Traditional Explorer - Amalia Combo + Sideboard Guide 67% WINR

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29 10 0 21
Aggro Combo

Abzan Amalia Combo 

Current Winrate: 67,9% after 53 Games
Diamond and Mythic League MTGA

With the new set “The Lost Caverns of Ixalan” we got a new interesting card named Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage. Amelia offers a new 2 card combo in Explore or Pioneer.  


The Combo: 


image + image 


To complete the combo we need something that can activate the combo like Cenote Scoutimage, Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantomimage or Prosperous Innkeeperimage

Turn 3 Kill:


A turn 3 kill is also possible if you have Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantomimage turn 1, turn 2  Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage and turn 3 Wildgrowth Walkerimage. The turn 3 kill is rare, just saying ^^


Deck

After 20 Games with this version I think the "Maindeck" is finished. Certainly the sideboard needs to adapt to the meta. At the end of the description you can find the 20 matchups i had with this deck. 

What makes this version good in my opinion?  

The resilience to removal and the protection of the combo. In my opinion Selfless Saviorimage and Selfless Spiritimage are one of the best inclutions that the deck have. Also the maindeck Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage helps the deck dramatically to push through instant removal and counters. It also can draw us in some games many cards. 

In combination with Chord of Callingimage the deck has now the option to protect the combo or combo pieces in instant speed. 

The next all star in this deck is Voice of the Blessedimage. I think through out the 20 matchups it safed me more than enough wins. It combos also perfectly with Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage because we don't have to wait another turn to combo kill only with Amalia, Voice survives the "Destroy all creatures" part of Amalia. 

Return to the Ranksimage is also a key piece in this deck and can win us the game out of a losing spot. Although, I don't think we need more then two copies of it in the maindeck.

What are my thoughts about the sideboard?

I think the sideboard needs always in every deck a little bit tinkering. However, the main thought of the sideboard building was to have cards against the bad matchups like control or removal heavy decks. Also I wanted to use the potential of Cord of Calling to search for sideboard cards. 

What where the last changes in this version of the deck? 

Maindeck where never changes, only the sideboard was changend. 

Sideboard Changes: 

-2 Go Blankimage
-1 Haywire Miteimage
-1 Archon of Emeriaimage
-1 Reidane, God of the Worthyimage
15. December
-1 Heroic Interventionimage

+1 Shapers' Sanctuaryimage 
+1 Skyclave Apparitionimage
+1 Jirina, Dauntless Generalimage
+1 Lion Sashimage only because this version is more white than green heavy. If your version has more green, use Scavenging Oozeimage
+1 Return to the Ranksimage
15. December
+1 Knight of Dusk's Shadowimage for the mirror matchups and mono w lifegain decks.

Overall, Go Blankimage was fine, but we have so much to use against Control decks in our sideboard that I didn't have spaces for it most of the time. The same is true for Archon of Emeriaimage and Reidane, God of the Worthyimage. I wanted to focus more on discard spells/creatures like Deep-Cavern Batimage, however, Deep-Cavern Batimage could also be changed with Thoughtseizeimage

Sideboard Guide:

Raktos Midrange: 

-2 Chord of Callingimage
-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage

+3 Shapers' Sanctuaryimage
+1 Return to the Ranksimage

Because Rakdos has always a punch of removal, we are boarding Chord of Callingimage out. Without creatures it is not as good. If you see mass removal like Ritual of Sootimage or Brotherhood's Endimage you can also make this changes: 

-1 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage
+1 Heroic Interventionimage

It is also possible to bring 1-2 Deep-Cavern Batimage.

Rakdos Sacrifice:

-2 Chord of Callingimage
-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-2 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage

+3 Shapers' Sanctuaryimage
+1 Haywire Miteimage
+2 Skyclave Apparitionimage

Return to the Ranksimage isn't nessessary but you can bring it in if you see more removal than usual.

Overall Rakdos Sacrifice is a better matchup than Midrange. Sacrifice is mostly relying on creatures and don't plays as much removal as Rakdos Midrange.

