Probably this was asked a ton of time before, but im going for it anyway.
Can Strangleroot Geist be a cheap alternative to Tarmo (i'm going to buy this bad guy sooner or later but i cant afford him right now)?
I know he's not going to be the lategame powerhouse goyf can be, but he can eat a bolt (and if he eat a second one i'm more than happy), has haste and can hit quite hard. The only real problem i see in him is GG in his casting cost.
Otherwise what can i use?
At the moment i'm running the "Thalia Zoo" list in the opening of this primer (i've got to start somewhere, right?). Considering that some mana dork it's not optimal imo (if i want to go bigger i should probably play bant, i think)..
I'm not using goyf either, and it's working out good I think.
Here's my decklist:
As Lantern said, not having the goyf means the late game is weaker so you really want to win as fast as possible. Having a good amount of fecthlands is of utmost importance, since without them the Lynx and Kotr are not of much use. With this decklist turn 1 Lynx, turn 2 fetch + GG happens pretty often, which is great, since most decks are not really ready for that, specially if you follow that with a devil.
I haven't tested Rancor enough, but I think it'll work pretty well in the deck.
I wouldn't consider Strangleroot Geist a great fit for this deck, since although I'm not having color mana problems right now, it gets close at times, but that depends on how you set up you mana base really. He's a pretty solid dude, so it might be worth it to try to squeeze him in.
I'd like to get one or two Ajani 3.0 in there, but don't really know what to take out, what would you recommend guys?
As Lantern said, not having the goyf means the late game is weaker so you really want to win as fast as possible. Having a good amount of fecthlands is of utmost importance, since without them the Lynx and Kotr are not of much use. With this decklist turn 1 Lynx, turn 2 fetch + GG happens pretty often, which is great, since most decks are not really ready for that, specially if you follow that with a devil.
I haven't tested Rancor enough, but I think it'll work pretty well in the deck.
I wouldn't consider Strangleroot Geist a great fit for this deck, since although I'm not having color mana problems right now, it gets close at times, but that depends on how you set up you mana base really. He's a pretty solid dude, so it might be worth it to try to squeeze him in.
I'd like to get one or two Ajani 3.0 in there, but don't really know what to take out, what would you recommend guys?
Honestly, I wouldnt put him in. My testing shows big zoo preforms better as big zoo, with ajani, and little zoo preforms better as little. Rancor fits in little zoo, ajani in big. If you want late game presence, use a single elspeth either in the side or the md.
Testings shown:
Rancor:
Perfect for small zoo
loves to be attached to creatures turn 2/3
wants to be played fast, aggressive, and hard.
The more, the merrier.
Ajani 3.0:
Loves big zoo.
wants 3-4 bloodbraid elfs.
wants big knights.
best as a 1-2 of.
Wants a kitchen finks somewhere in your 75 (main deck or side.)
What Alternative r there to Kitchen Finks? i been using Rhox war monk since i play Blue Zoo, was wondering if there was anything else that does this roll for the same cmc
What Alternative r there to Kitchen Finks? i been using Rhox war monk since i play Blue Zoo, was wondering if there was anything else that does this roll for the same cmc
There really isnt much. The life gain is insanely good, but the real good ness of it is the 3/2 body with the second 2/1 body. It opens up attacking when you can, blocking and killing big things, even smallter things too. It just is the bomb against any aggro deck.
That being said, your best alternative other that Rhox is probably Lone Missionary Or a different kinda hate bear like Auriok Champion or kor firewalker
Look like a Boros Zoo very much
I probably need some opinion about the manabase and the 1-drops.
I'd like to try Rancor and Vexing Devil (especially this) somewhere but i don't exactly know where.
I need some help for the side also: Teeg, Kataki, Blood Moon (is really so crucial?) and then?
Landfall Zoo is sort of the go to name for boros zoo. Its better to rock it alot like land fall boros, but with goyf for some bombage and knights to keep the landfall late game.
That being said Id go down 1 or 2 grims, and cut a set of kird or loams. That way you can bring steppe lynx up, as well as guides, who really shine in this type of deck. You can do what ever you like, but valid options are at least 2 vexing devils to fetch with ranger, and plated genopede.
As for side, it really depends on your meta. If you were just preparing for everthing, id rock 3-4 slots of artifact hate, 1-3 slots of grave hate 2-4 slots of land hate, 2-4 slots of combo hate. and fill out the rest.
So, lots of efficient 1-drops, can power them up with rancor. Thalia does some work against combo. Path for bigger threats. Thoughts?
This is a basic zoo list with no frills, something I totally approve of. Ive been testing lists alot like that, but saw with its explosive starts, the gas runs out fast. Like RDW, but with less explosion, so its a ton harder to grind them out.
I've tried to add bloodbraid, knights, or rangers, extend the gas... but it always turns to big zoo (I do have a bias for midrange, so that could be to blame.)
