Change is in the air. With the release of M10 comes a brand new Standard format. New rules, for better or worse, will change the way we play Magic forever. And I am actually going to write about something different!
Next week…
All joking aside, this will be my final strategy article on Kithkin for the foreseeable future. Today’s article will be the primer for all of you looking to play Kithkin in the upcoming PTQs, Nationals, or any large tournaments. If you’re looking for my sense of humor and witty jokes, you will have to wait to next week. This week is all business. Every matchup covered. Card selections explained. Splash colors examined. I may repeat a few things from previous articles, but I’ve warned you so that’s got to count for something right? Right?
Looking to play Kithkin? Welcome to the team. This is the one to read. Looking to beat Kithkin? Shame on you, but you’ve come to the right place too.
Creatures (20)
Planeswalkers (3)
Lands (25)
Spells (12)
Sideboard
Everyone should be familiar with the maindeck at this point. I shall cover a few pressing issues though:
4 Path to Exile
Playing less than four of these is asinine. There are some cards that just spell disaster for you and this takes card of so many of them. Mistbind Clique, Putrid Leech, Scion of Oona, Sower of Temptation, Kitchen Finks, Wizened Cenn, Wall of Reverence, PLUMEVEIL GOD I HATE PLAYING AGAINST THIS STUPID CARD, and Chameleon Colossus are just a few examples. Quit trying to be cute with Harm’s Way and just play the card that takes care of all the above with no questions asked.
4 Cloudgoat Ranger
I’ve also been seeing lists playing less than four of this card. You have to be clinically insane to do such a thing. Cloudgoat Ranger is the card that catches you up in games you are behind in, puts you ridiculously far ahead in the games that are iffy, and puts games out of reach for your opponent when played before turn 5 via Windbrisk Heights/Path to Exile acceleration. Why anyone plays less than four of these is beyond me. Don’t be one of those people!
2 Rustic Clachan
Running more than two of these is a touch on the greedy side. Not being able to reveal a Kithkin when you need to play something important (Ajani Goldmane on turn 4, Cloudgoat Ranger on turn 5) is too backbreaking for its rather minor effect. So why run any at all? Because you can afford to. You just don’t need to play a ton of them. Two is the perfect number.
0 Mutavault
Mutavault has been great for me, but its time has come and gone. With Kithkin becoming a frontrunner in Standard, you simply cannot afford to have a Mutavault as one of your first three lands of the game (and god forbid your second) in a mirror match. For all the upsides Mutavault has against control decks, it has that many drawbacks against aggressive decks with the extra negative that it can screw you right out of a control matchup by forcing you to mulligan (Plains, Mutavault, 5x spells) when you normally wouldn’t have to.
Before I cover the sideboard, I’d like everyone to understand how I build my sideboards. I like sideboards that have access to cards that are good across numerous matchups. There is nothing I hate more than having a card that is only good in one matchup. I feel like it is a waste of a sideboard slot. For example, take a look at Unmake in our previous format. Unmake was outstanding against Jund, Elves, Doran, Lolmentals, and Faeries. I love love love those type of cards!
4 Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
Ignore the above paragraph. This is for Red, and pretty much only Red. Now I know I have said countless times that Red is a great matchup and you should not be worried about it. I still feel that way. However, this is a concession to the fact that Red got a lot more powerful, and a lot more people will be playing it. Red is a matchup that I do not want to lose under any circumstance. With that in mind, I’ve come packing the best hate card available against Red decks.
Many people also find Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender to be a good sideboard card against Jund decks and decks with access to Volcanic Fallout, Jund Charm, and Firespout. I hate Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender against those decks and those cards because I feel it presents a question that really isn’t all that difficult to answer. Yes, there are situations where they have to kill Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender first. Well, what if they do? Then you are totally screwed, right? What if your opponent isn’t even playing that many Red sweepers and is just full up on Infest, Maelstrom Pulse, and other off-color annoyances? Boy, we sure do look stupid with our little 1/1 that couldn’t, didn’t, and wouldn’t.
Remember a few things, folks. Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender is only good against the aggressive Red deck. It is amazing against the aggressive Red deck. But don’t go off and get all cocky because you drew one in that matchup. Red decks have Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender in mind when they are building their deck. They will have Everlasting Torment or Deathmark or Doom Blade or abc or xyz. The reason Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender is good against aggressive Red decks is because he is a question in a series of questions (Ajani Goldmane, Knight of Meadowgrain, Figure of Destiny, etc) that all require answers from the Red deck. It is well documented that I hate this card. And yet, with all this hatred, I am still playing the card. Perhaps you should be too.
