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8 New/Refurbished Pioneer Decks with Smuggler’s Copter by Mogged
Smuggler Copter Re-Released
Smuggler's Copter is free at last. I have been waiting for this moment for so long. I prefer Pioneer when it is focused on aggro/midrange strategies, and I believe Copter can push the format in that direction by itself.
In this article, I will go over the decks I tested to see what you can do with Smuggler's Copter so many years after its ban.
Copter Best Partners
Copter works well with creatures, so I've noticed that some cards become significantly better when you try to build with it.
Here are the best cards to pair your Copter with
#1 Mutavault
This card is Copter's partner in crime. They both fit into aggressive strategies, whether in monocolored or two-colored decks. Mutavault can crew Copter in times of need but can also loot, searching for the color you need. Indeed, Copter improves your manabase.
#2 Fable of the Mirror breaker
There is a synergy with discard that these cards share, waiting to be exploited. The Fable token can crew the Copter on curve, and I expect this to be the most common curve involving Copter.
#3 Greasefang
Greasefang can crew on curve, and Copter helps in getting bigger vehicles into the graveyard for its ability. I expect builds involving Greasefang to be less focused on Parhellion and probably play a more interactive game.
#4 Scavenging Ooze
Having copters (both players' copters in some cases) means there are a lot of cards in the graveyard. This makes the Ooze useful not only as an interactive piece but also as a turn-three play with its activated ability enabled. More cards in the graveyard mean the Ooze can threaten lethal more often nowadays.
#5 Elves
It's not very obvious since the curve doesn't make sense, but even elf decks have to play a few 2-drops. Elves are some of the worst topdecks in the format. However, the looting ability can turn your elf into an actual card. Also, the 1/1 body of the elves can be used to crew the Copter.
#6 Gix
I don't think Gix is a very strong card in the context of the format; however, it has significant synergy because a copter with evasion will connect more often than not.
My 8 Copter Decks
Monoblack Aggro
This deck used to dominate early Pioneer. Adding Copter to give it a threat that doesn't die to sweepers might be what's missing.
$558/122.61 Tix
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [22] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Bloodsoaked Champion | $0.49 | |
| 3 Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor | $25.99 | |
| 4 Graveyard Trespasser | $0.99 | |
| 4 Knight of the Ebon Legion | $2.79 | |
| 1 Lord Skitter, Sewer King | $3.49 | |
| 2 Misery's Shadow | $0.49 | |
| 1 Scrapheap Scrounger | $0.49 | |
| 3 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | $79.99 | |
| Artifact [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Instant [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Bitter Triumph | $2.29 | |
| 4 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| Sorcery [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| Land [24] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Castle Locthwain | $4.99 | |
| 3 Hive of the Eye Tyrant | $4.99 | |
| 4 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| 13 Swamp | $0.01 | |
| 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $13.99 | |
| 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth | $39.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Blightbeetle | $0.35 | |
| 4 Duress | $0.35 | |
| 1 Glistening Deluge | $0.35 | |
| 2 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet | $8.99 | |
| 2 Liliana of the Veil | $15.99 | |
| 1 Liliana, the Last Hope | $3.99 | |
| 1 Noxious Grasp | $0.35 | |
| 2 Ray of Enfeeblement | $0.35 | |
| 1 Virulent Plague | $0.35 | |
$122.61 Tix @cardhoarder
$3.07 / Week @cardhoarder
$509.60 @tcgplayer
$606.91 @cardkingdom
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Mardu Greasefang
Mardu lacked reliable discard options and effective two-drops. Additionally, Copter serves as a vehicle for Greasefang's ability. This deck features the best three-drops to pair with Copter.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [17] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Bloodtithe Harvester | $0.35 | |
| 4 Greasefang, Okiba Boss | $0.49 | |
| 1 Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger | $3.49 | |
| 4 Voldaren Epicure | $0.39 | |
| 4 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker | $21.99 | |
| Artifact [10] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Parhelion II | $0.69 | |
| 3 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Instant [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Bitter Triumph | $2.29 | |
| 4 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| Sorcery [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| Land [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Blackcleave Cliffs | $2.99 | |
| 2 Blightstep Pathway | // | $6.49 |
| 4 Blood Crypt | $18.99 | |
| 1 Brightclimb Pathway | // | $4.99 |
| 4 Concealed Courtyard | $1.29 | |
