Why is Zoo so Underpowered?
Modern forum
Posted on Dec. 29, 2014, 11:08 p.m. by forestlore44
Ever since the Wild Nacatl unban, Zoo decks once again became a viable deck in the Modern format, albeit being a tier 2 deck. However, since the release of KTK, with Delver everywhere in the meta, Zoo just doesn't seem to be performing at all. Delver is usually a good matchup for Zoo, but I can say for certain it definitely isn't anymore. Most games play out normally until they start cruising, there's no way to keep up. What makes Zoo so underpowered right now?
aeonstoremyliver says... #3
Anger of the Gods and Pyroclasm are two good reasons why Little Zoo is underpowered. Big Zoo, with stuff like SCooze, Loxodon Smiter, Knight of the Reliquary, etc. has a better chance in the meta, IMO.
Peeps wanna get rid of Young Pyromancer tokens, also Robots.
December 29, 2014 11:23 p.m.
forestlore44 says... #4
Now come to think of it, I think Zoo's biggest weakness is that it has no card advantage enablers to give it some gas when in top deck mode compared to other aggressive decks. Pod has pod. Delver and burn use cruise. Other blue decks use dig. BGx use to use bob. ..
December 29, 2014 11:26 p.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #5
That's why Aggro wants to win around turn 4-5. Most Aggro decks run out of gas by then. If they can't win early, they typically lose due to being out of gas and outclassed late game.
December 29, 2014 11:32 p.m.
forestlore44 says... #6
And that's what makes Delver and burn a pain to play against... Once they run out of gas they just Treasure Cruise for some more.
December 29, 2014 11:53 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #7
Zoo Cruise, duh. Solve all your problems with a simple splash.
December 30, 2014 12:27 a.m.
Zoo Cruise also opens up Geist of Saint Traft. Just saying.
December 30, 2014 12:43 a.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #10
I think that some zoo decks made a blue splash for Geist of Saint Traft at some point but now if they add Treasure Cruise to the mix, you have the perfect zoo deck...
December 30, 2014 3:16 a.m.
So, Treasure Cruise in zoo? Yea, why not.
December 30, 2014 6:13 a.m.
SkyRaider42 says... #12
I feel like Zoo with Treasure Cruise should be called something like The Aquarium.
December 30, 2014 9:07 a.m.
FatherLiir says... #15
Yes; it was a Netflix documentary detailing how killer whales and other wildlife are treated terrible by company's like Seaworld and is believed to be a driving force in why they are going bankrupt
December 30, 2014 9:59 a.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #16
Zoo with Cruise sounds rather awesome. Somebody win a tournament with it.
To answer the question: Zoo is either slower than the other aggro decks (Affinity, Bogles), or not as versatile (Delver). It's the most fair of aggro decks, and thusly gets destroyed when you're opponent starts casting Ancestral Recall and Cranial Plating. The lack of solid disruption makes many combo decks bad matchups as well.
December 30, 2014 10:42 a.m.
SkyRaider42 says... #17
Blackfish seems cool, but that makes it sound like the deck would be using black. Maybe something like Seaworld would work though?
December 30, 2014 1:02 p.m.
This is so dumb. Zoo with Cruise. I'm gonna make a list and start playtesting online.
December 30, 2014 2:07 p.m.
Two things.
One: zoo has o card draw.
Two: Young pyromancer tokens stop zoo all day long.
VampireArmy says... #2
lack of people 4-ofing scooze? seriously i saw a guy on Channel fireball play it earlier this year and did extremely well
December 29, 2014 11:17 p.m.