[Deck] GW Aggro Loam-A-Geddon

[CynicalSquirrel]

This deck was an idea I got while looking through the original Time Spiral spoiler. I was looking for something that popped out in the kind of decks I like to play, and after a lot of searching I found it: Flagstones of Trokair. It seemed so abusable, and so easy to just blend into a normal deck that I wanted to play it somewhere. And since I noticed the New and Developmental forum had a distinct lack of Life from the Loam based decks, I decided to post this:

// Lands
4 Flagstones of Trokair
2 Plains
2 Forest
2 Secluded Steppe
3 Tranquil Thicket
4 Savannah
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Windswept Heath
3 Nantuko Monastery

// Creatures
4 Terravore
4 Werebear
4 Vinelasher Kudzu
2 Jotun Grunt

// Spells
4 Life from the Loam
4 Swords to Plowshares
3 Armageddon
3 Ravages of War
4 Exploration

// Sideboard
SB: 2 Jotun Grunt
SB: 3 Solitary Confinement
SB: 2 Nomad Stadium
SB: 4 Naturalize
SB: 4 Pithing Needle

Despite the low creature count, this is a very aggro style deck. The plan is extremely straight forward: establish some early board control and drop an Armageddon/Ravages of War. The hope is that with Terravore, Werebear, and Kudzu, an early Armageddon will pretty much put the opponent on a 2-3 turn clock, which they probably won't be able to recover from. Werebear along with Flagstones of Trokair and Exploration can make for some hilariously one sided Armageddons, and Terravore and Kudzu can both become massive beatsticks very early in the game. Nantuko Monastery can also create some ground control after an Armageddon, and be recurred via Loam.

All I've been able to do so far is some goldfishing, but it seems extremely consistent thanks to effectively running 6 Armageddons, along with the Loam cycling land/draw engine. I can see the deck having a lot of success against control, combo, and slower aggro, but I'm worried about the matchup against Goblins and faster aggro, which is why I sideboarded Nomad Stadium and Solitary Confinement.

Anyways, any help is appreciated. I'll try to get testing results up soon.

[aisman132000]

i've seen a deck similar to this from a japanese side event or something except it also ran solitary confinement maindeck and could just played behind that if it was required. The strategy seems sound you know ernham geddon style. I'm sure this destroys aggro as all of your guys are huge and i love nantucko monastary. one question though, what is your combo matchup like? can you clock fast enough? I know you have armegeddon x6 but still won't they just go off in response? It doesn't seem like that problem is adressed in the sb or md. I guess solitary confinement, but if that is your answer you might be better off running it md instead of sb. maybe drop two geddons for two confinements and then rule of law in the sb? I don't know just asking.

[freakish777]

Trinisphere seems like it'd be a good addition (after Geddon with Vore down they scoop as opposed to ripping Swords/Plains). Additionally I'm tempted to say I'd run Living Wish to get access to:

Cycling Land on demand.
Terravore more consistently.
Wasteland from the board (go with Loam)
Tabernacle from the board ("drop Geddon, post resolution, drop Tabernacle, Wrath your team?").
Bosejui from the board (against FoW).

[MasterBlaster]

Jotun Grunt and Terravore/Werebear seems to be a real bad combo to me.

I would suggest that you sideboard the Grunts.

[Atwa]

Take a ook at Hugo van Dijke's list of this deck. It won both the Dutch Nationals and the side event at Worlds.

There is a tournament resport somewhere on this site, here is the list:

The Dutch Connection’s ‘TerraGeddon’

// Creatures
4 Llanowar Elves
4 Werebear
4 Terravore
4 Wild Mongrel
3 Eternal Witness
1 Genesis

// Spells
4 Armageddon
4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Life from the Loam
3 Solitary Confinement

// Lands
4 Tranquil Thicket
2 Secluded Steppe
1 Nantuko Monastery
3 Wasteland
4 Windswept Heath
3 Forest
1 Plains
4 Savannah
3 Wooded Foothills

// Sideboard
4 Tivadar’s Crusade
4 Null Rod
3 Krosan Grip
2 Loxodon Hierarch
2 Last Breath

There is already a tread on TMD, where hugo has made some changes to the list (mostly sideboard to improve a better combo matchup). I tested the deck a lot, since I lost to it the first round of the Dutch Nationals, and the list feels very optimal.

