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5 New Takes on Pioneer Decks with Wilds of Eldraine by Mogged
A Whole New Set
The new set is here and adventures have always been good in Pioneer . These new ones seem very interesting. They are somewhat different from the good old Bonecrusher Giant and Lovestruck Beast because their effects are more complicated and synergistic this time. They might require a less generic approach than the old ones to utilize them, as they seem more like build-around cards.
Four Adventure Decks and a Turtle
The Pioneer Regional Championship season is approaching, and I will be competing in LEC Lille. Here are some innovative brews, which include new cards that I've tested, based on my most daring ideas.
#1 Hammer Time
So, the new card we have here is Kellan, which is a significant upgrade. It has seen a little play already.
Kellan is probably my favorite pioneer card to build around at the moment. It has a very powerful and versatile effect combined with some of the most forgotten and underplayed types that exist, such as equipment and auras. The most important part is that it can help you find the piece you're missing, whether it's something to enchant your creatures, the creature itself (if it is an equipment), or just removal (Chained to the Rocks).
$322/58.15 Tix
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Cacophony Scamp | $0.35 | |
| 4 Fireblade Charger | $0.35 | |
| 4 Kellan, the Fae-Blooded | $3.99 | |
| 4 Kemba, Kha Enduring | $0.49 | |
| 1 Rabbit Battery | $0.35 | |
| 2 Skrelv, Defector Mite | $5.49 | |
| 4 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker | $21.99 | |
| Artifact [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Colossus Hammer | $3.49 | |
| 1 Maul of the Skyclaves | $0.49 | |
| 1 Shadowspear | $27.99 | |
| Enchantment [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 All That Glitters | $0.79 | |
| 1 Chained to the Rocks | $0.59 | |
| 4 Sigarda's Aid | $8.99 | |
| Planeswalker [3] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Nahiri, the Unforgiving | $0.99 | |
| Land [22] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Battlefield Forge | $1.49 | |
| 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $10.99 | |
| 4 Inspiring Vantage | $2.79 | |
| 1 Mirrex | $7.99 | |
| 5 Mountain | $0.01 | |
| 3 Plains | $0.01 | |
| 4 Sacred Foundry | $22.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chained to the Rocks | $0.59 | |
| 1 Curse of Silence | $0.49 | |
| 1 Jegantha, the Wellspring | $0.99 | |
| 1 Lion Sash | $2.29 | |
| 2 Loran's Escape | $0.49 | |
| 3 Portable Hole | $0.99 | |
| 2 Silence | $8.99 | |
| 1 Sword of Forge and Frontier | $11.99 | |
| 3 Wear/Tear | $0.79 | |
$58.15 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.45 / Week @cardhoarder
$271.79 @tcgplayer
$371.55 @cardkingdom
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Apprentice and MWS .dec
I can see this deck being built in a number of ways. I started with an all-in combo version with protection spells, but realized it is better as a slower version to make full use of Kellan.
#2 - Bunnycleave
This is also a build centered around Kellan, but in a broader version. The goal is to make your bunny a 10/10 double strike trample with Embercleave.
It's a deck that balances between going wide, grabbing creatures that are also spells with Knight-Errant of Eos, and trying to one-shot your opponent with Embercleave.
Heartflame Duelist also makes a guest appearance in this, serving as the 5th and 6th copy of Bonecrusher Giant.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [29] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Bonecrusher Giant | $0.59 | |
| 4 Cacophony Scamp | $0.35 | |
| 4 Fireblade Charger | $0.35 | |
| 2 Heartflame Duelist | $0.49 | |
| 2 Kari Zev, Skyship Raider | $0.49 | |
| 4 Kellan, the Fae-Blooded | $3.99 | |
| 4 Knight-Errant of Eos | $7.99 | |
| 1 Rabbit Battery | $0.35 | |
| 4 Regal Bunnicorn | $0.99 | |
| Artifact [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Embercleave | $6.99 | |
| 1 Maul of the Skyclaves | $0.49 | |
| 1 Shadowspear | $27.99 | |
| Enchantment [5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 All That Glitters | $0.79 | |
| 1 Chained to the Rocks | $0.59 | |
| 3 Legion's Landing | $5.99 | |
| Land [22] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Battlefield Forge | $1.49 | |
| 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $10.99 | |
| 4 Inspiring Vantage | $2.79 | |
| 1 Mirrex | $7.99 | |
| 5 Mountain | $0.01 | |
| 1 Needleverge Pathway | // | $4.99 |
| 2 Plains | $0.01 | |
| 4 Sacred Foundry | $22.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Curse of Silence | $0.49 | |
| 1 Deafening Silence | $1.79 | |
| 1 Lion Sash | $2.29 | |
| 3 Portable Hole | $0.99 | |
| 3 Rending Volley | $2.29 | |
| 2 Rest in Peace | $0.99 | |
| 1 Sword of Forge and Frontier | $11.99 | |
| 3 Wear/Tear | $0.79 | |
$27.35 Tix @cardhoarder
$0.99 / Week @cardhoarder
$196.07 @tcgplayer
$285.03 @cardkingdom
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#3 - Orzhov reanimator
This is a very slow reanimator deck that hits really hard. Your creatures are attempting to mill a permanent to resurrect while also playing defense.
The goal is to get to 5 mana and reanimate any big permanent including Virtue of Persistence while making your small creature a five power threat.
