So lets talk the flavors of Sultai
Standard forum
Posted on Oct. 2, 2014, 3:23 p.m. by NixTheThird
So I'm really digging some of these different BUG builds that I have been seeing, but I am left feeling stretched thin due to the just how different decks are turning out to be right now. I want to see some more opinions about these ideas and which strategy has more historical evidence for working out once the dust has cleared.
Heavy Control
The most populous style of sultai so far (on TO), these decks are personified by near creatureless lists and a full pantheon of instants and sorceries that do not let the opponent stick anything: Thoughtseize Hero's Downfall Bile Blight Negate Murderous Cut nearly always make it in. Some lists even have AEtherspouts as they value clearing the ground so much and also use draw spells like Dig Through Time . The decks generally only run the ol' Cary and Kru combo along with the occasional Prognostic Sphinx for creatures and run multiple copies of multiple planeswalkers as finishers, Kiora being the most frequent. There are a few peculiar lists that also force in a couple Empty the Pits or Villainous Wealth as well.
-I'm not a fan of such heavy handed control, but such strategies have a long history of just working. The sphinx has always been on the radar as a Theros block finisher in control lists, so itll be interesting to see if it sticks as "the new AEtherling " for control lists.
Graveyard
The second biggest group of decks are riding on Sidisi, Brood Tyrant (I imagine using a saddle and bull whip) and graveyard synergy with Delve (a big fat "duh" to anyone paying attention). These lists always include Nyx Weaver Satyr Wayfinder Sylvan Caryatid with Hornet Queen Nighthowler Pharika, God of Affliction and Necropolis Fiend making the occasional appearances as well. The noncreature spells are usually much fewer than the control lists, as the decks want a threshold of creatures to activate Sidisi, but Commune with the Gods seems to be fairly common along with a smaller control package including Murderous Cut Hero's Downfall among others. There is a smaller subset of this group which are trying to make reanimation a thing with heavy emphasis on Whip of Erebos and even [[soul of innistrad].
-Im personally not so sure about the reanimation angle, as the current cards for it are generally much slower than just leaving the creatures in the yard and putting out what falls in your hand already. I do, however, find the synergy of grave filling cards, delve, and sidisi very alluring. It remains to be seen just how consistent it will be, and it may be that people are relying on Sidisi too much and would do well to include other graveyard loving spells or creatures.
Midrange/Rock (kind of)
This is by far the smallest group, but with enough of a following to merit a mention. These decks play sticky, annoying creatures and enough control spells to keep any really big threats off the field. They are made by the people wanting to run Rakshasa Deathdealer Sagu Mauler and even the polarizing Reaper of the Wilds (seriously, people either love or loath this card). They are also running the Cary and Kru combo and have the more toolboxy spell choices along the lines of Hero's Downfall Dissolve Sultai Charm Dig Through Time Thoughtseize and the occasional Despise . They will also have probably one or two planeswalkers, most commonly Garruk, Apex Predator as a one of.
-The flexibility of this kind of list gives people a lot of comfort. With the correct lines of play, they have the capacity handle anything thrown at them. And if the deck fails in game one, the sideboard should be designed to easily swing it into major hate against whatever strategy you're up against. However, as the meta shifts, it may come down to doing one thing and doing it well. Decks that start off like this could easily fall into a more controlling route as more and more of the other decks are fleshed out and focused to a deadly point.
There are, of course, other odd brews that want to play all kinds of different things, but after looking through so many different lists these trends kept popping out at me. Again, what do people think of these Sultai strategies? While its easy enough to just wait and see what the pros do next, its also an interesting exercise to watch the mob churn out ideas.
I, like Nigeltastic have gone a fairly controlling approach with sultai.
We both have the same wincon Villainous Wealth but the thing that I like most about sultai you pretty much illustrated. Versatility. Nigeltastic actually gave me a lot of feedback on it while allowing me to keep it the way I wanted it. That last bracket you mentioned also has some appeal for me too though.
