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 Brian Kibler, and was played during the Grand Prix Sendai 2010 Standard Format.
Key Strategy
The Next Level Bant deck combines resilient creatures, potent planeswalkers, and efficient removal to control the battlefield and secure victory. The key strategy is to capitalize on Vengevine’s ability to repeatedly return from the graveyard, while leveraging planeswalkers and other powerful spells to dictate the pace of the game.
Early Game Defense and Setup: Start by establishing a solid board presence with Noble Hierarch and Birds of Paradise for mana acceleration, and Wall of Omens for early card draw and defense. Borderland Ranger helps fix your mana and provides an additional body. Use Path to Exile and Oblivion Ring to manage your opponent's threats effectively and ensure your board remains stable.
Mid-Game Aggression: Deploy Vengevine as a primary threat. To trigger Vengevine’s return ability, cast Ranger of Eos to fetch additional creatures and Sea Gate Oracle to dig deeper into your deck. Ensure you consistently cast two creatures per turn to reanimate Vengevine and keep the pressure on your opponent. Scute Mob, if drawn late, becomes a significant threat that grows rapidly and can swing the game in your favor.
Planeswalker Power: Leverage Jace, the Mind Sculptor and Elspeth, Knight-Errant to control the game and enhance your board state. Jace helps with card selection and can ultimately win games through his ultimate ability. Elspeth provides tokens for chump blocking and can strengthen your army with her +1 ability. Gideon Jura can serve as a powerful attacker or defense tool, keeping your opponent on their toes.
Late Game Resilience: The deck includes Sphinx of Lost Truths to help filter your hand and discard Vengevine if needed, allowing you to return it to the battlefield later. Celestial Colonnade and Stirring Wildwood provide additional late-game threats and utility.
Key Interactions:
Vengevine’s ability to reanimate depends on casting two creatures in the same turn, so prioritize cards like Ranger of Eos to ensure you have multiple creatures to trigger its return.
Sphinx of Lost Truths not only helps you filter your hand but can also discard Vengevines to ensure they come back into play later.
Planeswalkers like Jace and Elspeth provide essential control and finishing power, making them key to your late-game strategy.
The Next Level Bant deck is versatile and resilient, capable of adapting its strategy based on the match-up and game state. Whether you're controlling the board or going aggressive with Vengevine, this deck is designed to handle a variety of scenarios and secure victory.
Key Cards
Cards to look for in the opening hand