This is mostly a fun deck, but I was able to reach Master's with it, and as an old fan of
Knucklebones I wanted a deck where
Quicksilver Gateway could work. The crux of the deck is to get down
Vargo's Pelt and
Quicksilver Gateway, making any card you draw transformed into a +2/+2 unit for each pelt you have down. It's basically trying to outvalue your opponent while maiming their card-seeking efforts.
Decks that rely heavily on Markets or redrawing of units from the void will struggle against this as the card sought from the void or market will be turned into a random card (likely less helpful than what they would've chosen). Silence effects are effective until the silenced unit gets transformed into another unit (but most cards have summon effects so we've already received some of the value of the card).
Card Choices:
Calibrate helps find power or needed relics, and after gateway is down turns into a 1 cost card draw.
Unstable Form for the echo effect (2nd one turns to random card with gateway, and transforms )
The Plunder cards,
Desert Alchemist,
Maveloft Huntress are helpful removal along with helping to fix power issues or get card draw. After the huntress has done her primary job, a quick transform releases the imbued unit as well.
Reshape is a good card, but sometimes brings about frustration as transform effects do from time to time.
Yorja, The Tale Keeper does work on the field and when a card in your hand is transformed into a unit. Reshape on all your own units will of course transform her, so take that into consideration. All said thought, Yorja is a good addition to the deck.
Glen Fasciata is a great card, but you almost always want to transform it as soon as it comes down. The same thought process goes for the
Customs Officer to remove the downside of the entomb effect.
The market is a bit of a work in progress, I've been grabbing the
Linrei's Codex most often, least often grabbing
Permafrost.
The deck is fully able to win games without the pelt-gateway combo, but that provides the most disruption & advantage. Of the two, the pelt should always be prioritized over the gateway, as an unremoved pelt provides massive value.
Any thoughts on making this more fine tuned would be appreciated.
Without playing the deck myself, how fast/slow have you found it? Would cheap threats like Shambling Sapsucker, Wildgrowth Druid, or Feral Mandrake fit into the gameplan, or dilute it?