Hopelessly Devoted to Green

Modern Horizons / Core Set 2020, Episode 15: Leyline of Abundance + Eldraine Previews

 

 

 

It's finally here: Green Week! After a long and arduous Hogaak summer, the metagame has finally slowed enough to potentially reward a strategy of flooding the battlefield with green permanents. Core 2020's Leyline of Abundance has been waiting in the wings, offering explosive starts with mana dorks, as well as a few sneaky infinite combos. Also, did somebody say two free pips for Nykthos? The crew breaks down fresh new takes on Leyline Combo, Unbound Flourishing, and Green Devotion.

 

Plus: a host of spicy previews from Throne of Eldraine, including bonus decklists!

 

 

 

Roundup: Niv-Mizzet Takes Flight

 

 

 

It was a big week for Niv-Mizzet Reborn, as this Faithless Brewing Original has officially ascended to Tier 2 status (at least, according to the wise sages at the Arena Decklists Podcast). But don't just take their word for it. The tournament results speak for themselves, with Niv putting up strong results at MCQs both in paper and online.

 

 

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Decklists for this episode can be viewed at FaithlessBrewing.com

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Glittering Niv (Ihavethefire): 1st place, MCQ Pittsburgh

 

 

 

Ramp-less Niv (Damon): 6-2 MCQ Seattle, 6-4 MTGO PTQ, 5-0 league x2

 

 

 

Traverse Niv (cavedan): 6-3 MTGO PTQ

 

 

 

Flashback: Kethis, the Hidden Hand

 

 

 

We'll be straight up, these decks sucked. Even Matt Nass's build could barely win a game. Not all is lost, however: the Saffi combo proved strong enough to possibly become its own version of the deck, and Emry, Lurker of the Loch means that help is on the way for dedicated Kethis Kombo.

 

 

 

Project Keth-eX: 3-7 practice matches, curve felt too slow, Kethis combo less well integrated than Saffi combo

 

 

 

Kethis "KCI" (Matt Nass, test deck): 0-5 practice matches, deck folded to everything, mana was horrendous

 

 

 

Emry Kethis Combo (Sam Black, test deck)

 

 

 

"Hogaak-less Hogaak" (test deck): re-built for speed and to maximize Saffi combo, with potential for turn 2 kill (Carrion Feeder -> Stitcher's Supplier into Unearth on Renegade Rallier, return Saffi, attack for lethal).

 

 

 

Throne of Eldraine Previews

 

 

 

Specter's Shriek (Bonus list: BW Processor Eldrazi) -- Bonecrusher Giant (Bonus list: Bonecrusher Kiora) -- Grumgully, the Generous (Bonus list: Grumgully Goblins) -- Torbran, Thane of Red Fell -- Drown in the Loch -- Faeburrow Elder -- Merchant of the Vale (Haggle) -- Irencrag Feat -- Fires of Invention -- Vantress Gargoyle -- The Magic Mirror -- The Cauldron of Eternity -- Witching Well -- Oko, Thief of Crowns (Bonus list: Faerie Foodies)

 

 

Brew Session: Leyline of Abundance

 

 

 

Sketch #1: GW Leyline Elves

 

 

 

Sketch #2: Unbound Flourishing

 

 

 

Sketch #3: Nissa Devotion

 

 

 

Sketch #4: Genesis Wave (designed by u/Cube_)

 

 

 

Reference lists:

 

 

 

Leyline Combo (PVDDR, test deck)

 

 

 

Leyline Combo 2 (PVDDR, test deck)

 

 

 

Devoted Elves (tagosaku, 5-0 league)

 

 

 

Bant Abundance (Jon Stern, MC Barcelona; Jeremie Ross, 5-0 league)

 

 

 

Steel Leaf Stompy (Ryan Robinson, 1st place SCG IQ)