This is my current Standard deck, a seemingly natural evolution of Red Deck Wins to a more creature-oriented Red Green Deck Wins.
Creatures
4x Mogg Fanatic
4x Blood Knight
4x Keldon Marauders
4x Tarmogoyf
4x Troll Ascetic
4x Gathan Raiders
Spells
4x Rift Bolt
4x Tarfire (post-Lorwyn)
4x Incinerate
4x Fiery Temper
Lands
4x Karplusan Forest
4x Terramorphic Expanse
3x Ghitu Encampment
3x Keldon Megaliths
2x Pendelhaven
2x Mountain
2x Forest
CARD CHOICESMogg Fanatic: Pretty much a no brainer. Decent 1-drop that can give issues to Project X (should it survive rotation) and helps deal with early green acceleration. Also, being a 1/1, has the potential to swing as a 2/3 with Pendelhaven.
Blood Knight: I consider this my second best 2-drop. A 2/2 First Strike ProWhite creature for
doesn't seem too terrible. Also works like Ghitu Encampment and keeps opposing Troll Ascetics in check, since I can't burn them.
Keldon Marauders: At the very least, it's 2 damage for
, with the potential for 5 damage.
Tarmogoyf: No need to explain this. Has the potential with just my deck to be a 5/6, which is a bargain at
.
Troll Ascetic: This was a tough call between this and Call of the Herd. But my performance last night makes me feel like I made the proper choice. With 8 lands capable of producing
mana in my deck (only 10 can produce
and 4 of them can fetch any of my basics to ease out the mana curve and conveniently pump Tarmogoyf), I never seem to have trouble getting the double
Troll Ascetic needs. On top of being a semi-beefy 3/2 Regenerating creature, he's also untargetable - which gives fits to pretty much every color out there when it comes to removal.
Gathan Raiders: Almost always a 3-drop in my deck (and usually used with Fiery Temper), this card is more often than not a 5/5 and one of my main beat sticks (next to Tarmogoyf). The only time I ever hard cast it for
is when it's the last card in my hand - so then it's a 5/5 for a CMC5.
Rift Bolt: Closest thing we got to Lightning Bolt. 3 damage for
on turn 2 if I drop it turn 1, or 3 damage for
if I cast it directly. Not a bad deal.
Tarfire: The new Shock and my replacement for Seal of Fire. Tribal Instant - Goblin, so it double pumps my Tarmogoyf.
Incinerate: An oldy but goody. And a good way of dealing with regenerating creatures like the black man land.
Fiery Temper: Most often used with Gathan Raiders to morph it, although at worst it's 3 damage for
and a best it's 3 damage for
.
Karplusan Forest: Taps for
, taps for
, 'nuff said.
Terramorphic Expanse: Fetches my Mountains and my Forests, and is a reliable way to pump Tarmogoyf a little bit more.
Ghitu Encampment: A nice surprise 2/1 First Strike blocker, and does a very good job of keeping enemy Troll Ascetics in check.
Keldon Megaliths: A questionable slot for me, as I've considered changing this to Treetop Village many times to both easy out my mana curve and give me some more beat sticks. But whenever I consider that, Megaliths shows it's worth by keeping my opponent's board clear for my creatures.
Pendelhaven: Despite only having 4 1/1s in my deck (all Mogg Fanatics), I'm reluctant to drop Pendelhaven because of Crib Swap. They remove my Tarmogoyf and give me a 1/1 token...I still swing as a 2/3.
Forests and Mountains: Every deck needs basics.
WEAKNESSESSince I have so many non-basics now (actually only four more than before) and a heavier reliance on green, I've had to remove Magus of the Moon from my sideboard and now it's a good tactic against me. While it won't stop me, it will stop me from easily dropping my Tarmogoyfs and Troll Ascetics since it will cut me down from 8
sources and 4 fetches to just 2
sources.
Another problem is and will remain flying creatures, although my burn does a good job of keeping the skies clear most of the time.
Suggestions, comments, complaints, or general gripes are welcomed.
