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Hello everyone. Thematic decks can be a lot of fun to play. They usually offer tons of synergy, since the majority of cards in the deck are focused on the same theme. This week, I have a few examples of some thematic decks you can try out for yourself. Let's get started.
Mono-Blue Artifacts
We'll start with a deck whose theme is Artifacts. While many decks run a small number of artifacts, this deck includes a whopping 25. Let's take a look at the deck.
Mono-Blue Artifacts | SNC Standard | Hattrik_swayze, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (15)
- 2 Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
- 2 Mirrorshell Crab
- 3 Myriad Construct
- 4 Circuit Mender
- 4 Patchwork Automaton
- Planeswalkers (2)
- 2 Tezzeret, Betrayer of Flesh
- Instants (4)
- 4 Fading Hope
- Sorceries (3)
- 1 Sea Gate Restoration
- 2 Invoke the Winds
- Artifacts (12)
- 2 Lithoform Engine
- 3 Dungeon Map
- 3 Forsaken Monument
- 4 Reckoner Bankbuster
- Lands (24)
- 15 Island
- 1 Otawara, Soaring City
- 4 Crawling Barrens
- 4 Field of Ruin
With so many artifact creatures in this deck, you'll want to get a copy of Forsaken Monument into play quickly. This legendary artifact will help boost all of your colorless creatures by giving them a +2/+2 bonus. While this doesn't help Mirrorshell Crab, all of your other artifact creatures will become more formidable. Forsaken Monument also provides additional mana when you tap Dungeon Map for colorless mana. Finally, Forsaken Monument will reward you with two points of life whenever you cast a colorless spell, of which there are many in this deck.
This deck features a couple of great ways to finish your opponent off. First, you can cast Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant. While Jin-Gitaxias is in play, your opponent will find it difficult to mount any offense, since you'll automatically counter the first artifact, instant or sorcery spell they cast each turn. You'll also copy your first artifact, instant, or sorcery spell each turn, giving you tons of value. You can also use Invoke the Winds to steal an opponent's artifact or creature. You'll control it for the remainder of the game, unless your opponent destroys it or figures out a way to take control of it for themselves. Beating an opponent with their own creature feels great, but can leave some opponents salty.
Sultai Deathtouch
Next, I have a deck that features one of my favorite alternative ways to win. Let's take a look at the deck.
Sultai Deathtouch | SNC Standard | SwayzeMTG, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (18)
- 3 Henrika Domnathi
- 3 Vengeful Reaper
- 4 Fynn, the Fangbearer
- 4 Needlethorn Drake
- 4 Tajuru Blightblade
- Instants (13)
- 2 Memory Deluge
- 3 Tamiyo's Safekeeping
- 4 Master's Rebuke
- 4 Slip Out the Back
- Enchantments (4)
- 4 Security Bypass
To make sure that you have the best ability to deal combat damage to your opponent, there are a variety of creatures with deathtouch in this deck. Early on, you might be able to sneak in an attack with Tajuru Blightblade. Once your opponent has any creature of significance in play, you'll want to hold this Elf Rogue back for defense. The rest of the team has flying plus deathtouch, so you're more likely to manage dealing poison counters from above.
To make your job easier, this deck includes a few ways of dealing with your opponent's creatures that don't result in your creatures getting destroyed. Master's Rebuke is a great way for any creature with deathtouch to deal damage to a threat of any size, destroying it in the process. Security Bypass can enchant your own creature to make it unblockable. Tamiyo's Safekeeping makes its target indestructible. Finally, you can cast Slip Out the Back on an opponent's creature, leaving it unable to block for the turn. Alternatively, this spell can also be used to save your own creature from targeted removal.
Orzhov Dungeons
My final deck this week focuses on the added benefits that venturing into the dungeon can provide you. Let's check it out.
Orzhov Dungeons | SNC Standard | powrdragn, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (17)
- 2 Barrowin of Clan Undurr
- 4 Luminarch Aspirant
- 3 Tenacious Underdog
- 4 Nadaar, Selfless Paladin
- 4 Triumphant Adventurer
- Planeswalkers (5)
- 1 Lolth, Spider Queen
- 4 The Wandering Emperor
- Instants (7)
- 3 Infernal Grasp
- 4 Vanishing Verse
- Sorceries (5)
- 2 Bloodchief's Thirst
- 3 Emeria's Call // Emeria, Shattered Skyclave
- Enchantments (3)
- 3 The Meathook Massacre
In order to make the most out of attacking with Nadaar, Selfless Paladin and Triumphant Adventurer, you'll benefit from some help from Luminarch Aspirant. By adding a +1/+1 counter to either of these creatures, you'll make them less likely to be blocked effectively by your opponent. This is especially true in the case of Triumphant Adventurer, who gains first strike as long as it's your turn. Combine this with the deathtouch it always has, and you'll have a nigh unstoppable creature before you know it.
You can also gain additional +1/+1 counters when you activate the +1 loyalty ability of The Wandering Emperor. This ability also provides first strike, which can be helpful when attacking with Nadaar, Selfless Paladin. The Wandering Emperor's other abilities are more defensive in nature, but by using them, you'll be able to stay alive long enough to finish a trip through a dungeon. Doing this will provide each of your other creatures a +1/+1 bonus from Nadaar's ability, as well as the ability to return creatures from your graveyard to the battlefield when Barrowin of Clan Undurr attacks.
Wrapping Up
Thematic decks are a lot of fun to play. They can also be very good as well. I know I've only scratched the surface of thematic decks. Let me know in the comments of other thematic decks you enjoy playing.
What do you think of these decks? Do you have any suggestions for improvements? Let me know by leaving a comment below. Also, feel free to share this article with your friends anywhere on social media. And be sure to join me here again next week as I continue my search for innovative decks in Standard. I'll see you then!
-Mike Likes
