Hooglandia Open 7 – Historic Ban List Justifications

The next Hooglandia Open Series event will take place on Saturday, October 3rd and it will be a modified Historic format. You can join the event on MTGMelee here.

This event will use the normal Historic card pool and banlist with the following additions:

 

Justifications for Bannings

Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath – I could write a lot of things about Uro, but I think the most straightforward reasoning for getting rid of this card is that it just does too much for too little. In a healthy metagame, aggressive decks tend to be the natural predator of ramp decks but with Uro, ramp decks can stay alive against aggro fairly easily without having to dedicate many slots to interaction. 

It is my hope that removing Uro from the format will force ramp decks to either become more interactive or cause them to lose more often to aggro. This power level increase to aggro should in turn cause midrange decks to become better as well since they are the natural predator to aggressive strategies.

Muxus, Goblin Grandee – While I think it is generally a good thing when an archetype can do a few different things well, I do not think it is healthy when a deck is capable of fast combo, fair aggro, and late game card advantage. The addition of Muxus to the Goblins archetype means it gets to do all of these things, killing as early as the third turn of the game thanks to Skirk Prospector and Irencrag Feat.

It is my hope that removing Muxus from the format will remove the frequency of low player agency blowouts like Muxus generates on turns 3 and 4, while leaving Goblins still a competitive deck based around the power of Krenko, Mob Boss and three mana haste lords. 

Claim the Firstborn – This will probably be the most contentious banning for this event, but I think it is one that will hopefully be healthy for the format. The Rakdos and Jund Sacrifice decks in the format are interesting and intricate, but I feel their current iterations do too much to oppress other small creature decks. While they have a few other cards that are powerful in the creature match ups, such as Mayhem Devil and Priest of the Forgotten Gods, Claim the Firstborn is the least interactable of all of these and this is the one I am choosing to remove. 

Much like the removal of Uro from ramp, the primary goal of banning Claim is to increase the strength of small creature aggro. Aggro being better should hopefully make midrange strategies more viable as well. 

Overall, I think the key part of all three of these bannings is that while they all weaken top archetypes in Historic, none of them make any deck they were previously in outright unplayable. My hope is that these changes allow people to continue to play established decks they love, while players who are interested in brewing feel more rewarded for doing so.

UW Control

This is a two color control deck that looks to keep the board in check with cards like Shatter the Sky and Elspeth Conquerors Death, while eventually winning the game with Dream Trawler.

UW Control 

Planeswalkers (7)
3
Narset, Parter of Veils
4
Teferi, Time Raveler
Creatures (4)
4
Dream Trawler
Spells (12)
2
Dovin's Veto
4
Absorb
2
Chemister's Insight
4
Shatter the Sky
Enchantments (12)
4
Omen of the Sea
4
The Birth of Meletis
4
Elspeth Conquers Death
Lands (25)
3
Castle Ardenvale
1
Castle Vantress
1
Field of Ruin
4
Hallowed Fountain
8
Island
4
Plains
4
Temple of Enlightenment
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
4
Aether Gust
2
Devout Decree
1
Dovin's Veto
1
Glass Casket
3
Heliod's Intervention
1
Banishing Light
3
Mystical Dispute
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghCaye3TWjLOG67l4n5Zd3Bu&v=iUL_DS8CoWc&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

BR Titan

This is a Black-Red Midrange deck that looks to interact with its opponent using tools like Agonizing Remorse and Bonecrusher Giant. We then eventually close the game out by utilizing our namesake card Kroxa, Titan of Death’s Hunger.

