The exile enchantments are amazing when nobody is playing Dromoka's Command. Even if they were I'm using enough of it that one inevitably gets used on a HBW, token, or other card that I wouldn't mind bringing back.
Although he performed well 4 Bearer of Silence is probably to many 2-3 would be better.
Hey guys. Been stalking this for awhile. I also tried out Oath of Gideon for a few weeks but I found I was too weak against aggro. I elected to remove oath for more removal and it's been working out. I also moved both Planar Outburst to the main to deal with all the thopters in my meta.
I've had a pretty easy time with the traditional Abzan deck. I run a little different list (a couple pages back) with no walkers or Gideon and more burn. An Abzan list that gives me trouble that I'm seeing more of recently runs Wingmate Roc, Warden of the First Tree, Hangarback Walker and Secure the Wastes. It's a wider list with a bigger variety of threats and one for one answers don't work as well so Crux of Fate is back in the SB.
For me the Eldrazi deck isn't tough if I can keep Ugin from landing or have an answer for it.
Aggro is usually a piece of cake but rally decks are tough due to a lack of exile effects.
I beat a couple several Abzan lists, green ramp, B/W Warriors, and B/U Control. Drew to Abzan Aggro, and a unique Abzan list that one a game with Secure the Wastes. Even though I played against Abzan 4 times all lists were very different.
I couldn't find Silkwrap in time (checked two stores and all sold out) and didn't have any Radiant Flames yet but those are two changes I plan to make to the sideboard. I'm also considering Ob Nixilis Reignited for the main board.
A buddy of mine used Dragonmaster Outcast as a one of in Mardu Dragons at FNM last week and went 4-0. one game was won by casting a late Dragonmaster Outcast that couldn't be answered and then following it up the next turn with a Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury.
It did well. I went 3-2 but felt like I could have won every match-up. Lost to Atarka Red because I didn't draw enough land. The other loss was to an unusual Abzan list. I beat Grixis colorless aggro, G/R landfall, and G Eldrazi ramp (or whatever you would call it).
The mana base was pretty painful but didn't matter when I was fast. Won a few games on turn 5.
I'm a big fan of Crackling Doom. With first strike, double strike, and Bloodsoaked Champion's ability to come back I don't worry about the small creatures. Crackling Doom isn't just for hexproof. It's also for indestructible and regeneration.
The deck can win surprisingly fast game one so I put non-creature romoval in the side board. You really want to be as aggro as possible because you can't compete with the power level of mid range decks.
My mana base was done very fast so take it for what it is.
On individual cards:
Alesha is terrible.
Blood-Chin Rager provides great evasiveness.
Zurgo was just for fun because I was in a hurry but at the same time can be very effective as a one of. Of course you don't want him in your opening hand, that's why there is only one.
Butcher of the Horde is a card I preferred over Brutal Hordechief. However, the skies have gotten more crowded and the Hordechief can push through that last damage.
I played Mardu Warriors for 5 months with a lot of success. I see what you are doing with your mana base but I think with 8 fetches you are going to come up short. Remember that once a fetch is cracked it takes lowers your chances of drawing another land more than just playing a regular land. The mana base of this deck is rough since I didn't have much time but I think it would more consistently get to the top of your curve on time.
I also don't think you want the best removal spell available to you left on the sidelines. Something I learned about Mardu Ascendancy is that it was an All Star when Bile Blight and Anger of the Gods were in standard and you needed to go all in or all out. I went all in and found I always wanted it on turn 3. You also need a higher creature count to utilize Ascendancy effectively.
Scab-Clan Berserker might be the better 3 drop, i was thinking even Chandra might be able to fit the theme, especially since the deck runs so much Incidental burn damage. Hangarback feels slow in this deck
I like that mana base much better. I see what they are doing with the fetch lands and the new duals but 9 fetches seems like too many for the curve.
