Primer: Mardu Midrange

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 12:08 am

Welcome to the Mardu Midrange Primer! Mardu Midrange is a deck that goes big, with Demons, Dragons, Planeswalkers and/or Birds. It's main strengths are its multiple fliers and ways of gaining life. The deck is occasionally tricky, but fun to play. If any or all of that appeals to you, read on.

Mardu Midrange was in the minds of many people before rotation. Most people started thinking about it the second they saw Butcher of the Horde spoiled. Brian Braun Duin brewed a lot of Mardu Midrange decks before the set released. Jon Goss came up just short of winning the first SCG Open after the release of Khans of Tarkir. The deck won multiple state championships (seen below) but only had one respectable finish at Pro Tour: Khans of Tarkir. However, the Horde bounced back and recently Top 8'd GP: Los Angeles with Brad Nelson at the helm. This weekend, Mardu Midrange took the top 3 spots in the TCGPlayer MaxPoints Championship. I believe it's appropriate to call in a teir one deck at this point.

The main reasons to be Mardu

Know what's sweet to play after Rabblemaster? This guy. A 5/4 Flyer for four already reminds me of a Desecration Demon. Except instead of having downsides, this guy has THREE upsides. The mana is admittedly a downside, but this card just wins the game if it sticks. The main draw to this particular colour combination.

Another premiere creature removal spell, another reason to be in these colours. It pretty much always gets their best creature, and gets around hexproof and indestructible. And it damages them. This card has been very good.

Thoughtseize was one of the pillars of the format last season, and that isn't likely to change. With how much worse the mana bases are, the two life lost is likely to be a lot more important, but it's still too powerful to ignore. A lot of the more recent builds have been moving away from it.

Best removal spell in the format. These two go together like peas and carrots. It does compete with Crackling Doom a little. A lot of players have been moving away from this one a little.

Goblin Rabblemaster is turning out to be another pillar of the format. It seems like last season's Thoughtseize into Pack Rat is going to be Thoughseize into Goblin Rabblemaster this year.

While he's likely not as strong as Goblin Rabble Master, he is another aggressively costed token creating problem creature. Without Lifebane Zombie to keep him down, it may be time for the Lion King to reclaim his throne. Also very good against aggro. Lately I have not been impressed by this card, but if aggro comes back, I'll dust him off.

This guy is far better than I initially thought he was. The anthem + lifelink is huge and allows you to swing games you had no business winning. The minus ability is reasonable too, but the plus is the one we care about more.

Because you need to feed the butcher and this is the closest thing we've got to Spectral Procession.

Example Decks:

Mardu Midrange by Jon Goss, 2nd at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 9/27/2014

Mardu Tokens by Jeremy Bowman, 24th Place at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 9/27/2014

Mardu Aggro by Andy Fergeson, 26th Place at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 9/27/2014

Mardu Midrange by Nathan Wulf, Iowa State Champion

Mardu Midrange by Jon Stigall, Kentucky Champion

Mardu Midrange by Brian Saari, Minnesota Champion

Mardu Midrange by Richard Grube, North Carolina Champion

Mardu Midrange by Donovan Lachney, Wyoming Champion

Mardu Planeswalkers by PIERRE DAGEN, Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir

Mardu Midrange by NATHAN HERKIMER, Pro Tour Khans of Tarkir

Mardu Midrange by Brad Nelson, Grand Prix LA Top 8

Mardu Midrange by Andrew Baekerstrom, 1st at 2014 TCGplayer.com MaxPoint Championship

RYAN SCULLIN - WINNER, GRAND PRIX SAN ANTONIO 2014

Main deck cards worth considering

Stormbreath Dragon / Sarkan, the Dragonspeaker: Basically the same card. The meta will determine if Pro-White or Indestructibility is more relevant. After using Sarkan's ultimate, I am not super impressed with it, but the minus is also good. Stormbreath Dragon seems to be better in the current meta because it can't be charmed. A mix of the two is possibly correct.

Wingmate Roc: Competes with Stormbreath, meta dependent / Personal Preference which you run.

Bile Blight / Lightning Strike / Magma Jet: With no Doom Blade or Ultimate Price, these are our premium 2cc removal spells. They're good in different situations, so it's probably best to play the one that your manabase supports. Magma Jet also gives us some very welcome scry to help smooth our draws.

