More format shifts from Theros spoilers

So, I finally got around to testing Mono-Red, and it was surprisingly good against a deck filled with Watchwolves.  The culprit is simple - Madcap Skills.  I didn't expect that card to completely turn around the match-up, but it almost does that single-handedly.  Post board is a different animal, but even Unflinching Courage may not be enough by itself, and, if Unflinching Courage needs help vs. Mono-Red, well, the format is really going to be interesting.

The plan of the Watchwolf deck is to use one larger creature (Watchwolf/Loxodon Smiter/Boros Reckoner) to hold off a swarm of smaller creatures (Foundry Street Denizen, Rakdos Cackler, BTE, Gore House Chainwalker, whatever).  The problem with that plan is that Madcap Skills turns it on its head.  Combined with sufficient burn, it's not hard to delay the critical "2-creature" count until its too late.

Legion Loyalist also has its part to play, as an army of watchwolves isn't necessarily so good when you can force through Foundry Street Denizen (because it can have 3 power).

Here's the kicker - I did my mono-red testing without the new Jackal Pup.  The new Jackal Pup only makes the deck stronger, as Legion Loyalist now has another 1-drop to help push past an army of 3/3's.  I'd look at the following list:

4x Firedrinker Satyr

4x Rakdos Cackler

4x Foundry Street Denizen

4x Legion Loyalist

4x Burning Tree Emissary

4x Firefist Striker

4x Madcap Skills

4x Skullcrack (could be a number of things, but Skullcrack seems to be the best for now)

4x Lightning Strike

4x Magma Jet

16x Mountain

4x Mutavault

Note:  Goblin Shortcutter is also available to this deck, and it might be a viable sideboard card

Now, this deck definitely has a lot of weaknesses.  It's not amazing, but it IS blisteringly fast and dirt cheap to build, so likely similar decks will show up from time to time in this format.  It likely won't dominate the format, but mono-red is a constraint you have to think about when building.  You do need a plan against this deck, and it will likely come and win a few tournaments when people forget it exists and thus underprepare for it.

The other card spoiled that changes things is Anger of the Gods (the new Slagstorm).  Here's what that card does:

1) Counters much of the pressure put on the format by mono-red

2) Makes the watchwolf plan much, much, much worse as there is a sweeper at 3 now as well as 4

3) Gives American Control support for Verdict (not that it needs it)

4) Gives Grixis Control a much needed sweeper for early game dudes

5) Deals SIGNIFICANT splash damage to the RG ramp/rampish strategies.  Zhur-Taa Druid, Llanowar Elves, and the Caryatid will suffer a lot of splash damage as Control decks will now have an effective means of slowing ramp down.

Anger of the Gods will be the next place I go in my testing, to see how it impacts how various control decks are positioned.  Before, I felt Esper was slightly better positioned than American (even with Steam Augury), and I don't think Anger changes that, but it may push Grixis into the territory of viability.  After all, having access to 8 Duress effects as well as Steam Augury seems very strong in the control mirror.  No Sphinx's Revelation, but American will never resolve that card against Grixis and Esper might have some trouble doing the same.

This format continues to excite me, as the strategic and tactical tensions are very tight.  I approve.

Also:  Ashiok continues to perform very very well in testing.  I think it's time to get on the train people.

[edit]  This means I'm basically putting down Naya.  I will still look at it periodically, but the deck needs major revisions, and I will probably only come back to it after the full spoiler is released.  Potential exists, but it really is being stretched very thin, and may be past the breaking point at this juncture.