Primal Vigor and Doubling Season , if you've got the budget for them (I hate to be that guy, but someone's going to suggest them). Contagion Clasp and Contagion Engine are good, too.

Hey bushido_man96!

Thanks for the suggestions. I probably don't have the budget for either Primal Vigor or Doubling Season , so I think I'll use Contagion Clasp instead of Abundance for now.

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

Gilder Bairn works as another counter-doubler.

I would drop a couple lands and add in more mana rocks:

Gilded Lotus , Talisman of Progress , Talisman of Unity come to mind.

Overall, I like the build. +1 from me.

Primordial Hydra , Kalonian Hydra , Avatar of the Resolute and Mycoloth , Incubation Druid , and Skatewing Spy all seem like good cards for this deck. Rhystic Study is also a good card draw enchantment.

Hey Lhurgyof,

Thanks for your suggestions and upvote. I think I agree with you on adding some more mana ramp. My deck is pretty slow, and getting that creature out one turn earlier may help with that. I am going to add a Talisman that you suggested and an Incubation Druid and take out the Hideaway lands. I found that I couldn't activate them as much as I wanted and that they slowed down my game occasionally.

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

Hey Bigant1,

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm not a big fan of Mycoloth as it might be a bit too slow and my deck doesn't have many things it can sacrifice. I'm not a big fan of the Hydras again because they're a bit too slow. I am a fan of Incubation Druid , that that will take up a ramp slot that was provided with the cutting of two lands. The Mending of Dominaria seemed good at first, but I just didn't have anything to do with it, so I think I'll cut it for Skatewing Spy . While I can't disagree that Rhystic Study is a bad card, I think that Bred for the Hunt is better for a +1/+1 counter deck. I'll playtest it and see how it goes and keep you updated.

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

Bred for the Hunt is a nice card for your theme, but if you are ever stuck at a locked-up table, and are unable to push damage through, Rhystic Study is a bit more consistent. But I can't fault you for going with flavor.

While we're talking about flavor, I've got a Shalai, Voice of Plenty deck in which I run cards with the Outlast mechanic to anthem my whole team. Abzan Battle Priest , Abzan Falconer , Ainok Bond-Kin , Longshot Squad , and Tuskguard Captain all offer great boosts to creatures that have +1/+1 counters on them.

Hey bushido_man96,

Thanks for another comment. I do like your idea of adding in some "+1/+1 counter lords" and I already have some in the form of Skatewing Spy , Zegana, Utopian Speaker and Herald of Secret Streams . I have considered the ones that you talked about before. I'll playtest once I get a chance, but for now, they'll be in the maybeboard.

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

So before I list cuts and suggestions let me start with what I've gathered from your deck.

• You have a lack of value on a LOT of card that you've chosen, I'll explain in more detail in cuts but every card should serve to help you win the game not just push your theme/gimmick. sometimes you gotta make slots for cards.

• Lack of spot removal. You have little to no way to deal with your opponents shenanigans, to be exact you have only 2 bits of spot removal. Your deck's gameplan isn't fast enough or big enough to just play solitare like some combo, control, or hyper aggressive decks.

• You have a distinct lack of board wipes, to be exact you have one. I get your hesitation to run these but... You have to, if not someone is going to be in a better position than you and it's going to cost you the game.

• I feel like you're ignoring your colors' strengths. Green ramps, White removes, and Blue Draws/Counters. Play to those strengths because that's what makes Bant such a powerful color combination!

Alright to the cuts:

• Tamiyo, field researcher: I get it she's an omniscience but I don't think that she lives for long and her + and - abilities aren't really all that useful to you or the gameplan. Not enough value.
• Nissa, vital force: You aren't playing lands, the only thing useful on this card to you is her - ability. Sure her ult would gain some passive use IF you ever got there! Not enough value.
• Spellbook: I don't understand why this was there to begin with... Reliquary Tower is far superior, and if you must have an artifact for it I'd run Thought Vessel over it anyday.
• Contagion Clasp: I'ma big believer that Contagion Engine is just better. For 4 extra mana upfront you get to wipe an opponent's board, and you get to pay the same 4 you'd pay on clasp but you'd get two proliferates instead. Who cares if you get it out turn two you can't do anything with it for two turns.
• Call the gatewatch: You aren't playing planeswalkers... this card doesn't have enough value and doesn't help you achieve your goal at all.
• Djeru, with eyes open: Refer to Call the Gatewatch
• tireless tracker: This COULD get there, it COULD be useful, but... That's a could be, not a guarantee. I'd prefer to see a card here that is going to help definitively.
• Vizier of the menagerie: you only have 25 creatures... you have a 1/4 chance for this to actually mean something. Not enough value as the deck stands with so few creatures. I'd rather see consistent draw power here.
• talisman of progress: I just don't think it's necessary you have 5 rocks total this isn't necessary at all.
• oath of ajani: I get it... It's first ability helps you out a lot, but... I just feel like it's a wasted card slot. it's an enchantment that you're basically treating as a sorcery.

Here are some card I'd suggest filling these holes, which I'll break down into categories.

