Got a new video up this week. This time we're looking at a G/B deck that looks to take advantage of the -1/-1 counter mechanic from Amonkhet. This deck runs 33 creatures (not a typo) and five removal spells in an effort to play efficient and powerful creatures while avoiding their drawbacks. We've got fodder creatures to put the -1/-1 counters on, and the deck is pretty aggressive. Hope you enjoy.

https://youtu.be/jFtroa2-P0Q

Decklist
Dread Wanderer x2
Festering Mummy x2
Fatal Push x3

Doomed Dissenter x4
Exemplar of Strength x3
Elvish Visionary x4
Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons x2

Bontu, The Glorified x1
Plague Belcher x2
Baleful Ammit x3
Defiant Greatmaw x3

Bone Picker x3
Crocodile of the Crossing x3

Decimator Beetle x1

Never/Return x2

Swamp x8
Forest x6
Hissing Quagmire x2
Woodland Cemetery x2
Evolving Wilds x4

Would love a decent deck to deal with that stupid counters quest

just re-roll it?

I just wish Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons had deathtouch herself.

I agree. Feels like she should.

it's just in this game most bears need a huge upside to be viable. The standard power creep in creatures is showing and dropping this thing turn 2 can be very lack luster.
I love the card, and I hope it gets a lot more support in HoD, it just seems like missing deathtouch on it was a huge flavor and design flaw.
She's the Vizier of poisons, why wouldn't she have poisons with her in combat...

Hapatra has retarded upside - spawning 1/1 deathtouch snakes every time you trigger counters placement is no joke, and she can certainly take over a game if unanswered. I wouldn't complain about additional keywords if she had them, but she doesn't need more to be worth running in a -1/-1 counters deck.

@BB - this build looks like it might be a little better for the challenge (running extra creatures that meet the condition), but the version Maggit and I worked on is pretty solid and fun. We use Nest to spam the board with tokens, and Yahenni is a beast with token spam to eat. viewtopic.php?f=61&t=18521

yeah but that's only if she can connect where there are plenty of 1-2 drops that just brick wall her.
I just feel she's a tad weak atm not saying she's bad just a bit lackluster most of the time.

I almost never connect with her, and the rare occasions I do I put the -/- counter on her just to get the snake (because if she's connecting at all that means Opp prob doesn't have creatures out). She triggers every time you put -/- counters tho, not just when she hits face. You play her, then follow up with Greatmaw or Belcher T3, she triggers off them and you get a deathtouch snake. Drop Festering Zombie T1, Hapatra T2, Greatmaw T3 putting counters on Festering who dies and puts counter on something else and you have 2 deathtouch snakes in play. She can really get out of control in -/- builds.

g2 t3 :


You comment on how you don't want to swing in with the visionary, because if they block with the motorist for some weird reason, it screws up the turn.

Why ? =D

If they block they trade a 3/1 with significant upside for a 1/1, then you play 6 deathtouch flying power
If they don't block, you get in a damage, and you play a picker and a 4/4.

Both lines are perfectly fine, but I'd PREFER they block with the motorist ^^

Similarly in the same game, later on you play hapatra, then plague belcher instead of hapatra, exemplar + picker. This was a very grave misplay because you'd have another blocker back, which would've freed up hapatra to not having to block and make more bodies next turn !

Anyway, this is real nitpicking, it's not easy to play and comment at the same time (probably in Duels the only one that does it reliably with very little punting is CGB), really appreciated the video

In retrospect, I agree with everything here. Pretty lucky I ended up winning that game despite these errors. If you go and read my channel's description, you'll see that I'm aware and comfortable that I'm not the best player around haha. I mostly enjoy building decks and sharing them. I always appreciate the feedback, though, as it helps me get better. Also CGB is probably the best player I've seen in Duels, though I have a real soft spot for Legenvd.

Thanks again for the comments.

PArt of becoming a really good player is playing, learning and understanding how all different types of decks play out. Because then you understand how they will play against whatever deck you have and you can adjust your play style to such.

Also recording/streaming can make you miss simple plays due to having to focus that.

I like the deck, I just feel it needs more support in HoD to really hold it's own against the top decks(not that it can't with the nut draw)
It would prob just be more consistent.
Keep up the good work sir!