• ZebN
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Topic: [Standard] Izzet Spellheart Chimera

Hey guys,

I've been using an unconventional deck at my local FNM for the last three weeks and having a great time with it.  I've gone 3-1 at each event and almost had last week's event won outright.  For those interested in something different take a look:

http://deckbox.org/sets/504696

A couple of quick notes:

This deck was inspired by this article, with edits of course:

https://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/ … /deck/1326

I don't think this is a tier one deck, and don't think it would compete outside of a FNM type environment.  It is fairly cheap to build though, and it's a blast to play, especailly if you like counter-burn.

Some things I've learned playing this:

You have to must a counterspell in your opening hand or you are going to have a difficult time against aggro.  Essence Scatter takes care of lots of annoying early plays like Burning-Tree Emissary.  Against decks that play huge creatures Curse of the Swine and Turn // Burn are essential.

Steam Augury seems like it's a underwhelming card since most of the time you will just draw 2 cards with it, but with Spellheart Chimera you win no matter what happens on the draw.  They either dump instants/sorceries to the graveyard making your Chimera that much better, or they load up your hand with spells.  I've even had people give me 4 spells and chuck a land to the graveyard just because they didn't want my Chimera to have 4 more power.

The obvious weakness with this deck is that Spellheart dies to everything, which is why I run 1 or 2 copies of Mizzium Skin.  It's basically a 1 mana counterspell that the opponent usually doesn't see coming, the +1 toughness also saves your Chimeras from Anger of the Gods while potentially wiping the board on the other side.  Otherwise you have to protect it with counters, and it's also the reason that Aetherling is important, since it can win the game for you when all of your Chimeras have been blasted.

Again it's not tier one, but it's fun and thought some of you might be interested. big_smile

Cheers!

Last edited by ZebN (2013-11-06 01:22:01)

Re: [Standard] Izzet Spellheart Chimera

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had more card draw?  I could see where perhaps 2x Divination or even Opportunity, if you find the games go that long, could prove useful.

I'd also want more than just the poor chimera and one Aetherling in my creature base... I'm thinking Prognostic Sphinx perhaps?

Lastly I'm thinking I'd probably have Anger of the Gods in the sideboard in place of something else only to slide in vs aggro.  There's no reason to risk killing your own chimeras if you don't need to.

  • ZebN
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Re: [Standard] Izzet Spellheart Chimera

Yeah, I have the 2 Divination in the sideboard and bring them in against a control mirror.

I did think about the Sphinx as an option, but really I think the only creatures I would add are more copies of Aetherling, which I have a few of so I may end up doing that.

As for Anger of the Gods, yeah it's a brick when playing against control or even midrange so it gets boarded out, but it answers agro nicely.  Against control I bring in Cyclonic Rift, Divination, and my suite of burn spells.

  • ZebN
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Re: [Standard] Izzet Spellheart Chimera

Oh by the way I forgot to mention that you can use Quicken to cast Anger of the Gods on the opponents turn, you don't make too many friends with that play though. tongue

Last edited by ZebN (2013-11-06 05:10:19)

Re: [Standard] Izzet Spellheart Chimera

TyWooOneTime wrote:

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had more card draw?  I could see where perhaps 2x Divination or even Opportunity, if you find the games go that long, could prove useful.

I'd also want more than just the poor chimera and one Aetherling in my creature base... I'm thinking Prognostic Sphinx perhaps?

Lastly I'm thinking I'd probably have Anger of the Gods in the sideboard in place of something else only to slide in vs aggro.  There's no reason to risk killing your own chimeras if you don't need to.

I was thinking about this and I wonder if he could use whip and go Grixxis.  It'd give him access to more removal and whipping a chimera with a full yard could be deadly.  Also, it'd give him access to some needed lifegain.  Potential list below for consideration.

what's a better burn spell than rakdos's return?

Creatures - 8

2 Pack Rat
4 Spellheart Chimera
1 Prognostic Sphynx
1 Aetherling

Sorcery - 5
3 Divination
2 Rakdos Return

Instants - 20

3 Essence Scatter
3 Lightning Strike
3 Dissolve
3 Far // Away
4 Steam Augury
2 Hero's downfall
2 Dread Bore

Enchants - 2
2 Whip of Erebos

Lands - 25

3 Island
2 Rakdos Guildgate
2 Izzet Guildgate
2 Mountain
4 Steam Vents
4 Blood Crypt
4 Watery Grave
4 Temple of Deceit

Alternately I think you could go with a few more creatures and the thoughtseize package and play it like a midrange deck if you wanted to go fewer counters.

  • ZebN
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Re: [Standard] Izzet Spellheart Chimera

I did think of splashing Black just to have access to Doom Blade/Hero's Downfall or even splashing white for Boros Charm and possibly Chained to the Rocks.  I still may end up testing out one or both of those in the future, not sure yet.

I do like your list, looks very interesting, unfortunately I can't afford even the lands it would take to put it together right now.  If anyone else gives it a shot I'd be interested to see how it does!