So this is basically just a hybrid list between
kc_bandit's and
cuttlefist's elysian Circo decks.
I found myself wanting more fast spells for blowing out the AI and dealing with huge threats than kc's version; so I put two Equivocates into the main deck. I did like his Trail Maker change, but I found myself flooding out far too often so wanted to cut down on effective power sources.
Dusk Raider is an iffy card for me. I've won more than one game a round or two earlier thanks to a berserk, but it usually feels more like a "win more" card rather than something that makes the difference. Plus I'm always hesitant to put another card in the opponent's hands with nightfall. It is really nice when it works though. I never want to draw more than one or two so I cut it down to 3 rather than 4 in the deck. Needs more testing.
Beckoning Lumen is another card I'm not completely sold on. The draw is nice, but it's an expensive card with a "meh" body of 3 health. So again, needs more testing.
Lastly I like one copy of Circo in the market. It's what I pull most often with an Auralian Merchant. And very often the merchant ramps me right into playing Circo next turn.
Tips that helped me:
-I try to use False Prince to bait out removal and get in early damage/blocking before dropping more fatties. Always nice when it soaks a vanquish and I end up with a frog. The AI doesn't understand that a Torch or Vara's Favor would kill it.
-If you can get a two or more for one trade with False Prince, it's usually worth it. Especially vs decks that go wide. Try to trade before the Obelisk comes out or thin out defenders so Circo can get in with damage (three defenders kill him every time if not buffed).
-Unless you have a Jennev Merchant to give access to Crystallize on hand, it's usually best to trade aggressively.
There's probably more, but that's all that comes to mind for now. All in all I like the deck, but I find it equally effective as the other good gauntlet decks like
Hooru Fliers and
Tavrod. I tend to just bounce between the three as the mood takes me.
Initiate of the Sands
x4
1
Permafrost
x4
2
Dusk Raider
x3
2
Equivocate
x2
2
Teacher of Humility
x4
2
Trail Maker
x2
2
Xenan Initiation
x2
3
Auralian Merchant
x2
3
False Prince
x4
3
Jennev Merchant
x3
3
Lunar Magus
x4
4
Beckoning Lumen
x3
4
Champion of Wisdom
x4
4
Sandstorm Titan
x4
5
Cirso, the Great Glutton
x3
6
Predatory Carnosaur
x2
Primal Sigil
x4
Time Sigil
x6
Amber Waystone
x4
Crest of Wisdom
x4
Elysian Banner
x3
Seat of Wisdom
x4
View Deck on Shiftstoned
Not in the Market, I get that two colors is better than one there.
I'm also surprised no one ever experiments with Mirror Image or Excavate in these decks.
If Cirso is so important, then copy or revive him. I'm not seeing Copy as necessarily being amazing, it just might be better than Dusk Raider. (So might Polymorph)
Excavate would presumably be a dead unit that traded and would also combo Beckoning Lumen (which the Lumen could use more of to justify).
Excavate seems like a good idea too, though I don't love the idea of slowing the deck down even more. There's enough good ideas here in the comments that I should probably swap this deck list to "Work in Progress", lol.
kcbandit uses striking snake formation over crystalize which I have to say I think is pretty great for these board stalls since it means you don't even have to win immediately afterwards
currently I'm actually running Aeva over champion of wisdom which feels pretty nice.
I'm less sure about the Aeva swap. Champion's won a lot of games for me as a 4 power 6/6 (which I usually go for first over flying.) But I'll give it a shot sometime.