Hey there!
Been having fun lately crushing through the gauntlet with this deck.
I've long been a fan of
Shepherd's Horn and recurring
Dawnwalker with beef like
Sandstorm Titan and
Worldbearer Behemoth.
And
Zuberi, Outlands Warlord just makes things ridiculous.
Figured I would share my insights on why this deck is so much fun.
So let's run through the cards and why they're here.
Blazing Salvo:
This is our market option, and low-level removal. One thing this deck doesn't do well is first few turns. There's little that meshes with the kit of the deck for low cost, so having something to burn an early attacker can save you headache. You'll note that I have
Crack the Earth as a sideboard card along with an alternate market. I've tried this, and it slows us down even more, so it's not my preference. I did however have a blast with
Grodov's Burden in this deck, so if you're feeling greedy, swap out your market spell and try this setup instead.
Twilight Hunt:
This is a great card to cast on anything with legs. Put it on
Dawnwalker for continued killer recursion. Put it on
Milos, Rebel Bomber to ensure hitting the enemy player. Put it on
Cykalis, the Burning Sand turn 5 to win a trade you wouldn't normally.
Zuberi, Outlands Warlord get's his passive attack running, and
Worldbearer Behemoth gets the Dinosaur bonus.
Something to note here, I like the nightfall layer of this card, as it'll draw us one extra card the next turn.
Sear:
Cheap, easy, fast removal. Great for trades against the AI, can't live without.
Cinder Yeti:
I know they're a 3 drop, but I never put them out that early unless I have to block some chumps. These guys are great for exhausting the enemy blockers to swing lethal earlier tha nexpected. What would normally be a go-wide moment ends up just being a game win. Also, later in the game, their low cost means warping them is easy and efficient.
Dawnwalker:
The AI doesn't deal with this card well, so trading with him is always worth it, especially if you've given him killer with
Twilight Hunt or
Xenan Initiation. Super easy recursion later with 18 cards that can bring him out of the Void. (More if Zuberi's been working)
Milos, Rebel Bomber:
Early overwhelm unit that adds some extra spice with Firebombs. Also shuts down the lifesteal decks, as they don't understand his interaction. The AI does seem to recognize him as a huge threat though, and tends to target him with spells and silence over other cards like Dawnwalker. Fine by me!
Shepherd's Horn:
Good fun, this card. Makes your overwhelms cheaper and gains life like crazy. This card isn't necessary to win the game, but if you get it out, you probably won't lose. Even more fun if you can hit something with a killer
Dawnwalker, have it die, then play it from the void with any of the 18 units with 5+ attack.
Cykalis, the Burning Sand:
Great damage, brings Dawnwalkers back, overwhelm and very underrated: Pledge!
Don't be afraid to pledge your Cykalis if your opening hand has only 2 or 3 power. You have lots of threats in this deck, and making sure you git your power curve is critical.
Sandstorm Titan:
Locks down the flyer decks (and that stupid stun deck) and stalls boards when you need to catch up. Great card with huge advantages for a nothing cost. Bring 4, you won't regret it.
Zuberi, Outlands Warlord:
This card is bonkers, and I like it more than most I think.
Getting free attacks with Killer is great, and can boost your next drop in an insane way. His real power is the Inspire. Given that we have 24 units with Overwhelm, giving them double damage means they're all serious threats. I also really enjoy the synergy with
Emblem of Grodov and
Emblem of Shavka. Decimating these with Zuberi or Alhed on the board is always worth it.
Alhed, Mount Breaker:
This is our backup-Zuberi. Double stats is a lot like double damage, right? Ultimate use is a win-more mostly, but it can still be fun.
Combustion Brawler:
This guy. Preventing life gain from the opponent can win games and his shift ability (like
Cinder Yeti) can make for a surprise lethal swing.
Worldbearer Behemoth:
This is a dinosaur. Pretty much perfect for the deck. More than 5 power (for Dawnwalker), overwhelm (for Shepherd's Horn), Killer with Twilight Hunt (plus beef) and throws extra power on the board, thinning the deck for better card draw and sending us happily Decimated
Emblem of Shavka and
Emblem of Grodov. Once you have your 5 power, decimate everything he throws out for you.
Power Base is pretty standard, left our the
Seat of Impulse because we only have 5 basic Sigils, so it's often depleted.
Market!
Given that we're running
Blazing Salvo our market cards have to cost 2.
That's no problem, cause there's a stack of great 2-cost options.
Disjunction:
Remove any super pesky relics the AI throws at you (
Flamestoker,
Treasury Gate,
Stronghold's Visage,
Xenan Obelisk,
Mysterium Orb,
Lethrai Hideaway, and completely shut down the Gauntlet Bosses that rely on
Crystalline Chalice and
Calderan Cradle.
Also brings back our
Shepherd's Horn, but you'll use it for removal more often.
Edict of Shavka:
Here to get past Aegis on something like a
Silverwing Familiar wearing a
Mantle of Justice. Could be replaced with
Cauldron Cookbook for greed or a
Nocturnal Creeper for stall.
Porcelain Mask:
My usual first grab from the market. Gives your
Sandstorm Titan,
Zuberi, Outlands Warlord and
Alhed, Mount Breaker overwhelm so they fit in with the rest of the crowd, and silences a threat in the opponents hand early, giving you knowledge of what's coming and one less threat to deal with.
Purify:
Silence plus damage. Usually my second market pick if there's not an immediate threat on the board.
Xenan Initiation:
This is what I grab when there IS an immediate threat on the board. Targeted removal (and probably overwhelm damage), plus is sits very nicely on Dawnwalker, Sandstorm Titan, Zuberi, or Worldbearer Behemoth.
Notes:
Tried
Copper Conduit in the market, because I like his scalability at whatever point you draw him, but if you have a Shepherd's Horn out, you can't retrieve him with Blazing Salvo. Unfortunate, but noteworthy.