| 1 Hive of the Eye Tyrant | $4.99 | |
| 4 Inspiring Vantage | $2.79 | |
| 2 Sacred Foundry | $21.99 | |
| 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $13.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Duress | $0.35 | |
| 2 Kolaghan's Command | $1.79 | |
| 2 Portable Hole | $1.29 | |
| 1 Reidane, God of the Worthy | $0.69 | |
| 2 Rending Volley | $2.29 | |
| 2 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | $79.99 | |
| 1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 2 Unlicensed Hearse | $0.99 | |
| 1 Vanishing Verse | $0.49 | |
$111.97 Tix @cardhoarder
$2.80 / Week @cardhoarder
$433.12 @tcgplayer
$548.61 @cardkingdom
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Abzan Greasefang
This version is more mid-range than we are used to, but Smuggler’s Copter needs more creatures to be made viable.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [16] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Cenote Scout | $0.35 | |
| 4 Graveyard Trespasser | $0.99 | |
| 4 Greasefang, Okiba Boss | $0.49 | |
| 4 Raffine's Informant | $0.35 | |
| Artifact [13] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Esika's Chariot | $4.49 | |
| 3 Parhelion II | $0.69 | |
| 2 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Instant [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| Sorcery [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Can't Stay Away | $0.49 | |
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| Land [21] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Blooming Marsh | $2.49 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $47.99 | |
| 1 Brightclimb Pathway | // | $4.99 |
| 4 Concealed Courtyard | $1.29 | |
| 2 Darkbore Pathway | // | $7.49 |
| 1 Godless Shrine | $13.99 | |
| 4 Overgrown Tomb | $15.99 | |
| 4 Razorverge Thicket | $2.79 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Abrupt Decay | $0.79 | |
| 3 Duress | $0.35 | |
| 2 Ray of Enfeeblement | $0.35 | |
| 2 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | $79.99 | |
| 1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 2 Unlicensed Hearse | $0.99 | |
| 3 Witherbloom Command | $1.99 | |
$75.74 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.89 / Week @cardhoarder
$365.05 @tcgplayer
$457.03 @cardkingdom
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Rock
Just a midrange version with easy mana to include Mutavault rather than add a 3rd color for Greasefang.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [17] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Bloodsoaked Champion | $0.49 | |
| 3 Glissa Sunslayer | $4.49 | |
| 4 Graveyard Trespasser | $0.99 | |
| 2 Lord Skitter, Sewer King | $3.49 | |
| 4 Mosswood Dreadknight | $2.29 | |
| Artifact [8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Esika's Chariot | $4.49 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Instant [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Bitter Triumph | $2.29 | |
| 4 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| Sorcery [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| 2 Witherbloom Command | $1.99 | |
| Land [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Blooming Marsh | $2.49 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $47.99 | |
| 4 Darkbore Pathway | // | $7.49 |
| 1 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 3 Hive of the Eye Tyrant | $4.99 | |
| 4 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| 4 Overgrown Tomb | $15.99 | |
| 1 Swamp | $0.01 | |
| 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire | $13.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Duress | $0.35 | |
| 2 Go Blank | $0.69 | |
| 1 Jegantha, the Wellspring | $0.99 | |
| 2 Noxious Grasp | $0.35 | |
| 2 Reckoner Bankbuster | $2.29 | |
| 2 Scavenging Ooze | $0.49 | |
| 2 Tear Asunder | $2.29 | |
| 1 Witherbloom Command | $1.99 | |
$67.45 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.69 / Week @cardhoarder
$281.06 @tcgplayer
$384.99 @cardkingdom
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Big Gruul Vehicles
Copter can be used to loot away your bad topdecks like elves, this deck has recently seen success and Copter seems like an autoinclude.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Bonecrusher Giant | $0.59 | |
| 4 Elvish Mystic | $0.99 | |
| 4 Llanowar Elves | $0.69 | |
| 4 Lovestruck Beast | $0.49 | |
| 2 Scavenging Ooze | $0.49 | |
| 2 Voldaren Thrillseeker | $0.69 | |
| 4 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker | $21.99 | |
| Artifact [8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Esika's Chariot | $4.49 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Instant [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Witchstalker Frenzy | $0.69 | |
| Enchantment [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 The Akroan War | $0.49 | |
| Land [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $47.99 | |
| 4 Copperline Gorge | $3.99 | |
| 4 Cragcrown Pathway | // | $4.99 |
| 1 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 4 Karplusan Forest | $4.99 | |
| 1 Lair of the Hydra | $1.99 | |
| 3 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance | $6.49 | |