[card]Elspeth, Sun's Champion[/card]: Not as amazing as last year, but still very strong.

Murderous Cut: Another premium removal spell. Doesn't play well with Empty the Pits, but is good in most other cases. Should likely be a 1 of. I like it enough to play it main.

Chained to the Rocks: A card that's near and dear to my heart. Brad ran it with 6 Mountains + 4 fetches, so I guess that's enough to play 3x.

Seeker of the Way: A card that can easily attack into hexproof plant and Courser. Also helps you gain life.

Chained to the Rocks: Not as good as it was at the beginning of the season, but still strong. Be careful targeting Siege Rhino in case they board removal for the chain, like Erase, Banishing Light, Utter End etc.

Sideboard Options worth considering:

Bloodsoaked Champion: This guy is very, very good. unfortunately, in a world of Sylvan Caryatids and Courser of Kruphix, he gets relegated to the sideboard.

Nyx Fleece Ram: Blocks all day and can trigger raid if needed. The lifegain is also useful with how much self inflicted damage you do over the course of a typical game.

Anger of the Gods / Drown in Sorrow: They serve similar roles. Anger is generally better, but you should play whichever one you manabase better supports.

Harness by Force: A long time favorite sideboard card, I like it in any sideboard that support it. With a bunch of midrange decks running around, this one should get you some value.

Empty the Pits: This card has been good in grindy midrange matches. When you're both on top decks, this card turns the game completely in your favor. Interacts well with butcher.

Liliana Vess: Best in midrange / control match ups. The +1 is what we're mostly concerned with, but the minus is also potentially useful.

Chandra, Pyromaster: The zero is the most important mode here, because we want to use it as a one sided Howling Mine. The +1 can also be clutch to get your Butcher through a Stormbreath Dragon.

Deicide: The gods are still cards. Purphoros, God of the Forge and Nylea, God of the Hunt are still seeing lots of play.

Deflecting Palm: Hard to say if we'll want it in this list, but it's been very good in the Jeskai Tempo decks that have been doing well in open this weekend.

Suspension Field: On of the only 2cc removal spells that hits nearly every creature you care about not named Goblin Rabblemaster or Stormbreath Dragon.

Banishing Light: It's a catch all. It's good.

Despise: Thoughtseize 5+6.

End Hostilities: Sometimes you board into a full blown Superfriends control deck. That's when you want a Wrath effect.

Read the Bones: Need card draw? How about a better, easier to cast Sign in Blood that pumps your Seeker of the Way so you actually net a life?

Utter End: 4cc, instant speed vindicate.

Erase: Tech vs Jeskai Ascendancy

Glare of Heresy: Good vs a variety of white threats.

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtIsBmAfvq4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgFelFp0yyU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1H9xTm4cpQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geeryYwdd_M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4VyoN-nrz4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcY6TJntsU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Iphx4S36L8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sulBi-TTJCk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOpaOLoMB1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmIkAk-O97M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRPr_-PzMYU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMhPkjxGCRQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9VFrI0LuaI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhbS69BtZnw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i_DoWnea8Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqWZYoGzwmA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfkbbp4FvsI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHDCCxf4M4E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9JdRWoPd8
You can discuss this article here

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 6:56 pm

Definitely loving the look of these decks. I built one a few days back which happened to be very similar to Goss's deck this weekend. Will post any results I get here. Coming second is pretty promosing! Just have to work out how we deal with the mass amounts of jeskai burn in the format now....

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 7:30 pm

Are there any other decent, cheap lifegain spells? If he connected with Rabble into Sorin / Butcher the game would have gone differently.

I wonder if Hordling Outburst or Mardu Charm would be better than Brimaz?

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:08 pm

Are there any other decent, cheap lifegain spells? If he connected with Rabble into Sorin / Butcher the game would have gone differently.

I wonder if Hordling Outburst or Mardu Charm would be better than Brimaz?

I cant think of any. The only solution that springs to mind is literally forming our deck in a similar fashion to these jeskai tempo ones. If you look at the structure of both decks they are quite similar! They play rabble, we play rabble, they play stormbreaths and sarkhans...so do we!
My first thoughts were to take a leaf out of their book and play seeker of the way mainboard in the same fashion they do. We run enough instants to benefit from it. Could we twist this deck into a mardu midrange-burn type of deck?

