth. I can run 4x Wooded Foothills and some Cinder Glade and removing Sandsteppe Citadel with it not affecting my mana base.

And, Evolutionary Leap is an awesome way to blowup your own Servant of the Scale or Hangarback Walker while filling your hand.

@syandell86 I found Managorger Hydra to become massive very, very quickly with multiple Hardened Scales on the field.

I should note that the splash into red for a naya mana base is for side boarding.

Going into red or black is probably your best bet against swarm decks Languish and Radiant Flames are really good in that sense. Black also has access to obviously Siege Rhino (which destroys swarm decks) but also some great spot removal like Murderous Cut, Ruinous Path, Utter End, Complete Disregard, Reave Soul, Foul-Tongue Invocation, and Ultimate Price. Besides removal i dont know what else black has to offer a counters deck like this.

So, I decided Shaman of the Great Hunt needs to be in here. Whether or not it works, who knows but its gonna' be fun when it does!

I'll be playing my first standard fnm this rotation. Any input on my current list would be great. I'm really pumped with this deck. It's explosive and fast.

If you splash black...Drana, Liberator of Malakir + Shaman of the Great Hunt Lots of counter interaction, she'll fly over some serious threats.

Drana, Liberator of Malakir + Avatar of the Resolute is also nice, cast the Avatar after Drana dishes out a bunch of counters.