What deck to make?
Standard forum
Posted on Sept. 28, 2015, 1:11 p.m. by The_Raven
So.... After being away from MTG for a little while, I decided to come back again. Now, since Theros has rotated out, I need a new deck (can no longer play Heroic...). Though, I'm pretty lost in what deck to make.
I generally like the color red (I play a Modern burn deck). However, I will also be open for any other colored deck. I need a cheap deck, that's still able to stand a chance against some tier 1-2 decks. I don't want a control deck.
I would like to limit the deck to max to colors, or else the mana base will be too expensive.
So, what to make? Any interesting card to build around (I haven't kept up with BFZ spoilers...)?
I've been fixated on 
with new toys like Undergrowth Champion and Woodland Wanderer, but the Wanderer demands 3 or 4 colors, so it's been AbzanRed for my brewing pleasure this season. Drana, Liberator of Malakir is also pretty sweet. I'm just excited to jam those new cards in with the likes of Siege Rhino and Kolaghan's Command and Abzan Charm and Hangarback Walker. In lieu of a huge self-plug, here's the list if you're interested in taking a gander. No, it's not budget, but since I'm not sure what cardpool you're working with and you could easily adjust the list to be more budget... I'll leave it here.
Edit: The Elves recommend is probably what I'd go with unless you really want to brew up a unique list.
September 28, 2015 1:44 p.m. Edited.
Mandalorian says... #4
Unfortunately friend the time of good RDW in Standard is over, its just losing too many tools like Lightning Strike, Searing Blood, and Stoke the Flames.
I agree with ThatJunkMage that elves can be a pretty cheap effective build that also may fit your style with its aggression. You lose Elvish Mystic but still have a one drop in Gnarlroot Trapper and some descent cards like Shaman of the Pack.
There are a lot of +1/+1 counter decks going around that look to be pretty good and can be fairly cheap if you want it to. You can have a simple two color 
base using Managorger Hydra, Hardened Scales, Retreat to Kazandu, Dromoka's Command, Feat of Resistance, and could use expensive cards such as Hangarback Walkers depending on how much you want to spend. If you want to add a third color you can add 
for Anafenza, the Foremost and Drana, Liberator of Malakir.
Allies look like they will be cheap and fun but its hard to say how effective they will be since we havnt seen them in action yet. Could be something like Expedition Envoy into Kor Bladewhirl into Lantern Scout or Firemantle Mage. Either 
or , or Mardu
September 28, 2015 2:13 p.m.
Hm.... Elves. That could be quite interesting. This basically forces me into B/G? That actually wouldn't be a problem since we got Llanowar Wastes.
Would it be possible to make a Boros aggro deck? I really like the Boros colors! However, I don't see anything great aggro from red and white from BFZ...
September 28, 2015 3:35 p.m.
Mandalorian says... #6
Ya, a mana base wont be too difficult to do, you have Llanowar Wastes and Jungle Hollow however clunky it may be.
There really isn't anything Boros from BFZ except maybe the Allies I mentioned above.
You could do Boros tokens? You have some of the similar issues that RDW is going to have after rotation losing Goblin Rabblemaster, Stoke the Flames, even Purphoros, God of the Forge. I suppose you could still make a case for whats been left behind though. You have Monastery Mentor, Dragon Fodder, Hordeling Outburst, Secure the Wastes, Hangarback Walker, Impact Tremors, and Valor in Akros The new Zada, Hedron Grinder would go good in a token strategy pairing it with Valorous Stance or Titan's Strength.
September 28, 2015 3:53 p.m.
Dalektable says... #7
Mono White Weenies / Aggri is viable and cheap. Standard currently has a whopping 4 two power, one mana creatures in white which is a great start. I think the deck definitely shows promise for those on a budget. WB Warriors also seems good.
September 28, 2015 3:53 p.m.
Mandalorian says... #8
R/W Heroic was the best Boros deck this past rotation but is also leaving us
September 28, 2015 3:55 p.m.
Mandalorian says... #9
White Weenies does seem good too, but you will have to drop your beloved . Personally I like the way the Allies look now that Soldier of the Pantheon, Brimaz, King of Oreskos, and Heliod, God of the Sun are done.
1 Drop Expedition Envoy
2 Drop Consul's Lieutenant, Knight of the White Orchid, Hidden Dragonslayer, Seeker of the Way, Kor Bladewhirl
3 Drop Lantern Scout Makindi Patrol
4 Drop Archangel of Tithes
5 Drop Hero of Goma Fada
Maybe Mastery of the Unseen as well.
September 28, 2015 4:11 p.m.
Wow! That list actually looks quite interesting! I'll definitely look into that!
September 28, 2015 4:24 p.m.
Could this be a thing? You know.... I like red.... And I like Chandra....
Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh Flip
I know, there's not much from BFZ.....