[CynicalSquirrel]

Thanks for the list/link. I knew I couldn't be the only one who thought of this, and it's nice to see an optimal list to try out.

I'm glad I was at least somewhat in the ballpark on it though, it would have been kind of lame if I was running like 30 different cards.

[Atwa]

My first tread I've ever opened on the source was a Terravore deck, so I know what you mean.

Me list was way more casual, and I was way more cards off than you are, but that was before the release of ravnica, so I never heard of this card ´life from the loam´. The deck is really a blast to play, and it is pretty powerfull too.

[Plank]

Adding Mox Diamonds would probably rock some ass for this deck. I'd suggest Chrome Mox too, or Talismen / Signets? Could probablyd drop some lands for the Moxs, 28 is... up there.

[Atwa]

Adding Mox Diamonds would probably rock some ass for this deck. I'd suggest Chrome Mox too, or Talismen / Signets? Could probablyd drop some lands for the Moxs, 28 is... up there.

I knew someone would suggest that.

Adding Moxen doesn't really speed up the deck ( you already play 8 mana creatures), and you lose the power of null rod after boarding.

[Plank]

Does this deck just roll over and die to combo? Even post sideboard I don't see an answer to Iggypop or Solidarity.

Edit: Unless Null Rod shuts down Lion's Eye Diamond? Even then, I don't see how it would beat Solidarity.

[Eldariel]

Does this deck just roll over and die to combo? Even post sideboard I don't see an answer to Iggypop or Solidarity.

Edit: Unless Null Rod shuts down Lion's Eye Diamond? Even then, I don't see how it would beat Solidarity.

Null Rod shuts down all artifact-mana, hence why it's such a bomb in Vintage. While it's a weaker MU, Solitary Confinement helps a lot, and a resolved Armageddon is pretty good against Solidarity. I'm not saying, the MUs are good or anything, but the deck is still far from a goldfish. Might be, Abeyance or Chant could be worth something in the MD though, as the deck can be attacking with big guys given time, so getting the time helps, and Chant allows forcing through key-spells like Geddonblaster.

[Atwa]

I (and Hugo also) am testing with a 4 Angelic Grace, 2 Gaea's Blessing build (sb). It looks promising so far.

[Di]

Angel's Grace/Blessing combo is good, but it really hurts the threshold creatures and Terravore. I've been tinkering with the deck a bit because Terravore is absurd, and for anti-combo board I've been running Chalice of the Void and Glowriders. I like these better than the Angel's Grace board because they are useful in more matchups other than Solidarity. Considering the deck can kill rather quickly, you really only need either a single Chalice or Glowrider to resolve to win, because in most cases they won't be able to win through that by turn 5-6.

Anyway, here's the list I've been trying out.

4 Nimble Mongoose
4 Werebear
4 Terravore
4 Wild Mongrel
3 Eternal Witness
1 Genesis

4 Armageddon
3 Life from the Loam
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Solitary Confinement

4 Mox Diamond
4 Windswept Heath
2 Wooded Foothills
4 Savannah
3 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Tranquil Thicket
2 Secluded Steppe
2 Wasteland
1 Nantuko Monastery
2 Forest
1 Plains

Sideboard:
3 Tividar's Crusade
3 Pithing Needle
2 Krosan Grip
3 Loxodon Heirarch
4 Chalice of the Void


I run Mox Diamond over Llanowar Elves because I like the option of turn 1 Wild Mongrel or Bear, and turn 1 Chalice from the sideboard. It also has better synergy with the deck. I could give two shits about Null Rod really. The sideboard cards can deal with storm effectively, so shutting off LED and friends isn't necessary. Chalice also happens to be rather good in the affinity matchup, considering almost the entire deck costs either 1 or 2.

