I'm pulling together a Gruul Aggro deck for game day. I've seen a bunch of the net deck options I but they are all very similar. They seem to favor Stromkirk Noble. I want to think of some other options. Is Vexing Devil a reasonable substitute? I have the nobles--I just want something different.

I do also run Rakdos Cacklers and I'm happy with them.

the reason why people favor the noble is he can't be blocked by humans which is a relevant ability in the current meta. Plus once he comes online he can get out of hand pretty quick.

devil is a lightning bolt for 4 which is okay, but he's never going to stick on the field. which makes him about useless in an aggro deck.

I understand what you are saying about the Devils, but for aggro, isn't 4 damage T1 a real head start?

I would think so, concidering that its also a 4/3 creature if they dont pay it. In my opinion i would run the devil, but that is just my opinion :D

I tried running Vexing Devils in a Jund build on DM gameday to cash in on Varolz's shenaniganry, but honestly, outside of the 4 direct damage, the devils were seldom useful. Now, that aside, depending on what else you're building, you might be well suited to use them as they can do other things - namely they DO enter the battlefield before they're sacked, meaning they are an EXCELLENT creature to further evolve those Experiment Ones. Similarly, they're the one drop you probably aren't unhappy to cast out of Burning-Tree Emissary (them and Rancor).

HikingStick wrote:I understand what you are saying about the Devils, but for aggro, isn't 4 damage T1 a real head start?

4 damage isn't what it used to be in an aggro deck. With the life gain available today, I just can't see that being a big deal, Seems to me a turn 2 burning tree, into a rancor strom kirk noble played on turn 1, would be about the same amount of damage in the same amount of turns.

The scavenge shenanigans that ty mention were tried a little. You won't see the devil in very many decks at all.

Today, i see this line of play happening. You turn one vex, turn 2 and 3 are various creatures. Their turn 2 and 3 are scavenging ooze followed by eating your vexing devil on turn 3 gaining life and blocking/killing one of your dues then eating the due they killed and gaining more life.

Thanks for all the feedback. I opted to leave them out an ended up in second place on Game Day (I so wanted that play mat). Oh, well. There's always next year.