4 Swamp
7 Plains
4 Shambling Vent
4 Caves of Koilos
2 Battlefield Forge
2 Blighted Fen
2 Sea Gate Wreckage
1 Westvale Abbey
4 Knight of the White Orchid
4 Matter Reshaper
4 Bearer of Silence
1 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
Planeswalkers
3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Ob Nixilis Reignited
Spells
3 Stasis Snare
3 Silkwrap
2 Duress
1 To the Slaughter
2 Secure the Wastes
2 Planar Outburst
2 Read the Bones
1 Declaration in Stone
I need to put in some Anguished Unmaking and Sorin, Grim Nemesis but here are my thoughts on the deck as it was.
Matter Reshaper was an all-star. He almost always hit something useful and once hit another Matter Reshaper.
Knight of the White Orchid was a bit underwhelming. I'm considering going with Hangarback Walker instead.
The exile enchantments are amazing when nobody is playing Dromoka's Command. Even if they were I'm using enough of it that one inevitably gets used on a HBW, token, or other card that I wouldn't mind bringing back.
Although he performed well 4 Bearer of Silence is probably to many 2-3 would be better.
Here is where I'm at.
6 Swamp
5 Plains
3 Blighted Fen
4 Scoured Barrens
4 Shambling Vent
4 Caves of Koilos
Creatures
4 Seeker of the Way
Planeswalkers
3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
2 Ob Nixilis Reignited
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
4 Grasp of Darkness
2 Silkwrap
1 Ultimate Price
2 Utter End
3 Ruinous Path
3 Secure the Wastes
2 Murderous Cut
2 Planar Outburst
4 Read the Bones
2 Hallowed Moonlight
4 Duress
2 Transgress the Mind
1 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
1 Dark Petition
3 Self-Inflicted Wound
2 Surge of Righteousness
For me the Eldrazi deck isn't tough if I can keep Ugin from landing or have an answer for it.
Aggro is usually a piece of cake but rally decks are tough due to a lack of exile effects.
4x Kalastria Healer
4x Zulaport Cutthroat
2x Lantern Scout
3x Firemantle Mage
2x Nantuko Husk
2x Drana, Liberator of Malakir
4x Chasm Guide
2x Expedition Envoy
1x Drana's Emissary
Spells (10):
2x Crackling Doom
2x End Hostilities
4x Rally the Ancestors
2x Read the Bones
1x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1x Sorin, Solemn Visitor
Lands (24):
1x Swamp
1x Mountain
3x Plains
4x Bloodstained Mire
2x Nomad Outpost
3x Shambling Vent
3x Smoldering Marsh
2x Ally Encampment
2x Cave of Koilos
2x Battlefield Forge
1x Windswept Heath
4x Surge of Righteousness
4x Infinite Obliteration
2x Stasis Snare
2x Felidar Cub
1x Encircling Fissure
2x Duress
4 Caves of Koilos
6 Plains
4 Ally Encampment
4 Shambling Vent
3 Swamp
2 Altar's Reap
4 Rally the Ancestors
4 Valorous Stance
Creatures
2 Lantern Scout
2 Kor Bladewhirl
4 Drana's Emissary
3 Drana, Liberator of Malakir
4 Kalastria Healer
4 Nantuko Husk
4 Expedition Envoy
4 Zulaport Cutthroat
2 Liliana, Heretical Healer
4 Seeker of the Way
4 Soulfire Grand Master
4 Thunderbreak Regent
3 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
Spells
4 Draconic Roar
2 Wild Slash
4 Crackling Doom
2 Exquisite Firecraft
3 Kolaghan's Command
1 Ob Nixilis Reignited
1 Ruinous Path
1 Outpost Siege
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
Lands
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Caves of Koilos
3 Battlefield Forge
4 Wind-Scarred Crag
1 Smoldering Marsh
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Shambling Vent
1 Swamp
3 Mountain
2 Haven of the Spirit Dragon
2 Surge of Righteousness
3 Duress
2 Utter End
2 Silkwrap
2 Erase
1 Outpost Siege
1 Murderous Cut
2 Radiant Flames
I beat a couple several Abzan lists, green ramp, B/W Warriors, and B/U Control. Drew to Abzan Aggro, and a unique Abzan list that one a game with Secure the Wastes. Even though I played against Abzan 4 times all lists were very different.