Ive tested both of those cards and both seemed unimpressive to me, personally. I'd much rather run some seekers and lower the costly removal for the likes of magma jets in order to ease our draws in both digging for new threats and hitting the land we want. That way we'd mimic the jeskai decks in utilising seeker of the way to hit through cayatids and coursers, aswell as gaining life. If we put those and rams in the same deck i think the matchup would swing in our favour substantially. I'm also considering the use of stoke the flames over downfall in the long run too.

What do you think?

Edit: Could possibly use deflecting palm in the matchup too. Rebounding jeskai charms seems strong....even if we let them get a big rabblemaster and blow them out with palm followed by a stormbreath/butcher swing...

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:18 pm

I don't really think that's where we want to be. You have to ask yourself, why not just play Jeskai? I think the full 4x Ram and 4x Anger might work best. I do not feel you are the beatdown in this matchup and we basicslly should be going full control.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:36 pm

Ram might not get us enough value since it only blocks seeker.

I think maybe:

+2 Ram
+3 Anger
+3 Magma Spray
+2 Despise

-4 Rabblemaster
-4 Hero's Downfall
-2 Thoughtseize

Thoughtseize is going to hurt you and they have a lot of redundancy.

Magma Spray is just faster than downfall.

Anger is a sorcery speed downfall that 2 for 1's against them.

Despise is a free thoughtseize.

Ram bl9cks some thinks but gains a bunch of life.

Thoughts?

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:43 pm

I don't really think that's where we want to be. You have to ask yourself, why not just play Jeskai? I think the full 4x Ram and 4x Anger might work best. I do not feel you are the beatdown in this matchup and we basicslly should be going full control.

I think butcher and crackling doom are incredibly strong cards that we can have access to and that jeskai don't. Given the prevelance of aggro decks and this jeskai burn deck i don't think we should be mainboarding thoughtseize anymore. I've been testing a very quick draft of the deck tonight with seeker in the 60 and its been outstanding every time Ive used it. So far ive played vairants of mono green devotion and temur midrange/monsters and its been fantastic and going with
magma jets in the main helps out a ton too. Finding the right balanceso f crackling dooms/strikes/jets and downfalls/stokes is definitely a WIP but I really do feel seeker has a place in this deck. He allows you to have a slightly more aggressive manabase and play things on curve too.
Pre-sideboard we then have a potential 10 sources of lifegain to deal with fast aggro decks/burn.
4 seekers
4 butchers
2 sorin
Its worth investigating at least. Here's my slap-dash list that ive been testing on cockatrice.

3 Stoke the Flames
4 Lightning Strike
4 Crackling Doom
3 Magma Jet

4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
3 Stormbreath Dragon
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
4 Seeker of the Way

2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker

2 Mountain
2 Swamp
4 Caves of Koilos
1 Battlefield Forge
3 Bloodstained Mire
2 Mana Confluence
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Temple of Malice
1 Temple of Triumph
2 Temple of Silence
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Sideboard would include rams, solid
removal, angers, more lategame wincons, thoughtseizes... stuff along those lines.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:56 pm

We could also try:

[deck]
Creatures (24)
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Soldier of the Pantheon
4 Seeker of the Way
2 Tymaret, the Muder King
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
2 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells (13)
4 Crackling Doom
4 Lightning Strike
3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2 Hordling Outburst

Lands (23)
2 Mountain
1 Swamp
1 Battlefield Forge
3 Bloodstained Mire
4 Caves of Koilos
2 Mana Confluence
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Temple of Malice
2 Temple of Silence
1 Temple of Triumph
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
[/deck]

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 10:57 pm

Mana would need to be adjusted.

Postby **admin** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:40 pm

Lightning, let me know when the primer is more or less in its definite form so we can publish it in the frontpage. No problem in adding stuff later, we can update it in the frontpage aswell, or you can even do it yourself if you feel like it.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:17 pm

Sure, no problem.

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 9:50 am

Tested a stock list against Abzan midrange and UB control yesterday. I felt the Abzan midrange matchup is definitely in our favour. The control deck was an interesting brew. It was able to drag games out but we got there in the end. 2 of my friends are building the jeskai burn deck. I'll be able to test some lists out there.

