KTK Archetypes/Homebrews
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on Sept. 15, 2014, 7:55 p.m. by SwaggyMcSwagglepants
What do you think are the most powerful new KTK archetypes?
Temur Monsters seems to be a thing
Abzan Midrange seems to be a thing
And Jeskai Control seems to be a thing.
Some homebrews that might be able to be seen:
AurAbzan (the deck I'm running)
Jeskai/Izzet Pseudo-Storm.
Sultai Self-Mill.
Mardu / Boros / Rakdos Hyperspeed Aggro.
And a homebrew I want to see:
Orzhov Limiters (Thoughtseize , Waste Not , Eidolon of Rhetoric , Aegis of the Gods , End Hostilities , Utter End , Despise , Hero's Downfall , and evil janky cards like that)
Well, any other archetypes? If you don't understand one, ask me. I'll post my AurAbzan deck soon to show you what 1 might look like.
Whats going to happen in Khans? Whats going to the Pro Tour? You tell me! We all want to know.
Another archetype that might see some good play is Temur Tempo.Savage Knuckleblade and Goblin Rabblemaster win the game, Temur Charm , Stubborn Denial , and Mindswipe keep your things alive, burn like Stoke the Flames and Crater's Claws (amazing card) to keep your opponent's field empty (or slam them directly), utility in Icy Blast , and card advantage in Keranos, God of Storms . I'm personally going to be running a deck like this to see how it goes.
September 15, 2014 8:14 p.m.
CrazyLittleGuy says... #5
I've been toying with 3 new decks recently, and a couple of them are near enough to finished in development that I can talk about them. Temur Control/Walkers is one of my favorites as of right now; a planeswalker package of Kiora, the Crashing Wave , Xenagos, The Reveler , Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker , and Nissa, Worldwaker is very strong. It also has access to one of the only quasi-sweepers currently; Anger of the Gods , which doesn't even kill it's own Courser of Kruphix . The rest is the regular control package of counterspells and card draw, but with burn for removal, which is the weakest point of the deck. As such, I feel this deck is only good if creature decks continue to be sub-par in Standard with rotation, which may not be the case.
I've also got a buG Ramp shell if anyone is interested.
September 15, 2014 8:35 p.m.
I'm currently brewing Temur Control/Midrange. I'm still working on the details and testing out some of the newer cards to see if they're any better than their current counterparts (i.e. Dissolve versus Mindswipe )
September 15, 2014 8:48 p.m.
Mono white soldier aggro - starts small-ish and builds up to massive fliers
September 15, 2014 9:01 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #8
Currently brewing creatureless sultai control:
Spicy Sultai Sauce Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 1 | 0 COMMENTS | 183 VIEWSSeptember 15, 2014 9:22 p.m.
notamardybum says... #9
i cant decide what i want to build, abzan midrange, sultai control, or bant walkers. all 3 have the courser/caryatid package so i might just build all 3
September 15, 2014 9:22 p.m.
I have put together a Jund Walkers / Monsters / Top Deck Management build that seems decent. I think it has a ton of synergy and potential. It also sides well. Tons of option-select there. I know it's friendly colored, but the synergy of fetches and Courser of Kruphix was just too good to pass up on.
Jund Value Town Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 0 | 3 COMMENTS | 62 VIEWSSeptember 15, 2014 9:27 p.m.
weisemanjohn says... #11
I have to stick with Temur monsters.
the key word is temur Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 3 | 3 COMMENTS | 326 VIEWSIt just feels more natural to me taking an aggressive field position rather than the Izzet counter-burn styled Temur that many cards popped up for. I do think Mardu Butcher of the Horde +Bloodsoaked Champion will be a thing too and scary at that.
September 15, 2014 9:41 p.m.
Hickorysbane says... #12
Extrememly aggresive Mardu decks will totally be a thing and so will variations on every two color combination inside of that. Probably not mono colored though, cause why run mono white or black when you can just splash for stuff like Athreos or better/more removal? But I do think Mardu aggro will be more interesting than some past aggro decks that are Turn 1-two power creature, turn 2-three power creature, et cetera. Such as....Butchering in Hordes. More strategy behind it, I like it. But personally I'm thinking of playing Abzan Midrange
September 15, 2014 10:02 p.m.
