Does Alpha Authority Have A Place In Standard?
Standard forum
Posted on March 20, 2014, 5 p.m. by InnerFlame
As the title adresses, does Alpha Authority have a place in dtandard. I'm specifically wondering for G/R devotion or G/R monster decks. Black seems to be the hardest problem for those decks because of the removal. Is it worth it put Alpha Authority in?
InnerFlame says... #3
Yeah it seems like, depending on the situation, in modern or longer it is better. I'm trying to protect my Kalonian Hydra in standard. The one creature ability would help him too.
March 20, 2014 5:08 p.m.
derKochXXL says... #4
It sees some play in the G/W hex proof Decks for the unblockability when they don't wanna splash blue. I think the aura deck (the one that doesn't only rely on hexproof) also plays it.
March 20, 2014 5:10 p.m.
AnagonLordofSnakes says... #5
You should play test it if you want to see how it does. Black will obviously be a problem though, Thoughtsieze to pull either of those two cards out = :(
March 20, 2014 5:10 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #6
Yeah I figured the G/W deck would run it. Black is such a pain. It would also help against Detention Sphere . I'll go ahead and play test it to see how it goes.
March 20, 2014 5:12 p.m.
It could be useful, but the thing to remember is that it will draw out Supreme Verdict . So be careful not to over commit to the board when playing it against control.
March 20, 2014 5:15 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #8
I've been starting to watch myself when i play control. It's hard because devotion relys on a strong board presence but I think I'm getting better at it. If I draw one into play that means it's one less that 8 have to worry about haha. Thanks for the advice.
March 20, 2014 5:17 p.m.
actiontech says... #9
I like to drop Alpha Authority onto Hero of Iroas and go to town.
March 20, 2014 5:18 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #11
Those G/W enchantment decks are good. I'm looking to protect G/R though.
March 20, 2014 5:19 p.m.
actiontech says... #12
Well, Alpha Authority + Madcap Skills = unblockable and hexproof which is pretty good. I'd really consider splashing white for Boros Charm if nothing else, just to counter Supreme Verdict . Works well as a finishing move too if you go double-strike mode.
March 20, 2014 5:23 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #13
I would love to add a third color! But I'm afraid to...lol. the land base nd mana troubles scare me. I also feel like it will slow my deck down.
March 20, 2014 5:32 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #14
Ranger's Guile if you are looking to thwart black removal, that way they burn the removal. Most likely they will respond with a removal spell when you cast Alpha Authority and leave yourself open to the 2 for 1. A guy at my shop uses it in his Monsters deck.
I personally consider the MBD match up 50/50 for G/R Monsters. Doom Blade and Lifebane Zombie have definitely evened the scales.
March 20, 2014 5:38 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #15
You're my man Rasta_Viking29. Coming in with the better card. Thanks man. Quick side note question though. Is it still better on a trample creature?
March 20, 2014 5:43 p.m.
I think it might actually have a place, for two mana, it protects a creature, makes himher somewhat evasive, and gives you an extra devotion to green. In a monster deck, or a ramp deck for sure, slap this on one of the bigger creatures you want to protect and swing with them.
Just my opinion..
March 20, 2014 5:54 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #17
I don't really think trample affects why you use either one. Yes one more damage could be relevant in some situations but so could the one toughness. The goal is to keep your threat on the board and giving your creature hexproof at instant speed will do that with more success.
March 20, 2014 5:54 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #18
Rasta_Viking29Alright. Thank for the advice! I'll throw in Ranger's Guile then! Sideboard....how many? 3? Or 4?
March 20, 2014 5:57 p.m.
Schuesseled says... #19
The problem with cards like Alpha Authority is that you are setting yourself up for an instant speed two for one. Which isn't something you should do, which means that you can't play it, which means you shouldn't run it.
If it wasn't an enchant creature, instead a regular enchantment that gave all creatures hexproof it would be way more playable.
March 20, 2014 5:59 p.m.
RCMetalhead says... #20
I can't speak for everyone, but in my Selesnya Heroic deck Heroes of Setessa, that card is just golden for me! I really think it depends on the type of deck you are playing and if you really want to keep your creatures alive or if you don't mind so much. Some decks don't mind losing creatures but if your creatures are very important to you and you don't want to lose it to a stupid Hero's Downfall , then definitely put a playset of them in your deck! Course this is my two cents.