UW Control:

-3 Chord of Callingimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Wildgrowth Walkerimage
-1 Voice of the Blessedimage
-1 Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantomimage


+3 Deep-Cavern Batimage
+1 Return to the Ranksimage don't bring it in if your opponent plays a Discontinuityimage Control version and you have seen Farewellimage. If you see also more than one ore two Temporary Lockdown you can also bring in Haywire Miteimage.
+1 Reidane, God of the Worthyimage
+1 Archon of Emeriaimage
+1 Heroic Interventionimage

In my opinion this is the worst matchup for this deck. Control can counter your combo, remove it and has a punch of exile effects. It is possible to win against it but it is realy hard. 

Abzan Greasefang:

-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-2 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage
-1 Selfless Spiritimage
-1 Return to the Ranksimage

+1 Haywire Miteimage
+1 Jirina, Dauntless Generalimage
+1 Lion Sashimage
+3 Deep-Cavern Batimage

Honestly if Greasefang has the nut draw you can't do realy much against it. We can only hope to be faster or get a big Voice of the Blessedimage and be faster. Normly it's a good matchup because the also focus on there combo in game 1 and mostly we can survive on big hit and go off the next turn. The lifegain of our deck is also realy good in this matchup and can buy us many turns. 

Izzet Creativity:

-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Selfless Spiritimage
-1 Chord of Callingimage

+3 Deep-Cavern Batimage
+1 Reidane, God of the Worthyimage

If the focus on removal after game 1, you can also bring in Shapers' Sanctuaryimage or Return to the Ranksimage
Overall it's the same thing as with Greasefang, if they go of on turn 4 or 5 and we are to slow, we lose. Overall it is a worse matchup than greasefang, because our only interaction with there combo is Deep-Cavern Batimage and it dies to removal but also can buy us the one turn to finish the game. A little tip; if you can assemble the combo even if you don't win in the same turn, assemble it. The lifegain is nessassary against there combo and if you can assemble the combo again the next turn you kill there combo pieces.

Izzet/Dark Phoenix

-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Chord of Callingimage
-1 Wildgrowth Walkerimage
-1 Voice of the Blessedimage
-1 Selfless Spiritimage


+1 Jirina, Dauntless Generalimage
+1 Lion Sashimage
+1 Archon of Emeriaimage
+3 Skyclave Apparitionimage

Overall it's a good matchup for us. Izzet Phoenix is the better matchup of this two, because the don't have any hand desruption. But be aware of game 2 changend plan of Izzet Phoenix and there Thing in the Ice // Awoken Horrorimage. The will go big and don't care as much as game 1 about the graveyard. Crackling Dragon can kill you quick, if you don't be aware. Dark Phoenix has more hand desruption with Thoughtseizeimage but they don't have a big sideboard plan in game 2 like Izzet Phoenix. So Dark Phoenix is also a good matchup. 

If Dark Phoenix or Izzet Phoenix play Anger of the Godsimage you can also sideboard out Return to the Ranksimage for Deep-Cavern Batimage and/or Shapers' Sanctuaryimage

Mono B Waste Not

-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Chord of Callingimage
-1 Wildgrowth Walkerimage
-1 Voice of the Blessedimage
-1 Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage
-2 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage
-1 Dina, Soul Steeperimage


+3 Shapers' Sanctuaryimage
+2 Skyclave Apparitionimage
+1 Haywire Miteimage
+2 Deep-Cavern Batimage
+1 Return to the Ranksimage

Overall this matchup is not in favor for us. Mono B Waste Not hast Go Blankimage as graveyard hate, thats hard if we have Return to the Ranksimage but no graveyard. They have Sheoldred, the Apocalypseimage and a punch of removal. The only way we can fight through is a good placed Collected Companyimage, Chord of Callingimage. We need to activate our combo or kill the opponent fast enough.

Boros Convoke | Selesnya Angels | Selesnya Company | Abzan Elfes | White Weenie | 5C or Mono W Humans

-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Cenote Scoutimage

+2 Skyclave Apparitionimage

If any of these decks play why ever much removal or have any combo inside you can also bring in Deep-Cavern Batimage or Return to the Ranksimage.

