Pauper is defined by mistakes. These are not errors in gameplay but rather ones that come before the cards even see print. A look at the banned list of the format is a lesson in missteps of days gone by. The vast majority of the cards that have been barred from play cheat the mana system either by ignoring it completely or by converting the cost into an opportunity. The only card where there is not a direct relationship to the subversion of the mana system is Cranial Plating, yet that card earned its spot on the list due to strength of Affinity — an entire deck based on getting around casting cost.

Even with these cards out of the format Pauper still revolves around cards that push the limits of commons. Rancor, Lightning Bolt, and Mulldrifter — a triumvirate of supremely powerful cards — have been recently reprinted at uncommon. One can make the case that both Delver of Secrets and Gray Merchant of Asphodel are powerful enough to be bumped up the rarity ladder but grace Pauper due to their representation of flagship mechanics from their respective sets.

So of course I decided to take advantage of some mistakes and play a Mono-White beatdown deck.

These cards are not epic punts when it comes to design. Rather they are clearly pushed cards that helped to highlight a new mechanic at the time of printing (a la Delver of Secrets and Gray Merchant of Asphodel). Bonesplitter is from the first set with Equipment and ranks low on the Mirrodin gaffes scale. For a single mana Bonesplitter can give a boost to any creature. Unlike Rancor, Bonesplitter can move from a creature after an attack so that it can pull double duty on defense. The axe may not be as singularly offensive as Rancor due to the lack of trample but it is better positioned to grind out games that progress past the first few stages. Bonesplitter is clearly a powerful card but it can’t hold a candle to Affinity.

Vehicles are similar to Equipment in that they are a permanent way to upgrade creatures. Renegade Freighter is a puzzle. As a 3-drop it cannot attack until turn four; but, when it does, it hits hard enough that it demands a block. Freighter, unlike Bonesplitter, can give top-decked creatures a form of haste while also protecting them from actual combat. The train allows aggressive decks to hold their own in the midgame while not giving up equity in the early turns. Another clearly pushed card it does something unique in Pauper.

These two Artifacts are far from broken but they both are above the curve for their cost. They also both help beatdown decks continue to apply pressure beyond the developing stages of a game. Persistent forms of advantage are rare in Pauper and the combination of Bonesplitter and Renegade Freighter give beatdown a chance to compete well into the late game. It does not matter how many cards your opponent draws since either one of these turns any creature into a reasonable threat.

So then why White? The premier aggressive deck in Pauper is Stompy and that deck is at its best when it leverages pump spells like Vines of Vastwood and Groundswell. While some versions have adopted Bonesplitter and Renegade Freighter these two are not quite as good as Rancor. Red decks have Lightning Bolt and Fireblast for reach. White is best set up to take advantage of the pair due in part to its core of resilient creatures.

Kor Skyfisher is the best White creature in Pauper. As a 2/3 it can block a Spire Golem all day, eat Faeries, and trade with Delver of Secrets. At 2 mana it is a bargain but there is a catch — returning a permanent to your hand. That is where the rest of White comes in handy. Kor Skyfisher is the centerpiece of decks seeking to leverage Prophetic Prism and Ichor Wellspring as a source of repeatable card draw but in a White aggressive deck the best thing you can draw is either a land or a creature and Skyfisher is a Kor you get that can do both.

This is where Thraben Inspector and Loyal Cathar enter the picture. Cathar is a regular inclusion in White decks that can support the color commitment. As a 2 power 2-drop it is behind the curve for aggressive builds but ahead of the value 3-drops that heavily populate the format. The advantage of Cathar is its ability to rise from the dead as a 2/1 aggressive threat. Alone this is hardly impressive but Skyfisher let’s you pick up the Unhallowed Cathar to replay as another 2/2 threat. Combined with Bonesplitter this becomes a formidable offensive tandem.

Thraben Inspector is not going to earn any merits for its offensive prowess. Sure, it can pick up a Bonesplitter but so can any creature. Where Inspector shines is its ability in conjunction with Kor Skyfisher to create a stream of Clues and, by proxy, cards. Inspector provides a way to use mana that may otherwise go unspent and convert it into new cards. In a deck that would otherwise have a chance at running out of steam, the Clue token represents a chance to keep pace as the game goes long. In situations where being aggressive is the best option, the Clue is an easy permanent to pick up with the Skyfisher so that no tempo ends up lost.

The combination of this trio of White cards and the pair of Artifacts provides a solid core for a midrange aggressive strategy. Unlike the Green and Red decks, White aggro has the ability to keep the cards flowing. With this in mind here is the deck I have been playing in the Pauper League.

