Amber VII
08-28-2011, 12:57 PM
Knights Immortal
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2497/image2qy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/143/image2qy.jpg/)
History
Long before Wizards sought to make every creature type a tribe, knights were a favored class in Magic. Black Knight and White Knight are two of the most iconic cards in Magic's lore. Their terrible symmetry averred the two colors' diametric opposition to each other. Protection from evey color meant a single Knight could rule over the battlefield.
The advent of modern knights began with the printing of Haakon, Stromgald Scourge. This obscure legend from Cold Snap was the knights' first Lord. Unlike other lords, Haakon's role in the Knights deck was less obvious, but the potential for unfair things was there. Among these innovations was Mikael J's "Haakon Goes Lorwyn" (http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/cm92) decklist from Time Spiral-Lorwyn.
The printing of Knight Exemplar officially christened knights into mainstream consciousness. Recent printings of several powerful knights have pushed the deck to the cusp of tournament playability.
Why Play Knights?
With the switch from Legacy to Modern, most tribes ratcheted down in power. Merefolk lost access to free counter magic. Elves lost Glimpse of Nature. Faeries lost Bitterblossom and Brainstorm. Goblins were neutered. Knights lost very little. Aside from Mercenary Knight shenanigans, the Knights deck is left intact for Modern.
Card Choices
The Lords
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
Honoring the deck's namesake, Haakon grants your knights immortality. The ability to recur threats from the graveyard is what separates Knights as a tribe. Aside from Path to Exile or Oblivion Ring, your opponent has few options for permanently dealing with Haakon. In wars of attrition, the knights will emerge victorious.
What if your opponent has dedicated graveyard removal? Then Haakon has already done his job. The deck does not need Haakon to win. Haakon is a means to an end; he is not an end to the means. Knights is not a graveyard deck, Haakon simply supplements a winning game plan.
Knight Exemplar
The second reason for the deck's namesake. Knight Exemplar bestows arguably the most powerful ability of any lord to your sacred band. Admittedly, indestructibility is not a catchall for the format. Path to Exile, Oblivion Ring, and Dismember all get around indestructibility, and these cards will see play in Modern. But against Red burn spells, most forms of black removal, and mass removal, indestructibility reigns eternal.
The Sacred Band
Student of Warfare
The best (and perhaps only) 1-drop Knight in the format. Student of Warfare is a must against aggressive decks that want to pressure early (Zoo). A turn 2 3/3 first striker can be quite the wall.
(Editor's note: Does anyone else think the artwork for Student of Warfare bears an uncanny resemblance to Alexander the Great at Issus?)
Knight of the White Orchid
A 2/2 First Striker for :w::w: feels underwhelming in this format. The ability to gain the advantage on the draw and smooth out manabases makes for it. Path to the Exile is this knight's best friend.
Mirran Crusader
Power creep. That is the only explanation for this noble brute. The Crusader does it all. He double strikes, has protection from two very relevant colors, and carries equipment like a king.
Knight of the Reliquary
Coincidence the second best creature in Modern shares the knight sub-type? I think not.
Dark Confidant
The only non-knight I considered. Okay, I considered Tarmogoyf, but who doesn't? Dark Confidant is very powerful in a deck like Knights. Your curve peaks at 3 and your average mana cost is 1.3. Dark Confidant also serves as a lightning rod for removal, allowing you to push through bombs (i.e. Exemplar and Crusader). The tantamount problem is the amount of self-inflicted damage the deck takes. The move to shocklands has not done the deck any favors and Thoughtsieze and Haakon are major pains. It remains to be seen if greatness can be achieved at any costs.
Removal
Nameless Inversion
Dispatching a creature of 3 toughness is nothing to scuff at in this format. Nameless Inversion and a first striking Knight is often enough to slay Tarmogoyf. The fact the card is tribal and therefore recurrable with Haakon is righteous.
Crib Swap
If you're hesitant to play Nameless Inversion, Crib Swap may be up your alley. Crib Swap is unconditional removal that also synergizes with Haakon. Crib Swap does cost more however.
Path to Exile
Path to Exile is the premiere removal spell of Modern and is included to deal with the bigger brutes of the format.
Acceleration / Disruption
Aether Vial
Much has been said about Aether Vial that will not be restated here. Even though counter magic is less meddlesome in Modern, four copies of Aether Vial are absolutely necessary. Aether Vial allows us to cheat Haakon into play and allows for clever tricks via Knight Exemplar.
