Gargos: the Fighting Hydra Sniper
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:16 am
This is posted for record keeping, but feel free to comment.
Gargos, Vicious Watcher is my third monogreen deck, and is focused on auras as the mana ramp and the primary method of triggering Gargos. In keeping with the restriction to keep my decks mechanically distinct, I run only one mana-dork and only run minimal artifact ramp because that never feels quite right in mono-green.
This is an enchantment-based fight board-control deck while also being hydra tribal (more of a sub-theme). By casting self-recurring auras such as Rancor repeatedly, the deck triggers enchantress effects for card advantage, the commander fights threatening creatures and either bouncing the creature or sacrificing the aura makes this repeatable. With the battlefield clear, hydras proceed to kill people.
The printing of Ram Through is great for this decks hidden, alternate win condition. It plays both Runed Stalactite and Amorphous Axe so that Gargos becomes a changling. Then adding Greatbow Doyen transforms all the fight damage into direct damage because my hydra learned archery and shot you. The inclusion of Nylea's Colossus makes this much more effective because the fight is usually triggered by auras. Until recently I also ran Cacophodon which combined with Livewire Lash on Gargos to untap Forbidden Orchard to ensure my opponent had creatures. This used to then allow for an infinite fighting loop as long as the orchard could generate enough mana via the auras on it. I have since deemed cacophodon unnecessary, mostly due to the lack of tutors to set up my silly 7-9 card combo across nearly all permanent types.
There aren't really a lot of hidden synergies beyond the surprise hydra-archery. I don't know a deck that makes better use of Vernal Equinox.
Suggestions welcome.
Gargos, Vicious Watcher is my third monogreen deck, and is focused on auras as the mana ramp and the primary method of triggering Gargos. In keeping with the restriction to keep my decks mechanically distinct, I run only one mana-dork and only run minimal artifact ramp because that never feels quite right in mono-green.
This is an enchantment-based fight board-control deck while also being hydra tribal (more of a sub-theme). By casting self-recurring auras such as Rancor repeatedly, the deck triggers enchantress effects for card advantage, the commander fights threatening creatures and either bouncing the creature or sacrificing the aura makes this repeatable. With the battlefield clear, hydras proceed to kill people.
The printing of Ram Through is great for this decks hidden, alternate win condition. It plays both Runed Stalactite and Amorphous Axe so that Gargos becomes a changling. Then adding Greatbow Doyen transforms all the fight damage into direct damage because my hydra learned archery and shot you. The inclusion of Nylea's Colossus makes this much more effective because the fight is usually triggered by auras. Until recently I also ran Cacophodon which combined with Livewire Lash on Gargos to untap Forbidden Orchard to ensure my opponent had creatures. This used to then allow for an infinite fighting loop as long as the orchard could generate enough mana via the auras on it. I have since deemed cacophodon unnecessary, mostly due to the lack of tutors to set up my silly 7-9 card combo across nearly all permanent types.
Hydra Archers fight you to death
Approximate Total Cost:
There aren't really a lot of hidden synergies beyond the surprise hydra-archery. I don't know a deck that makes better use of Vernal Equinox.
Suggestions welcome.