So I have tested this Naya Aggro list at yesterday’s Wednesday Night Magic and I would like to discuss a few of my observations and possible changes in the list. My result by the way is 2-2, losing to Selesnya Aggro and White Weenie. Here is the decklist referenced from Jacob Van Lunen’s March 2 article.

Maindeck
4xSoldier of the Pantheon
4xDryad Militant
4xVoice of Resurgence
4xFleecemane Lion
4xBoros Reckoner
4xLoxodon Smiter
4xGhor-Clan Rampager

4xBrave the Elements
2xBoros Charm
4xSelesnya Charm

4xTemple of Plenty
3xTemple of Abandon
1xTemple of Triumph
4xTemple Garden
4xSacred Foundry
4xStomping Ground
2xPlains

Sideboard
2xUnflinching Courage
4xSkylasher
2xXenagos the Reveler
4xMizzium Mortars
1xBoros Charm
1xLast Breath
1xMistcutter Hydra

The maindeck is already built to be of advantage against the current Tier 1 control decks, with the obvious built-in Boros Charm. What I will point out though is the lack of creature removal. Sure 4 of Selesnya Charm is sort of like one, and Brave the Elements highlights combat tricks to your side, but there are just certain situations wherein you should fend off your opponents’ creatures before they overwhelm you.

One example for instance was what happened yesterday in Round 1 against Mono White Aggro. I was on turn three Boros Reckoner against his turn two Precinct Captain but he has Banisher Priest to remove get in some damage and token trigger. I killed the priest with the mortars but he has another one to remove again the reckoner from the battlefield. The captain dealt damage again, and after two more turns of dealing with the priest, I got overwhelmed by the Soldier tokens and his other critters.

You can say that the correct play would be to kill off the Captain instead of casting the reckoner, but I needed board presence to gain advantage and to hold off his other creatures.

What I’d suggest on the board is to be more flexible in other archetype matchups. Mortars are good, but it ain’t enough. The changes should be to remove the Last Breath and Mistcutter Hydra and add two Flames of the Firebrand. This sorcery can surely two-for-one early X/1 creatures, or slow down RG by burning their Elvish Mystics or even kill Elspeth’s soldier tokens to swing in for the win.

I’d also add one Banisher Priest in the board replacing one Xenagos walker. This is for random creature threats that the opponent might have. The updated sideboard would look like this:

1xBanisher Priest
1xBoros Charm
2x Flames of the Firebrand
4xMizzium Mortars
2xUnflinching Courage
4xSkylasher
1xXenagos the Reveler

I am waiting for Jacob’s part two article on the updated list and sideboard plan so I could check if we share the same sentiments. We shall see what more he has to offer.