The deck really needs to run Nimble Mongoose for those who don't, because it greatly improves the odds of stopping Lackey. This deck has some trouble with Goblins, so it needs all the early blockers it can get. It also happens to be an awesome turn 1 drop.

[Atwa]

@Di:

You add mongoose because you want more options to block a turn 1 Lackey, but you still cut Llanowar?

I understand in your build it might work better, but I think I'd rather have a manaboost in the beginning turns over untargetable, at least in the average games.

However your list looks interesting and I am surely going to play a few games with it, just to feel how the list plays.

How do the Flagstones work out? I can understand the sinergy with the rest of the deck, but does it really shine or is it only average? Does only 2 Confinements feel enough to handle the pre side games against combo decks?

[Di]

You add mongoose because you want more options to block a turn 1 Lackey, but you still cut Llanowar?

I understand in your build it might work better, but I think I'd rather have a manaboost in the beginning turns over untargetable, at least in the average games.

However your list looks interesting and I am surely going to play a few games with it, just to feel how the list plays.

How do the Flagstones work out? I can understand the sinergy with the rest of the deck, but does it really shine or is it only average? Does only 2 Confinements feel enough to handle the pre side games against combo decks?

Llanowar is easily killed. Many Goblins builds run Fanatic, StP, and Incincerator, so the odds of them killing Llanowar is high. It really isn't worth that risk when I have a stable replacement for the mana source in Mox Diamond.

Flagstones isn't anything amazing, but it's rather good. It's synergy with Armageddon is great if you're casting it early, and it can smooth mana in a pinch. It's worth the slot over basic Plains imo.

As for Confinement, I cut the 3rd because I really don't like it that much. Maybe it's just me though. I play the deck very aggressively, and don't really like pure defensive cards in favor of stronger slots. However I still keep it at 2 because it's a solid draw for rough matchups, but not something I always want to see. If it's really an issue then the 3rd can go back in, but the sideboard can generally bail you out in those matchups post-board.

[Eldariel]

The question is again, is your SB strong enough to bring those MUs to 75/25, making you a 50% candidate of winning 2 in a row? I really like this deck though, it seems to finally have the potential to be a Wg deck that can handle the combo MU.

[Bane of the Living]

Reasons to splash red..

1) Gamble and Burning Wish to find Loam is very important. This deck is jank when operating without it.

2) Burning Wish finds geddon effects in board, along with maindeck answers to artifacts and enchantments.

3) Red gives you Devestating Dreams, which is eons better than geddon imo.

4) Siesmic Assault.

Definitely play Mox Diamond over Exploration. Also 5 cycle lands is not enough, go with 6-7. Especially if playing with Confinement.

[Alfred]

Cool looking deck, but what do you do against combo? Armageddon, even with Exploration support seems like it could be a little slow against turn 2-3 combo, or Solidarity that uses Remand and Force of Will.

Have you thought of splashing blue for Meddling Mage? It seems like it would fit your beatdown strategy, as well as being useful in general. If you aren't going to do that, I would suggest devoting a substantial amount of your sideboard to hate, like Glowrider, Abeyance etc.

[lukatron2]

As for Confinement, I cut the 3rd because I really don't like it that much. Maybe it's just me though. I play the deck very aggressively, and don't really like pure defensive cards in favor of stronger slots. However I still keep it at 2 because it's a solid draw for rough matchups, but not something I always want to see. If it's really an issue then the 3rd can go back in, but the sideboard can generally bail you out in those matchups post-board.

