Green Devotion

[trevaftw]

http://i.imgur.com/suZiWnU.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/sBjXiC0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/HHN5RXw.jpg


How do you like casting big fatties Turn 2 or Flipping over almost your entire deck turn 3? Well Green Devotion aims to do that via two methods: Chaining large Genesis Waves together or by entwining Tooth and nail. To accomplish either appraoch there are two different ways of approacing the deck: the slower, more resilient method with genesis Wave or the more all-in approach of Tooth and Nail. No Matter which route you take, there is the same core for either deck:

4 Arbor Elf
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Garruk Wildspeaker

These cards allow you to start generating a large amount of mana and devotion early on that both decks benefit from them being in the deck. Now to look the two types:

All-in Tooth and Nail "core"
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Elvish Visionary
4 Voyaging Satyr
4 Summoner's Pact
4 Tooth and Nail
2 Fatties of your choice

The idea here is that BTE allows the possibiliy of a turn 2 kill. For example:
Opening hand: Forest, Arbor Elf, BTE, BTE, BTE, BTE, Nykthos
T1: Forest, Arbor Elf
Draw: T&N
T2: Tap forest, tap arbor elf, play BTE, BTE, BTE, BTE, play nykthos, activate for 9 mana, cast T&N entwined for two craterhoof behemoth. Two Hoof triggers gives each of your creatures +14/+14, meaning you swing with the two hoofs for 38 damage with trample turn 2.

The Summoner's Pact allows you then to play 8 effective copies of BTE and the Elvish Visionary allows gives you extra draw on a creature which can provide a chump block and keep you going. Voyaging Satyr acts up a backup if your opponent removes Arbor Elf because of how well it plays with Nykthos or your Utopia Sprawl. For fatties you have a couple of other different choices:

Craterhoof Behemoth
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
Blightseel Colossus
Combine one of the above with the below:
Xenagos, God of Revels
Urabrask the Hidden
Flame-kin zealot[/spoiler]
And you get yourself a damn near auto-win!


Resilient Genesis Wave "core"
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Kitchen Finks
3 Eternal Witness
4 Primeval Titan
4 Genesis Wave
1 Stomping Ground
1 Kessig Wolf Run

With this version, the biggest benefit is that each creature in the deck adds value to the boardstate on it's own. Strangleroot can attack right away and reccur itself back, finks gains you life two times, and prime time gets you a backup win condition of kessig wolf run. The eternal witness is in there to help bring back genesis wave and keep recasting it multiple times in one turn for high value. Another benefit of Genesis wave is that unlike Tooth and Nail which can only be cast for 7 or 9 mana, you can 'value' wave for X=3,4, or 5 if you're in a tight position.

After choosing a direction, there are some other good cards to choose to help add devotion, stall your opponent, or win on their own.

Creatures:
Magus of the Vineyard
Predator Ooze
Wistful Selkie
Acidic Slime
Polukranos, World Eater
Wolfbriar Elemental
Thrun, The Last Troll
Scavenging Ooze

Spells:
Primal Command
Harmonize
Beast Within

NCP:
Abundant Growth
Fertile Ground
Boseiju, Who Shelters All
Inkmoth Nexus

The nice part about either deck is that you can run it on its own as mono green, or if you add fetches it opens up the possibility of adding colors to the sideboard.







Thoughts on this psuedo-primer and the decks themselves?

[Phoenix Ignition]

It's helpful in primers to put an actual decklist down with numbers for each of the cards. Scrolling through a bunch of "These are all great" sections doesn't help me form an opinion. I've seen mono green devotion decks do well on MTGO dailies, maybe start with one of those lists and then discuss what you'd add or take out. Right now there's just a bunch of green cards and I don't know exactly what help anyone could give.

Oh, and make sure the decklist is the first thing to look at, with explanations after. Scrolling through a couple of pages before getting to a decklist isn't fun.

[bakofried]

Hey, is anyone else putting this together? It's cheap, fun, and splashy. The thread on salvation hasn't had much activity for a while.

I actually like a much earlier list, one that Gavin Verhry wrote about - just type in 'modern mono green devotion'and it should come up. I cut the two regal forces for a fourth harmonize and a second Craterhoof. There are some other minor changes but I like how this one feels. Am I alone in working on this right now? 0.o

[trevaftw]

I am going to audible and play this at an IQ this weekend. Going to do some testing on a new list. Will post kt later.