Toblakai · Postby **Toblakai** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 11:48 am

Aled, were you playing the midrange build? Given all the painlands, I wonder if Eidolon of the Great Revel doesn't become a more powerful creature. I think we can manage him; Brimaz is no problem at double white in a build that tends to run more BR splash W.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 3:41 pm

I think it would hurt us a fair deal though. I think we basically need T3 creature(s) > T4 Sorin / Butcher. I really think we should test Hordling Outburst over Brimaz since it doesn't die to a one for one removal spell and is a big turn three if followed by Sorin or Butcher.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 5:48 pm

Thinking about this:

Deck: mardu outburst

Counts : 60 main / 15 sideboard

[deck]Creatures:12
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Stormbreath Dragon

Spells:23
4 Thoughtseize
4 Lightning Strike
4 Magma Jet
4 Crackling Doom
4 Hordeling Outburst
3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor

Lands:25
4 Battlefield Forge
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Mountain
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Swamp
2 Temple of Malice
4 Temple of Triumph
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Sideboard:15
2 Despise
3 Magma Spray
2 Nyx-Fleece Ram
2 Suspension Field
3 Anger of the Gods
1 Harness by Force
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion[/deck]

Built with Decked Builder

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Tue Sep 30, 2014 5:49 pm

If only Alzak Bloodseeker didn't say opponent

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:17 am

I think outburst and raise the alarm don't fit the deck. Unless we go the pure mardu token route then I think some cheap burn in the form of magma jet is just better.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:51 am

I feel like Outburst is potentially better than Brimaz because the tokens don't die to 1 for 1 removal.

Outburst into Sorin is 6 power of lifelinkers.

Outburst into Butcher is 6 power (5 lifelink).

It's also easier on the mana.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:52 am

It's aldo 3 chumps against Polukranos.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:52 am

I think it could be good. Going to test it.

LP, of the Fires · Postby **LP, of the Fires** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:59 am

Seems real bad without more ways to abuse it. Synergy with rabblemaster isn't exactly good, Butcher synergy is fine, sorin synergy is actually good, but I'd want 1 or 2 more little interactions to get value from before I put outburst in my Mardu deck.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:03 am

Any suggestions LP? Would love your input on the deck.

LP, of the Fires · Postby **LP, of the Fires** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:08 am

Not sure. After playing one mirror match, I'm not as excited because that shit was way to hard to play and I couldn't take the headache.

LP, of the Fires · Postby **LP, of the Fires** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:15 am

If you really want my opinion, I'd try a build with champion, seeker, demon, rabbles, and walkers+removal/thoughtseize.

Best removal is downfall, doom, and burn.

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 2:34 am

If you really want my opinion, I'd try a build with champion, seeker, demon, rabbles, and walkers+removal/thoughtseize.

Best removal is downfall, doom, and burn.

My thoughts exactly.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:34 am

Something like this?

[deck]Creatures:22
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Gnarled Scarhide
4 Altac Bloodseeker
2 Tymaret, the Murder King
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde

Spells:16
4 Lightning Strike
4 Searing Blood
4 Crackling Doom
4 Hero's Downfall

Lands:22
2 Battlefield Forge
4 Bloodstained Mire
2 Caves of Koilos
3 Mountain
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Swamp
4 Temple of Malice
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth[/deck]

Pedros · Postby **Pedros** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:48 am

Seems real bad without more ways to abuse it. Synergy with rabblemaster isn't exactly good, Butcher synergy is fine, sorin synergy is actually good, but I'd want 1 or 2 more little interactions to get value from before I put outburst in my Mardu deck.

I think to mak it good this deck needs some number of Purphoros, Dictate of Heliod and spear of heliod. 2/3*1/1s for 2/3 isnt backbreaking, however 2/3*2/2 or 3/3 for 2/3 is quite good.

Also I noticed not a lot of bile blights in tournament.

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:13 pm

Seems real bad without more ways to abuse it. Synergy with rabblemaster isn't exactly good, Butcher synergy is fine, sorin synergy is actually good, but I'd want 1 or 2 more little interactions to get value from before I put outburst in my Mardu deck.
I think to mak it good this deck needs some number of Purphoros, Dictate of Heliod and spear of heliod. 2/3*1/1s for 2/3 isnt backbreaking, however 2/3*2/2 or 3/3 for 2/3 is quite good.