I have found Ashen Rider to be slightly better than Atraxa because it is castable. Also, since you are always falling behind on the board, exiling a permanent helps with survival.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [17] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Ashen Rider | $0.49 | |
| 2 Atraxa, Grand Unifier | $32.99 | |
| 4 Stitcher's Supplier | $2.29 | |
| 4 Thraben Inspector | $0.49 | |
| 4 Undead Butler | $0.39 | |
| Instant [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Deadly Dispute | $1.29 | |
| Sorcery [9] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Invoke Justice | $0.49 | |
| 2 Rite of Oblivion | $0.35 | |
| 3 Virtue of Persistence | $18.99 | |
| Planeswalker [5] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Liliana of the Veil | $15.99 | |
| 1 Liliana, Death's Majesty | $1.49 | |
| Land [25] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Brightclimb Pathway | // | $4.99 |
| 4 Caves of Koilos | $0.69 | |
| 4 Concealed Courtyard | $1.29 | |
| 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $10.99 | |
| 4 Godless Shrine | $13.99 | |
| 1 Hive of the Eye Tyrant | $4.99 | |
| 1 Mirrex | $7.99 | |
| 1 Plains | $0.01 | |
| 2 Restless Fortress | $0.69 | |
| 2 Shattered Sanctum | $21.99 | |
| 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $12.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| 4 Leyline of the Void | $3.99 | |
| 2 Liliana, the Last Hope | $4.49 | |
| 4 Sunscourge Champion | $0.35 | |
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
$76.95 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.92 / Week @cardhoarder
$323.56 @tcgplayer
$449.33 @cardkingdom
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Apprentice and MWS .dec
#4 - Abzan Fairfang
I have always wondered about the idea of a fair Grease Fang deck, but I always thought it lacked a good 2-drop. Mosswood Dreadknight has impressed me with its versatility and durability - it's the perfect midrange card.
I believe this is the best deck on the list, and I'm actually considering playing it in Lille while fine-tuning it over the next few weeks. It plays very similarly to a fair midrange deck like red black, complete with a plethora of answers. However, sometimes you get the bonus of reanimating a vehicle with Greasefang. Both Liliana and Witherbloom Command can help you get your Greasefang target into the graveyard.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [11] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Greasefang, Okiba Boss | $0.49 | |
| 4 Mosswood Dreadknight | $2.29 | |
| 3 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | $79.99 | |
| Artifact [9] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Esika's Chariot | $4.49 | |
| 2 Reckoner Bankbuster | $2.29 | |
| 3 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| Instant [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Abrupt Decay | $0.99 | |
| 2 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| 3 Vanishing Verse | $0.49 | |
| Sorcery [8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| 4 Witherbloom Command | $1.99 | |
| Planeswalker [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Liliana of the Veil | $15.99 | |
| Land [24] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Blooming Marsh | $2.49 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 1 Branchloft Pathway | // | $2.99 |
| 3 Concealed Courtyard | $1.29 | |
| 2 Darkbore Pathway | // | $7.49 |
| 1 Godless Shrine | $13.99 | |
| 2 Hive of the Eye Tyrant | $4.99 | |
| 4 Overgrown Tomb | $15.99 | |
| 1 Razorverge Thicket | $2.79 | |
| 1 Restless Cottage | $1.79 | |
| 1 Swamp | $0.01 | |
| 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $12.99 | |
| 4 Temple Garden | $13.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Damping Sphere | $0.99 | |
| 2 Duress | $0.35 | |
| 1 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| 1 Liliana of the Veil | $15.99 | |
| 2 Ray of Enfeeblement | $0.35 | |
| 2 Reckoner Bankbuster | $2.29 | |
| 1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 2 Temporary Lockdown | $7.49 | |
| 2 Unlicensed Hearse | $0.79 | |
$127.54 Tix @cardhoarder
$3.19 / Week @cardhoarder
$523.49 @tcgplayer
$654.21 @cardkingdom
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Apprentice and MWS .dec
#5 - Manlands Ramp
This deck is based around pairing the Blossoming Tortoise with the Sylvan Advocate, turning Mutavaults into 0 mana 5/5s.
I do not include elves in this list because why would you want your lands to die early? Everything on this list is focused on lands, with the exception of Cityscape Leveler, which is a nice bonus to mill with.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [32] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Arboreal Grazer | $0.35 | |
| 4 Blossoming Tortoise | $7.99 | |
| 4 Cavalier of Thorns | $1.49 | |
| 4 Cityscape Leveler | $14.99 | |
| 4 Migratory Greathorn | $0.35 | |
| 4 Satyr Wayfinder | $0.35 | |
| 4 Sylvan Advocate | $0.49 | |
| 4 Topiary Stomper | $2.79 | |
| Land [28] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 3 Castle Garenbrig | $4.99 | |
| 4 Drownyard Temple | $0.49 | |
| 11 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 3 Lair of the Hydra | $1.99 | |
| 4 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| 2 Shrine of the Forsaken Gods | $0.49 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chainweb Aracnir | $0.35 | |
| 3 Gemrazer | $0.99 | |
| 2 Kraul Harpooner | $0.35 | |
| 2 Scavenging Ooze | $0.49 | |
| 1 Setessan Petitioner | $0.35 | |
| 1 Shifting Ceratops | $0.49 | |
| 3 Tyrranax Rex | $10.99 | |
| 1 Umori, the Collector | $0.49 | |
$43.10 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.08 / Week @cardhoarder
$209.52 @tcgplayer
$276.79 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
So, this deck is very slow and has very few ways to interact with the opponent. However, upon playing it, I realized how well it handles midrange decks like red and black, and some aggro. Your value is stored in lands, and you have many walls to absorb attacks.
Final words
I think the Adventure cards are looking really strong, and some of them fit Pioneer really well. I will continue exploring them, and it is quite possible that I'll bring a Mosswood Dreadknight deck to Lille.