First Deck Build

[Blindside700]

First Deck Build 67 cards, 0 sideboard 4 {Sandsteppe Citadel} 7 {Forest} 3 {Nomad Outpost} 7 {Plains} 3 {Opulent Palace} 24 lands 3 {Siege Rhino} 3 {Dromoka Captain} 2 {Dragonscale General} 3 {Temur Sabertooth} 2 {Anafenza, the Foremost} 2 {Avatar of the Resolute} 3 {Servant of the Scale} 2 {Abzan Falconer} 4 {Den Protector} 4 {Deathmist Raptor} 28 creatures 3 {Abzan Charm} 2 {Valorous Stance} 3 {Secure the Wastes} 3 {Inspiring Call} 2 {Abzan Ascendancy} 2 {Duress} 15 other spells Sideboard Notes: First deck build.. It would be awesome if y'all could give me some feedback and suggestions.. I wanted to use the den protector/raptor combo to keep creatures out and also take advantage of the counter system to build up creatures

[LinkCelestrial]

For a first deck I'm impressed! Here are some suggestions.

-3 {Nomad Outpost}
-3 {Opulent Palace}

Replace these with {Scoured Barrens}, {Blossoming Sands} and {Jungle Hollow}. If you can afford them instead use {Temple of Malady}, {Temple of Silence} and {Temple of Plenty}. Also cut some of your forests and plains for some swamps. Just test your deck and iron out your manabase.



-3 {Dromoka Captain}: he's very underwhelming. Not worth the slot IMO.

-2 {Anafenza, the Foremost}: She is SB material vs Whip and {Soulflayer}.

+3 {Abzan Battle Priest}: on theme life gain. Could be very nice.

+2 {Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit}: value farm.

-3 {Secure the Wastes}: this is not the right deck for this card IMO.

-2 {Duress}: {Thoughtsieze} is better but I'd rather see something else.

+3 {Ajani Steadfast}: if you can afford him (money wise) he's perfect.

+2 {Murderous Cut}: you're not using your GY for anything so I figured this would be a good idea.

These aren't perfect, there's room for more improvements. But I think it'll help. Also consider,

Making room for {Siege Rhino} number 4.

A fourth {Abzan Charm}.

{Abzan Ascendancy} is amazing in this deck. Make room for more if you can.

{Hero's Downfall} best removal in standard.

This is standard legal and I think it'd be competitive.

Don't be afraid to check out other Abzan lists and see what works.

[Blindside700]

Thank you so much for your input! I'm definitely taking your suggestions! My thought process behind using secure the wastes was to try and take advantage of opposing players end steps and getting more creatures on the board and possibly drawing out cancels from control decks in order to play more valuable cards on my turn.. But it may just be too awkward in my deck. Any suggestions on that front?

[LinkCelestrial]

Thank you so much for your input! I'm definitely taking your suggestions! My thought process behind using secure the wastes was to try and take advantage of opposing players end steps and getting more creatures on the board and possibly drawing out cancels from control decks in order to play more valuable cards on my turn.. But it may just be too awkward in my deck. Any suggestions on that front?

As I said I think it should be cut. When it comes to end steps you should be using most of your mana on your turn to advance your board state, so you shouldn't have much mana at the end of your opponents turn. {Abzan Charm} and my suggestion of {Murderous Cut} are the only things I'd really play on other people's turns, besides saving my stuff with {Valorous Stance}.

As for control you've just gotta bait counters and play fast at the beginning without over extending into board wipes. It sounds hard but it's learnable. Some {Thoughtsieze} or {Duress} if {Thoughtsieze} is too pricy can really help against control and let you know when it's a good time to cast your bigger threats. That's why they're great sideboard cards.