Also I noticed not a lot of bile blights in tournament.

Definitely going down the mardu tokens route. It's a different deck to this really.
I want to test a version of the deck with some 1 and 2 drops (not many) to give us something to do early game against some aggro decks or to put pressure on the jeskai tempo decks....get their hp lower or to at least give them targets for some of their optional burn.

Seeker of the way springs to mind.....Kill it or im likely to gain life...and hurt them....

LP, of the Fires · Postby **LP, of the Fires** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:27 pm

[deck]Spells:

4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Crackling Doom
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
4 Lightning Strike
4 Raise the Alarm
4 Seeker of the Way
1 Spear of Heliod
1 Hall of Triumph
4 Mardu Charm
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Dictate of Heliod

Lands:
3 Temple of Triumph
2 Nomad Outpost
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2 Swamp
2 Mountain
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Battlefield Forge
3 Temple of Silence

SB:
1 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2 Arc Lightning
1 Read the Bones
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Magma Spray
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Despise[/deck]

Sideboards not real and just a pile of cards. This deck is good because Anthems are really good in this set and the token makers are a combination of versatile and have synergy with all the cards in the deck. They protect walkers, get aggressive sorin and anthems, give value to the demon, and trigger seeker of the way.

At the GPT my friend won with his more midrangey walker heavy mardu deck but he noted that thoughtseize was terrible and he played the token pseudo mirror and felt very disadvantaged winning only to getting lucky. We toke some ideas from that deck, added hall, spear, and dictate and cut the disruption package and champion, and here we are. Deck seems very strong and with raise the alarm, the curve is MUCH better.

AledM11 · Postby **AledM11** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:55 pm

[deck]Spells:

4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Crackling Doom
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
4 Lightning Strike
4 Raise the Alarm
4 Seeker of the Way
1 Spear of Heliod
1 Hall of Triumph
4 Mardu Charm
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Dictate of Heliod

Lands:
3 Temple of Triumph
2 Nomad Outpost
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2 Swamp
2 Mountain
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Battlefield Forge
3 Temple of Silence

SB:
1 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2 Arc Lightning
1 Read the Bones
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Magma Spray
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Despise[/deck]

Sideboards not real and just a pile of cards. This deck is good because Anthems are really good in this set and the token makers are a combination of versatile and have synergy with all the cards in the deck. They protect walkers, get aggressive sorin and anthems, give value to the demon, and trigger seeker of the way.

At the GPT my friend won with his more midrangey walker heavy mardu deck but he noted that thoughtseize was terrible and he played the token pseudo mirror and felt very disadvantaged winning only to getting lucky. We toke some ideas from that deck, added hall, spear, and dictate and cut the disruption package and champion, and here we are. Deck seems very strong and with raise the alarm, the curve is MUCH better.

Have you tested this build much yet? Could have potential i suppose

Doesn't lose too much of the more general midrange build to more closely resemble the mardu token deck.
How are your aggro matchups working out?

Pedros · Postby **Pedros** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:20 pm

[deck]Spells:

4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Crackling Doom
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
4 Lightning Strike
4 Raise the Alarm
4 Seeker of the Way
1 Spear of Heliod
1 Hall of Triumph
4 Mardu Charm
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Dictate of Heliod

Lands:
3 Temple of Triumph
2 Nomad Outpost
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
2 Swamp
2 Mountain
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Battlefield Forge
3 Temple of Silence

SB:
1 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2 Arc Lightning
1 Read the Bones
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Magma Spray
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
2 Despise[/deck]

Sideboards not real and just a pile of cards. This deck is good because Anthems are really good in this set and the token makers are a combination of versatile and have synergy with all the cards in the deck. They protect walkers, get aggressive sorin and anthems, give value to the demon, and trigger seeker of the way.

At the GPT my friend won with his more midrangey walker heavy mardu deck but he noted that thoughtseize was terrible and he played the token pseudo mirror and felt very disadvantaged winning only to getting lucky. We toke some ideas from that deck, added hall, spear, and dictate and cut the disruption package and champion, and here we are. Deck seems very strong and with raise the alarm, the curve is MUCH better.