October 2, 2014 5:19 p.m.
Well the sultai deck I've been running is sort of well... All three. I haven't put the list up on TO yet but it's got a little control. It also uses Kheru Bloodsucker and other sac engines which falls under the graveyard style and it also sideboarded Sagu Mauler . It's functioned pretty well so far but I haven't played against another sultai deck yet.
October 2, 2014 6:03 p.m.
UpsetYoMama says... #5
I'm all about delve! I've been testing my deck like crazy: Dredge and Decay.
It is actually very consistent. I've come out on top most times against Rabble Red, Mardu Aggro, Jeskai Tempo, and others. I've lost some, of course, but on the whole I really think this deck will be competitive in standard.
My deck list involves a decent number of ramp creatuers. Sylvan Caryatid and Courser of Kruphix generally helps me stop aggro decks cold while I build up my graveyard shenanigans.
Empty the pit!!! is my finisher, and it's been working very well. Dig Through Time to get one to my hand or exile Nyx Weaver to get it from my yard.
Jace, the Living Guildpact is a card that you didn't mention at all.
My biggest fear is Tormod's Crypt . Players really haven't caught on and I haven't seen it in SB yet. Anafenza, the Foremost has been annoying, but at least I can just kill her and move on.
October 2, 2014 7:51 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #6
Look for Sidisi, Brood Tyrant to show up at the Pro Tour. She's value town.
October 2, 2014 10:14 p.m.
NixTheThird says... #7
While I like Jace, the Living Guildpact for most delve decks, I left it out of the post because I hadn't seen it pop up too often. I'm kind of happy to see that Empty the Pits could turn out to be a good one of, just because it's fun to see it cast. I've been tooling with both a couple graveyard decks, with I Can't Quit you Sidisi being the latest: a sidisi, delve away lands and spells and keep nighthowler pumped up blend. Also messing with just a general goodbugstuff.dec, Sultai Tombstone (Rock) for that midrangey type play.
And yeah, Sidisi does feel like it could be a staple, but it also has so many good counters that I worry about building a deck so thoroughly stuck on that strat. I wonder if there isn't more ways to squeeze out value from tossing stuff besides the good delve cards as well.
October 2, 2014 11:52 p.m.
UpsetYoMama says... #8
I've started running some Negate mainboard for the inevitable Anger of the Gods , End Hostilities , and the like. Getting rid of one of those with a Thoughtseize early really helps, too.
What I like so much about Sidisi is that if he's not dealt with immediately, you usually average around at least one zombie a turn. That's excellent value if you're getting it for free.
October 3, 2014 5:19 a.m.
PreZchoICE1 says... #9
Im sort of surprised that Rakshasa Vizier isnt showing up in some of these sideboards/maindecks. Its beast for your own delve.
October 3, 2014 4:12 p.m.
NixTheThird says... #10
People are not loving on Vizier because it takes so much work on a card that is so easily answered. It comes out late against an aggro deck, is chump blocked by the token decks, all the resources/momentum is lost when bounced by the Jeskai tempo decks, and it has no insurance against removal like Sidisi (zombies stick around) or weaver (go ahead and sac it for value).
That isn't to say it has zero place in some fun graveyard decks, but many people are down on it for those kinds of reasons.
October 3, 2014 4:24 p.m.
Villainous Wealth is the main finisher in my control heavy sultai list that I'm playing atm. the only time it really flops is against control heavy opponents where you can easily sideboard for a reliable ground and pound finisher like Mistcutter Hydra .
I actually really enjoy seeing just how much versatility these decks contain and how frustrating they are to play against because of the same.
Nigeltastic says... #2
I'm a fan of the first category, but taken even more extreme. I like playing creatureless and 'walkerless, in exchange for more ability to 1 for 1. It blanks the main deck removal that most lists are running main board and can grind essentially forever if done right.
October 2, 2014 4:42 p.m.