Introduction
This deck was made because it has a personal meaning to Mr Hills (me) . This was one of the decks used when I played competitively, and I have made them again so other people can experience what MTG was like at the time, and can share my passion for the game.
This deck list specifically was taken from zagnut111, and was played during the 2011 Standard Format.
Key Strategy
The Holy Quest deck is a high-octane artifact-based aggro deck that leverages both equipment and creature buffs to deliver a swift, overwhelming assault. The key strategy revolves around Quest for the Holy Relic, which is central to the deck's game plan. By rapidly accumulating counters on the Quest, you can fetch Argentum Armor and start dismantling your opponent’s lands, disrupting their setup and gaining a significant advantage.
Early Game Aggression
In the early game, focus on deploying cheap artifact creatures to build your board presence and advance your Quest. Cards like Glint Hawk and Memnite are ideal for this role. Glint Hawk allows you to return Memnite to your hand, replay it, and quickly accumulate counters on Quest for the Holy Relic, while Memnite provides a free artifact creature that complements the strategy. This synergy enables you to ramp up Quest counters efficiently and search for Argentum Armor to start your land destruction.
Mid-Game Pressure
Once your Quest is sufficiently charged, equip Argentum Armor to a creature and start attacking your opponent’s lands. This disruptive strategy prevents them from setting up their game plan, giving you a significant edge. Simultaneously, Tempered Steel and Steel Overseer enhance your artifact creatures, making them formidable attackers. Tempered Steel boosts all your artifact creatures by +2/+2, while Steel Overseer further increases their power by adding +1/+1 counters each turn.
Backup Plan
If you don’t draw into Quest for the Holy Relic early, the deck’s backup plan involves overwhelming your opponent with a swarm of buffed artifact creatures. Porcelain Legionnaire, Vault Skirge, and Signal Pest all benefit from the buffs provided by Tempered Steel. Signal Pest’s battle cry ability, in particular, amplifies the damage output of your attacking creatures, turning even your smallest creatures into significant threats.
Utility and Defense
To protect your strategy and deal with problematic threats, the deck includes a few utility spells like Dispatch and Dismember. These can handle both creatures and artifacts that might otherwise disrupt your game plan. Tectonic Edge also helps in dealing with problematic lands and controlling the battlefield.
Strategy and Adaptation
The deck thrives on quick, aggressive plays and the ability to adapt to various situations. Drawing into Quest for the Holy Relic and efficient artifact creatures early is crucial to executing your primary strategy. With a focus on aggression and disruption, this deck can often end games swiftly once it gains momentum.
The original version of the deck included blue for additional counterspells to protect early plays, but the current build focuses purely on aggressive artifact strategies and equipment.
Key Cards
Cards to look for in the opening hand