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Gargos: the Fighting Hydra Sniper

Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 4:16 am
by Crazy Monkey
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.
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.

Re: Gargos: the Fighting Hydra Sniper

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 12:47 am
by Crazy Monkey
Update:
Added
  • Ram Through: Triggers Gargos, then allows for direct lethal damage if the hydra is big enough. Instant speed as well.
  • Gemrazer: remove creatures on cast and artifacts/enchantments on enter. A decent 2-for-1.
  • Migratory Greathorn: It's not great ramp, but its main purpose is triggering gargos.
  • Auspicious Starrix: I'm adding enough mutate that this may trigger with x>1. It's the most questionable of these additions but it's worth a try.
  • Sawtusk Demolisher: will be added. Probably dropping Helm of the Host for it. Removal is good..
Removed

Re: Gargos: the Fighting Hydra Sniper

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 1:06 am
by worldsaverinc
Broken Fall doesn't target so no Gargos trigger.

Here was my thread on the topic

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=18402&p=40503#p40503

Re: Gargos: the Fighting Hydra Sniper

Posted: Sat May 23, 2020 1:56 am
by Crazy Monkey
worldsaverinc wrote:
3 years ago
Broken Fall doesn't target so no Gargos trigger.

Here was my thread on the topic

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=18402&p=40503#p40503
You're correct, Broken Fall is more intended to be a self-bouncing method to re-trigger constellation effects such as Nylea's Colossus and Eidolon of Blossoms while also regenerating Gargos to keep fighting with larger creatures.

I just looked at your lists. I'd consider mine a mix between your voltron/tribal lists, but a larger focus on repeating enchantress effects as my draw instead of Rishkar's Expertise in order to remain distinct from my Ghalta, Primal Hunger deck. I'll try to look through those lists and comment on them at some point.

Re: Gargos: the Fighting Hydra Sniper

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:02 pm
by Crazy Monkey
Arachnoform is an aura enabler for my enchantress and Gargos triggers, while also enabling the archer based wincon via changeling. This will make the cut.

I may also swap to a snow manabase, to use Blizzard Brawl. I don't recall any previous targeted spells which gave indestructible in green, and double-fighting is a built-in 2for1.

Glittering Frost is another ramp spell within theme as well.