Something that has been consently been proved to me however (take a look at the recent 5 showings of 4-0 thalia zoo, that small zoo is lacking in a world of midrange (restoration control/jund/pod) and needs a ton of hate cards to get by. Id suggest 2 gaddocks main decked. Im even thinking about testing that in my big zoo list Im currently running (which is currently in top 8 for lantern IQs, woot! As soon as I loose, Ill be adding a deck tech for it)
But look at this small zoo's side board. Its a gross amount of hate:
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Mindbreak Trap
2 Molten Rain
2 Oblivion Ring
2 Ratchet Bomb
2 Stony Silence
3 Thrun, the Last Troll
So, lots of efficient 1-drops, can power them up with rancor. Thalia does some work against combo. Path for bigger threats. Thoughts?
If you're running enough fetchlands to make the lynx useful, you may want to have a KotR or two in there for some middle/late game presence. On the other hand, the lavamancers may get in the way of a big knight.
I would also take a Lion out and put a Isamaru in there, since it requires one less card on the board to work, and only one can't hurt.
I really like to have Goblin Guide's in this deck, you could replace some apes or lions and get a few in there for that extra speed.
Triumph is an experiment against more controlling decks. It is most probably too slow for the format. Ray is for enchantments like seismic assault and bitter blossom and may be overkill, given I have three pridemages.
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Triumph is an experiment against more controlling decks. It is most probably too slow for the format. Ray is for enchantments like seismic assault and bitter blossom and may be overkill, given I have three pridemages.
Well, that opens a slot up. Do you think equipment is too ambitious to run equipment on only 20 land? The steppe lynx also seems a little loose.
With so many one drops, no. I see it more as, gas if the game goes long. Legacy zoo does this too, just they use stoneforge as well (stoneforge as a 3 of, swords as a two of)
In my op, there are always games I hate lynx, but there is way more games where she hits in for 8+ and I praise the crap out of her.
Anyone notice Grim lavamacer becoming better and better lately?
Do you think Isamaru is just more reliable? The only problem is its another legend, which will really hurt my draws. For now, I think that I will run the steppe lynx.
Grim Lavamancer is really, really good in modern.
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and been testing lavamancers, theyve gotten alot better. AND PILLAR OF FLAMES! jesus. There has been so much kitchen finks lately. I love smacking it with that.
There are a LOT of x/1s and x/2s in the format that need killing. Its also card advantage in a colour (and archetype) that doesn't normally get it. That the format is chock-full of fetch lands and other ways to fill your graveyard is nice as well.
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I'm not using goyf either, and it's working out good I think.
Here's my decklist:
2 Forest
1 Horizon Canopy
3 Marsh flats
3 Mountain
3 Plains
1 Sacred foundry
1 Slayers' Stronghold
1 Temple garden
4 Terramorphic expanse
4 Goblin Guide
1 Isamaru, hound of Konda
4 Knight of the reliquary
3 Loam Lion
2 Qasali pridemage
3 Steppe Lynx
2 Thalia, guardian of Thraben
3 Vexing devil
4 Lightning Helix
4 Path to exile
2 Rancor
As Lantern said, not having the goyf means the late game is weaker so you really want to win as fast as possible. Having a good amount of fecthlands is of utmost importance, since without them the Lynx and Kotr are not of much use. With this decklist turn 1 Lynx, turn 2 fetch + GG happens pretty often, which is great, since most decks are not really ready for that, specially if you follow that with a devil.
I haven't tested Rancor enough, but I think it'll work pretty well in the deck.
I wouldn't consider Strangleroot Geist a great fit for this deck, since although I'm not having color mana problems right now, it gets close at times, but that depends on how you set up you mana base really. He's a pretty solid dude, so it might be worth it to try to squeeze him in.
I'd like to get one or two Ajani 3.0 in there, but don't really know what to take out, what would you recommend guys?
Honestly, I wouldnt put him in. My testing shows big zoo preforms better as big zoo, with ajani, and little zoo preforms better as little. Rancor fits in little zoo, ajani in big. If you want late game presence, use a single elspeth either in the side or the md.
Testings shown:
Rancor:
Perfect for small zoo
loves to be attached to creatures turn 2/3
wants to be played fast, aggressive, and hard.
The more, the merrier.
Ajani 3.0:
Loves big zoo.
wants 3-4 bloodbraid elfs.
wants big knights.
best as a 1-2 of.
Wants a kitchen finks somewhere in your 75 (main deck or side.)
There really isnt much. The life gain is insanely good, but the real good ness of it is the 3/2 body with the second 2/1 body. It opens up attacking when you can, blocking and killing big things, even smallter things too. It just is the bomb against any aggro deck.