4 Ethersworn Canonist
I said I would hide nothing, and I was not lying. If you were looking for a way to beat Combo Elves, here it is. Ethersworn Canonist is not game over upon resolution against Combo Elves, but it requires an answer very quickly which is precisely what we are looking for. In addition to Combo Elves, Ethersworn Canonist is also great against the Five-Color Cascade Control decks that have been popping up recently. When Ethersworn Canonist is in play, Captured Sunlight has never looked so pathetic. Trust me.
4 Stillmoon Cavalier
This is the best mirror match card I could find. I’ve tried Knight Captain of Eos. I’ve tried Hallowed Burial. I’ve tried Harm’s Way. Hell, I’ve even tried splashing Sleep. Nothing is as reliable or as game altering as a turn 3 Stillmoon Cavalier. If you want to beat the mirror (and you should) then this is the card to play. It also doubles as being great against the seldom-played Doran decks, and it’s pretty good against Five-Color Control decks depending on what their removal suite is (better if they have lots of Plumeveils, Kitchen Finks, Maelstrom Pulse).
3 Unmake
With G/B Elves having its legs chopped off due to the introduction of M10, and Jund decks waning in popularity, cutting an Unmake was pretty easy to do. It seems as though there are fewer Putrid Leeches and Imperious Perfects across the format, so three Unmakes should still cover all the bases you need it to while opening up another sideboard slot.
Cards that didn’t make the cut in the sideboard:
Baneslayer Angel
The mythic angel simply didn’t do enough when sideboarding it in. This is a card I really wanted to work, but it never really turned games around when I losing like a Cloudgoat Ranger would, and it never put Red away as effectively as I would have liked.
Harm’s Way
Incredible against Red decks, but not that great against anything else. If we are trying to specifically beat Red, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender is just a better card. In short (and in caps): THIS CARD IS NOT SHINING SHOAL. I KNEW SHINING SHOAL. THIS AIN’T IT!
Meddling Mage
Splashing for this was to try to beat Combo Elves, but it was simply a worse Ethersworn Canonist. Against any form of a Five-Color Control deck, it is close to impossible to name the correct removal spell against them as they have a bevy of them. If you do name it right, you are much better than me and should probably just be playing poker instead.
Hallowed Burial
It just isn’t fast enough and it is so easy for the opponent to see this coming. If you stop playing your threats, they have no reason to keep playing theirs. Even worse, once you resolve Hallowed Burial, they get the first move and put you back in the same spot as you were previously in.
Sleep
This card is outstanding in the mirror, but it makes our otherwise outstanding mana somewhat sketchy. If it were a single Blue mana to cast, I would be right on board, but with UU in the casting cost, it is such a hassle to cast consistently. Sleep also turns on our opponent’s Anathemancers as it forces us to run at least eight more non-basics in the form of Glacial Fortress and Mystic Gate, and probably a few Reflecting Pools, to compensate.
Are any splashes necessary/useful?
Black
The only reason to splash Black is for Zealous Persecution and, with the loss of Caves of Kolios, this is much too difficult to do.
Blue
Sleep and Negate are good reasons to splash Blue, but not good enough reasons. As mentioned above, Sleep is difficult to cast and makes our mana much worse than we would like it to be. Negate is a very good card in a vacuum, but it is only as good as the noncreature spells are in the format. In an undefined format, it is very difficult to judge if Negate is necessary at this time. It will become much more certain once U.S. Nationals is through.
Green
Dauntless Escort is the primary reason to splash Green, and with Hallowed Burial being the best Wrath of God on the block, it sure does make Dauntless Escort stupid. Admittedly, Dauntless Escort is quite good against Firespout, but I’m not sure that Firespout is so popular that splashing Dauntless Escort is 100% necessary. Faeries is still a deck after all, and as such, players with access to Red mana will have to continue playing Volcanic Fallout.
Red
Splashing Red is pretty difficult now that Forge[/author]“]Battlefield [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author] has gone by the wayside. At this time, Ajani Vengeant and Banefire should sit the bench, but if a big Five-Color Control revival takes place, you know who to go dig up.
Matchups
GW Tokens
+4 Stillmoon Cavalier
-4 Honor of the Pure
Goal: Aggressive start in combination with Ajani Goldmane or an early/on time Cloudgoat Ranger
Things to keep in mind: Their deck is less explosive with the loss of Brushland and is going to have difficulty casting Spectral Procession on turn 3 as often as before. They also do not have access to Wrath of God or Windborn Muse in their sideboard, so they really do not have anything to trump you in the sideboard department outside of their own Stillmoon Cavaliers, which are harder to cast for them than for you.
