Stoneforge Mystic is Back!

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Last week we saw how Modern Horizons 2’s high power level has overturned a once-static meta, including Merfolk’s rise from the abyss and how they’re well-suited for the current metagame.
Now we’ll look at Orzhov Stoneblade, another great deck from this much-hyped expansion.

 

ORZHOV STONEBLADE – DECKLIST

 

 

1 MANA DROP

                   

 

Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek are discard spells that are useful against almost any deck. While discarding cards is always nice, it is especially important in a format flush with control, combo, and midrange decks.

 

                                       

 

Ephemerate, Malakir Rebirth, and Undying Evil are the most important cards of the deck. They have different purposes, but both work well with evoke. You play eight cards with this feature. While the evoke trigger is on the stack, you can use one of the aforementioned cards to blink the creature to trigger its ability twice while keeping the creature in play.

All of the creatures have an effect triggered upon entering the battlefield, which is why they are the deck’s key cards.

2 MANA DROP + STONEFORGE PACKAGE

 

Stoneforge Mystic is the strongest card in this deck, and with Kaldra Compleat’s aggression, I’m sure it will dominate the format.

 

With this card, you can make unstoppable starts against some decks. For example, think of a turn three Batterskull vs Burn or any other creature-based deck.

 

Kaldra Compleat’s attributes are 5/5 with haste, first strike, trample, and indestructible. It’s perfect against decks that require you to put pressure on the board, such as Amulet Titan or Heliod Company, and you can put pressure on turn three.

 

We close out the trio of artifacts that Stoneforge takes from the deck with Sword of Fire and Ice. This card is useful in slow match-ups, such as UW control, where resources are needed. You draw a card each time you inflict damage with the sword, which is important since this is a low-draw deck. 

3 MANA DROP 

 

Skyclave Apparition is the only removal. Versatile and fundamental for the deck, this card removes planeswalkers, enchantments, and artifacts.

EVOKE PACKAGE

 

The creatures that fuel the evoke ability are fundamental to the deck.

                   

 

Shriekmaw is a rare Modern card. Its ability to use two mana to create a Terror is not exceptional, so it’s never been noteworthy. Modern Horizons 2, however, has produced cards similar to existing ones but strengthening the new versions by giving them a body.

                   

 

This is the case of Grief, an 3/2 Unmask that makes this deck playable. Its synergy with cards like Ephemerate is important. I’ve made unmanageable starts against decks, such as Scapeshift, where I discard two cards and I’m up with a 3/2 on the board.

                   

 

A similar situation could occur against aggro like Blitz that makes a turn-one Monastery and turn-two Sprite Dragon or Entity. Then on turn two you can blink an evoked Solitude, remove two creatures, and put a 3/2 lifelink that forces your opponent to act promptly.

 

ORZHOV STONEBLADE – SIDEBOARDING 

 

 

                                       

 

                                       

 

This is a good match-up where you can remove all your opponent’s creatures and Amulet through Skyclave Apparition. Your opponent lacks removal, which allows you to quietly develop the board. 

 

The post-side situation gets better because your Opponent have to deal with  your Aven Mindcensor, and Gideon puts pressure on the board.

 

 

                                       

 

                                       

 

It’s important to keep the right hands in this complex match-up to maintain pressure on the board and prevent a loss. The Stoneforge Mystic and Batterskull combo is your best chance to win the game, as your opponent may not be able to take Batterskull off the board.

 

Post-side Skyclave Apparition is replaced with Fatal Push, which is stronger in this match-up. Because it is instant, it has more versatility, and it’s one-mana cost mitigates pressure from your opponent, along with Solitude and Shriekmaw.

 

 

 

                   

 

                   

 

Like all control and slow decks, this is another great match-up. You have to be careful to handle the two 4/4 from Crashing Footfalls, but both Solitude and Shriekmaw should prevent significant difficulties.

 

Skyclave Apparition should be kept post-side to remove your opponent’s Leyline of Sanctity. We play two Gideons to put some extra pressure.

 

 

                                       

                                       

                                       

 

                                       

                                       

                                       

 

Your opponent’s start is crucial, and it’s a struggle to keep a strong start in the first game with only Solitude in the first rounds. Grief, Shriekmaw, and Sword of Fire and Ice are all useless. 

 

We gain advantages post-side. Fatal Push is strong and kills everything, including Inkmoth Nexus, which you can only accomplish with Solitude in the first game. Kataki is the real MVP and makes it impossible for your opponent to keep more than two pieces on the board. Fracturing Gust is a perfect mass removal against decks full of artifacts and/or enchantments.

 

 

Orzhov Stoneblade is a perfect compromise between fun and competitiveness. You have many choices at the beginning, and it can be difficult to decide what to play. By playing the deck a lot, you will better understand the deck’s strength and the right decks that fit your game style.

 

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