That being said, your best alternative other that Rhox is probably Lone Missionary Or a different kinda hate bear like Auriok Champion or kor firewalker
Which on a side note im filled the last 2 spots in my MD with pillars, there r fantastic
Been hearing they are pretty good, especially for finks.
Landfall Zoo is sort of the go to name for boros zoo. Its better to rock it alot like land fall boros, but with goyf for some bombage and knights to keep the landfall late game.
That being said Id go down 1 or 2 grims, and cut a set of kird or loams. That way you can bring steppe lynx up, as well as guides, who really shine in this type of deck. You can do what ever you like, but valid options are at least 2 vexing devils to fetch with ranger, and plated genopede.
As for side, it really depends on your meta. If you were just preparing for everthing, id rock 3-4 slots of artifact hate, 1-3 slots of grave hate 2-4 slots of land hate, 2-4 slots of combo hate. and fill out the rest.
Personally Id go with this if you have the cards:
2 Relic of progenitis
2 Ancient grudge
1 Qasali Pridemage
3 Blood Moon
3 Ethersworn Canonist
2 Gaddock teeg
1 thalia
4 Steppe Lynx
4 Loam Lion
3 Grim Lavamancer
4 Tarmogoyf
1 Quasali Pridemage
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
4 Path to Exile
4 Rancor
So, lots of efficient 1-drops, can power them up with rancor. Thalia does some work against combo. Path for bigger threats. Thoughts?
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This is a basic zoo list with no frills, something I totally approve of. Ive been testing lists alot like that, but saw with its explosive starts, the gas runs out fast. Like RDW, but with less explosion, so its a ton harder to grind them out.
I've tried to add bloodbraid, knights, or rangers, extend the gas... but it always turns to big zoo (I do have a bias for midrange, so that could be to blame.)
Something that has been consently been proved to me however (take a look at the recent 5 showings of 4-0 thalia zoo, that small zoo is lacking in a world of midrange (restoration control/jund/pod) and needs a ton of hate cards to get by. Id suggest 2 gaddocks main decked. Im even thinking about testing that in my big zoo list Im currently running (which is currently in top 8 for lantern IQs, woot! As soon as I loose, Ill be adding a deck tech for it)
But look at this small zoo's side board. Its a gross amount of hate:
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Mindbreak Trap
2 Molten Rain
2 Oblivion Ring
2 Ratchet Bomb
2 Stony Silence
3 Thrun, the Last Troll
Decklist
Main Deck
60 cards
4 Arid Mesa
4 Marsh Flats
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Mountain
1 Plains
2 Sacred Foundry
4 Scalding Tarn
2 Stomping Ground
1 Temple Garden
20 lands
2 Gaddock Teeg
4 Grim Lavamancer
1 Isamaru, Hound of Konda
4 Kird Ape
4 Loam Lion
3 Mogg Fanatic
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
25 creatures
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
4 Path to Exile
3 Pillar of Flame
15 other spells
Sideboard
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Ethersworn Canonist
1 Gaddock Teeg
1 Mindbreak Trap
2 Molten Rain
2 Oblivion Ring
2 Ratchet Bomb
2 Stony Silence
3 Thrun, the Last Troll
15 sideboard cards
If you're running enough fetchlands to make the lynx useful, you may want to have a KotR or two in there for some middle/late game presence. On the other hand, the lavamancers may get in the way of a big knight.
I would also take a Lion out and put a Isamaru in there, since it requires one less card on the board to work, and only one can't hurt.
I really like to have Goblin Guide's in this deck, you could replace some apes or lions and get a few in there for that extra speed.
Just my 2 cents.
4 Kird Ape
4 Steppe Lynx
3 Grim Lavamancer
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Qasali Pridemage
2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
3 Path to Exile
4 Rancor
4 Arid Mesa
4 Marsh Flats
4 Misty Rainforest
1 Mountain
1 Forest
1 Plains
1 Sacred Foundry
2 Stomping Ground
2 Temple Garden
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
3 Gaddock Teeg
1 Thalia, Guadian of Thraben
1 Elspeth, Knight Errant
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Path to Exile
2 Ancient Grudge
1 Ray of Revelation
1 Ranger of Eos
1 Sword of X and Y
2 Triumph of Ferocity
Better? The Sword of X and Y would be a metagame call.
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And bitterbloosm is banned
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With so many one drops, no. I see it more as, gas if the game goes long. Legacy zoo does this too, just they use stoneforge as well (stoneforge as a 3 of, swords as a two of)
In my op, there are always games I hate lynx, but there is way more games where she hits in for 8+ and I praise the crap out of her.
Anyone notice Grim lavamacer becoming better and better lately?
Grim Lavamancer is really, really good in modern.
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and been testing lavamancers, theyve gotten alot better. AND PILLAR OF FLAMES! jesus. There has been so much kitchen finks lately. I love smacking it with that.
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It doesnt hit players. I think Zoo needs that.
Plus sorcery pumps goyf