BR Titan 

Planeswalkers (4)
4
Ashiok, Dream Render
Creatures (12)
4
Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
4
Mire Triton
2
Murderous Rider
2
Ox of Agonas
Spells (14)
2
Erebos's Intervention
4
Agonizing Remorse
2
Angrath's Rampage
2
Bedevil
2
Eat to Extinction
2
Ritual of Soot
Enchantments (4)
4
Tymaret Calls the Dead
Lands (26)
4
Blood Crypt
2
Castle Locthwain
4
Fabled Passage
6
Mountain
7
Swamp
3
Temple of Malice
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
2
Disfigure
2
Duress
2
Redcap Melee
2
Scorching Dragonfire
2
Cry of the Carnarium
3
Pharika's Libation
2
Storm's Wrath
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghAmIh2L0vT5uQTPlCXmxK8w&v=Vx4r3Q7Kz_w&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

UG Ramp

This is a two color ramp deck that looks to get ahead on mana with powerful cards like Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath and Nissa, Who Shakes the World. We then end the game with go over the top plays like Hydriod Krasis and Finale of Devastation fetching End-Raze Forerunners.

UG Ramp 

Planeswalkers (4)
4
Nissa, Who Shakes the World
Creatures (18)
3
Gilded Goose
4
Hydroid Krasis
4
Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath
1
Questing Beast
4
Cavalier of Thorns
1
Agent of Treachery
1
End-Raze Forerunners
Spells (6)
2
Finale of Devastation
4
Growth Spiral
Enchantments (4)
4
Wolfwillow Haven
Lands (28)
1
Blast Zone
4
Breeding Pool
2
Castle Vantress
2
Fabled Passage
11
Forest
4
Island
4
Temple of Mystery
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
1
Gilded Goose
4
Aether Gust
3
Disdainful Stroke
3
Voracious Hydra
2
Mystical Dispute
2
Shifting Ceratops
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghAUFu-Vg8L3f8vfN0b0wSAN&v=9PcPK-QnaCk&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

Jeskai Bio Combo

This is a three color midrange combo deck. When you combine Benthic Biomancer, Glint-Horn Buccaneer, and Heliod, Sun-Crowned you can deal as much damage as you have cards in your deck to draw to your opponent. Alternatively we can also win a fair game by simply attacking with our threats.

Jeskai Bio Combo 

Planeswalkers (4)
4
Teferi, Time Raveler
Creatures (13)
4
Benthic Biomancer
2
Bonecrusher Giant
4
Glint-Horn Buccaneer
3
Dream Trawler
Enchantments (17)
2
Alseid of Life's Bounty
4
Omen of the Sea
2
The Birth of Meletis
2
Banishing Light
4
Heliod, Sun-Crowned
3
Elspeth Conquers Death
Lands (26)
3
Fabled Passage
4
Hallowed Fountain
2
Island
2
Mountain
3
Plains
4
Sacred Foundry
4
Steam Vents
1
Temple of Enlightenment
1
Temple of Epiphany
2
Temple of Triumph
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
3
Aether Gust
2
Devout Decree
3
Disdainful Stroke
1
The Birth of Meletis
1
Banishing Light
2
Bonecrusher Giant
3
Time Wipe
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghCRBFhtzeRaL_0KNi02-y7C&v=PINiY4AYEhE&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

BW Calix

This is a base Black-White enchantment deck with a small Green splash for the powerful planeswalker Calix, Destiny’s Hand.

BW Calix 

Planeswalkers (4)
4
Calix, Destiny's Hand
Creatures (4)
4
Archon of Sun's Grace
Spells (4)
4
Agonizing Remorse
Enchantments (23)
2
Aphemia, the Cacophony
2
The Birth of Meletis
4
Banishing Light
4
Oath of Kaya
4
Tymaret Calls the Dead
3
Nightmare Shepherd
4
Elspeth Conquers Death
Lands (25)
4
Fabled Passage
1
Forest
4
Godless Shrine
4
Overgrown Tomb
3
Plains
2
Swamp
4
Temple Garden
3
Temple of Silence
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
4
Dead Weight
2
Duress
2
Despark
4
Destiny Spinner
3
Plaguecrafter
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghDa_B2nOMQ4IcLbGyzweJE7&v=1PjKaOQYvQs&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

Sultai Vannifar Combo

This is a three color combo deck that abuses Prime Speaker Vannifar alongside Nightmare Shepherd to chain through our deck to kill as early as turn four with Gray Merchant of Asphodel. You can learn about how this combo works in my article on CSI here.