Unforgivn_II says... #13
I'm rolling with Abzan Midrange. Chord of Calling makes sideboarding very easy, and turns my deck into a Standard Maverick prototype for games 2 and 3. I can't wait to Chord into Grim Haruspex in response to a control player attempting to End Hostilities .
The deck (working on the name still)
September 15, 2014 10:03 p.m.
Dalektable says... #14
Mardu aggro will be a thing, as will an aristocrats sort of deck featuring Butcher of the Horde . And I personally shall be running Mono Black Aggro, because it's awesome and very powerful.
September 15, 2014 10:11 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #15
I see three archetypes.
1) Courser of Kruphix and Sylvan Caryatid
3) Thoughtseize and Hero's Downfall
Variants sprout from there. White based aggro might be a powerful enough to eschew those cards and be tier 1.
September 15, 2014 10:18 p.m.
Dalektable says... #16
Rasta_Viking29 That's fairly good list, I think. I tested around with Mono White Soldiers for a little bit, and it was actually pretty solid. We'll see what pops up, but green based midrange will be a fair majority of the meta.
September 15, 2014 10:24 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #17
That said I'll play Red in all 11 possible combinations. First FNM I'm going to be attempting to Ensoul Artifact land mine tokens from Goblin Kaboomist while rabblin'. For tournaments I'll play all 3 on the list I posted, leaning towards Courser and Rabble.
September 15, 2014 10:29 p.m.
InconspicuousPotato says... #18
I don't know about Rabble since Courser Caryatid decks are so good against that, and I'm expecting midrange decks to be the dominant force this standard. There's so many good tools for G/R/x midrange.
September 15, 2014 10:38 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #19
InconspicuousPotato Rabble kills them before they set up a lot of times and uses Stoke the Flames to push past when they do. That's what is happening now in tournaments at least. The match up is really in favor of neither.
September 15, 2014 10:43 p.m.
I want to see Yisan, the Wanderer Bard get his own archetype. I've been running a variant of Reid Duke's build from a month or so ago and it's won me 2 out of 3 FNM's. It's only getting better with RTR rotating, seeing as it's only real weakness was cheap burn/removal attached to aggro packages and verdict/rev decks.
September 15, 2014 10:49 p.m.
I'm just sticking with my GW Big Aggro. It's got Fleecemane Lion and crew! and Return to the Ranks and Spirit Bonds really made it work late game. I also just can't afford a new deck lol
Return to the Ranks is Good Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 115 VIEWSSeptember 15, 2014 10:55 p.m.
I've been brewing a mono red prowess deck which might work not sure yet. I hope sultai delve will be a thing but i feel like there's too many cards that perform graveyard hate and too many pushed 4/4 for 3 mana cards that sultai will fall behind too fast.
September 15, 2014 11:13 p.m.
My current build:
Mardu Mono-Red Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 1 | 7 COMMENTS | 230 VIEWSGoing for the classic mono-red hyper aggro approach.
September 15, 2014 11:42 p.m.
I'm testing Golgari Reanimator right now and it's really good. Abhorrent Overlord is just insane, even with only two points of devotion. Now add Whip of Erebos ...
September 16, 2014 1:29 a.m.
Here's my build so far.
Savage Rabbler Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 30 VIEWSPut out some Goblin Rabblemaster s, or a Savage Knuckleblade or two, and then counter every single spell sent your way!
September 16, 2014 2:55 a.m.
I'm trying out my rabblemasters in mardu Mardu Prototype
September 16, 2014 10:50 a.m.
That looks disgusting. I hope I never have to play a deck like that.
September 16, 2014 12:40 p.m.
InconspicuousPotato says... #28
Since everyone's advertising their decks now...
Dragonclaw Ascension Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 2 | 7 COMMENTS | 469 VIEWSI LOVE Temur Ascendancy
September 16, 2014 8:21 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #29
Well, might as well post my deck, having it be new. Unfortunately, I strayed away from AurAbzan and onto the more Midrange element, while being muches aggressive.
Without further edu...
Abzan Midaggro... Aww Yeah! Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 1 | 0 COMMENTS | 19 VIEWSCheck it out, +1's, advice, and all the helps!
September 16, 2014 8:40 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #30
Can someone make an Orzhov Limiters deck? Hilariousness will ensure.