BW Tokens
+4 Stillmoon Cavalier
-4 Path to Exile
Goal: Aggressive start in combination with Ajani Goldmane, Honor the Pure or an early/on time Cloudgoat Ranger
Things to keep in mind: Their mana is a lot worse now. Honor of the Pure is not Glorious Anthem in this deck, so their Bitterblossom and Murderous Redcaps are a lot less threatening. After sideboard, they too do not have access to Wrath of God or Windborn Muse so expect Stillmoon Cavaliers from them also. They do not want to be pressured off the bat as they can’t handle aggressive starts very well, and their inevitable mana issues will cause them more problems than they are prepared for
Kithkin
+4 Stillmoon Cavalier
-4 Goldmeadow Stalwart
Goal: Aggressive start with numerous Crusade effects. A turn 3 Spectral Procession is pretty difficult to beat if you opponent doesn’t have one, but it cannot be your first play.
Things to keep in mind: Goldmeadow Stalwart is poor here. It is quickly outclassed so there is no reason for it to be in your deck after sideboard. Stillmoon Cavalier is the best mirror card in my opinion, so expect to see them from your opponent. It is fairly obvious if they are sitting on Hallowed Burial, so don’t be caught off guard.
Combo Elves
+4 Ethersworn Canonist, +3 Unmake
– 4 Cloudgoat Ranger, -3 Ajani Goldmane
Goal: Aggressive start that is unforgiving. You have no time for nonsense. Deal your twenty as fast as possible.
Things to keep in mind: This is not favorable. Game 1 is pretty ugly as you are both goldfishing, but they have the ability to slow you down by blocking with something if they need to. Sideboarded games, hope to draw Ethersworn Canonist or wreck them with a timely spot removal spell. It isn’t impossible, but it certainly doesn’t favor us either.
Fae
+3 Unmake
-3 Ajani Goldmane
Goal: Aggressive start while playing correctly around their tricks. Takes practice, but will lead to numerous wins once figured out
Things to keep in mind: As I have discussed in the past, it is favorable but it is extremely difficult to play correctly. Unmakes come in as ways to handle Plumeveil, Sower of Temptation, and Mistbind Clique. If any matchup, this is the one you should test before coming to the tournament
Red
+4 Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
-4 Goldmeadow Stalwart
Goal: Lots of trading until your card advantage begins to take over. It isn’t as easy as before, as Lightning Bolt and Ball Lightning give them a quicker clock, and most people have Goblin Outlander now.
Things to keep in mind: Ajani Goldmane reads “gain two life” in this matchup. Nothing else. Do not get ruined by Chaotic Backlash. It isn’t a very difficult card to play around. Trade early and often. Do not get aspirations of racing them unless they happen to mulligan, or you are positive it is safe to do so.
Lolmentals
+3 Unmake
-3 Honor of the Pure
Goal: Aggressive start backed by a timely Path to Exile on the relevant threat they are attempting to accelerate to. Typically Horde of Notions.
Things to keep in mind: I do not even kill the Smokebraider or Bloom Tender in this matchup. I simply kill the threats that follow them. Aggression followed up by an Unmake or Path to Exile on their Horde of Notions, Reveillark (before it gets too active), or any other gigantic idiot is going to win you the game. Be aware that they probably are playing Firespout now.
Sanity Grinding (Chapin Style)
+4 Ethersworn Canonist
-4 Cloudgoat Ranger
Goal: Aggressive start before they can mill you out
Things to keep in mind: This is a very good matchup. Nothing they do really affects the board so you are simply goldfishing with the occasional Cryptic Command being cast. I am leaving Path to Exile in just in case they are playing Plumeveils. Ethersworn Canonist is a nightmare.
Turbofog
+4 Ethersworn Canonist
-4 Cloudgoat Ranger
Goal: Kill them before they lock you. Perhaps they will run out of fogs.
Things to keep in mind: It is more than acceptable to punch your opponent in the face if they are playing this deck. Anyone playing this deck would have to be out of their mind, as they have no shot against a Red deck or Faeries. After you punch them in the face, tell them I said you could. They should understand.
Jund
+3 Ummake
-3 Goldmeadow Stalwart
Goal: Trade creatures and cards with them when beneficial before taking over with Cloudgoat Ranger and/or Spectral Procession.
Things to keep in mind: Trading is the name of the game here. Jund can answer Cloudgoat Ranger, Spectral Procession, and Figure of Destiny but not effectively. One of those card will win you the game. It sucks we don’t have Paladin En-Vec to simply win the game anymore, but Unmakes as more spot removal make it easier after sideboard. They have Wrath effects in the form of Jund Charm, Volcanic Fallout, Infest and/or Firespout, so don’t get cocky.
Five Color Bloodbraid
+3 Unmake
-3 Goldmeadow Stalwart
Goal: Trade creatures and cards with them when beneficial before taking over with Cloudgoat Ranger and/or Spectral Procession.