Looks really solid.
Small notes:
Would probably try to fit 1 purphoros for midrange/ control / devo green the sb.
Really like removal suite, token generators, planeswalker plan. I guess despises complement charm vs green devotion and midrange.
Not sure about 2 elspeths with 25 lands, you woupd need to run more lands/read the bones imo for it. Maybe only 1?
Good package vs agro, however not sure if enough vs jeskai tempo.
Also not sure with all planeswalkers of a same name. While worse, maybe ajani in place'of'sorim im sb, similar to stormbreath(or underworld cerberus) over sarkhan? Little bit scared to have guys of the same name that are quite durable.

This deck should fill the graveyard quite well, would probably consider murderous cut as a fatty removal (if utter end is not needed) and/or empty the pits as an additional potential wincon.

Deck needs 17 red (sarkhan, 18 for a 1off chandra), 12 black and 19 white (for sb brimaz and spear), 17 for dctate/elspeth.and total of 18 black/white lands for sorin.
Would also consider erebos dictate (vs midrange) and tymater (reach) if problemsvwith tose.

LP, of the Fires · Postby **LP, of the Fires** » Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:31 pm

You can basically ignore the sideboard and use your own.

If I redid it, I'd probably keep magma spray and brimaz, while adding purphoros, murderous cut, maybe dictate of erebos and IDK from there.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:32 am

I'm not sure if Hall is that great in this list... other than that it looks solid.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 1:39 am

A couple more decks I noticed:

[deck= Mardu Tokens by Jeremy Bowman, 24th Place at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 9/27/2014 ]

Creatures (16)
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Wingmate Roc
2 Brain Maggot
4 Nyx-Fleece Ram

Planeswalkers (3)
3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor

Lands (25)
2 Plains
3 Swamp
4 Battlefield Forge
4 Caves of Koilos
4 Nomad Outpost
4 Temple of Malice
3 Temple of Silence
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Spells (16)
4 Bile Blight
3 Crackling Doom
4 Hero's Downfall
1 Murderous Cut
4 Thoughtseize

Sideboard(15)
2 Banishing Light
2 Empty the Pits
2 Last Breath
1 Silence the Believers
1 Liliana Vess
2 Despise
4 Drown in Sorrow
1 Glare of Heresy[/deck]

[deck= Mardu Aggro by Andy Fergeson, 26th Place at StarCityGames.com Standard Open on 9/27/2014]

Creatures (18)
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Brain Maggot
2 Tymaret, the Murder King

Planeswalkers (2)
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor

Lands (24)
1 Mountain
2 Swamp
3 Battlefield Forge
2 Bloodstained Mire
3 Caves of Koilos
4 Mana Confluence
4 Nomad Outpost
4 Temple of Malice
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Spells (16)
1 Crackling Doom
1 Devouring Light
2 Magma Jet
3 Mardu Charm
1 Murderous Cut
2 Raise the Alarm
2 Stoke the Flames
4 Thoughtseize

Sideboard (15)
1 Grim Haruspex
1 Jeering Instigator
1 Dictate of Erebos
2 Bile Blight
2 Dark Betrayal
1 Deicide
1 Ephemeral Shields
3 Magma Spray
1 Whip of Erebos
1 Erebos, God of the Dead
1 Harness by Force[/deck]

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 2:27 am

[deck= Mardu Tempo?]
Creatures (15)
4 x Goblin Rabblemaster
4 x Butcher of the Horde
4 x Altac Bloodseeker
3 x Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Planeswalkers (3)
2 x Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
1x Chandra, Pyromaster

Spells (18)
4 x Crackling Doom
4 x Lightning Strike
4 x Hero's Downfall
4 x Searing Blood
2 x Stoke the Flames

Lands (24)
2 x Swamp
2 x Mountain
2 x Plains
3 x Battlefield Forge
2 x Bloodstained Mire
1 x Nomad Outpost
3 x Caves of Koilos
4 x Temple of Malice
4 x Temple of Triumph
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Sideboard
2 x Ashcloud Phoenix
3 x Nyx-Fleece Ram
4 x Thoughtseize
1 x Harness by Force
1 x Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 x Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
2 x Arc Lightning
1 x Temple of Silence[/deck]

Step 1: Thoughtseize
Step 2: Altac Bloodseeker
Step 3: Kill everyting
Step 4: ???????????????????????
Step 5: Profit?