Mono-White Aggro ? Pauper| Alex Ullman

• Creatures (28)
• 1 Hopeful Eidolon
• 4 Benevolent Bodyguard
• 4 Elite Vanguard
• 3 Icatian Javelineer
• 4 Thraben Inspector
• 4 Kor Skyfisher
• 4 Loyal Cathar
• 4 Squadron Hawk

• Sorceries (3)
• 3 Sunlance

• Enchantments (4)
• 4 Journey to Nowhere

• Artifacts (7)
• 1 Flayer Husk
• 3 Bonesplitter
• 3 Renegade Freighter

• Lands (18)
• 18 Plains

• Sideboard (15)
• 3 Fragmentize
• 3 Standard Bearer
• 2 Suture Priest
• 2 Veteran Armorer
• 2 Prismatic Strands
• 1 Divine Offering
• 1 Unmake
• 1 Oblivion Ring

Buy This Deck

Benevolent Bodyguard is the unsung all-star of this deck and helps to make Renegade Freighter an absolute beast. The ability to either protect the train from targeted removal or help it get around blockers is massive. Combined with a Bonesplitter the Bodyguard can Crew the Freighter by itself, hand the axe over, then help it attack through unscathed for seven damage. Despite the flavor fail games will often end by trains picking up a piece of equipment.

Hopeful Eidolon is a hedge against other aggressive decks. The Theros common plays a role similar to Vault Skirge while also providing a potential boost to other beaters. Flayer Husk is a piece of equipment that can also attack. Given the option, against an unknown opponent I would rank the 1-drops, as in which I want to play turn one, as: Javelineers, Vanguard, Inspector, Husk, Bodyguard, and Eidolon. Against slower opponents or those I have to race, Vanguard goes up. In matchups where cards matter more I definitely err on Inspector, especially if I do not have a “must play” 2-drop.

Speaking of 2-drops, Squadron Hawk helps to make this deck sing. Not only does it provide plenty of offense, the Hawks excel as picking up equipment and crashing into the red zone. The Hawks have the added bonus of being a nightmare for Delver as they can completely stop a potential air force.

White Aggro has some interesting, and challenging, sequencing options. Normally spending turn three to commit a card that does not have an immediate effect would be a non-starter in aggro. Renegade Freighter is an investment in the future and often it is correct to play it before other creatures since it is far harder to remove. Freighter should often be on the front lines as it will trade for multiple creatures from the defender while leaving yours unharmed.

White Aggro is not a deck with overwhelming positive matchups. Instead it has game against many of the top decks in the format while providing a flexible shell. White also has access to some of the best sideboard options in Pauper while also ignoring common sideboard inclusions Hydroblast and Pyroblast.

Delver

I consider this deck to be at a slight advantage against Delver but a turn one Javelineer can help to boost that win percentage. The goal in this matchup is to exhaust Delver’s creatures by trading aggressively until a Skyfisher or Freighter can take the game over. Squadron Hawk and Bonesplitter are key cards while Benevolent Bodyguard is less important. Bringing in an Unmake and a Oblivion Ring in favor of Hopeful Eidolon and a Renegade Freighter helps to clear out Spire Golems and potentially Serrated Arrows. If Arrows come in, consider adding Fragmentize.

Stompy

Another matchup where White is at a slight advantage. Sunlance can take out any threat while Journey to Nowhere on Young Wolf is just about the best possible situation. Kor Skyfisher and Loyal Cathar trade well and Stompy has problems dealing with an air force, so Skyfisher and Hawks can close out the game. In Game 2 I will side out Squadron Hawks and a Freighter since Stompy will often bring in Scattershot Archer. In their place I’ll add Prismatic Strands and Standard Bearer. Stompy has a hard time dealing with Standard Bearer but they will often bring in Epic Confrontation as a counter so if at all possible cast a Bearer after a Benevolent Bodyguard is on the table.

Affinity

White is at a slight disadvantage here thanks to massive creatures, Fling, and Atog. Again the goal is to trade aggressively and try to keep the life total high. Saving Journey to Nowhere for Atog or Gearseeker Serpent is ideal but not always possible. In games two and three I’ll bring in Fragmentize, Unmake, Divine Offering, and Prismatic Strands for Javelineers, Sunlance, and Flayer Husk. Fragmentize should be used aggressively on Artifact Lands and Springleaf Drum while Divine Offering should be saved for a Myr Enforcer.

Tron

An uphill battle for sure. White can win if it hits every drop and can keep cards like Sea Gate Oracle off the table. If Tron can stick a Fangren Marauder and start gaining life the game is absolutely over. It only gets harder in sideboarded games as Electrickery can wreck a board state. Javelineers and Sunlance come out for Prismatic Strands, Unmake, Oblivion Ring, and the Veteran Armorers.

Mono-Black Control

A surprisingly even matchup once players abandoned Crypt Rats. The goal is to establish an early board presence and hold Kor Skyfisher to help mitigate the potential loss of a Loyal Cathar. If Gray Merchant can hit for more than four it can be tough to recover. Renegade Freighter is hard for them to deal with so keeping it alive is important. Finding room for Unmake, Oblivion Ring, and Veteran Armorer at the expense of Javelineers and a Vanguard helps to keep White in the game post-board.

Boros Midrange/Kuldotha Tokens

Other Kor Skyfisher/Thraben Inspector decks can present a challenge as they have improved reach and the ability to cast and recast Lone Missionary. If these decks become more popular I would hang up White Aggro.

Thankfully these are just a handful of matchups in Pauper at the moment. White Aggro is a solid option that provides a way to beatdown beyond the first few turns of the game. The combination of the Kor Skyfisher engine with cards that improve offensive efficiency means that White is not going anywhere — it is just a matter of figuring out what else to cast with your Plains.