How does Devotion beat the new Artifact deck?
Standard Deck Help forum
Posted on Aug. 3, 2015, 3:40 p.m. by alexthegreat38
Hey all,
I recently got into 
Devotion, and I've loved it so far. I didn't realize how much of a Timmy I was until I cast a Genesis Hydra for X of 20 and activated Polukranos, World Eater for X of 19 the next turn. Making the Top 8 of all three events I took it to didn't hurt either, and I even won 1st place at one of them.
In any case, I'm absolutely terrified of the new Artifacts deck that nearly won the Pro Tour, placed two copies in the Top 8, and had a day-two conversion rate of something like 85%. That's a lot. Worst part is, I'm playing a deck full of stompy, ground-based monsters that doesn't have a flyer until 
, so I get completely wrecked by it.
What would you suggest as a viable strategy to beat this deck? I'm thinking Hornet Queen might be good to have around, but what about Barrage of Boulders, Arbor Colossus, Windstorm, Plummet, Reclamation Sage, Destructive Revelry, and/or Unravel the Aether? Any tips for general strategy or other sideboard cards? Let me know in your responses please!
(My list is pretty standard, but for reference here it is):
Hydras and Dragons and Hornets Oh My! Playtest
Standard
SCORE: 1 | 0 COMMENTS | 41 VIEWS
TheNinjaJesus says... #3
Additionally, thopter flood isn't as much of a factor since you're playing Polukranos. Just hit each thopter for 1 when you pop Monstrous. If you want a nasty little twist (for when they play Chief of the Foundry), play Bow of Nylea, and pop Monstrous when you're attacking to wipe their board of 2/2 thopters. Anger of the Gods may hurt your rampers, but your threats are so large, you don't give a crap about 3 damage.
August 3, 2015 4:02 p.m.
alexthegreat38 says... #4
I like Unravel the Aether because it can deal with an Ensouled Darksteel Citadel. I do already have Arbor Colossus in the board, glad you agree that it's good to have there.
August 3, 2015 4:03 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #5
Technically Revelry can deal with an ensouled Citadel as well because you can just blow up the Ensoul Artifact itself. The 2 damage is probably negligible for Devotion though.
August 3, 2015 4:08 p.m.
alexthegreat38 says... #7
Yeah, I didn't think about the Polukranos monstrous. It might be worth it to go from 3 copies of him to 4 just to be safe. Bow of Nylea looks fun and I've been considering Anger of the Gods. But I think maybe you're right, thopter flood shouldn't be too scary for me, especially since by the time they get enough for it to be a threat I will have probably landed a Dragonlord Atarka, Hornet Queen, or Polukranos, World Eater. Turn 2 Ensoul Artifact is what I have to worry about, so I think I'll try to find some Unravel the Aethers to combat that. I never thought about Bow of Nylea to just wipe the board with Polukranos though, I might have to try that.
August 3, 2015 4:08 p.m.
alexthegreat38 says... #8
I guess I could try Smash to Smithereens as well. I like the ability to set them back on mana as well with Unravel the Aether, but that gives them plenty of chances to just draw the damn thing again. I think I've got some testing to do
August 3, 2015 4:09 p.m.
Don't forget Windstorm as it can be brought in against any Dragons decks. But that's more of a board wipe option, which would support Smash to Smithereens and/or Unravel the Aether but don't forget you can run Naturalize as well.
August 3, 2015 4:59 p.m.
Which is not standard legal. If you were to build modern, Wear / Tear is the way to go.
August 5, 2015 3:01 p.m.
haysmafia1 says... #12
Hello,
Shatter was reprinted in KTK and is standard legal.
I'd expect to see it (and Destructive Revelry) come in out of the sideboard as people adapt to what happened at PT Magic Origins (Vancouver).
August 5, 2015 7:08 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #13
Why would anyone play Shatter when Smash to Smithereens is strictly better? In a base green deck Destructive Revelry is the best option of the three similar cards.
August 5, 2015 9:58 p.m. Edited.
alexthegreat38 says... #14
Yeah, because it can hit enchantments like Citadel Siege, Outpost Siege, Courser of Kruphix, Sigil of the Empty Throne, etc. I ended up adding in 1 Unravel the Aether in the side because it can deal with an Ensouled Darksteel Citadel.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #2
Destructive Revelry or Unravel the Aether are what I'd use to combat that specific deck. Arbor Colossus can be good in the matchup and has use in plenty of others making it a good sideboard choice.
August 3, 2015 3:48 p.m.