Are you kidding? Confinement is one of the staples of this deck in my opinion. Its not only good against combo, but it gives you auto wins! it allows you to steal A LOT of matches that you normally wouldn't be able to, and even with 3 you can still play the aggro role. If it werent for confinement, I would probably just run red over white (for burning wish, devestating dreams, lightning bolt, seismic assult etc). I do like the idea of challice though. I would really like to see how these builds compare in their match-up analysis's against different decks. I suppose there probably isn't enough info though...Then again, I'm sure the original deck designer(s) thought of mongoose and mox and I'm certain that they have a good reason for not running them...

On a side note, I was just curious to why Hierarch is in the sb? I know its a REALLY good creature and his ability is sweet. But which match-ups is he really needed in? seems like there would be something better to fill his 2-3 of slot in the sb with? then again, maybe i'm wrong...

[Di]

Are you kidding? Confinement is one of the staples of this deck in my opinion. Its not only good against combo, but it gives you auto wins! it allows you to steal A LOT of matches that you normally wouldn't be able to, and even with 3 you can still play the aggro role. If it werent for confinement, I would probably just run red over white (for burning wish, devestating dreams, lightning bolt, seismic assult etc). I do like the idea of challice though. I would really like to see how these builds compare in their match-up analysis's against different decks. I suppose there probably isn't enough info though...Then again, I'm sure the original deck designer(s) thought of mongoose and mox and I'm certain that they have a good reason for not running them...

On a side note, I was just curious to why Hierarch is in the sb? I know its a REALLY good creature and his ability is sweet. But which match-ups is he really needed in? seems like there would be something better to fill his 2-3 of slot in the sb with? then again, maybe i'm wrong...

I think you're overestimating Confinement a bit. It's insane yes, but most decks should be able to deal with it. It isn't really anything much against Solidarity or Iggy Pop, both of which can bounce it, but yes it is very strong game 1 vs. Goblins and quick aggro. As I said a 3rd could go in, but I really don't think it's necessary. Maybe if problematic matchups are on the rise.

As for Loxodon, I recently took out Jotun Grunt for it. Grunt is a house, but it was really messing with the gameplan. I'm sure there is a better use out of that slot, but I figured for the time being I'd switch it with an efficient beater. It's not particularly bad against anything, and it's abilities are good for a lot of scenarios. I'll admit I don't have as much testing as I'd like to with it, so I'm unsure on what matchups are the absolute worst for the deck (outside combo), so these slots can very well go towards whatever troublesome decks there are. Maybe the 3rd Confinement and something else. But for now, these guys are fine.

Reasons to splash red...

1) Gamble and Burning Wish to find Loam is very important. This deck is jank when operating without it.

2) Burning Wish finds geddon effects in board, along with maindeck answers to artifacts and enchantments.

3) Red gives you Devestating Dreams, which is eons better than geddon imo.

4) Siesmic Assault.

Definitely play Mox Diamond over Exploration. Also 5 cycle lands is not enough, go with 6-7. Especially if playing with Confinement.

To note, the deck doesn't have to rely on LftL. It's the nuts and makes the deck that much better, but it doesn't need to be the primary focus. The bigger focus seems to be casting Armageddon with men to kill with. That's what the deck does best. I feel this deck is more Erhnamgeddon rather than Aggro-Loam.

Burning Wish, although effective, is also very slow for a deck that's trying to win quickly. It also clutters the sideboard which requires a lot of slots in order to consistantly beat storm combo. I do like Gamble, however, but pushing the deck to 3 colors is rough.

Devastating Dreams is not better than Armageddon. Although it costs less, DD more often than not requires an active LftL, and cards in hand to support it. Geddon needs no such requirements, and kills all their land, not X lands. Plus, with DD the discard is random, which can get you discarding cards you don't want to get rid of.

Seismic Assault is slow and heavily relies on Loam. Plus, the casting cost is awful. Assault creates a different deck altogether. I'd much rather have an efficient creature in this slot anyday.


Red gives a lot of solid options, but it really doesn't outweight white. There are replacements for Armageddon and StP, but they aren't nearly as efficient. Plus you lose Solitary Confinement, which red really has no replacement for.