A lot can happen in six months. We returned to Innistrad, imprisoned an Eldrazi titan, and finally got a Black mana aligned Planeswalker joining the Gatewatch. And now it’s time for a change of pace, and of plane. Inventors rejoice, it’s time for us to go to the bright and vibrant world of Kaladesh.
During PAX West, Wizards of the Coast gave us a look at what we have to look forward to, and let me tell you, it looked glorious. In between the awesome street fairs and panels with the pros, we also got a whole array of exciting previews to whet our appetite, (oh, and there was something about a World Championship?). Whether you like giant robots, magic cars, or the return of Dwarfs, Kaladesh is certain to have something to please you. And of course, with the set having officially hit the shelves, any amount of prescience in words typed during PAX and the like is really more like common sense. But, that being said, with Dragons of Tarkir and Magic Origins rotating out of Standard, it’s time to look at what we may be able to put together for the upcoming Standard season. The easiest way to start, is to see if any of the existing archetypes currently in Standard, are viable. So let’s start by looking at an old favourite of mine.
Tokens, Away…
Green/White tokens was one of the dominating decks during Shadows of Innistrad Standard, even winning a Pro Tour. Recently however, this much loved archetype has fallen out of favour, replaced instead by Bant CoCo. With Collected Company leaving Standard, is it time to dust off your Nissa, Voice of Zendikar. Well there are two cards in particular that may give legs to this strategy.
Angel of Invention certainly seems built for our deck. Fabricate 2 allows us to throw out two tokens to go wide, or put down a 4/3 Flying, Vigilance and Lifelink beater to go high if we are behind. WHAT!?! Still not happy? Fine, you also get an anthem effect for all our other tokens. This angel certainly is pushed, and at five mana makes a great top ender. Though sometimes we need a little bit more hitting power. Sometimes we need a giant robot.
Verdurous Gearhulk is one big robot, bringing eight power and eight toughness to the table for only five mana. Giving us the ability to spread four points of each among all our creatures is just the cherry on the cake. As with Angel of Invention, this curve topper gives us great versatility. Pumping up one of our flyers by four can close out the game very quickly. And if all else fails, an 8/8 Trampler is none too shabby.
So let’s have a look at what our deck looks like with these two new additions.
|
|
|
