How to deal with Languish for R/G Dragons
Standard Deck Help forum
Posted on Aug. 18, 2015, 2:27 p.m. by Jimmy_Chinchila
So I love R/G Dragons but haven't been playing it since Languish was released as it kills 90% of the deck, including rampers and the Stormbreath Dragon + Thunderbreak Regent duo. My first thought was that Haven of the Spirit Dragon would be sufficient but pulling one dragon to hand doesn't do much when I just lost 2 dragons, Courser of Kruphix and Elvish Mystic. I thought perhaps Crucible of Fire would put at least the dragons out of reach but it slows down things a bit much. Also considered Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker since he can't get hit by sorcerers, but he also doesn't benefit from Thunderbreak Regent's protection or Haven of the Spirit Dragon. What can I do to make the deck more resilient to Languish? The deck runs the usual dragons and green ramp along with Draconic Roar and Crater's Claws. Dragonlord Atarka is the only one who has >4 toughness. Thanks!
Rasta_Viking29 says... #4
I am the Dragonspeaker - Jund is what I am currently playing in tournaments, took 3rd in an IQ this past weekend. Languish has not been a factor for me as it is not played in high numbers. Haven of the Spirit Dragon and Den Protector provide enough resilience to push through most removal. Xenagos, the Reveler is also solid against board wipes and pressures their Hero's Downfalls at the same time. If your opponent manages to get 2 dragons with Languish, he/she should probably have taken 8 damage or so before doing so making the game easy to close out.
August 18, 2015 2:51 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #5
Post board you should have a maximum of 2 Courser of Kruphix in your deck and cut a few of the mana accelerates. The goal against removal heavy decks is not to dump your hand and ramp your dragons out quick but rather apply pressure and force them into inefficient trades until you stick a threat they can't answer.
August 18, 2015 3:07 p.m.
Atarka's Command might not be a bad option against Languish for you. it will save your guys from the wipe, while also either ramping or dealing damage to your opponent. mana cost is favorable as well
August 18, 2015 3:08 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #8
Reactive cards are definitely not the way to beat Languish for G/R Dragons. Abzan or Sultai will win that type of game 90% of the time.
August 18, 2015 3:15 p.m.
Brad Nelson recently played a version of G/R Dragons to a 11-0 start at GP London, and Martin Juza t8'd with a similar list. His solution was to implement the megamorph package we've become so used to seeing. His list looked something like this. Deathmist Raptor and Den Protector provide incredible recursion against the various control decks/Languish. The other unorthodox inclusion was 2 main deck Magma Spray which is incredible against the Hangarback Walker menace.
August 18, 2015 3:17 p.m.
Another option I heard some people discussing was cutting the Deathmist Raptor's for 2 Boon Satyr and 2 Nissa, Vastwood Seer Flip. Boon Satyr is a powerful instant speed threat that plays around Languish and can be bestowed to pull your dragons out of Languish range. Nissa, Vastwood Seer Flip has good utility in the early game and can be a game ending threat late game.
August 18, 2015 3:42 p.m.
Jimmy_Chinchila says... #11
Rasta_Viking29 cool thanks for the strategy idea! Will definitely keep that in mind. Also glad to hear Languish not showing up too much. I guess I've only had it used against me a few matches since its release, now that I think about it. Was worried that it would always be a bad matchup of they played black removal.
tooTimid I do like that idea, only have 2 Deathmists but could maybe get more. Seems like a legit game plan.
Khanye good call, I already had Atarka's Command in my sideboard, didn't consider it could save a guy from Languish.
So it seems the best bet is to not overcommit to the board against removal decks, and possibly run a few "save" spells but being purely reactive not the way to go. Thank you all kindly! Lemme make some updates then I'll post decklist here for y'all's consideration. I'm glad for the help, wasn't ready to switch archetypes (although I've been playing Standard Affinity Revisited lately). I just love me some dragons!
UpperDeckerTaco says... #2
Splash blue for Stubborn Denial...
August 18, 2015 2:32 p.m.