March 20, 2014 6:04 p.m.
actiontech says... #23
Consider T1 scryland, T2 basic or shock + Sylvan Caryatid , T3 opponent taps out for X (Underworld Connections maybe) then you drop Hero of Iroas + Alpha Authority on him. It happens pretty often if you build the deck appropriately. If you add a Mutavault to the mix you have something to sac in the event of a Devour Flesh or Far / Away .
I'm not saying Ranger's Guile isn't just better in some decks, and in the monsters deck it probably is. Alpha Authority is certainly playable in some builds though.
March 20, 2014 6:26 p.m.
Personally, no. I don't think it has a place. This method of sideboarding is a trap especially this specific conditions with a deck like GR Monsters. It's the temptation of the sliver bullet. The allure that you're going to make some giant monster both evasive and hexproof and run away with the game is enticing, but this only represents some fraction of potential board states.
At its most basic level, competitive Magic often boils down the an exchange of resources be it kill spells, creatures blocking, permissions, etc. Eventually one person pulls ahead or falls behind on resources due to a play or variance of their draw step. Cards are often more or less useful and worth trading away at different rates depending on the state of the game.
Alpha Authority really only helps you when you're already winning. You need a big enough creature on board that's otherwise free to swing at your opponent, sans other plans to win a race. When you're on the defensive Alpha Authority is absolutely terrible, at the very best it protects your blocker from getting removed, but it doesn't block or help to dig you out of your hole at all. And it's not even decent when you're at parody, a Stormbreath Dragon with Alpha Authority is still stonewalled by say a pair of Nightveil Specter .
Add on that it opens you up for instant speed 2-for-1s in response, that it doesn't interact with Domri Rade and is basically dead if you draw it after they've removed your threat and you can see why I think it's not a great idea. Yes, it will win you some games, but better cards will win you more games overall.
Compare this to say something like Chandra, Pyromaster . Mono Black is going to be a grindy match-up. So instead of trying to silver bullet them, you embrace the grindy nature and bring in cards that assist this. They have to take the more controlling route, so this also has the added benefit of attacking and taxing one of their resources, there's only so many Hero's Downfall in the deck. And if a planeswalker is left online for too long you're likely going to out resource them. I think it's far better to board in more threats in the face of a grind, ideally these threats could protect themselves or are capable of generating card advantage.
March 20, 2014 7:15 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #25
I sideboard in Alpha Authority in my Mono-Green Devotion build, but it'll more often go to an Axebane Guardian or Karametra's Acolyte than a Giant Adephage .
March 20, 2014 7:30 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #26
Schuesseled and others: I think the game plan switched to Ranger's Guile . What do you all think about that?
March 20, 2014 8:20 p.m.
Schuesseled says... #27
it's alright, but i'd rather just have a Witchstalker or other hexproof dudes if that's your concern.
Don't worry about what they will kill, worry about if they enough to kill everything.
March 20, 2014 9:11 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #28
Schuesseled: Ahhhhh that's why people play Witchstalker ! I wondered why. I may have to use him. My main concern is keeping my Kalonian Hydra alive. That's usually what wins me games. That and Stormbreath Dragon .
You bring up a good point about worrying about if they have enough to kill.
March 20, 2014 9:42 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #29
I prefer to just play threat after threat instead of battle tricks. Kill my Stormbreath Dragon ? Bastard! Now kill this one and the Polukranos, World Eater coming next.
Makes your top decks better and increases the power level of your deck.
March 20, 2014 10:57 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #30
Oh so you wouldn't play is at all Rasta_Viking29? I definitely have enough threats. I have Kalonian Hydra , Stormbreath Dragon and Polukranos, World Eater . I just like my hydra lol.
March 20, 2014 11 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #31
Yeah that's why I'm not a fan of Kalonian Hydra but it is powerful. Evasion is important.
March 20, 2014 11:36 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #32
I mainly have it in the deck to get removal out and away so I can use stormbreath. But it's synergy with Xenagod works wonders.
AnagonLordofSnakes says... #2
Idk about standard but it's pretty awesome to throw on a commander in edh, although Canopy Cover is probably better
March 20, 2014 5:05 p.m.