How can Abzan beat Mardu Dragons? Help please!
Standard forum
Posted on June 22, 2015, 6:44 p.m. by noobplayer17
I have played my abzan deck since the beginning of khans, going to many standard events. Yet in all that time I have always struggled with Mardu and only my most recent standard was I able to go to a tie. Looking for general advice on Mardu weaknesses or cards that work well against them.
Edit: especially focusing on Mardu Dragons
noobplayer17 says... #3
I have actually had trouble with all variants. Crackling Doom being one of my biggest problems.
Mostly I would say midrange and control though
June 22, 2015 6:58 p.m.
GeeksterPlays says... #4
Thoughtseize or Duress the Crackling Doom from their hand?
Use a green buff spell (a big one) so you can make the Cracking Doom take the creature of your choice.
For midrange they won't have counters so any targeted removal will help surely? Heros Downfall, Utter End, Devouring Light?
In my local meta Abzan is only second to UB/Esper Control and Mardu has lost to the point of no-one playing it anymore so I'm not sure what else to suggest really!
June 22, 2015 7:08 p.m.
Serendipitous_Hummingbird says... #5
Plop down a siege rhino and bump up your fleecemane lions up to a full playset if you haven't already
June 22, 2015 8:05 p.m.
I play Abzan too, and I have like, a really good matchup against mardu, midrange and tokens at least. I think we just play better overall cards than they do, so if you can thoughtsieze their Crackling Doom or Butcher of the Horde, which are really their best cards, you're in really good shape. Abzan also has the best stuff against tokens with Drown in Sorrow, Bile Blight.
June 22, 2015 8:27 p.m.
noobplayer17 says... #7
thinking more about it, the decks I have been playing against line up reasonably close to Mardu Dragons list. i am going to edit the name of the thread. If this helps narrow down suggestions and you have any others please let me know. What decks does Mardu Dragons have trouble with. I feel if I become more familiar with their strategy I can find cards that will work
June 22, 2015 8:43 p.m.
UpperDeckerTaco says... #8
Your sideboard must be set up incorrect. Because Abzan should have an advantage over Mardu due to the sheer power of each individual threat being able to win the game for you and staving off spot removal and wipes. Yes crackling d is a pain in the arse, but like people have said before, Thoughtseize or Duress works wonders, as well as if you have multiples of say... Rakshasa Deathdealer on board. Therefore, you still end up having a hard to deal with threat.
June 22, 2015 9:27 p.m.
I agree with everyone else that you probably need sideboard help. Thoughtseize is best, but maybe even Duress if you're main threat is Crackling Doom. If dragons are a big part of your meta, you should also look at playing Plummet in your sideboard.
GeeksterPlays says... #2
Mardu what? Control? Aggro / Dash-based? Tokens/ETB effects? Are there certain things that you keep losing to (Stormbreath, Butcher, Zurgo?...)
Some more info would help with advice giving :)
June 22, 2015 6:49 p.m.