| 4 Stomping Ground | $13.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Alpine Moon | $1.99 | |
| 2 Damping Sphere | $0.99 | |
| 1 Jegantha, the Wellspring | $0.99 | |
| 1 Klothys, God of Destiny | $5.49 | |
| 2 Lithomantic Barrage | $0.79 | |
| 2 Rending Volley | $2.29 | |
| 1 Scavenging Ooze | $0.49 | |
| 2 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 2 Torch the Tower | $0.35 | |
$90.96 Tix @cardhoarder
$2.27 / Week @cardhoarder
$270.95 @tcgplayer
$362.89 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Fast Gruul Aggro
Goblin Rabblemaster has synergy with Copter; you can tap the Goblin token to avoid sending it into blockers while you loot away undesirable topdecks, such as Elves and lands.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [31] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Bonecrusher Giant | $0.59 | |
| 4 Burning-Tree Emissary | $0.35 | |
| 4 Elvish Mystic | $0.99 | |
| 4 Goblin Rabblemaster | $1.79 | |
| 3 Legion Warboss | $0.49 | |
| 4 Llanowar Elves | $0.69 | |
| 4 Lovestruck Beast | $0.49 | |
| 2 Reckless Bushwhacker | $0.79 | |
| 2 Squee, Dubious Monarch | $1.29 | |
| Artifact [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Embercleave | $6.99 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Land [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $47.99 | |
| 4 Copperline Gorge | $3.99 | |
| 4 Cragcrown Pathway | // | $4.99 |
| 1 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 4 Karplusan Forest | $4.99 | |
| 1 Lair of the Hydra | $1.99 | |
| 3 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance | $6.49 | |
| 4 Stomping Ground | $13.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Damping Sphere | $0.99 | |
| 1 Redcap Melee | $0.35 | |
| 3 Rending Volley | $2.29 | |
| 3 Scavenging Ooze | $0.49 | |
| 2 The Akroan War | $0.49 | |
| 2 Torch the Tower | $0.35 | |
| 2 Tranquil Frillback | $5.49 | |
$43.76 Tix @cardhoarder
$1.09 / Week @cardhoarder
$214.54 @tcgplayer
$279.59 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Monowhite Artifact Aggro
Ingenious Smith and Automaton are reasons to get into white, this deck doesn’t have much interaction so Michiko’s Reign of truth could close the game out.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [28] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Gingerbrute | $0.35 | |
| 1 Hangarback Walker | $2.29 | |
| 4 Ingenious Smith | $0.35 | |
| 4 Patchwork Automaton | $0.99 | |
| 4 Steel Seraph | $2.29 | |
| 3 Stonecoil Serpent | $0.69 | |
| 4 Toolcraft Exemplar | $0.49 | |
| 4 Michiko's Reign of Truth | $0.35 | |
| Artifact [8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Portable Hole | $1.29 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Land [24] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cave of the Frost Dragon | $0.59 | |
| 4 Darksteel Citadel | $1.29 | |
| 2 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire | $10.99 | |
| 4 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| 10 Plains | $0.01 | |
| 2 Treasure Vault | $2.79 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Deafening Silence | $1.79 | |
| 1 Hangarback Walker | $2.29 | |
| 4 Hushbringer | $0.99 | |
| 2 Phyrexian Revoker | $0.49 | |
| 1 Pithing Needle | $0.69 | |
| 2 Reckoner Bankbuster | $2.29 | |
| 2 Soul-Guide Lantern | $0.35 | |
$24.03 Tix @cardhoarder
$0.99 / Week @cardhoarder
$116.37 @tcgplayer
$153.29 @cardkingdom
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Apprentice and MWS .dec
MonoGreen Manlands
This might be better than it appears: Topiary Stomper and Elves work well with Copter, and the value is stored in lands, so it might not be as vulnerable to sweepers.
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [24] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Blossoming Tortoise | $7.99 | |
| 4 Cavalier of Thorns | $1.49 | |
| 4 Elvish Mystic | $0.99 | |
| 4 Llanowar Elves | $0.69 | |
| 4 Sylvan Advocate | $0.49 | |
| 4 Topiary Stomper | $2.99 | |
| Artifact [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship | $1.99 | |
| 4 Smuggler's Copter | $5.99 | |
| Sorcery [7] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Glimpse the Core | $0.39 | |
| 4 Storm the Festival | $0.49 | |
| Land [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $47.99 | |
| 2 Drownyard Temple | $0.49 | |
| 12 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 4 Lair of the Hydra | $1.99 | |
| 4 Mutavault | $11.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Froghemoth | $0.49 | |
| 3 Kraul Harpooner | $0.35 | |
| 1 Manglehorn | $0.79 | |
| 2 Reclamation Sage | $0.35 | |
| 2 Scavenging Ooze | $0.49 | |
| 2 Setessan Petitioner | $0.35 | |
| 3 Shifting Ceratops | $0.49 | |
$30.77 Tix @cardhoarder
$0.99 / Week @cardhoarder
$150.98 @tcgplayer
$200.91 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Final words
Copter is likely to shape the metagame. It is colorless, allowing decks of all creature types to incorporate it. With 3 power, evasion, and a cost of only 2 mana, it presents a significant threat.
Additionally, it offers card selection and may enable synergies related to the graveyard or discard mechanics.