Useful +1/+1 Shenanigans:

• Kalonian Hydra
• Champion of Lambholt
• Tuskguard Captain
• Abzan Falconer
• Loyal Guardian
• Prime Speaker Zegana
• Zameck Guildmage
• Bloodspore Thrinax
• Mikaeus, the Lunarch
• Walking Ballista
• Hydroid Krasis
• Vigor
• Sage of Hours
• Doubling Season / Primal Vigor
• Fuel for the Cause

Staples that should be in the deck including Spot removal!

• Vedalken Orrery
• Teferi's Protection
• Heroic Intervention
• Rhystic Study
• Path to Exile
• Swords to Plowshares
• Defense of the Heart

If you're going to play walkers these are much better suited to your deck:

• Ajani Goldmane
• Ajani, Mentor of Heroes
• Ajani Steadfast
• Ajani Unyielding

Finally some board wipes

• Wrath of God
• Austere Command
• Akroma's Vengeance
• Evacuation
• Supreme Verdict

Last thing, I'm not taking into account budgets of any kind I just want to help you create the most competitive deck that won't fold over if someone screws your gameplan over. Also if I came off as a dick at all apologies, it's not intentional.

Hey DrkNinja,

Thanks for your extremely helpful comment. It's no worries that it came a little late. Sorry for commenting a bit late, I had to chew it over a bit. I don't feel that you're coming off as a dick, so you're all good there.

I agree with you on lack of spot removal. In the description that is in the works, I listed it as a weakness. The lack of boardwipes is due to me not being a fan of them, as it kind of ruins the game, so I'll add one in for now and see how it goes. I'm not a big fan of counterspells (due to reasons outside of EDH), which is why I'm not playing any. I also feel like counterspells sometimes are a dead card sometimes when there is nothing to counter that is really worth it.

• I agree with you on the PWs. Most times, the pod or table overreacts to an Omniscience ult or ult on the next turn, so they'll be getting the cut.

• The reason why I have Spellbook in is because you want to draw a bunch of cards, but to do that you have to play a land. You draw into the Spellbook, and you can play it. But I'll try Reliquary Tower and see how that works. But after thinking about it, I almost never have more than 7 cards, so I'll cut Spellbook

• I'll again try out Contagion Engine over the Clasp, but I really like being able to kill an early dork before things get going. After thinking about it, I have decided to cut it in favor of more removal.

• You're probably right about the PW tutors, so I'll cut those for more card draw.

• I feel you're right on Tireless Tracker , so I'll cut it for card draw that actually draws when cast.

• I don't really want to cut Vizier of the Menagerie , as I like the ability to look at the top card of my library to plan out my turn. I guess I could use Future Sight and the accompanying Magus. After thinking about it, I do need some more removal, so I'll have to cut this for more removal.

• I feel that I was low on ramp, so I just put Talisman of Progress in. Do you have any suggestions for other mana dorks/rocks that I might put instead of this?

• I agree with you on Oath of Ajani , as you'll never need it in the early game, so I'll replace it with Loyal Guardian

These are the things that I'm going to swap out, after your suggestions. Anything you would change?

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your help.

Hexaflexagon

I think Teferi's Protection is a must. I doesn't take counters off of your cards or tokens and it is just a staple that can't be ignored. At the VERY LEAST you should play Heroic Intervention , something to protect your board state.

Depending on your meta, I'd take a Supreme Verdict for SURE.

Tuskguard Captain I think is WAY too relevant to not be played, same for Champion of Lambholt

I really think you should get Doubling Season or Primal Vigor I know they are pricey but dude they are just that good for this deck.

Last thing, I really think you should play an Ajani. Unyielding gives you card advantage and removal, Mentor give you card advantage and +1/+1 counters on some creatures, and Steadfast gives a creature evasion/passive lifegain and +1/+1 counters on all your creasures. Whichever one is more relevant to your meta, or fits the CMC you want in the deck I think you should play.

Hey DrkNinja,

Thanks for another extremely helpful comment.

• Do you think that I should take a Supreme Verdict over either Cyclonic Rift or Austere Command , if my meta fits(I haven't visited my LGS in a long time due to school and sports, but I plan to do so sometime in the next two weeks)?

• I already have something like Teferi's Protection and Heroic Intervention in Inspiring Call , which draws me cards as well. Do you think I should swap that out for a Heroic?

• I already have a "+1/+1 counter lord" that gives trample , so I don't think that Tuskguard Captain is necessary. For Champion of Lambholt , I already have a dude that gives unblockable in Herald of Secret Streams

• I can't afford Doubling Season for now, so I'll use Primal Vigor .

• I think I will replace a Swords to Plowshares with Ajani Unyielding , as his second ability is STP on a stick.

My newest swaps draft. Anything else you would change?

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

Hey DrkNinja,

Thanks for another extremely helpful comment.

• Do you think that I should take a Supreme Verdict over either Cyclonic Rift or Austere Command , if my meta fits(I haven't visited my LGS in a long time due to school and sports, but I plan to do so sometime in the next two weeks)?

• I already have something like Teferi's Protection and Heroic Intervention in Inspiring Call , which draws me cards as well. Do you think I should swap that out for a Heroic?

