Modern Broke Again, Part 3.
Modern forum
Posted on Jan. 2, 2015, 7:03 a.m. by ChiefBell
So the last few weeks have seen Skred decks splashing for Koth of the Hammer, Treefolk tribal decks, and now this gem.
I get great enjoyment from looking at all the top 8s and finding the weird decks. The decks that you really don't see that often. Then I like to discuss why it did so well.
Today I found this.
I think this deck is pretty fantastic against aggro because the G creatures can get a lot bigger, a lot faster than the opponents. With minimal combo decks around a deck such as this can go relatively unchallenged even with its complete lack of straight up removal. Notice how Jeskai Ascendancy won this particular event. This indicates to me that MOST decks are heavy on the creature aspect and relatively lighter on the control aspects of building. You can confirm this from the UR delver deck that placed just above it. It's running somewhere around 7 removal spells and fewer counterspells. In a meta like that I think a deck such as the one I linked above can do pretty well because there's nothing to say: "I play Anger of the Gods, and all your stuff dies".
Thoughts?
aeonstoremyliver says... #4
'Mono 
Stompy' it is called, I believe. Interesting to see it putting up results. Small Zoo was also on top 8, which is interesting.
January 2, 2015 10:20 a.m.
The thing that separates this, for me, from most others is the lack of Genesis Wave and the lack of Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx.
January 2, 2015 10:39 a.m.
This is something I saw in an article that I'm gonna build for my little local meta at some point. A few different cards, mostly cheaper replacements that I already own, and I know I'll need the Scavenging Ooze eventually though.
January 2, 2015 10:47 a.m.
slovakattack says... #7
That deck popped up once awhile back, I believe. I'ts absolutely ludicrous if you can hit your curve just right.
January 2, 2015 10:50 a.m.
Dalektable says... #8
I just call it Mono Green Aggro, I have a stock list for it up on my profile. I have to say, if you hit your curve (which is not uncommon) the deck is ludicrous. If you can't handle the threats as they come to you, you'll just be beaten down. It's amazing how in such a complex, diverse format that beating people in the face is still a viable strategy.
January 2, 2015 11:22 a.m.
Ohthenoises says... #9
I have this built on MTGO, it's been a thing for a while.
January 2, 2015 12:16 p.m.
Really like the looks of that list...definitely the easiest mana base too.
January 2, 2015 1:57 p.m.
goinbowlin22 says... #11
I've been playing a build that runs groundbreaker and the green echo creatures with haste. they work really well in decks like this.
January 2, 2015 2:27 p.m.
TristanTaylorsVoice says... #12
Regular Modern Stompy Pilot Here:
Mono Green Stompy (Modern Edition)
This has been a thing for a while now, ever since someone top 8'd the Bazaar of Moxen I realized I had to adopt it, and after a blog post about the deck I was ready to sell my chaff cards and buy a whole second modern deck!
I would like to mention that after testing the card, I think Aspect of Hydra is not a good card in stompy. For instance, compare it to Giant Growth and Mutagenic Growth: This card will not be better than Giant Growth unless you already have a board presence of two creatures, in which case you already should be ahead. If you're in a top deck mode, you can't use Aspect of Hydra on a lone Experiment One to close the game as well as a Giant Growth can, and MOST IMPORTANTLY Aspect of Hydra will not save your 1 toughness creatures from a Lightning Bolt. Now consider the fact you always have to hold mana for it, putting your curve behind, and you can see why unless you live the curving dream, Aspect of Hydra is not a good card if you're behind in the game. Because I prefer not having to pay mana over 100% anti-bolt utility however, I'm currently playing Mutagenic Growth in this slot, and I have never looked back to Aspect of Hydra.
I regularly go 3-1 at my local FMN; I usually lose to Amulet of Vigor, Hate Bears (Mirran Crusader is unbeatable), Jeskai Ascendency, and now I have a lot of trouble with the Siege Rhino decks (perhaps more Dismember is required), because this deck's primary strength is the largeousity of its creatures and how quickly it presents them. By assuming the role of the aggro player, I can regularly race affinity and burn (you heard that right), and present enough threats to overwhelm the U/R/x decks that are the scourge of modern right now (this deck is a Splinter Twin crusher if I've ever seen one).
January 2, 2015 2:28 p.m.
TristanTaylorsVoice says... #13
This is the original list for reference that made a splash at the Bazaar (he didn't even have the 4th Strangleroot Geist):
January 3, 2015 12:25 p.m.
Thanks. I just like this build because its not like the usual Genesis Wave build
January 3, 2015 1:40 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #15
What are the pros of not having Genesis Wave and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx?
January 3, 2015 3:25 p.m.
Probably harder to disrupt with land destruction, and doesn't splurge the deck all out at once. It's just nice and controlled. It's not ramping up with things like Burning Tree Emissary and weak mana dorks, it just turns stuff sideways.
January 3, 2015 3:30 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #17
The "kill them" archetype has been a longstanding, powerful member of the Modern metagame.
January 3, 2015 3:36 p.m.
TristanTaylorsVoice says... #19
The pros of not having a Genesis Wave and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx deck is to have a deck that relies upon raw consistency rather than a combo deck without card selection, the devotion deck needs to draw its pieces at the right time and this deck does not, mana dorks are asking for it in modern, etc.
People keep asking me to put Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx in because apparently that's all mono green does: any land that produces colorless is awful in a deck trying to play double green and triple green ;you're just asking to get screwed. Not to mention we have NOTHING to do with the mana. If you're looking for a competitive budget mono color deck in modern, it doesn't get better than stompy.
Our modern didn't fire yesterday but I played some games against pod and Siege Rhino is just such a beating, it removes Leatherback Baloth's claim of being the biggest creature on the board AND is a helix; nothing could be worse for this deck to fight. Hell I complain more about that card in modern than Treasure Cruise itself (not that I'm a fan of cruise mind you).
Potential solutions could include more Dismember (costly, not to mention they can Restoration Angel in response) or Bow of Nylea (the best mise in modern), I'm not really a fan of more pumps, any ideas?
January 3, 2015 4:06 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #20
Side Torpor Orb, perhaps. Twin also has a hard time with the Orb. Pod has more answers to hate, though.
January 3, 2015 9:44 p.m.
TristanTaylorsVoice says... #21
I run 2 in the board. A deck such as this prefers proactive/threat answers however, and I'm thinking of going to 1 on similar cards in my board. Good general advice for all aggro decks, that's why Rest in Peace doesn't necessarily decimate a deck such as dredge (such is when they already have a few creatures in play and you don't).
A good example of a proactive answer card is Obstinate Baloth, it provides solutions to multiple problems and presents a threat, and I'm happy to board him in matchups where I just need to go bigger or to increase my threat density if my pumps are weak. In other words it helps me win the game. Torpor Orb doesn't help me win the game, Torpor Orb just hinders my opponent from winning the game. As an alternative to Obstinate Baloth, Feed the Clan doesn't help me win the game, just not lose the game. Proactive answer cards and flexible silver bullets are the kinds of sideboard cards aggro decks need.
robrone9 says... #2
I don't play events online but at my LGS it seems the competitive modern events are shifting away from removal and counters and towards creature heavy or combo centric decks. It's been weeks since I was countered out of a game rather than comboed out by blue decks. Pod, scape, kikki, and ascendancy in the combo camp and hate bears, merfolk, zoo, and stompy in the creature camp. The only reason I don't run mono green is because I want to run nykthos and Sowing Salt runs rampant as several players have wizened up as to how back breaking that can be. I am wondering if I can take my knights deck to FNM tonight... Seems like as good a time as any.
January 2, 2015 9:16 a.m.