I can't recall how I followed a link to this SCG article (because I rarely go to their site), but I did and found an interesting deck. I am not an aggro guy, for the most part, but I saw the list and realized I had most of it online and what I didn't would not amount to very many tix, so I started putting it together. I immediately started tweaking it (as you do) and making some of my own changes. The primary change was adding Aether Vial because one thing that Vial absolutely loves is a ton of creatures at the same cmc that is low enough to get to quickly. Clearly Laughman's deck was pretty packed at the 2 cmc slot so it was a no-brainier for me because two counters is child's play to hit.
The second big change came after some test play- I just did not like Boros Elite. I have plenty of creature play fuel so I added another two drop instead with Akroan Hoplite. It almost always hits harder than elite, and it is a hell of a play.
I initially had the Dark Confidant at three, but to tell the truth this deck plays so fast that a lot of games I just didn't care to cast it other than to pump Champion of the Parish. Laughman makes a big deal about Soldier of the Pantheon, but I find myself siding it out more than any other card, so I am considering taking it out. I added the Guildmage to break stalemates with other weenie decks. This is still mostly his design though. My mana base is a little fatter and a little less painful, and so far it is pretty reliable.
Tonight I have been tearing it up on MTGO in the tourney practice room on MTGO taking down multiple control decks and other aggro decks. I have not had very many test games against solid aggro or midrange decks with goyf, but the vial, caverns, and SB Mark of Asylum has been putting it to control pretty well.
This deck has some crazy plays- I have pulled off twice tapping vial for Hoplite, casting BTE into Lightning Mauler soulbonding to Hoplite, and swinging with a Champion who just got 3 more counters, hoplite, mauler, and Mayor (who is pumping everyone else).
There are some subtle lines here too, it is all about layering your plays and knowing when to go all in. It can be a surprisingly challenging deck to play.
The second big change came after some test play- I just did not like Boros Elite. I have plenty of creature play fuel so I added another two drop instead with Akroan Hoplite. It almost always hits harder than elite, and it is a hell of a play.
4 Champion of the Parish
2 Soldier of the Pantheon
2 Grim Lavamancer
2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
2 Dark Confidant
3 Lightning Mauler
4 Mayor of Avabruck
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Rip-Clan Clasher
2 Skarrg Guildmage
2 Akroan Hoplite
Other Spells 11
2 Aether Vial
3 Zealous Persecution
2 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Bolt
4 City of Brass
4 Cavern of Souls
1 Reflecting Pool
1 Plains
1 Swamp
1 Mountain
1 Forest
2 Copperline Gorge
2 Blackcleave Cliffs
2 Razorverge Thicket
3 Ethersworn Canonist
2 Kataki, War's Wage
2 Rest in Peace
3 Mark of Asylum
2 Spellskite
1 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Zealous Persecution
I initially had the Dark Confidant at three, but to tell the truth this deck plays so fast that a lot of games I just didn't care to cast it other than to pump Champion of the Parish. Laughman makes a big deal about Soldier of the Pantheon, but I find myself siding it out more than any other card, so I am considering taking it out. I added the Guildmage to break stalemates with other weenie decks. This is still mostly his design though. My mana base is a little fatter and a little less painful, and so far it is pretty reliable.
Tonight I have been tearing it up on MTGO in the tourney practice room on MTGO taking down multiple control decks and other aggro decks. I have not had very many test games against solid aggro or midrange decks with goyf, but the vial, caverns, and SB Mark of Asylum has been putting it to control pretty well.
This deck has some crazy plays- I have pulled off twice tapping vial for Hoplite, casting BTE into Lightning Mauler soulbonding to Hoplite, and swinging with a Champion who just got 3 more counters, hoplite, mauler, and Mayor (who is pumping everyone else).
There are some subtle lines here too, it is all about layering your plays and knowing when to go all in. It can be a surprisingly challenging deck to play.
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