September 16, 2014 9:51 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants here's a link to my take on an orzhov limiters deck just for kicks http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/orzhov-limiters/
and in general my attempt at a solid sultai universal mill
In Sultai clan decks mill you and me.... wait.... Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 0 | 0 COMMENTS | 14 VIEWSSeptember 16, 2014 10:38 p.m.
BlastercoolWeird says... #32
just looking at the mardu colors (because my blood is red with aggro instead of hemoglobin)
RW tokens with Goblin Rabblemaster , Akroan Hoplite , Raise the Alarm , and Hordeling Outburst and Purphoros, God of the Forge seems like a decent thing for fnm, I made a list with a package of burn and Howl of the Horde . Kind of wish I could make it more mono-red and mono-goblin with a reprint of Krenko's Command or Dragon Fodder
Orzhov Warriors has been mentioned but with Mardu Skullhunter , Grim Haruspex , Bloodsoaked Champion , and Raiders' Spoils I think a mono-black aggro list looks pretty decent, I've also splashed some white for the phenomenal Chief of the Edge and the obligatory Athreos, God of Passage
My Mono-red aggro list (it was more like rabble-red than boss sligh) still looks pretty decent post-rotation with Monastery Swiftspear
, War-Name Aspirant
, and Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
rotating in
shame RUG midrange seems to really require Courser of Kruphix and Sylvan Caryatid
September 17, 2014 7:20 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #33
If somebody wouldn't mind looking at the deck I posted, I have a big question: since Card Kingdom is being a bitch with selling prices, in my deck, what is a somewhat cheap (less than 3 bucks) substitution I could make until I get her?
September 17, 2014 7:58 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #34
Interesting how only one person said Mardu Aristocrats with Butcher of the Horde . No one else sees the aggro-midrange value of mardu? Crackling Doom hits all midrange and control powerhouses, Mardu Charm is excellent against all types, removal for midrange, first strike tokens for aggro and discard for control, Hero's Downfall as the obviously best removal in standard, and then Thoughtseize because discard hits control and midrange hard. First go for a bit more aggro-y style of play in the first few meta weeks as decks get flushed out, and then swap to a heavier midrange build as more midrange and control come out.
Edge and Scale, Bring Forth the Victory Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 55 | 23 COMMENTS | 4743 VIEWSBeyond 
aggro-midrange, the only other decks I see now are 
midrange-control, midrange-control and midrange. Also to note, Heroic aggro will see a rise thanks to Hardened Scales
. What colours I don't know, but I think Heroic is the best bet.
September 18, 2014 7:20 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #35
Now, twisting this forum in a different direction, what are going to be some of the best draft archetypes/sealed archetypes around? Prerelease is tomorrow and we all want to know what is going to be the cards to look for and the most powerful archetypes.
September 19, 2014 6:26 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #36
G/W Aggro is pretty fun and strong. Not Affinity or Infect quick, but has got wins as early as T5 so far...
Lifted Research Group [Post Rotation] Playtest
Standard*
SCORE: 1 | 0 COMMENTS | 376 VIEWSSeptember 22, 2014 12:16 a.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #37
What cards are making the biggest impact on the new Standard? We all want to know.
September 23, 2014 6:36 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #38
It is not "Which cards?" SwaggyMcSwagglepants, but rather "Which archetypes?". There won't be any one card that will change how the entire format is played, if there was I would have found it. Rather it is the combination of a multitude of new cards that make the biggest impact.
September 23, 2014 8:35 p.m.
Just want to say two things:1) Goblin Rabblemaster is a warrior himself
2) I personally think mardu midrange/control will be a bigger thin than people realize
Point 1 is pretty much me saying hey here is a really good warrior you can put in your warrior tribal deck. Granted he is another color than a lot of the support cards but Rabblemaster by himself is a huge problem for the opponents.
As for point 2 I think mardu has tons of good cards right now that fit into a midrange shell that are scary against pretty much everyone (Thoughtseize , Crackling Doom ,Hero's Downfall , Mardu Charm , various burn spells ect.) not to mention there are a lot of good planeswalkers in mardu and the fact you can also run Goblin Rabblemaster in a similar role to Pack Rat in last format. Obviously he is a little easier to deal with but he still can be a one card win con like the rat.
Oh and I can't forget my personal pet card from m15 mr.Generator Servant . It sure is fun to cast Elspeth, Sun's Champion on turn 4 or Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker on turn 3 in a non green deck. Once you do something scary like this your opponent will be very quick to point spells that normally would be pointed else where on to him.