Well, the problem with the cards you have listed is, that there is almost no good 1 drops. I don't feel it would be much of an aggro deck then...
September 28, 2015 4:29 p.m. Edited.
Mandalorian says... #12
Haha I love that you are persistant on red. Its like the mill players that play mill no matter how bad it is at the time. Kudos to you for that. I suppose if you REALLY REALLY want red and aggression you could do
1 Drop Zurgo Bellstriker, Monastery Swiftspear, Lightning Berserker
2 Drop Zurgo Bellstriker dash, Abbot of Keral Keep
3 Drop Goblin Heelcutter dash, Scab-Clan Berserker, Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh Flip
4 Drop I personally like the RDW versions with Thunderbreak Regent
Spells
Your going to have to sub some of the burn for combat tricks with a lot of burn gone now.
Draconic Roar bonus if you run Thunderbreak Regent
September 28, 2015 4:52 p.m.
Okay, I'll gonna do some playtesting! I'll make a red and a white deck, and then test it out! I'll be back with some results!
September 28, 2015 4:58 p.m.
I just found out I got some Wooded foothills, Monastery Swiftspear, Shaken of the Great Hunt and Ashcroft Phoenix. I really need to make a RG deck I think! (I also need some Atarka's Command for modern). What kind of RG deck could work? Aggro or mid-range?
October 2, 2015 4:15 p.m.
Gorgosaurusrex says... #16
I'm going to be playing 5 color midrange (Five Color Goodstuff). The mana is too good to pass up a super greedy deck like this!
If you want to limit yourself to two colors then I would play R/G Landfall. It's centered around Scythe Leopard, Makindi Sliderunner, Snapping Gnarlid, Atarka's Command, and Swell of Growth. The land shouldn't be too expensive outside of Wooded Foothills, Bloodstained Mire, and Windswept Heath. You want as many fetches as possible to take advantage of Landfall triggers. Evolving Wilds could replace Windswept Heath but you definitely want 4 each of the red fetches.
October 2, 2015 5:41 p.m.
TheNextRedDude says... #17
Temur wouldn't be too expensive. I can whip you up a shell of whatever Temur deck you want if you choose to play the best clan.
October 3, 2015 9:24 a.m.
Okay, since I had a lot of requirements, I came up with this weird pile of cards.....
It's still kinda rough around the edges (also only 56 cards), however, I like the idea (and the fact that I have some of the cards already). Is this just complete shit? Should I just stick to something a little more played?
October 3, 2015 3:25 p.m.
TheNextRedDude says... #19
Its cool, and this may be 100000.2% personal bias but Temur is the best deck and everything else is terrible. ('_')
October 3, 2015 3:31 p.m.
I really do like Temur. It's my favorite tri-color combination! However, I don't feel Temur is so strong right now. Do you have a good Temur decklist?
October 3, 2015 3:37 p.m.
TheNextRedDude says... #21
It's not budget, but I can whip up a budget version for you in like 15 minutes.
October 3, 2015 3:40 p.m.
If you can make a cheap version, I'll have a look! However, I don't feel like Eldrazies are my style.
October 3, 2015 3:47 p.m.
Fleetwood-Mat says... #24
Let me give you some advice: buy one of the new BFZ event decks that just came out. It's B/G and has a lot of good (and very usable pieces). I don't know if you were around for Innistrad standard, but Blood Artist completely ran that meta. Well, the closest thing to an actual Blood Artist which is standard right now is Zulaport Cutthroat, and is entirely the type of card you can build this deck around. The prebuilt event deck comes with a playset of him already, as well as two other important pieces to the deck in Blisterpod and Carrier Thrall. It can be good as a budget deck, but it also benefits from putting a bit of cash into it (if you have some to spare). Some suggestions for (money) cards you might consider: Drana, Liberator of Malakir, Liliana, Heretical Healer Flip, Hangarback Walker, Ob Nixilis Reignited or Den Protector.
As far as other cheap cards to build with, take a look at what's in the prebuild, as I think it already has Catacomb Sifter which works well with this kind of deck, and if it doesn't have it already, look for Retreat to Hagra and Bloodsoaked Champion. You could also build this into Abzan (BWG) and add some additional greatness with cards like Siege Rhino, Felidar Sovereign, Sorin, Solemn Visitor and Abzan Charm You could also take more advantage of some of the converge spells in the new set by running with 3 colours.
October 5, 2015 3:36 p.m.
JaceArveduin says... #25
Build a base B/W allies deck that runs 4 Zulaport Cutthroat and 4 Kalastria Healer, then reap the sweet and tasty rewards of draining your opponent to death. Drana's Emissary also does some work. Toss in Retreat to Hagra and some fetches and that's more than a small amount of drain.
Servo_Token says... #2
Until we figure out what the meta game could consist of, I'd say go with Elves. It's cheap resilient, and good against slow decks.
September 28, 2015 1:32 p.m.