Always Thinking

There was a last minute change.

I did some goldfishing with Wasting Away and the glut at the three CMC spot really stood out.

Also, it became clear to me that Basilisk Collar on a Plague Spitter was a Death Pits of Rath, without having Death Pits out. So cards like the Wanderer and Lashknife Barrier really couldn't be taken out.

However, a Soul Link and a Death Pits could both be cut. The issue was: What to add in?

I opted for a Gideon, Champion of Justice for a few reasons. First, at four mana there isn't a lot of competition for that spot. Second, as a creature with indestructible, any activations of Thrashing Wumpus or Noxious Field wouldn't be a problem. Third, Gideon could represent a win condition that would survive many forms of removal.

Then the testing began.

Some games against Noah were interesting and very, very grindy. Gideon did some work but wasn't as threatening as I'd hoped. The High Priest, though, had some challenges.

The High Priest of Penance issues continued as testing continued. Even coming out on turn two, it just wasn't making much of an impact. Which makes sense: This is a deck that wants to prevent damage and the High Priest only works if it takes damage. Sadly, the axis this deck wants to win on isn't harmonious with the High Priest's ability.

Effectively, I think I have two options: run Kitesail Freebooter or find different board control elements.

I've been reluctant to put in the Freebooter because that was what was done in the deck tech that inspired this deck's elevation to the spotlight. But that's just pride getting in the way: the Freebooter does plenty of what I would ask for a card in that slot; It's cheap, disruptive, and as a flier it can get in for early damage, while also carrying a Soul Link and surviving a hit from Plague Spitter.

That should be worth testing, so I'm going to test it..