Also this deck has A TON and variants floating around

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[bakofried]

What are your devotion enablers? Some people prefer Strangleroot Geist but I really have a fondness for Burning-Tree Emissary.

[trevaftw]

I'm testing a resilient build so I'm using strangleroot and finks but im running into the problem of not enough genesis waves so im going to test what I prefer more: harmonize visionary or selkie

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[bakofried]

TBH, I don't even know if Genesis Wave is worth it in the resilient builds...especially if Primal Command is one of your only ways to interact with an opponent. Unless super secret tech is involved?

[Keenco]

I've been starting to try out the Genesis Wave deck since some my friends are thinking of going into Modern. I don't know how good it is in competitive play but I know I am having fun.

This is the current version I'm "thinking" of trying out, the SB is a mess so please look pass it.

20 LANDS
4 Verdant Catacombs
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
2 Misty Rainforest
1 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Stomping Ground
7 Forest

23 CREATURES
4 Arbor Elf
2 Birds of Paradise
1 Joraga Treespeaker
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
2 Strangleroot Geist
4 Eternal Witness
2 Predator Ooze
2 Primeval Titan
1 Acidic Slime
1 Craterhoof Behemoth

8 INST. & SORC.
3 Genesis Wave
3 Primal Command
2 Harmonize

10 OTHERS
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
2 Abundant Growth

15 SIDEBOARD
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Nature's Claim
2 Creeping Corrosion
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Ghost Quarter
2 Creeping Mold
1 Banefire
1 Spellskite
1 Boseiju, Who Shelters All
1 Dismember
1 Scavenging Ooze

I tried a version of the deck where it runs Wolfbriar Elemental but this card is not really wave-friendly as you can't use the kick ability. Still pumping a few 2/2 tokens in conjunction with Garruk Wildspeaker usually win games.

I also tried playing around with Wistful Selkie, can't say I liked it as much as Predator Ooze... Although Selkie's cantrip is nice and never a bad thing, the Ooze just blocks like a champ while Selkie 2/2 body can't do much of anything (can't throw her in combat as you need her for devotion).

[trevaftw]

Here is my current idea/outline:

4 Arbor Elf
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Kitchen Finks
3 Eternal Witness
4 genesis wave
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
3 Harmonize
4 Courser of Kruphix
2 Craterhoof Behemoth

4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Verdant Catacombs
3 Misty Rainforest
7 Forest
2 Stomping Ground
1 Temple Garden
1 Kessig Wolf Run
1 Inkmoth Nexus
1 Boseiju

Still need to do some testing.

[bakofried]

I don't know about Courser - I like him in theory, but he's hideously slow. How has testing been for you?

[Megadeus]

I really wanna play something like this, but with 4x Deus of Calamity, 4x Primalcrux (which is aparently worth like 15 bucks), 4x Shrines and 4x Banefire for the lulz.

[Keenco]

I've heard others said Courser seems a bit slow for a deck that kind of wants go for the kill asap. Also, I can't see myself having 24 lands, even when trying to maximize Courser's ability.

Don't think the 1 Boseiju is worth putting on MB while only having 7~8 spells that can benefit from it. With our large mana pool size, it is possible to play around the counterspells with 'x'. I have Boseiju on SB because my SB have a few more instant & sorcery spells.

Having a surprise win from Banefire is just great! Had a game where my opponent walled up on G2 and I turned to Banefire for the kill instead... that shocking face was priceless.

Lastly, I'm thinking I will have an Inkmoth Nexus MB too, an extra kill con is never a bad thing. Just wonder how effective it will be... at worst it is just a 1 colourless land.

[bakofried]

The one of nexus is kind of cute. Colorless lands can hose your openings, and a the clock with kessig and normal damage isn't that much slower.

I don't like Selkie (or GGG) dudes for that matter, but don't have good luck findinge something for the spot. Maybe Mwonvuli Beast Tracker?

[Megadeus]

Yuck. Beast Tracker seems really really bad. I would just play more EWitness or maybe if you wanna be even more aggressive, the 3 RG Hybrid guy thats 3/3 with Haste and Wither?