In conclusion Goblin Rabblemaster wiil be every where.
September 24, 2014 1:10 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #40
Goblin Rabblemaster will only be in any aggro deck containing red, and mardu midrange nfcnorth. It's easy to see that mardu midrange is going to be the best deck archetype in the entirety of standard. It is certainly going to give modern mardu midrange a great push. Let us hope for greater things to come in the next 4 sets!
September 24, 2014 1:21 a.m.
Regarding your point on Goblin Rabblemaster being an aggro card.In my opinion any card that has the potential to be an army in a can (i.e Goblin Rabblemaster )can and should be considered for a control/midrange style deck as a wincon.
You will have plenty of ways to clear the way for him to take over the game and even if he does get dealt with before he gets out of hand you will have numerous other threats that will also demand immediate attention as well and they can only have so many answers.
I guess what I am trying to say is I feel any card that basically says "kill me now or you will regret it" has strong potential in a midrange/control game plan.
September 24, 2014 1:40 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #42
He also dies to a large portion of one drops in the current standard, and can be chump blocked by everything. Control isn't strong enough anymore to be able to completely prevent a board state.
September 24, 2014 1:47 a.m.
I don't want to argue on and on about this (we aren't currently but I don't want to get to that point) when I think this is simply a difference in opinion. While he does have some cons I personally see a lot of upside in him in having him in a control or midrange deck (especially one with access to Thoughtseize /Despise and other forms of removal). If you don't agree then we simply have a difference in opinion that's all.
Oh and for the record I do think their are going to be times where he will be lackluster but that happens with all cards really. Even Jace, the Mind Sculptor
or a power nine card has times where they simply doesn't do enough to save you. You can't fault any singular card too much for not being able to save you from a particular board position because one card can only do so much by itself.
Just my opinion on things take it for what its worth.
September 24, 2014 2:19 a.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #44
Abzan/Orzov/Esper control is likely to be a thing, with all the black removal, plus all the white removal (and End Hostilities ) finishing in an Empty the Pits .
September 24, 2014 6:54 a.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #45
I really don't expect Mardu to be all that great or BUG or Junk.
MBA will be strong but is easy to beat...
Jund however... has 8 fetches, access to most of the good cards. Naya has 8 fetches and has access to Rabblemaster, Courser, and Brimaz...
September 24, 2014 11:17 a.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #46
I'm still trying to build a decent jund deck. I'll get to them eventually, but I sure do agree than the ally shards hold a lot more potential than most of the enemy wedges.
September 24, 2014 1:50 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #47
Abzan does have its flaws, however, they are the colors of permanent removal mostly. Red burns, blue bounces, not exactly permanent or insta-kill. With Abzan also, they have access to Courser of Kruphix , Sylvan Caryatid , Siege Rhino , Utter End , and 7 planeswalkers. (Elspeth, Sun's Champion , Ajani Steadfast , Ajani, Mentor of Heroes , Sorin, Solemn Visitor Garruk, Apex Predator , Nissa, Worldwaker , and Liliana Vess .
September 24, 2014 5:41 p.m.
I also concluded that Jund is still viable.
The deck could really use a cheaper (and easier to cast) removal spell than Downfall. But other than that, I like combining the traits of Gruul Midrange with black removal and disruption.
Silence the Believers is an absurdly powerful magic card and a big trumph in midrange mirrors (while also dealing with Sarkhan).
Rather nice as well; Drown in Sorrow keeps caryatid(s) alive, while still dealing with the rabblemaster-pest.
Still crossing my fingers for Terminate in Fate Reforged.
September 24, 2014 8:20 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #49
I feel like all 3 variants of G/R/x Midrange are viable. No way to tell which one is better at this point. Playing G/R is the best option at first and then splash for your needs if necessary. Fetchlands are not very good at fixing in Standard. Mana Confluence , clan lands, and Temples are the best. Pain lands are preferable in some situations.
September 24, 2014 10:06 p.m.
Femme_Fatale says... #50
Fetchlands are awesome at fixing mana Rasta_Viking29, no matter the format. I am saying this via experience, the rest kill me too often by either dealing too much damage or ETBT. I have never lost due to a fetch. Fetches also are really good with delve, so they serve an additional purpose.
GoldGhost012 says... #2
Check out what I have planned. :)
September 15, 2014 7:58 p.m.