Thoughtseize
Too powerful not to contemplate, Thoughtseize is targeted hand removal turn one. It also provides a secondary outlet to Haakon should the need arise.
Inquisition of Kozilek
Ditto above. Inquisition of Kozilek may be superior to Thoughtseize in this format, given the vast majority of spells in Modern are in the 1-3 cmc range. Inquisition functions as Haakon outlet 9-12.
Equipment
Sword of Fire and Ice & Friends
The knights' Excalibur. Choose wisely. A knight's survival depends on such arms.
Sample Lists
I have provided some lists of what a typical Knights build might look like. Keep in mind these decklists are totally untested in the Modern environment. I hope to change that soon. :wink:
The first decklist is W/B/g Knights Immortal. We splash Green to grant us access to Knight of the Reliquary and better options in the board (e.g. Maelstrom Pulse, Krosan Grip). The second decklist is W/B Knights Immortal. We remove Green to give us a more stable Manabase. Due to the large amount of Blood Moon effects I expect to see in my meta, I am currently leaning towards W/B.
W/B/g Knights Immortal
Creatures (22)
4 Dark Confidant
4 Student of Warfare
4 Knight Exemplar
4 Mirran Crusader
3 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
Discard (8)
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Thoughtseize
Removal (3)
1 Path to Exile
2 Nameless Inversion
Artifacts & Equipment (6)
4 Aether Vial
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
Mana Sources (22)
4 Marsh Flats
4 Godless Shrine
2 Arid Mesa
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Overgrown Tomb
2 Temple Gardens
3 Plains
2 Swamp
1 Forest
Sideboard (tentative)
3 Maelstrom Pulse
3 Path to Exile
1 Crib Swap
4 Pithing Needle
4 Extirpate
W/B Knights Immortal
Creatures (23)
4 Dark Confidant
4 Student of Warfare
4 Knight Exemplar
4 Knight of the White Orchid
4 Mirran Crusader
3 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
Discard (4)
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
Removal (6)
4 Path to Exile
2 Crib Swap
Artifacts & Equipment (6)
4 Aether Vial
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
Mana (21)
4 Godless Shrine
4 Arid Mesa
4 Marsh Flats
6 Plains
3 Swamp
Sideboard (tentative)
3 Oblivion Ring
4 Duress
4 Extirpate
4 Pithing Needle
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2497/image2qy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/143/image2qy.jpg/)
History
Long before Wizards sought to make every creature type a tribe, knights were a favored class in Magic. Black Knight and White Knight are two of the most iconic cards in Magic's lore. Their terrible symmetry averred the two colors' diametric opposition to each other. Protection from evey color meant a single Knight could rule over the battlefield.
The advent of modern knights began with the printing of Haakon, Stromgald Scourge. This obscure legend from Cold Snap was the knights' first Lord. Unlike other lords, Haakon's role in the Knights deck was less obvious, but the potential for unfair things was there. Among these innovations was Mikael J's "Haakon Goes Lorwyn" (http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/cm92) decklist from Time Spiral-Lorwyn.
The printing of Knight Exemplar officially christened knights into mainstream consciousness. Recent printings of several powerful knights have pushed the deck to the cusp of tournament playability.
Why Play Knights?
With the switch from Legacy to Modern, most tribes ratcheted down in power. Merefolk lost access to free counter magic. Elves lost Glimpse of Nature. Faeries lost Bitterblossom and Brainstorm. Goblins were neutered. Knights lost very little. Aside from Mercenary Knight shenanigans, the Knights deck is left intact for Modern.
Card Choices
The Lords
Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
Honoring the deck's namesake, Haakon grants your knights immortality. The ability to recur threats from the graveyard is what separates Knights as a tribe. Aside from Path to Exile or Oblivion Ring, your opponent has few options for permanently dealing with Haakon. In wars of attrition, the knights will emerge victorious.
What if your opponent has dedicated graveyard removal? Then Haakon has already done his job. The deck does not need Haakon to win. Haakon is a means to an end; he is not an end to the means. Knights is not a graveyard deck, Haakon simply supplements a winning game plan.
Knight Exemplar
The second reason for the deck's namesake. Knight Exemplar bestows arguably the most powerful ability of any lord to your sacred band. Admittedly, indestructibility is not a catchall for the format. Path to Exile, Oblivion Ring, and Dismember all get around indestructibility, and these cards will see play in Modern. But against Red burn spells, most forms of black removal, and mass removal, indestructibility reigns eternal.
