The new deck archetype that appeared at the pro tour paris is soon dominating type 2 matches around the globe.It is certain that we will be seeing a lot of blade bearing hawks flying around in the next 3 months.The stoneforge mystic-sword cell has proved its self as a huge addition to the blue white caw go deck.
Now that the scenery has been set i believe it is high time to search our current standard toolbox to see if there are any new toys that would give as advantage in the 'blade' wars.We can do so by searching any weaponry that might appear in the sets that are legal in the current standard.
So lets do some searching of what additions might there be apart from those two masterpieces of equipment.
Lets begin by searching in the oldest set available ,Zendikar.We have these piece of equipment.
Adventuring gear:Nope this isnt usefull in a deck without fetches to go for maximum damage.
Blade of the warchief:Not enough creatures to make this worthwhile.
Blazing torch:I would consider this one as a bonus burst lightning with no kicker option which can be good and useful in some aspects but certainly not standard useful.
Explorer's scope:This could have some synergy with jace to give as an extra land drop but in most aspects it is weak.
Grappling hook:Nope.
Spidersilk net:Nope
Trailblazer's boots:Non basic land walk is somethink that would make our creatures unblockable versus some match ups but other than that it is totally useless.
Trusty Machete:It is a good piece of equipment but our swords are better by miles so there is no use adding this one up.
Let's see what worldwake has to offer as far as equipment is concerned:
Basilisk collar:It is good, it has some potential as lifelink is extremelly usefull in some match ups but sylvok lifestaff is by far greater when we come down and check the creatures we run in Caw blade as the 3 life given by the staff is by far greater than the 1 life we would get from basilisk collar hawks!
Hammer of ruin:This one has potential to be a sideboard plan in the current metagame.It has an ability that is begoming more and more relevant in standard.Destroying enemy equipment.It is good and i believe it might see play in the coming months making our opponents thinking twice before striking with their swords as this piece of hammer is able to be smashing swords all day long and it also gives a +2 attack pump which is something to be considered.People wont be expecting this equipment any time soon and i would advice you to use this one as a sideboard plan in places where caw blade will be dominating.Divine offering does the job once where as this might do it again and stick there to give as an advantage for the race!!
Kitesail:Nope.
Razor boomerang:Nope.
On to the rise of the eldrazi set!
Hedron matrix:Well it could be good but is is waaaay too expensive!
Ogre's Cleaver:Expensive,expensive ... argentum armor expensive...
Pennon blade:Expensive and irrelevant for our deck.
Warmonger's chariot:It is irrelevant and we cant fill any defenders for this to work as it would ruin our game plans and deck strategy!
Now it is time to check in our coreset.M11.
Sword of vengeance:hmmm let's see, +2/+0 added up with first strike ,vigilance, trample and haste.This is i believe an EXCELLENT addition to the caw blade strategy.It offers GREAT abilities and first strike means no sword hits are getting through no time soon.Trample is sure killing some jaces and haste is sure making more of our hawks active.On top of that we have vigilance.That means attacking and standing ready to stop ANY incoming sword attacks.Sword of vengeance is soon making to the sideboard plans of caw blade decks.We may see it mainboard as it offers a lot and can put the pressure factor on another level!
Warlord's axe: A Bit too expensive for just a +3/+1 pump...
Whispersilk cloak:Nope.
So on to scars of mirrodin:
Accorder's shield:Nope
Argentum armor: Too expensive vindicate effect..
Barbed battlegear:Aren't most are creatures at one power?
Bladed pinions:Nope.
Darksteel axe:Not that good in standard...
Echo circlet:No way!
Heavy Arbalest:No way!
Infiltration lens:Irrelevant.
Limewire lash:It is a good piece of equipement in limited but nothing else.
Nim deathmantle:Paying (4) for the rise from the grave effect is not standard viable.
Strata scythe:This is a good piece of equipment but there are a few things it can do in standard.It gives just a pump effect that can do little in this format and will not be able to win games in a world of day of judgement and jace the mind sculptor...
And our final set mirrodin besieged...
Bonehoard:It is a creature and it is a good one.Living weapon -stoneforge mystic is huge and i can see this one making it through some caw blade decks.Its ability is easily broken and it can even constitute a game finisher.Apart from that it has few abilities other than the ability to become a massive beater.
Darksteel plate:No thanks!!Even if my opponent gave this card to me for free i would laugh at it!
Flayer husk:We are not kuldotha red!
Mortarpod:I love this card but not for the caw blade deck.
Piston sledge:This one is good when it comes to play BUT if a creature we own drops it then its a waste!
Silverskin armor:No.
Skinwing:Another living weapon but not so good to make it in our decklist.
Strandwalker:Another living weapon but not so good to make it in our decklist.
Viridian claw:Sealed deck material...
So After checking what is legal in standard we have some possible additions to caw blade that might see play in the upcoming months,these ones
Those two are either usefull in the current metagame or ready to beatdown enemy decks.I believe we are seeing those some time soons on the battlefield summoned by known mages :)
Will this guy make it to our caw blade 75 or our enemies list?
This one can stall all our tutoring effects.All of them.The good thing about this guy is that PLAYER'S cant search libraries so that even its user may be stalled by it , considering the current metagame.I dont believe that a deck that is built on tutoring can use him even as a sideboard plan.Boros cant sac fetches , stone forge mystic cant bring any blades on , and hawks aint bringing any more hawks along.But how can we use this one?An esper tezzeret deck?A white winnie deck?One thing is certain that if this guy finds a home in a tier 1.5 deck that can capably win games he will be a great condition to stall most decks of our current metagame.Even titans wont be fetching lands.But dont forget that he can be easily removed and that has been its drawback till now...This card has the potential to do a lot in stalling most current decks but it is highly possible that with this guy in our list we have to let go of the current huge card advantage offered by the standard tutor effects in order to gain in tempo and do something about the powerhouses of the current standard.So if we are seeing this guy in play real soon is not certain, some people will try to break this guy and i dont know wether it is viable but it is possible.Were this guy a mind lock orb things would be different but he isnt.And kuldotha red will be around for the next months making this guy a waste in that matchup so making him main board is not something that could easily happen.Taking away the surprise factor of game one versus tutor decks that could give us game one with this guy around in our mainboard..
Anyway send me any ideas you might have about this card or other artifacts that could stand aside in the current caw blade deck!
Till then grab your swords and slash some of your enemies to zero or less life!
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