• I already have a "+1/+1 counter lord" that gives trample , so I don't think that Tuskguard Captain is necessary. For Champion of Lambholt , I already have a dude that gives unblockable in Herald of Secret Streams .

• I can't afford Doubling Season for now, so I'll use Primal Vigor .

• I think I will replace a Swords to Plowshares with Ajani Unyielding , as his second ability is STP on a stick.

My newest swaps draft. Anything else you would change?

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

I appreciate how much you appreciat the help! Thanks.

I think you should have 3 board wipes minimum and those 3 are probably the best in your colors.

No offense but Inspiring Call is NOTHING like Teferi's Protection, as TP says "I can't lose the game until my next turn." I'd cut See the Unwritten for Heroic Intervention.

As far as Tuskguard vs Zegana goes... he's a one drop, she's a 4 drop. The only real advantage here for Zegana is P/T and you get to draw ONE card only IF you have a creature with a +1/+1 counter out. I think the reduction in CMC far outweighs the loss of the one card drawn as you have plenty of other card draw outlets that are far better.

As far as Ajani goes, I don't think he can substitute INSTANT speed exile from STP or PoE. I think you should play both STP and Ajani. I'd cut the talisman for STP.

Hey DrkNinja,

Thanks and you're welcome.

I'll try out the three boardwipes, and see how playtesting goes.

I see your point on TP and Heroic. TP, as you said, pretty much says "you can't lose the game until the start of your next turn" and Heroic gives hexproof and indestructible to ALL permanents, not just creatures with +1/+1 counters.

I see your point on Tuskguard Captain vs Zegana. However, Captain is three mana but I still think I'll swap the two.

I agree with you that instant speed is really good and STP shouldn't be replaced. I'll take the Talisman for STP.

I just realized that I didn't include Primal Vigor in my last swap draft, so I'll take out Armorcraft Judge for it. What do you think of my final swap draft? Anything else you think I should change?

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

I still really like inspiring call! It's a great draw spell at the very least, I think if you are going to play TP don't worry about Intervention and play call. I also Like the Beast Within because it kill ANY permenant. other than that I like what you got!

The only reason why I put Imprisoned in the Moon is because my meta is very commander focused, but I will try to find space for Beast Within too. I'll take your advice and play Inspiring Call over Heroic, as I might be a bit low on draw.

Thanks for all the help you've given me, I think you've put the deck in the right direction,

Hexaflexagon

Imprisoned is really good so is Song of the Dryads , and Lignify , my wife plays an Avacyn, Angel of Hope deck so I totally get that. BUT if your opponent's deck is commander oriented and not just a deck then killing their commander means they HAVE to play their commander again. Which usually means they have to tap out, and put all their mana into a commander that might not work on it's own. Meaning not only did you kill his commander originally but now you have essentially made that player waste a turn playing thier commander, instead of building a board state. My friend plays a Krenko, Mob Boss deck and I kill/counter krenko every time he plays it, so he can never build his combos because he's paying + commander tax. He hates me for it but that deck is explosive at best.

I see what you mean, DrkNinja. However, I'd rather have to remove/counter a commander once rather than 4 or 5 times.

Deck looks really good so far. Just a few suggestions:

Thrummingbird looks sweet in this deck. It's not as slow as it looks, it will connect a decent amount of time most likely.

Also, Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker is another good card that can get big very quickly.

Shapers of Nature

Hey IAmTheWraith

Thanks for your comment. Sorry my reply came so late, I've been swamped with schoolwork.

• I have considered Thrummingbird , but I thought that when the proliferate actually mattered, the flying creatures that my enemies had would be too big, even with a bunch of +1/+1 counters on it.

• I haven't considered Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker before, but I just feel that I have better versions of this card in Forgotten Ancient and Managorger Hydra

• I have a better version of Shapers of Nature in Zameck Guildmage

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon

Love the deck. Awesome name!

This probably goes without saying, but I don't see Doubling Season on the list. You do have Primal Vigor which is essentially the same thing, but DS doesn't help your opponents.

I would suggest Champion of Lambholt , but I see it's in your maybeboard already. It's still a great card to have in +1/+1 counter decks, though Herald of Secret Streams fills that role just fine. It might be worth finding a slot for Cultivator of Blades , however. It can give your board an extra oomph as another payoff for your counters.

It's good to see Fathom Mage here. She's amazing for abusing counters. In that same light, Prime Speaker Zegana fits well here. She comes in already caught up on counters and nets you card draw at the same time.

Also Inexorable Tide can get ridiculous in +1/+1 counter decks and doesn't require the combat step to proliferate like Thrummingbird .

Hey Abzkaban,

Thanks for your comment. Sorry it took so long for me to reply, schoolwork has swamped me. I don't have the money for Doubling Season at the moment, which is why Primal Vigor is in the list.

I haven't seen Cultivator of Blades before, and I'll definitely try it out.

I feel that Prime Speaker Zegana is more of a win-more card. When it'll be big enough to payoff the risk and cost involved, then I've probably won the game already.

I used to have Inexorable Tide in the list, but I took it out as I felt it was too slow.

Thanks again,

Hexaflexagon