Postby **admin** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:03 pm

Yo L_D I'm gonna go ahead and ship your primer to the frontpage, I will keep it updated as you add stuff. Is that ok for you?

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:50 pm

Sure, sounds good.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 4:10 am

Played the following list at FNM:

[deck]Creatures (15)
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Stormbreath Dragon
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Spells (20)
3 Crackling Doom
4 Magma Jet
4 Lightning Strike
4 Thoughtseize
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
3 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
1 Murderous Cut

Lands (25)
2 Mountain
2 Swamp
1 Battlefield Forge
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Caves of Koilos
2 Mana Confluence
4 Nomad Outpost
2 Temple of Malice
2 Temple of Silence
1 Temple of Triumph
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Sideboard (15)
2 Banishing Light
4 Nyx-Fleece Ram
3 Magma Spray
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Despise
1 Harness by Force[/deck]

Scrumped HARD.

Round 1: Rakdos Aggro (2-0)
Round 2: Gruul Mosters (1-2)
Round 3: RDW (1-2)
Round 4: BYE

Rakdos Aggro seemed a little clunky and Sorin just mangled him.

I mana screwed in G1 + 3 vs Monsters (except for this, mana felt smooth / stable). G2 was close but I was able to win my Harnessing his Dragon and saccing it to Butcher for lifelink.

RDW killed me on T3 in G1 with the stone cold nuts. I squeaked out G2 and lost a very close G3 to double Hammerhand blanking my 4/4 lifelink Brimaz and 3/2 Lifelink Vampire.

I am thinking about promoting the Harness by Force to the main. The 1 of Murderous Cut was fantastic, but I think the deck sorely needs a Doom Blade variant. 3cc is just too slow vs Aggro. Magma Jet is nearly worthless vs Midrange. As much as I don't like to admit it, I think this deck might not be a real deck without the flexibility of a 2cc removal spell. I may have bee wrong to not play Suspension Field.

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Sat Oct 04, 2014 4:16 am

Here's a couple more lists:

[deck= Mardu Midrange by Shane Campbell, 1st Place at StarCityGames.com Invitational Qualifier on 9/27/2014]

Creatures (8)
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
2 Stormbreath Dragon
2 Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Planeswalkers (7)
2 Chandra, Pyromaster
3 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
2 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker

Lands (27)
5 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Swamp
4 Battlefield Forge
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Temple of Silence
4 Temple of Triumph

Spells (19)
3 Banishing Light
4 Chained to the Rocks
4 Lightning Strike
4 Mardu Charm
4 Thoughtseize

Sideboard (15)
4 Seeker of the Way
2 Stormbreath Dragon
1 Banishing Light
3 Searing Blood
3 Anger of the Gods
2 Glare of Heresy[/deck]

I like the Chained to the Rocks.

A more token based approach:

[deck= Mardu Midrange by Aaron Napier, 4th Place at StarCityGames.com Invitational Qualifier on 9/28/2014]

Creatures (13)
2 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Butcher of the Horde
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
3 Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Planeswalkers (5)
1 Chandra, Pyromaster
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
2 Sorin, Solemn Visitor

Lands (24)
2 Mountain
3 Plains
3 Swamp
2 Battlefield Forge
2 Bloodstained Mire
1 Caves of Koilos
1 Flooded Strand
3 Temple of Malice
3 Temple of Silence
3 Temple of Triumph
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth

Spells (18)
2 Dictate of Heliod
4 Hero's Downfall
2 Magma Jet
2 Mardu Charm
3 Raise the Alarm
1 Whip of Erebos
4 Thoughtseize

Sideboard
2 Crackling Doom
2 Deflecting Palm
2 Deicide
2 Magma Jet
2 Mardu Charm
2 Utter End
3 Despise[/deck]

Lightning_Dolt · Postby **Lightning_Dolt** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 3:37 am

BBD's latest:

[deck] Mardu Midrange by BBD[/deck]

Dies to Removal

Primer: Mardu Midrange

Primer: Mardu Midrange

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