Is Mono-Green Gruul Stong enough?
Standard forum
Posted on Feb. 27, 2013, 10:06 p.m. by Mythril_Sage
I'm wondering if the combat tricks of Gruul would help a mono-green deck in Standard be competitive enough.
What do you think and what other things should I consider if I want to build it?
Mythril_Sage says... #3
Oh, and how might Evolve interact with mono-green?
February 27, 2013 10:12 p.m.
Timekeeper says... #4
I was actually considering running a mono-green simic/gruul deck based around Crowned Ceratok, evolve creatures, and the occasional Slaughterhorn-type creature. I think it could be fun, and it seems possible, though I don't know how competitive it would be.
February 27, 2013 11:10 p.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #5
I'm actually considering building a deck for this week's FNM with this idea in mind.
What would you recommend? I'm on a budget so Thragtusks and the like are not an option unfortunately.
February 27, 2013 11:14 p.m.
Mono-Green Evolve has 3 'useable' creatures. Experiment One, Crocanura, and Gyre Sage... perhaps with ramp, you could include 2 Adaptive Snapjaw.
If you're using Crowned Ceratok, you may want to skip the Adaptive Snapjaw and go with a couple Ivy Lane Denizen.
Rancor, of course is a must.
Wasteland Viper, and Pit Fight make for decent removal.
I would, however, suggest splashing red just for Kessig Wolf Run... also allowing you to sideboard better removal options.
February 27, 2013 11:27 p.m.
Timekeeper says... #7
Well Gyre Sage, Experiment One, Crowned Ceratok, Slaughterhorn, and Scab-Clan Charger seem pretty solid.
Pit Fight or Prey Upon are decent removal.
I'm still not sold on Ivy Lane Denizen.
With both Arbor Elf and Gyre Sage, I was curious to see if I could resolve a Craterhoof Behemoth, but I think its still too slow for the fast aggro deck this wants to be. I'm thinking that slot is better reserved for something like Champion of Lambholt.
February 27, 2013 11:29 p.m.
Timekeeper says... #8
Okay, I threw together something real quick: GTC Mono-Green Test.
It's not the smoothest thing I've ever seen, but I did like the first playtest:
T1: Forest (Would have loved an Experiment One but, alas, it was not to be)
T2: Forest, Strangleroot Geist. Swing for 2.
T3: Forest, Rancor, Rancor, Rancor. Swing for 8 trample.
T4: Forest, bloodrush Scab-Clan Charger x2. Swing for 12 trample.
February 27, 2013 11:37 p.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #9
Nice for a dry run. =) Let's see if we can make this any scarier.
I think Urban Burgeoning, and Verdant Haven could be amazing for this. I have a friend who swears having infinite green mana wins him games.
Also, what would be a decent sub for Rancor? I don't have any right now.
February 27, 2013 11:53 p.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #10
Oh, also I think splashing blue for cards like Unexpected Results, and Urban Evolution would be useful!
February 27, 2013 11:56 p.m.
I'd suggest:
4x Thragtusk
4x Rancor
4x Ulvenwald Tracker
4x Pit Fight
4x Experiment One
4x Arbor Elf
4x Crowned Ceratok
4x Predator Ooze
2x Primordial Hydra
That's a strong shell to start with and gives you plenty of removal. It's 34 cards total, meaning you could probably toss in 2x Naturalize, then run 24x Forests and other utility lands (Kessig Wolf Run is a great suggestion).
February 28, 2013 12:05 a.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #12
I can use most of those. =D
Unfortunately, I don't have the money cards, nor can I afford them, so no Thragtusk or Primordial Hydra!
February 28, 2013 12:27 a.m.
Primordial Hydra is in a duels of the planeswalkers booster as a promo, so they shouldn't be more than $3 or $5, despite being mythic. If all else fails, I think those boosters are like $4, so you can just order them online or look around locally.
February 28, 2013 2:11 a.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #14
=D Thanks for the info. If I ever have enough cash for it I'll buy one. =P
Really I am kinda poor right now. =\
February 28, 2013 2:19 a.m.
Okay I just looked it up:
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 Promos
So the promo Primordial Hydra just stopped in December (it was in the xbox booster). However, I bet you can probably still find them. They're about $5 per pack and Primordial Hydra is between $4 and $6.
I don't think you'll need Primordial Hydra that bad (Thragtusk is more important). It's just a strong finisher to win the game if things go on for too long.
February 28, 2013 5:31 a.m.
ShadowLand says... #16
I have been building an almost mono green ramping with elves such as Greenside Watcher, Elvish Archdruid and Arbor Elf and utilizing Primordial Hydra and Predator Ooze with (I know you said you don't have enough for those right now) Strangleroot Geist and Somberwald Sage, but I splash black for things like Vraska the Unseen and Corpsejack Menace, I have sideboarded the Somberwald Sage for Slaughterhorn and found it to be effective as well. I am currently looking for more Rancor to add as I only have 1 right now.
I love the Urban Burgeoning and Verdant Haven combo though, that is genius.
March 2, 2013 9:43 p.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #17
I recently realized that Ivy Lane Denizen would be good match for Fathom Mage because of the potentially strong card draw, especially in a green token deck.
Have you thought of any other unusual synergy's for underrated cards? =P
March 3, 2013 11:55 p.m.
ShadowLand says... #18
Wow, good stuff there Mythril_Sage, I like that combo
March 4, 2013 9:30 a.m.
Mythril_Sage says... #19
Another one is using the undercosted Deadbridge Goliath with Predator Ooze.
If your opponent destroys the goliath, the ooze eats its corpse and multiplies in strength! It can even happen on curve if you're lucky. That's not an easy one to avoid, short of bouncing or exiling.
March 4, 2013 12:14 p.m.
thebeardedshuffler says... #20
I would probably make Wild Beastmaster, Biomass Mutation and elf ramp the core of my deck. With various pump spells so your mana dorks can withstand aggro, or so you can make the beastmaster a terrible threat.
Mythril_Sage says... #2
Oops, please excuse my negligent spelling. >_<
February 27, 2013 10:09 p.m.