GW Midrange Aggro

[Joon]

Hey,

based on some new cards and a german article I threw a GW Midrange Aggro Deck together which was surprisingly solid in testing.

Here's my list:

4 Windswept Heath
1 Flooded Strand
1 Wooded Foothills
4 Savannah
6 Forest
4 Plains

4 Noble Hierarch
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Qasali Pridemage
4 Kitchen Finks
3 Loxodon Hierarch
3 Troll Ascetic
3 Gaddock Teeg

4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Oblivion Ring
4 Behemoth Sledge
3 Sensei's Divining Top

SB
4 Thorn of Amethyst
3 Krosan Grip
3 Armageddon
3 Choke
2 Pithing Needle
(need space for 3-4 Relics, though).

It has a good chance against sligh (which is highly played here in Germany) due the seven lifegain creatures and the sledge, has a fair chance against Landstill because of Teeg and has several beaters out of CB Range (well, actually only three that will always resolve: Hierarch; but CB.dec tends to run only 5-7 cc3 cards so that Ascetic, Finks, Sledge and Ring will resolve more often than not).

I'm currently thinking about a better Cardquality/Cardadvantage than Top, but I came only to the conclusion of maindecking Loam/cycle-lands which would make this deck incredibly weak against Relic.
I also thought about adding additional mana producing critters like Llanowar Elves, but actually I don't know what to cut.
I could try the Steward of Valeron, mainly because he has a better body than Elves and is a decent carrier for the Sledge.

I also thought about that guy from Shadowmoor who costs 4 Mana and pumps green and white creatures as he would make Hierarch, Finks, Pridemage and Teeg bigger, which is a big plus.

Furthermore you could cut Teegs for several Planeswalkers. Ajani might be overkill, but Elspeth and Garruk seem very good. But I think that removing the Teegs would lead to a worse Landstill/Control Matchup and it would ruin the curve.

What do you guys think?

[Maveric78f]

Loxodon is probably weaker than Dauntless Escort if you use it as a protection.
Wilt-Leaf Liege is absolutely as a 4-of in this deck.
Behemoth Sledge seems not needed. You already have 8 creature removal MD and you play already a lot of pumps (Wilt-Leaf Liege, exalted creatures).
Troll ascetic looks quite weak too. Even more if you cut Behemoth Sledge.
I think that Teeg is very important for control. And it's a good weapon to win game 2 and 3 against combo, thanks to a devoted SB.

[baghdadbob]

Isamaru as a two of ?

[Joon]

Before I start adding little weenies I would rather add Stewards or other Mana producers.

That Wilt-Leaf Liege looks quite solid. Maybe instead of three Ascetics and one Hierarch (Ascetics are too small without having mana every turn to regenerate them). I'd really like to fit some Stewards in there, more fix, more acceleration and a decent Sledge carrier.

@ Maveric78f:

I'll keep the Sledges for this moment because it helps crushing through nearly every defense, is an auto-win against Sligh if you can attach it and is very good versus Tribal decks.

Are there any other options in G/W I missed? What would you cut for the Steward of Valeron?

[Frozen_Fire]

This decks seems really similar to my Haterator (http://www.mtgthesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13655), but with some more aggro elements. I like the concept though.
Loxodon Hierarch AND Kitchen Finks seems to me a subpar choice. Isn't Exalted Angel any better?
Before adding FOUR Behemoth Sledge, I would think to run Umezawa's Jitte and Sword of Fire and Ice first, then Sledge or Armadillo Cloak if you have some space. If you're worried about sligh. Soltari Priest + any equip is Game for you.
For a better protection VS Red deck, have you considered Mother of Runes?
In my opinion, you're too much permanent based and your Goyfs will probably be weak in early game. In my opinion, 3 is a fine number, but you can use 4x if you expect a lot of threshold.

Greetings,
Frozen_Fire :)

[Maveric78f]

I somehow agree that you might want to play 1-drops. There are 3 G/W 1CC creatures (for a +2/+2 boost with. And they are all quite good. Elvish Hexhunter, Rhys the Redeemed and Seedcradle Witch.

