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Hello everyone. I really enjoy playing decks that are focused around a specific creature type. They're both flavorful and fun. In many instances, they can also be very powerful decks that feature a lot of synergy between cards. This week I have four decks for you that are focused on a specific creature type. Let's get started.
Knight Burn
We'll start off by looking at a deck that features two things I like, Knights and burn spells. Let's take a look at the deck.
Knight Burn | MAT Standard | Redd_Cat_MTG, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (20)
- 1 Narset, Enlightened Exile
- 1 Tori D'Avenant, Fury Rider
- 3 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
- 3 Rem Karolus, Stalwart Slayer
- 4 Kessig Wolfrider
- 4 Knight-Errant of Eos
- 4 Marshal of Zhalfir
- Instants (8)
- 4 Lightning Strike
- 4 Play with Fire
- Sorceries (3)
- 3 Nahiri's Warcrafting
With the exception of Narset, Enlightened Exile, all of the creatures in this deck are Knights. That means that having Marshal of Zhalfir on the battlefield will be able to pump up the majority of creatures you will have in play. That includes the Knight creature tokens you can create when you cast Invasion of New Phyrexia // Teferi Akosa of Zhalfir. If you're able to defeat this Battle, you can create multiple copies of the emblem that Tefiri Akosa of Zhalfir creates when you activate his -2 loyalty ability. This emblem gives each of your Knights +1/+0 and ward 1. This extra power can go a long way when combined with the trample that Tori D'Avenant, Fury Rider can provide.
Narset, Enlightened Exile serves an important role in this deck, even if she is off-brand. Whenever she attacks, you'll be able to cast a copy of a noncreature, nonland card from your graveyard, exiling that spell in the process. This is a terrific way to get an additional use out of your Lightning Strike and Play with Fire. Since both of these burn spells can damage any target, this can be a great way to deal the final few points needed to bring their health total to zero.
Selesnya Angels
Next, we'll take a look at a deck that's nearly Mono-White, splashing just a hint of Green for a powerful Angel. Let's take a look at the deck.
Selesnya Angels | MAT Standard | powrdragn, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (24)
- 2 Skrelv, Defector Mite
- 3 Archangel of Wrath
- 3 Sigarda, Font of Blessings
- 4 Giada, Font of Hope
- 4 Metropolis Reformer
- 4 Serra Paragon
- 4 Steel Seraph
- Instants (2)
- 2 Destroy Evil
- Enchantments (4)
- 4 Ossification
Skrelv, Defector Mite assists with keeping Sigarda safe from removal spells. With Skrelv on the battlefield, you can tap him and either pay one White mana or two points of life (whichever is easiest at the time) to provide hexproof from a specific color to another creature you control for the turn. This is a great way to protect Sigarda from spells that will otherwise outright destroy or exile her from the battlefield.
Battle Zombies
The next deck I have for you features Zombies alongside a pair of Battles that greatly benefit them. Let's check it out.
Battle Zombies | MAT Standard | Redd_Cat_MTG, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (16)
- 1 Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
- 1 Razorlash Transmogrant
- 2 Cemetery Desecrator
- 4 Bladestitched Skaab
- 4 Champion of the Perished
- 4 Tainted Adversary
- Instants (10)
- 2 Cut Down
- 2 Flip the Switch
- 2 Go for the Throat
- 4 Make Disappear
- Sorceries (2)
- 2 Render Inert
This deck also features a full playset of two Battles, Invasion of Amonkhet // Lazotep Convert and Invasion of Innistrad // Deluge of the Dead. Both of these Battles can provide you with additional Zombies when they are defeated. You can either attack these Battles to remove their counters, or use the battlefield entry effect of Cemetery Desecrator to help with this. Additionally, there is a pair of Render Inert spells in this deck, which can also remove counters from these Battles.
Mono-Red Dragons
The final deck I have for you this week is focused on Dragons. Let's take a look at it.
Mono-Red Dragons | MAT Standard | Redd_Cat_MTG, aetherhub.com user
- Creatures (20)
- 2 Bloodfeather Phoenix
- 3 Atsushi, the Blazing Sky
- 3 Reckless Stormseeker
- 4 Kolaghan Warmonger
- 4 Manaform Hellkite
- 4 Shivan Devastator
- Instants (8)
- 4 Lightning Strike
- 4 Play with Fire
- Sorceries (3)
- 3 Nahiri's Warcrafting
- Battles (4)
- 4 Invasion of Tarkir // Defiant Thundermaw
- Lands (25)
- 22 Mountain
- 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance
- 2 Mishra's Foundry
Adding to the potential damage that your attacking Dragons can do are the Dragon Illusion creature tokens created by Manaform Hellkite. While Manaform Hellkite is on the battlefield, every time you cast a noncreature spell, you'll create a temporary Dragon Illusion token that has flying and haste. You should attack with this token, as it will be exiled at the beginning of the next end step. Since your opponent might not want to trade their creature for a token that's going to disappear, they might decide not to block it. That's like dealing free damage for you.
Wrapping Up
Playing decks that focus on a single creature type is always a blast. These decks always feel so much more thematic than simply playing a deck filled with 'the best' creatures that have nothing in common with each other. When playing decks like these, they might emphasize the fun, but they also bring the power and synergy that can often lead to victory. I hope you have as much fun with these decks as I will.
What do you think of these decks? 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
