Topic: Brewing Kiora, the Crashing Wave

Happy Christmas guys!

And for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Wednesday.

So today, WotC spoiled the new planeswalker that will be making an appearance in BTG. Immediately I went to work thinking of a plan for her.

So far, i've come up with 2 different lists, both of which are Superfriends lists (Because we can do that now!).


http://deckbox.org/sets/564037
RUG superfriends. A ramp strategy that works with Kiora's -1, that basically tries to take control of the board while building your own board with cards like Xenagos and Bow of Nylea, using Kiora's ultimate as a finisher.

http://deckbox.org/sets/564038
BUG Superfriends. A very controlling strategy that works with Kiora's +1, that wants to eliminate all chances of the opponent being able to cast creatures / do much of anything. Again, Kiora's ultimate (or Vraskas) as a finisher.

What do you guys think of this new UG planeswalker? I'm absolutely in love with her. Sure, 2 starting loyalty is a bit rough to work with, but Explores on a stick are definitely something that I agree with. She would probably be awesome in a Bant Fog list, which I am also a big fan of. I'd love to hear your opinions on this new play toy, and if you have any brews with her yet.

Last edited by DarrenM (2013-12-25 22:15:41)

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Re: Brewing Kiora, the Crashing Wave

So first off, for anyone who hasn't seen the link to Kiora, you can see her here: http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/a … eature/279 (I'll also link in the General Discussion forums).

Now to the two brews you've pieced together, I think the BUG list has a lot more promise than the RUG one.  As much as it pains me, Ral Zarek really just doesn't get the job done and Xenagos, the Reveler is really at his best when you flood the board (see G/R devotion).  You have less removal, less quality removal, and really not much of a win con there.  In the BUG list, you're focusing a bit too much on the walkers, leaving some of the prime creatures in those colors on the sidelines... Reaper of the Wilds, Desecration Demon, Prophet of Kruphix, Polukranos, Prime Speaker Zegana, etc... So to that end I think there's some real promise in that area and that a solid mid-range deck is left to be brewed (you can see my current BUG list that I'm considering taking to GP Vancouver here: http://deckbox.org/sets/540787).

All that being said, I'm thinking Kiora will be best suited in a creature based build rather than control.  Her +1 is solid protection against a single target, but really won't do much if you don't have other critters there to run interference against a clogged board (the starting two loyalty doesn't help either as only 3 loyalty is pretty easy to pick off).  Explore on a stick SCREAMS to use some mana dorks, draw spells, and some HUGE beaters... so I'm thinking something fun like Shipbreaker Kraken, Arbor Colossus, Polukranos and whatnot... but we've also yet to see how the demigods will shape up and such... so let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.  I can say that she works rather nicely with Horizon Chimera... so that could be a thing.  If you really want, she could be a nice addition to Maze's End comically enough...

Re: Brewing Kiora, the Crashing Wave

I think she's probably a control card.  She reminds me a lot of tamyio from the last block.  I don't think it's a ramp to play it out card though.  She's definitely a long term investment card similar to jace - aot.  A bant control would love this card. Remember we're getting the other temples in this set. You still have jace and elspeth, bant super friends.