Other thoughts: Fleetfoot Panther makes tricks, saves creatures and surprises as a blocker. Knight of the Reliquary is still one of the best GW creatures, even when you don't play specially with lands. Mycoid Shepherd is also a GW undercosted creature. Oversoul of Dusk. Saffi Eriksdotter to pretect your big guys (and Gaddock sometimes). Watchwolf. Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers.

Bant Sureblade. Marisi's Twinclaws. Messenger Falcons. Naya Hushblade. Knight of New Alara. These cards could make a strong mulcoloured theme.

There are for sure a lot of undercosted creatures in these colours. Ireally think that Loxodon Hierarch, Troll ascetic and Kitchen Finks do not belong to the deck.

[4eak]

Aether Vial is worth testing. Any deck with 17+ creatures should seriously consider the card. Plus, you need a damn good one drop.





peace,
4eak

[overseer1234]

Why play Armageddon AND choke in the sideboard? geddon kills more then choke+more since it just kills the lands en doesn't give them one more use out of it.

Seems like there's the room for the rellic's you wanted.

Ohw:and ascetic/random equipment is badass :D (in this case loxodon warhammer is even better then the sledge since the extra in the ass doesn't really matter...)

[Joon]

Well, I tested the Liege and he is absolutely NUTS in this deck. Ever saw 4/4 Teegs or 5/4 Finks jump in the face of your opponent?

I really want to fit in the Stewards, as he helps powering out Sledge and in addition to that he has Vigilance. In my playtesting I often had not enough mana to use Top every turn - this is a try without top:

4 Windswept Heath
1 Flooded Strand
1 Wooded Foothills
4 Savannah
5 Forest
5 Plains

4 Noble Hierarch
3 Steward of Valeron
4 Qasali Pridemage
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Gaddock Teeg
2 Loxodon Hierarch
4 Wilt-Leaf Liege
4 Kitchen Finks

4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Oblivion Ring
4 Behemoth Sledge

SB
2 Pithing Needle
3 Krosan Grip
3 Armageddon
3 Relic of Progenitus
4 Thorn of Amethyst

You were right about the SB, Choke and Geddon were overkill. I liked how Choke and Teeg had no antisynergy against Landstill, but hey, as long as you resolve one of both you should do well.

The deck packs now 28 critters. I'm pretty sure that I'll cut Hierarch for another Steward and a one-off testing slot (like Exalted Angel or something).

I don't want to be to dependant on the Liege. Don't get me wrong, it's incredibly strong, but it eats Removal asap and suddenly playing creatures like Watchwolf isn't great anymore.

From the cards you listed, I like the Knight of New Alara. But I kinda have to watch out to not overextend against things like Wrath (stuff like Humility can be dodged by Sledge and Ring). What do you think of the Knight?

Other cards I really like are Oversould of Dusk and Saffi. Currently I'm testing the list above with the following changes: -2 Hierarch +1 Steward +1 Knight of New Alara. Feels quite solid. Have to test several matchups though.

[enemyofarsenic]

Sylvan Library - With all the lifegain you're getting, 4 damage for an extra card ain't that bad
Horizon Canopy - G/W land cantrip
Nantuko Monastery

Critters:
Knight of the Reliquary
Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers - Yum w/ Behemoth Sledge
Anurid Brushhopper
Glowrider
Fleetfoot Panther

[Baumeister]

You should probably fit Harmonize in there for some more late game staying power. Maybe as a three-of.

And seriously, get some Exalted Angel's in the deck. You have the acceleration to land her and she's absolutely nuts.

[TheCramp]

Knight of the Reliquary + Nantuku Monistary and Wasteland is a pretty savage package. Also, Rancor is just as agresive as sledge and costs 1/6th the mana. Jitti is more agresive period, and costs less as well.

"And seriously, get some Exalted Angel's in the deck. You have the acceleration to land her and she's absolutely nuts."

not so sure about this w/out mox/tomb. She is nuts though. I think I like Liege more as a 4 drop.