Things to keep in mind: This one is just like Jund except they have worse mana, but a better card in Cryptic Command. Because Wrath of God has rotated, that can no longer catch you by surprise. The only real things you need to keep in mind besides normal Jund strategy is that they have access to Cryptic Command, they will probably try to be tricky to get a free card off of Sygg, River Cutthroat, and they probably have a mizer’s Cruel Ultimatum.
Merfolk
+3 Unmake
-3 Ajani Goldmane
Goal: You are more aggressive than they are. Don’t hold back, but do not get wrecked by Sage’s Dousing if you don’t have to.
Things to keep in mind: They are essentially the same deck as us except they have worse creatures, but better spells in Cryptic Command and Sleep after sideboard. More Unmakes shut of their relevant cards (Merfolk Reejerey; Stonybrook Banneret; Sygg, River Guide) so that they cannot race as effectively. They can nut draw you, but it is fairly unlikely.
Doran
+4 Stillmoon Cavalier, +3 Unmake
-4 Goldmeadow Stalwart, -3 Honor of the Pure
Goal: It’s a slow grind it out battle. Their creatures are bigger than yours but you have more creatures than they do and ways to match them up in size. Spectral Procession is bad news for them
Things to keep in mind: Stillmoon Cavalier is close to impossible for them to deal with while blocking almost all of their creatures (If you can’t handle a Treefolk Hamburger, play a different deck). More spot removal ensures that your little duders will get the job done. Don’t be afraid to trade with them if it is profitable and beware that Profane Command and Infest exist.
G/B Elves
+3 Unmake
-3 Honor of the Pure
Goal: Trading is the name of the game until your awesome cards can take over
Things to keep in mind: Their mana and synergy overall is a lot worse now. In the off case that you run into this matchup, it is the same as Jund except they do not have the annoying Wrath effects. Be aware that Profane Command exists, and don’t let it beat you. Very favorable matchup now that the deck got nerfed.
U/W Reveillark
+3 Unmake
-3 Ajani Goldmane
Goal: Aggressive start with a Spectral Procession or Cloudgoat Ranger in the holster for once the inevitable Hallowed Burial comes.
Things to keep in mind: Their deck is criminally slow now. With the loss of Mind Stone and Wrath of God, you can extend so much more than before because they cannot punish you are much (especially if they are on the draw). They will probably update their deck to try to beat this matchup with cards like Plumeveil, Knight of the White Orchid plus the U/W Borderpost, and some other neat things. What was once an unfavorable matchup has turned around greatly. I’d be surprised if you play against this deck as it has a very poor matchup and is probably too slow to compete with Red.
Five Color Cascade Control
+4 Ethersworn Canonist
-4 Path to Exile
Goal: Aggressive start with army-in-a-can cards ready post-Wrath effect.
Things to keep in mind: They do not have Wrath of God anymore, which is nice, but it doesn’t matter that much since their whole deck is designed to beat us. Ajani Goldmane is left in because it helps you outclass their creatures and removal spells (Incendiary Command, Volcanic Fallout, Bituminous Blast) extremely quickly. Ethersworn Canonist turns Bloodbraid Elf, Captured Sunlight, Enlisted Wurm and Bituminous Blast into overcosted embarrassments and demands an answer fairly quickly. This matchup was not favorable in the past, and while I still do not think it is in our favor (as it is a deck simply designed to beat Kithkin), it is much more winnable than before.
Five Color Control
+4 Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
-4 Path to Exile
Goal: Aggressive start with army-in-a-can cards ready post wrath effect.
Things to keep in mind: This sideboarding plan is tentative! As I stated earlier, I hate Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender against this type of deck, because they will have different removal across the board to handle your threats. With that said, I hate Path to Exile in this matchup, as I do not want to accelerate them to Broodmate Dragon or Cruel Ultimatum. This matchup is in their favor because we are not geared to beat them like we could be (Reveillark; Elspeth, Knight-Errant, etc). Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender is only as good as the number of Firespouts and Volcanic Fallouts they have decided to play. Once again, it isn’t impossible but if they are sporting the Plumeveil/Wall of Reverence combo, it’s going to be really rough.
And that should do it!
If I missed something, I apologize. Hit the forums and let me know and I will chime in there.
I hope this clears up any questions one may have about Kithkin. For better or worse, Kithkin is a tier one deck. Let’s see if it can live up to the hype!
For all of you that are coming to the Kentucky Open, see you there! If not, then hopefully I will see you at Nationals.
But seriously, you should go to the Kentucky Open if you are remotely close to it. It is one of my favorite tournaments of the year.