Out with the Old, in with the New: A Zendikar Block Primer

When the Volcano Blows…

Ever since Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle was spoiled in September, people speculated on its uses. With every topdecked land after the seventh being turned into a Lightning Bolt, many believed it to be a great finisher for Red Deck Wins, where every topdeck needs to be gas. Recently, the land has actually been paired with green’s mana ramping abilities to get six or more Mountains out in a relatively short amount of time. For people that aren’t exactly fans of interacting with their opponent, this deck is just what the doctor ordered. The total cost for the deck is about 50 tix.

"Volcano", ZEN Block Constructed Daily #770241 by Archer

Creatures (9) 2 Mold Shambler 4 Oracle of Mul Daya 3 Rampaging Baloths Other Spells (24) 4 Burst Lightning 2 Chandra Ablaze 4 Expedition Map 4 Harrow 4 Khalni Heart Expedition 2 Lavaball Trap 4 Punishing Fire Lands (27) 5 Forest 4 Misty Rainforest 12 Mountain 2 Scalding Tarn 4 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle Sideboard (15) 4 Goblin Ruinblaster 4 Grazing Gladehart 4 Plated Geopede 3 Relic Crush

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Consistency: In a format as potentially fast as Zendikar Block, Combo decks need to be able to reliably draw and stick their win conditions. Expedition Map functions as Valakut 5-8, as well as mana fixing, without having to cut down on the Mountain count. Khalni Heart Expedition, Harrow, and Oracle of Mul Daya all serve the same purpose – putting more Mountains into play. Goblin Ruinblaster and Mold Shamber both serve as land destruction, typically buying another turn for Valakut triggers. Finally, Chandra Ablaze turns any red card into a Flame Rift – which has an awesome interaction with Punishing Fire – or refills an empty hand while simultaneously wrecking an opponent’s slow-rolled finishers.

Efficient Removal: This deck has answers to almost everything that gets thrown at it. Lavaball Trap is almost always a Wrath effect against every deck in the format, as well as destroying two of an opponent’s lands in the process – at instant speed, no less. Punishing Fire generates crazy amounts of card advantage against any deck that gains life, which both of the other top-tier decks do. Even Harrow and Khalni Heart Expedition become removal with the aid of Valakut and at least four [cad]Mountain[/card]s.

Alternate Win Conditions: This isn’t your typical Combo deck. Once the deck is to a point where Valakut can trigger, Rampaging Baloths can generate an army of tokens, spell-based damage can be driven to the face, and Plated Geopede can come crashing in for tons of damage. The fact that most builds have a sideboard that transforms the deck into a landfall-aggro theme is a testament to how resilient the deck really can be.

Cons: Since there is nothing in Zendikar akin to Magma Spray, this deck has a very difficult time dealing with Bloodghast. If an opposing player plays a turn two Bloodghast, focus on landing superior creatures instead of getting Valakut to trigger, because the ‘ghast will kill you. Every color except White has some way to disrupt land as well; Blue has Spreading Seas, Red has Goblin Ruinblaster, Black has Desecrated Earth, and Green has Mold Shambler. If you are expecting land destruction, try to save a Harrow in response. Not losing a land, as well as not having to discard is invaluable for a deck like this, even if you have to lose one win condition in the process. As an added bonus, if you only have one Valakut in play, try Harrowing in response to Ruinblaster, and force them to destroy one of their own Valakuts.

That was Zen, This is Now.

If you are looking for a great introductory format, something cheap, or are just looking for a change from five rounds of Jund mirrors, Zendikar block is the way to go. The decks truly do form a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” metagame, with Vampires beating Valakut, which beats Blue/White, which beats Vampires (your results may vary). In my experience, every game has been just as interesting to watch as the last. Even with over a month to go until Worldwake, the format is still developing and will continue to develop throughout the year, or at least until Pro Tour: San Juan. Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as I cover the decks in the format in more depth, including up and coming decks. I’ll be taking you with me through a few Daily Events, and we’ll even try to create some rogue decks, and see if we can’t break the format wide open. Until then, grab a few event tickets, and jump into one of the most interesting formats on MTGO.

See you in the queues!

Rhythmik