[bakofried]

Beast Tracker finds Titan, my list has four witnesses already. Necessity is 1GG.

[Keenco]

... the 3 RG Hybrid guy thats 3/3 with Haste and Wither?


You're talking about Boggart Ram-Gang?

Currently my GGG slots are with 2 Predator Ooze. So far loving it cause they are indestructible.

[trevaftw]

I haven't been able to test the list I posted, I've had to close the past three nights. Will do testing tomorrow for sure, as well as an SCG IQ on Sunday. Will keep you guys updated.

Problems I've had in the past have been blue counter decks of all varieties.

[bakofried]

You know what, even if Courser doesn't dig very well, he still doesn't die to shit like Bolt/Anger of the Gods, he doesn't have defender, he'll gain you some life...maybe I should look at him a little less critically.

[FTW]

In a deck that already runs Finks, adding Courser is a serious problem for aggro decks, between the big blocking, not dying to Bolt, incidental life gain, smoothing land drops to help stabilize...

I like the Primalcrux idea.
What about Oversoul of Dusk? It gets around black removal, Detention Sphere and a large number of blockers. Other than Path and O-Ring, pretty hard to kill it. Might be a strong fatty for the "resilient" G devotion builds.


4 Arbor Elf
4 Utopia Sprawl
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Kitchen Finks
4 Predator Ooze
3 Eternal Witness
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
3 Oversoul of Dusk
3 Xenagos, God of Revels
3 Primalcrux
4 Genesis Wave

4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
4 Verdant Catacombs
2 Misty Rainforest
2 Stomping Ground
1 Boseiju, Who Shelters All
7 Forest

//Sideboard:
3 Wilt-Leaf Liege



Xenagod + Primalcrux is just lolz. Deus of Calamity might be really good here, especially with Xenahaste, but it seems so fragile otherwise.

Liege seems amazing for a devotion deck against anything with discard (e.g. Jund). I don't know if Vexing Shusher is good enough to ever see play, but it does build devotion!

[Megadeus]

Think I may brew this pile up...

4x Arbor Elf
4x Utopia Sprawl (I get to use the random russian set I have for no reason!)
4x Strangleroot Geist
4x Boggart Ram Gang
4x Deus of Calamity
3x Primalcrux
4x Banefire
3x Eternal Witness
3x Vexing Shusher?

23 lands including 4x Nyxthos, like 4 fetches and 4 Stomping grounds?

I probably need a bit more ramp here

Didnt even see your post, but I think we are kinda on the same page about Vexing Shusher. Great minds think alike. Deus of Calamity probably is honestly worse than like an Oversoul of Dusk, but I dont care. Thats my card yo.

[bakofried]

Okay, the problem here is that decks like Affinity go over the top with Cranial Plating, decks like Zoo can do your job just as good and have burn, and the combo-control decks in the format will have a field day killing you with a bajillion Deceiver Exarchs. The deck needs to combo out or establish a Command Lock on T3, T4 at the latest.

While I like Deus, and think he's interesting in the deck, I think Primal Command is warranted as well. If you want to play an interactive game, it's a good tool to do so. I still prefer to play this deck like the jank ass version of Spring Tide that it is (which is why I call it Low Tide).

[Megadeus]

Okay, the problem here is that decks like Affinity go over the top with Cranial Plating, decks like Zoo can do your job just as good and have burn, and the combo-control decks in the format will have a field day killing you with a bajillion Deceiver Exarchs. The deck needs to combo out or establish a Command Lock on T3, T4 at the latest.

While I like Deus, and think he's interesting in the deck, I think Primal Command is warranted as well. If you want to play an interactive game, it's a good tool to do so. I still prefer to play this deck like the jank ass version of Spring Tide that it is (which is why I call it Low Tide).

Good point. I think the casual timmy inside of me got excited for a moment. To be fair though, You could always simply pack your SB full of stuff like Ancient Grudges, Bolts (for aggro) or something. Combo still would be rough, though to beat a billion exarchs, you could play something really janky like Silent Arbiter or something. Your 6/6 Deus battles better than ther 1/or 2/1. Meh. Like I said, I think my casual side dictated my list a bit

[bakofried]

I think there's something to the idea of a resilient build, and Deus could be part of it, but TBH, i'm having trouble hitting GGG with the set of Nykthos+Kessig. Maybe Primeval Titan finding Tec Edges could sate that lust?

