Abzan Midrange

[TBuzzsaw]

Possibly the most popular deck at rotation, this is what I came up with, with some small input from LP:


[deck]
Creatures
4 Sylvan Caryatid
4 Fleecemane Lion
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
3 Courser of Kruphix
4 Siege Rhino
2 Wingmate Roc

Spells
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
2 Sorin, Solemn Vistor
3 Abzan Charm
3 Hero's Downfall
2 Bile Blight
4 Thoughtseize

Lands
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
2 Llanowar Wastes
4 Caves of Koilos
3 Temple of Malady
3 Windswept Heath
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
3 Mana Confluence
2 Plains
2 Forest

Sideboard
1 Hornet Queen
1 Whip of Erebos
2 Banishing Light
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Bile Blight
1 Deicide
4 Drown in Sorrow
4 Despise
[/deck]


Post sideboard it demolishes aggro and midrange mirrors. It's not prepared in any way against control, although at the current state I don't think will be a problem for now.

[TBuzzsaw]

Changes to improve aggro and midrange match ups post sideboard:


[deck]Creatures
4 Sylvan Caryatid
4 Fleecemane Lion
3 Courser of Kruphix
4 Siege Rhino
3 Wingmate Roc

Spells
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Sorin, Solemn Vistor
1 Whip of Erebos
3 Abzan Charm
4 Hero's Downfall
2 Bile Blight
4 Thoughtseize

Lands
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
4 Llanowar Wastes
4 Temple of Slience
2 Windswept Heath
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Temple of Plenty
3 Mana Confluence
3 Plains
3 Forest

Sideboard
2 Hornet Queen
2 Banishing Light
1 Suspension Field
1 Deicide
3 Nyx-Fleece Ram
3 Drown in Sorrow
3 Despise[/deck]


Wingmate has been great for me, since it's a card that goes over the stalemates that happen on the ground. I liked Zem's list with the 3 Nissas in their place, but I found them to be liabilities since I'm expecting a lot of big green decks with bigger creatures.

I really wish I could play Sarkhan
in the five drop spot.

[TBuzzsaw]

New sideboard:

[deck]
3 Hushwing Gryff
3 Nyx-Fleece Ram
2 Banishing Light
1 Stain the Mind
1 Pillar of Light
1 Murderous Cut
1 Deicide
3 Drown in Sorrow[/deck]

Hushwing Gryff is my new weapon against Green Devotion, which in testing had been a huge hoser against this deck. It shuts down their card draw (Eidolon of Blossoms), Nylea's Disciple doesn't gain life, and the biggest threat in Hornet Queen gets her taco punched. Several threats in other decks can be hit too. In red devotion Purphoros and Fanatic don't do squat.

[Tyrael]

This deck looks fantastic, I look forward to hearing how playtesting goes

[TBuzzsaw]

It holds up very well in the gauntlet so far, but I've yet to test it against BW aggro or warriors.

[jsilv]

Yeah I think Junk is a very solid deck with only two real weaknesses, it's super soft to Ashiok backed by removal and Hornet Queen punches it in the face and takes it's lunch money. Otherwise Abzan Charm + Hero's Downfall gives it an edge in all fair midrange matches and it's creatures are super good against 'normal' aggro plans.

[TBuzzsaw]

The most important thing I learned playing at FNM and more play testing: The more aggressive and less defensive I played, the more wins I got. So basically the opposite of what Junk Midrange did in RTR-THS. I'm going to lower the curve on the deck and see if I want to end at 4 or 5 CMC.

[TBuzzsaw]

I'm going to try a more aggressive approach by turning it more aggro.


[deck]Creatures
4 Rakshasa Deathdealer
4 Fleecemace Lion
3 Heir of the Wilds
4 Herald of Torment
2 Anafenza, the Foremost
4 Siege Rhino

Spells
3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Ajani Steadfast
4 Bile Blight
1 Murderous Cut
2 Abzan Charm
4 Hero's Downfall

Lands
4 Sandsteppe Citadel
4 Mana Confluence
3 Llanowar Wastes
2 Windswept Heath
3 Caves of Kelios
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1 Jungle Hollow
2 Swamp
2 Forest
1 Plains

Sideboard
3 Nyx-Fleece Ram
3 Drown in Sorrow
1 Deicide
2 Banishing Light
2 Suspension Field
3 Master of the Feast
1 Back to Nature[/deck]



All the creatures are big, evasive, or can trade with most creatures at the same CMC. They all lead to the planeswalkers giving them extra boost and lifelink for the life lost. In the sideboard, I think Master of Feasts is a key card to beat Green Devotion early
before it gets out of hand. They don't have removal for it.