The Prodigal Player

As promised, I’ve got an updated list for Allies.  I’ve been looking through various lists online.  Surprisingly, there isn’t as wide a consensus as I’d expected that WG is the optimal allies build.  Occasional partisans of the blue shapeshifter ally, and also Hagra Diabolist are making their case for adding blue or black to the mix.

Personally, I find that while these cards are tempting, they just don’t have the overwhelming “win” potential that WG has, through sheer, good old-fashioned aggressive synergy.

You might have noticed the conspicuous absence of Kazandu Blademaster from my previous list.  Yes, I was aware that I was leaving off one of the most efficient early game allies.  However, in a list that was tending to err on the side of green more than white, I thought that a WW spell that wants to come down turn 2 wasn’t the best option.  However, on second appraisal, I’m pretty sure that I was correct in my suspicion that both Noble Hierarch and Harabaz Druid are overkill together in this deck, and Hierarch isn’t an ally.  Removing it does cut down our turn 1 plays to just 4 slots, which isn’t great, however the ability to grow your other allies with the Druid seems better in the long run.  I might swap them out for Hierarch’s to see how they play at some point, but for now the one thing I feel pretty certain of is that 8 mana accelerants are probably too much.  Cutting Hierarch makes way for Blademaster, for now, though, and I’m happy about that.

I am also somewhat tempted by the Ravine Paladin, and Kabira Evangel could also effectively end a game, though I’m not totally sold on those.

Also, I’m considering taking out Wolfbriar elemental in this list.  It could be better than Enlisted Wurm, though Enlisted Wurm–in the absence of many other non-ally spells–has more synergy with the allies theme.  Also, cascading into Wolfbriar isn’t bad, but also isn’t as great as it could be since normally you want to be able to spam tokens with it.  So, here is an updated list:

• 4 Hada Freeblade
• 4 Kazandu Blademaster
• 4 Oran-Rief Survivalist
• 4 Harabaz Druid
• 4 Turntimber Ranger
• 4 Enlisted Wurm
• 4 Beastial Menace
• 4 Join the Ranks
• 4 Path to Exile
• 4 Sunpetal Grove
• 4 Oran-Rief the Vastwood
• 7 Plains
• 9 Forest

I am happier with this list, as I feel like it has the potential to resist sweepers pretty well, and the blademasters make it a bit more consistent and aggressive.  I’m not sure if I’m putting the paths in as more of a force of habit than anything; I don’t like falling into thoughtless habits, however I will keep them in for now.