4 Seeker of the Way
4 Soulfire Grand Master
4 Thunderbreak Regent
3 Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury
Spells
4 Draconic Roar
2 Wild Slash
4 Crackling Doom
2 Exquisite Firecraft
3 Kolaghan's Command
1 Murderous Cut
1 Ruinous Path
1 Outpost Siege
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
Lands
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Caves of Koilos
3 Battlefield Forge
4 Wind-Scarred Crag
1 Smoldering Marsh
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Shambling Vent
1 Swamp
3 Mountain
2 Haven of the Spirit Dragon
2 Surge of Righteousness
3 Duress
2 Utter End
2 Arc Lightning
2 Erase
1 Outpost Siege
1 Murderous Cut
2 Crux of Fate
I couldn't find Silkwrap in time (checked two stores and all sold out) and didn't have any Radiant Flames yet but those are two changes I plan to make to the sideboard. I'm also considering Ob Nixilis Reignited for the main board.
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Battlefield Forge
3 Scoured Barrens
4 Swamp
1 Mountain
4 Nomad Outpost
4 Bloodstained Mire
Creatures (28)
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Mardu Woe-Reaper
3 Blood-Chin Rager
4 Battle Brawler
4 Chief of the Edge
4 Arashin Foremost
2 Brutal Hordechief
3 Butcher of the Horde
2 Valorous Stance
4 Crackling Doom
2 Mardu Charm
1 Utter End
3 Merciless Executioner
3 Hidden Dragonslayer
2 Outpost Siege
2 Duress
2 Twin Bolt
2 Erase
It did well. I went 3-2 but felt like I could have won every match-up. Lost to Atarka Red because I didn't draw enough land. The other loss was to an unusual Abzan list. I beat Grixis colorless aggro, G/R landfall, and G Eldrazi ramp (or whatever you would call it).
The mana base was pretty painful but didn't matter when I was fast. Won a few games on turn 5.
The deck can win surprisingly fast game one so I put non-creature romoval in the side board. You really want to be as aggro as possible because you can't compete with the power level of mid range decks.
My mana base was done very fast so take it for what it is.
On individual cards:
Alesha is terrible.
Blood-Chin Rager provides great evasiveness.
Zurgo was just for fun because I was in a hurry but at the same time can be very effective as a one of. Of course you don't want him in your opening hand, that's why there is only one.
Butcher of the Horde is a card I preferred over Brutal Hordechief. However, the skies have gotten more crowded and the Hordechief can push through that last damage.
I also don't think you want the best removal spell available to you left on the sidelines. Something I learned about Mardu Ascendancy is that it was an All Star when Bile Blight and Anger of the Gods were in standard and you needed to go all in or all out. I went all in and found I always wanted it on turn 3. You also need a higher creature count to utilize Ascendancy effectively.
Maybe something like this.
4 Caves of Koilos
2 Battlefield Forge
2 Plains
3 Swamp
1 Mountain
3 Polluted Delta
2 Smoldering Marsh
1 Prarie Stream
2 Wooded Foothills
1 Canopy Vista
2 Nomad Outpost
1 Shambling Vent
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
3 Mardu Woe-Reaper
4 Blood-Chin Rager
4 Battle Brawler
4 Chief of the Edge
3 Arashin Foremost
3 Brutal Hordechief
1 Zurgo Helmsmasher
Spells (10)
2 Stasis Snare
4 Crackling Doom
4 Mardu Ascendancy
2 Utter End
2 Ruinous Path
2 Ultimate Price
2 Valorous Stance
2 Outpost Siege
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
3 Transgress the Mind
I like that mana base much better. I see what they are doing with the fetch lands and the new duals but 9 fetches seems like too many for the curve.