Orzhov Allies or Mardu Allies?

Standard Deck Help forum

Posted on Jan. 6, 2016, 7:08 a.m. by RoyaleWithCheese

One or two days ago, I posted a thread asking for suggestions for my Orzhov allies deck Allies of my life, not yours. (tips are welcome). Since them, I changed a lot of things, and started to think about adding red on this deck. So, I made a Mardu version of it: Mardu Allies (tips are welcomes). I'm testing both of them in some MWS games, and it seems that the Mardu one is doing better. So, opinions would be great! Thanks guys!

I honestly think that in the current state your Orzhov Allies is more solid. I do like the addition of red for Crackling doom and the command, both very powerful cards, but I also feel that most allies with red in it are kind of lackluster and too expensive, mana wise, for what they actually do. I also think you could drop the Warflare for more removal/allies.

January 6, 2016 7:28 a.m.

Thanks for the comment! I just built the Mardu, so I'm still thinking about it, and trading the War Flare for some removal was one of my toughts, maybe Fiery Impulse or Collateral Damage to send some ally to graveyard for Alesha. My fear with the Orzhov version is the lack of damage without having to rely too much in the Nantuko clear path to swing hard.

January 6, 2016 7:32 a.m.

Oh, and some heavy early game decks had destroyed me in some games. Most of the creatures are weak in power/toughness. I was thinking to trade the Nantuko Husk for Bloodbond Vampire for more sinergy and stronger creatures.

January 6, 2016 7:39 a.m.

I like the Mardu style idea but I feel BW is a bit better in that you don't have to worry about the mana splash. I'm trying to get my Mardu to work but I feel it's slower and with out removal mained it's tough. So if your Mardu build is working then I'd say keep at it but BW might be better long run. Im also looking at what allies are coming out in the next set to see how to move forward. My two cents.

January 6, 2016 11:28 a.m.

Yeah, I'm looking foward to some allies in Oath aswell. The B/W seems to be better indeed, and I can improove it later with some Shambling Vents, one more Drana, etc..but I'm still testing it. I guess I'll wait till Oath is released and see if anything fits, cause I don't know what changes, if possible, to make. Thanks for the comment!

January 6, 2016 11:35 a.m.

So I played with both decks last night. I played each 3 times and I lost every time with Mardu and went 2-1 with BW. The added removal made the difference.

January 7, 2016 9:08 a.m.

I tried to make some changes on the deck, but i'm returning to the original..didn't work.

You used Nantuko Husk?

January 7, 2016 9:10 a.m.

I don't have any husks. It's a good idea but it's close to aristocrats and that's not how I really want to run it, but I'll try different ideas and might try it when I can afford it.

January 7, 2016 9:58 a.m.

I'm trying to make an Abzan Version of the Allies, see what I like more.

What did you use instead of Nantuko? I was thinking about Bloodbond Vampire or even Serene Steward.

January 7, 2016 10:13 a.m.

I have 2 Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit in to help pump a bit more. When I can get husks I will add them and see about getting them to work.

January 7, 2016 1:04 p.m.

Hm..nice! Anafenza could be a nice addition indeed!

January 7, 2016 1:10 p.m.

I'll post my build when I get off work. But I also have Gideon and Sorin in as well.

January 7, 2016 1:20 p.m.

I decided to keep the Orzhov one. Seems a bit more consistent. And I switched the "sacrifice" type of deck and try to add more survivability to it. Let's test.

January 8, 2016 11:03 a.m.

What about your sideboard?

January 8, 2016 11:07 a.m.

I'm still looking it. But Tainted Remedy, Virulent Plague, Utter End, Silkwrap, Languish. Need something that could deal with artifacts also.Fate Forgotten maybe.

January 8, 2016 11:21 a.m.

Self-Inflicted Wound also. And i'm thinking about switching the Read the Bones for an Ultimate Price.

January 8, 2016 11:23 a.m.

I think removal is better than draw when you want to keep your cards on the board. Blocking isnt really a big plan with this deck I feel. So I think stopping the oppenents creatures are a better idea. But run it both ways and see how it plays out for you.

January 8, 2016 12:19 p.m.

Yeah, I agree on that. I'm current testing Read the Bones. He can bring some removal or other cards I need sometimes.

January 8, 2016 12:28 p.m.

And you do have life gain so its nothing that bad.

January 8, 2016 12:52 p.m.

Yeah! And I just love Read the Bones..you choose what to buy, with little to none drawback. At least I think.

And about adding more removal..maybe take off the Demonic Pact (probally not so much effective in this deck) and the 2 Felidar Cub that I added for Demonic, and put some Ultimate Price or adding some more of other cards on the deck.

January 8, 2016 12:57 p.m.

Just wanted to say that the deck it's working. Won some games against an Abzan and a u/b control. Read the Bones made the difference. I'm almost sure to take off Demonic Pact, but i'm having hard times to finish some games.

January 8, 2016 8:23 p.m.

That's good to know and you might side the pact. I went 2-2 in a a small event on MTGO. I keep getting matched up against mardu control and aristocrats.

January 8, 2016 8:38 p.m.

With the b/w ally deck or another one?

I have an abzan deck and a jeskai one, but they are too much casual, wont survive in competitive, so i'm trying to build this ally one and see what happens. But i'll wait for Oath.

January 8, 2016 8:41 p.m.

My BW ally deck. I no longer have a shop for real play. I just got mtgo so Im slowly building a few decks. A few Ally decks, a mono red, rg landfall, and one modern deck which is what I really like to play. My soul sisters deck.

January 8, 2016 8:44 p.m.

Next week a mtg shop in a near town will do an sealed Oath, i'm thinking on it.

I've seen your Soul Sisters deck, I liked it!

January 8, 2016 8:48 p.m.

Next week? Nice I thought it was the week after but ya see what you can pull to add to the deck. And I have fun with it but its not the tier one.

January 8, 2016 8:59 p.m.

16, next saturday will be the release, I guess. It's the first day of the sealed event, and 17 the second day, wich I may go. I'm looking foward to the Oath allies.

It's sad that not always a fun deck can do some job in competitive.

January 8, 2016 9:02 p.m.

I wish I could do one but I cant afford it. I hope that you find things that help out you ally deck.

January 8, 2016 9:39 p.m.

Yeah, I feel your pain..i'm trying to keep the budget low. The hard part is that you know the cards who could make a difference in any game, but they are fucking expansive. i'm only using Gideon because I picked him in a booster, because if I had to buy it, it coasts R$160,00 reais, our local currency...and One dollar is worthing almost 4 reais now. So, $40 dollars for a gideon, more or less. And the Expedition lands? Well, if Gideon is R$160 reais, the Expedition lands are currently avaible for R$220 reais. $55 dollars more ou less. It's sad.

January 8, 2016 9:49 p.m.

Costs*

January 8, 2016 9:49 p.m.

Oh I know what you mean. I pulled mine in a draft. I got money for xmas to be able to get stuff on MTGO and my birthday is in Feb so im gonna ask for more so I can keep working on them. I doubt Ill be doing paper for a good while but till then Im gonna stick online and pay only a bit some days like I would for FNM to justify it.

January 8, 2016 9:53 p.m.

Good luck! I never played MTGO, always played irl..and I use MWS for some tests.

January 8, 2016 9:56 p.m.

This discussion has been closed