The Sacred Band
Student of Warfare
The best (and perhaps only) 1-drop Knight in the format. Student of Warfare is a must against aggressive decks that want to pressure early (Zoo). A turn 2 3/3 first striker can be quite the wall.
(Editor's note: Does anyone else think the artwork for Student of Warfare bears an uncanny resemblance to Alexander the Great at Issus?)
Knight of the White Orchid
A 2/2 First Striker for :w::w: feels underwhelming in this format. The ability to gain the advantage on the draw and smooth out manabases makes for it. Path to the Exile is this knight's best friend.
Mirran Crusader
Power creep. That is the only explanation for this noble brute. The Crusader does it all. He double strikes, has protection from two very relevant colors, and carries equipment like a king.
Knight of the Reliquary
Coincidence the second best creature in Modern shares the knight sub-type? I think not.
Dark Confidant
The only non-knight I considered. Okay, I considered Tarmogoyf, but who doesn't? Dark Confidant is very powerful in a deck like Knights. Your curve peaks at 3 and your average mana cost is 1.3. Dark Confidant also serves as a lightning rod for removal, allowing you to push through bombs (i.e. Exemplar and Crusader). The tantamount problem is the amount of self-inflicted damage the deck takes. The move to shocklands has not done the deck any favors and Thoughtsieze and Haakon are major pains. It remains to be seen if greatness can be achieved at any costs.
Removal
Nameless Inversion
Dispatching a creature of 3 toughness is nothing to scuff at in this format. Nameless Inversion and a first striking Knight is often enough to slay Tarmogoyf. The fact the card is tribal and therefore recurrable with Haakon is righteous.
Crib Swap
If you're hesitant to play Nameless Inversion, Crib Swap may be up your alley. Crib Swap is unconditional removal that also synergizes with Haakon. Crib Swap does cost more however.
Path to Exile
Path to Exile is the premiere removal spell of Modern and is included to deal with the bigger brutes of the format.
Acceleration / Disruption
Aether Vial
Much has been said about Aether Vial that will not be restated here. Even though counter magic is less meddlesome in Modern, four copies of Aether Vial are absolutely necessary. Aether Vial allows us to cheat Haakon into play and allows for clever tricks via Knight Exemplar.
Thoughtseize
Too powerful not to contemplate, Thoughtseize is targeted hand removal turn one. It also provides a secondary outlet to Haakon should the need arise.
Inquisition of Kozilek
Ditto above. Inquisition of Kozilek may be superior to Thoughtseize in this format, given the vast majority of spells in Modern are in the 1-3 cmc range. Inquisition functions as Haakon outlet 9-12.
Equipment
Sword of Fire and Ice & Friends
The knights' Excalibur. Choose wisely. A knight's survival depends on such arms.
Sample Lists
I have provided some lists of what a typical Knights build might look like. Keep in mind these decklists are totally untested in the Modern environment. I hope to change that soon. :wink:
The first decklist is W/B/g Knights Immortal. We splash Green to grant us access to Knight of the Reliquary and better options in the board (e.g. Maelstrom Pulse, Krosan Grip). The second decklist is W/B Knights Immortal. We remove Green to give us a more stable Manabase. Due to the large amount of Blood Moon effects I expect to see in my meta, I am currently leaning towards W/B.
W/B/g Knights Immortal
Creatures (22)
4 Dark Confidant
4 Student of Warfare
4 Knight Exemplar
4 Mirran Crusader
3 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
Discard (8)
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Thoughtseize
Removal (3)
1 Path to Exile
2 Nameless Inversion
Artifacts & Equipment (6)
4 Aether Vial
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
Mana Sources (22)
4 Marsh Flats
4 Godless Shrine
2 Arid Mesa
2 Verdant Catacombs
2 Overgrown Tomb
2 Temple Gardens
3 Plains
2 Swamp
1 Forest
Sideboard (tentative)
3 Maelstrom Pulse
3 Path to Exile
1 Crib Swap
4 Pithing Needle
4 Extirpate
W/B Knights Immortal
Creatures (23)
4 Dark Confidant
4 Student of Warfare
4 Knight Exemplar
4 Knight of the White Orchid
4 Mirran Crusader
3 Haakon, Stromgald Scourge
Discard (4)
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
Removal (6)
4 Path to Exile
2 Crib Swap
Artifacts & Equipment (6)
4 Aether Vial
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
Mana (21)
4 Godless Shrine
4 Arid Mesa
4 Marsh Flats
6 Plains
3 Swamp
Sideboard (tentative)
3 Oblivion Ring
4 Duress
4 Extirpate
4 Pithing Needle