[Megadeus]

Meh. I doubt Deus is even good enough. And yeah, Prime time is probably better. I just want to have 14/14 Primalcruxes and be Banefiring people for 15 because it would be hilarious.

God Green Sun would be awesome in this deck.

[bakofried]

Sadly, I don't think it'll make a comeback until Pod is less dominant.

[jarvisyu]

I wrote about this deck a long time ago, and I basically came to the conclusion that it is a mostly worse Scapeshift.

Having very little interaction leads to a lot of losses versus other combo and even Affinity/Pod.

[bakofried]

Because both lists run Primeval Titan? I'm sorry, I just don't see the comparison. While I'd agree the deck isn't tier one, I think a better list could be out there: thus, chatting about developing the deck here.

Maybe more interaction is warranted. MD Dismembers? MD Beast Within? Who knows, maybe both. I always tried to make Green Control work, maybe a similar shell to this one could pull it off.

[Megadeus]

Because both lists run Primeval Titan? I'm sorry, I just don't see the comparison. While I'd agree the deck isn't tier one, I think a better list could be out there: thus, chatting about developing the deck here.

Maybe more interaction is warranted. MD Dismembers? MD Beast Within? Who knows, maybe both. I always tried to make Green Control work, maybe a similar shell to this one could pull it off.

Beast within seems good considering this decks plan goes way bigger than a 3/3

[Megadeus]

Our maybe instead of red, you splash black for thought seize

[FTW]

If you're playing Deus and Ram-Gang and Primalcrux, I think your deck really really wants Xenagod. And maybe more ramp to get there.

[bakofried]

More ramp? 0.o

Anywho, I'm torn. Genesis Wave lets me steal games I otherwise shouldn't win, but Primal Command is growing on me. It is about as good as people say, barring hyperaggressive strategies like affinity where gaining 7 every turn/every other turn doesn't matter. I do like the deck now that I've trimmed some one drops; now I'm just running 4 Arbor Elf and 4 Utopia Sprawl and it's working alright. Kind of want to try Predator Ooze, but GGG can be really rough (sometimes totally fine). Courser is growing on me as well.

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[trevaftw]

Played the modern iq sunday. 30 ppl showed up. Went 3-0 then double drew into top 8.
R1 jund, R2 storm, R3 eight rack. Then top 8 I played naya zoo (with loan lion and experiment one) and lost because gane three Mulliganed down to four seeing only land each time. Mergh.

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[bakofried]

Still sounds like a good performance, it just seems like you got hit by variance. Same list as posted above?

[YamiJoey]

Played the modern iq sunday. 30 ppl showed up. Went 3-0 then double drew into top 8.
R1 jund, R2 storm, R3 eight rack. Then top 8 I played naya zoo (with loan lion and experiment one) and lost because gane three Mulliganed down to four seeing only land each time. Mergh.

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Why did you lose the first or second game?

[trevaftw]

Why did you lose the first or second game?

I lost the first game to him curving out perfectly. I was on the draw so his pressure was too much. Game two when I played I easily maneuvered it. Haven't played that matchup much so I'm not sure how it would go otherwise. Doesn't seem too terribleif you play primal command and kitchen finks. Also here is my list:

4 Arbor Elf
4 Strangleroot Geist
4 Kitchen Finks
3 Eternal Witness
4 Primal Command
1 Plow Under
3 Genesis Wave
3 Primeval Titan
4 Garruk Wildspeaker
4 Utopia Sprawl
1 Craterhoof Behemoth
2 Harmonize
4 Misty Rainforest
4 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Kessig Wolf Run
2 Stomping Ground
1 Inkmoth Nexus
9 Forest
2 Verdant Catacombs
SB: 3 Summoning Trap
SB: 3 Seal of Primordium
SB: 1 Creeping Corrosion
SB: 1 Acidic Slime
SB: 1 Polukranos, World Eater
SB: 3 Mindbreak Trap
SB: 3 Wheel of Sun and Moon

[bakofried]

Did you run into much Anger of the Gods? It's why I'm interested in Courser.

[trevaftw]

I personally did not experience nor see much.

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