Improve Abzan Ally deck for control/boardwhipe.
Standard Deck Help forum
Posted on Feb. 5, 2016, 1:37 p.m. by MDT12
First of all, a small introduction is in place. For my FNM tonight, I was wondering if an abzan version of the BW ally deck would work. I made a draft version of the deck I would like to make (removed the 1 drop Expedition Envoys for the Veteran Warleaders and Serene Stewards for Beastcaller Savants).
Here is the deck: Abzan Allies Midrange?
The only problem is, how do you come back from a boardwhipe such as Planar Outburst, Languish or Crux of Fate? To kind of deal with that I replaced 1x Sorin, Solemn Visitor with another Gideon, Ally of Zendikar in order to more easily produce Ally tokens/triggers and put in 2x Captain's Claws for the same reason. I also added Liliana, Heretical Healer Flip to bring back some guys However, if my board gets whiped vs control, I still feel like I'm screwed most of the time if I don't draw March from the Tomb or Collected Company (sideboard). I know adding another Drana, Liberator of Malakir could work but I don't have another atm. I don't know if this is just a drawback of this decktype, or there are tools to improve against those playstyles. Maybe someone here has found a useful addition for these situations, so help is greatly appreciated!
ps, I'm really thinking about putting in 2x Harsh Sustenance because it really fits the theme of the deck. Has anyone experimented with this card yet?
Do you have space for Duress? It's a really good Turn 1 play and is great to take sweepers.
Also, with Harsh Sustenance, how many creatures are you getting up to when you play it? What turn do you want to play it?
February 7, 2016 10:03 a.m.
I might remove some creatures to make room for more spells and Retreat to Emeria. Duress might be really good as you mentioned. It's pretty easy to get 4 creatures in play in the mid/late game. Boardstall is quite important to continue triggering the lifegain. That's why I really liked Retreat to emeria a lot in playtesting. Its a bit slow, but really improves the late game immensely. Do if I could get a 4 point lifeswing with Harsh sustenance thats pretty good for 3 mana. Its definitely not really an early game (turn 3) tool.
MDT12 says... #2
Oath of Gideon would be sweet too with 3 planeswalkers. Btw, does anyone ever read these topics? Never get any responses to them lol.... sadface
February 5, 2016 5:15 p.m.