Sultai Vannifar 

Creatures (22)
1
Arboreal Grazer
4
Gilded Goose
2
Paradise Druid
4
Hyrax Tower Scout
4
Woe Strider
4
Prime Speaker Vannifar
1
Spark Double
2
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Spells (5)
3
Incubation/Incongruity
/
2
Neoform
Artifacts (4)
4
Corridor Monitor
Enchantments (4)
4
Nightmare Shepherd
Lands (25)
4
Breeding Pool
2
Forest
1
Island
4
Overgrown Tomb
3
Swamp
1
Temple of Deceit
3
Temple of Malady
3
Temple of Mystery
4
Watery Grave
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
4
Agonizing Remorse
3
Assassin's Trophy
3
Find/Finality
/
2
Plaguecrafter
3
Wicked Wolf
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghA9fTnWcM1fsGGH8iJhKqSs&v=fHbs9ul0Cjg&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

White Devotion Aggro

This is a Mono White Aggressive deck with a life gain theme. We utilize cards like Ajani’s Pridemate, Ajani, Strength of the Pride and Heliod, Sun-Crowned as large threats while we gain life.

White Devotion Aggro 

Planeswalkers (4)
4
Ajani, Strength of the Pride
Creatures (21)
4
Faerie Guidemother
3
Giant Killer
4
Healer's Hawk
4
Ajani's Pridemate
2
Tomik, Distinguished Advokist
4
Linden, the Steadfast Queen
Enchantments (12)
4
Alseid of Life's Bounty
4
Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
4
Heliod, Sun-Crowned
Lands (23)
4
Castle Ardenvale
19
Plains
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
1
Giant Killer
2
Shadowspear
2
Devout Decree
2
Tomik, Distinguished Advokist
3
Banishing Light
3
Gideon Blackblade
2
Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghDQJyDZKIEQBCLVsBwPNsg4&v=JloYffeCokA&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

Adventure Knights

This is an aggressive deck that generates card advantage with Edgewall Innkeeper and Midnight Reaper.

Adventures Knights 

Creatures (27)
4
Edgewall Innkeeper
4
Foulmire Knight
4
Order of Midnight
4
Smitten Swordmaster
4
Lovestruck Beast
4
Murderous Rider
3
Questing Beast
Spells (6)
2
Incubation/Incongruity
/
2
Agonizing Remorse
2
Find/Finality
/
Artifacts (3)
3
Lucky Clover
Lands (24)
2
Castle Locthwain
2
Fabled Passage
7
Forest
4
Overgrown Tomb
7
Swamp
2
Temple of Malady
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
3
Disfigure
2
Agonizing Remorse
2
Assassin's Trophy
4
Thrashing Brontodon
4
Shifting Ceratops
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghDjiSTNK1ZK2ZMF87ahiIQk&v=UOcOTmI9cDY&layout=gallery[/embedyt]

Jund Oven

This is a midrange deck that generates card advantage with Trail of Crumbs. It can slowly kill people with Cauldron Familiar plus Witch’s Oven or execute a pseudo combo kill with Mayhem Devil plus God-Eternal Bontu.

Jund Oven 

Planeswalkers (2)
2
Vraska, Golgari Queen
Creatures (24)
4
Cauldron Familiar
4
Gilded Goose
4
Mayhem Devil
4
Murderous Rider
3
Questing Beast
3
Shifting Ceratops
2
Massacre Girl
Artifacts (4)
4
Witch's Oven
Enchantments (4)
4
Trail of Crumbs
Lands (26)
4
Blood Crypt
1
Castle Locthwain
4
Fabled Passage
4
Forest
1
Mountain
4
Overgrown Tomb
4
Stomping Ground
4
Swamp
Cards (60)
Sideboard (15)
2
Dead Weight
2
Ashiok, Dream Render
3
Lovestruck Beast
4
Thrashing Brontodon
1
Shifting Ceratops
1
Massacre Girl
2
Liliana, Dreadhorde General
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLMgaV3fg_ghCEArXmqMhutPEUt-sKIIBD&v=U4mHxCFtffg&layout=gallery[/embedyt]