Is Izzet strong in standard?
Standard forum
Posted on March 16, 2014, 11:17 p.m. by showda
Alright, so i've been a big fan of Izzet ever since getting the Duel Deck that had them, is Izzet strong, or at least strong enough where i could win FNM if i play decently. I haven't heard much about it so i'm not sure.
Grimgrinner says... #3
Izzet was probably the best deck you could build for under $100 during the dragon's maze standard, due to some strong spells like Faithless Looting , Unsummon , Think Twice , Artful Dodge , and the best common printed in years, Delver of Secrets Flip . Izzet lost all of that when Innistrad block rotated.
March 16, 2014 11:25 p.m.
CommanderOfBolas says... #4
Izzet was the guild I started with, and I really wish it were strong in standard. the problem is that R/U is the strongest color set in modern (arguably, anyway), so anything in standard that is good for izzet will probably just make izzet that much better in modern. an izzet deck could definitely win at FNM if you can play it well. Stormbreath Dragon would be your best wincon, though. he is really good in the control matchups, and backed up with counter magic, he is really good
March 16, 2014 11:29 p.m.
Yea i may wind up going America, which kinda sucks as i wanted to keep it down to a 2 color to make my mana base cheaper. Any suggestions to keep a 3 color base cheap?
March 16, 2014 11:39 p.m.
ChrisHansonBiomancin says... #6
One thing that really holds Izzet back right now is lack of its Scry land. That said, I think any color combo can be competitive at FNM if built well, even if the list isn't going to win a GP. For Izzet, you could go with an instant/sorcery-heavy deck with creatures like Young Pyromancer , Guttersnipe , and Spellheart Chimera and a bunch of burns and counterspells. I also have a Dragons brew I hope to take to FNM once the Scry land comes out- CHB's Dragon Devotion- which is heavy on Red but splashes Blue for Hypersonic Dragon , Turn / Burn , Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius and Divination as well as sideboard goodies.
All of the 3 color combos with Izzet are viable as well. RUG can be like GR Monsters but use Cyclonic Rift , Prophet of Kruphix , and Prime Speaker Zegana . American Control can be pretty mean with Anger of the Gods as a second wipe and Counterflux against other control, plus Assemble the Legion for another win con. Finally, Grixis can be a really cruel control deck with tons of removal, counterspells, and hand hate like Thoughtseize and Rakdos's Return .
March 16, 2014 11:40 p.m.
brokendwarf says... #7
The problem with it is that you can pretty much just add 1 additional color to the deck (Grixis, America, or RUG) and have it be much better.
I enjoy playing Izzet because it's not played that much. Stormbreath Dragon is one of the best cards (well, AEtherling too). Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius should be played more; it's pretty sweet. Here's my current standard deck for it:
Izzet Tempo Playtest
Standard
SCORE: 6 | 1 COMMENTS | 808 VIEWSMarch 16, 2014 11:44 p.m.
mathimus55 says... #8
Along the Guttersnipe /Young Pyromancer idea, adding Nivix Cyclops and all the cheap 1-2 mana instants isn't a bad deck. A buddy has a deck around Aqueous Form on cyclops and instants. It's annoying a the very least
March 16, 2014 11:52 p.m.
unholycookies says... #9
I miss my Nivix Cyclops R/U combo deck.......Hit you for 21 this turn. You lose? Ok. No double strike to hit them hard? Hit you for unblockable this turn. Next turn flashback that lovely Artful Dodge for the kill. Always remember to keep a Dispel in hand just in case.
March 17, 2014 12:58 a.m.
Grimgrinner says... #10
@unholycookies I think you would like my Modern deck then. $80 deck including steam vents and innistrad checklands.
Insane Spellslinger (Turn 3 win) Playtest
Modern*
SCORE: 5 | 15 COMMENTS | 780 VIEWSMarch 17, 2014 1:18 a.m.
unholycookies says... #11
I tried......but not good enough. To play it in modern would require to be semi control to slow the opponent down. Which isn't always easy
March 17, 2014 1:44 a.m.
A lot of you guys are missing the fact that this is in Standard. Not Modern.
SpaderAce says... #2
The reason you haven't heard much about it, is because it really isn't that strong right now. For control, your best bet would be to use American Control, since you say you like izzet, and then you can still use Sphinx's Revelation , Supreme Verdict , and Detention Sphere . Otherwise, maybe do RUG, Sure, I'll Put My Genius on Hold for Awhile
March 16, 2014 11:20 p.m.