Overall, these matchups are good for us! Few interaction with our combo and our combo kills mostly there whole board. Why mostly? Be aware of Jirina, Dauntless Generalimage in Human decks. She got me ones ^^

Simic Merfolk

-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Wildgrowth Walkerimage

+2 Skyclave Apparitionimage

Why is Merfolk not with the other decks above? Because of Vodalian Hexcatcherimage! Be aware of the "Counter target noncreature" part of it. Don't waste your Collected Companyimage or Chord of Callingimage. You can use her also as instant speed removal. For example if they make a big attack and you have enough creatures or lands, you can abuse Vodalian Hexcatcherimage to sacrifice merfolks for you and safe some life.

Overall, if you get the combo out you win a 100%. As with all aggro decks, you can be to slow.

Red Deck Wins

-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-2 Return to the Ranksimage

+3 Skyclave Apparitionimage

Mirror

-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Dawnbringer Clericimage
-1 Selfless Spiritimage

+2 Skyclave Apparitionimage
+1 Knight of Dusk's Shadowimage

Possible but not tested: +1-2 Deep-Cavern Batimage

It's all about who is faster in the mirror matchup. If u have a Chord of Callingimage try to assemble the combo or prevent the combo of your opponent with Knight of Dusk's Shadowimage.

Overall its a good matchup for us. Our lifegain will win us the match. It is also possible to change nothing and leave the mainboard in.

Mono Green Shrine/Stompy

-1 Cenote Scoutimage
-1 Return to the Ranksimage
-2 Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage

+3 Skyclave Apparitionimage
+1 Haywire Miteimage

In my opinion Mono Green Shrine can not realy stop our deck. Sure if we draw bad, or be flooded/screwed we can lose the game. Overall it is not really possible. The only version of Mono Green who can kill us is Mono Green Stompy. For Mono Green Stompy we have the same Sideboard Plan.

If have forgoten any major Deck, feel free to submit it in the comment section. 

Tips and Tricks:

1. 
Do not save your Wildgrowth Walkerimage with Selfless Saviorimage or Selfless Spiritimage or any other spell, if it gets targeted in between the combo. It will only result in a draw because of an endless loop!

2. 
Voice of the Blessedimage will survive the combo, don't forget this. If you have Voice of the Blessedimage on the battlefield without summoning sickness, you can enable the combo and kill your opponent with it.

3. 
If you have a Chord of Callingimage in hand and for example 2 creatures and only 3 lands, don't attack with all creatures! You can use Chord of Callingimage as a combat trick to save a creature with Selfless Saviorimage or all your creatures with Selfless Spiritimage

4. 
You don't need to assemble the combo everytime you got it, or see it with Collected Companyimage! Don't forget the combo also kills your other creatures and if you don't kill your opponent at the turn you activate your combo, Amalia can die the next turn or your opponent plays a creature. 

5.
If you have for example Wildgrowth Walkerimage + Chord of Callingimage in hand and Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantomimage on the battlefield. Wait until your opponents end step and search for Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage. If they don't answer it you can assemble the combo and kill your opponent now.

6.
If you have Lunarch Veteran // Luminous PhantomimageVoice of the Blessedimage and Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage in your opening hand + lands to cast it, just play the aggro line. Turn 1 Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantomimage, Turn 2 Voice of the Blessedimage and than you can think about what you will do next. Voice of the Blessedimage will be a target to kill for your opponent and will also hit your opponent for a punch. Don't always play Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage as quick as possible, sometimes it is better to wait a turn. 

7.
If you have Kutzil, Malamet Exemplarimage on the battlefield, don't forget that Voice of the Blessedimage (if it has a +1/+1 counter on it) can trigger Kutzils second ability! Also don't forget that your opponent can't counter or remove (only with Otawara, Soaring Cityimage or while attacking with Eiganjo, Seat of the Empireimage) your creatures or Search spells.

8.
I you have Dina, Soul Steeperimage on the battlefield and assemble the combo, try to kill your opponent with Dina, Soul Steeperimage static ability. The advantage is also if your opponent trys to remove your Amalia Benavides Aguirreimage you can sacrifice it to Dina, Soul Steeperimage. Should you assemble your combo while Dina, Soul Steeperimage is on the battlefield and your opponentn wants to remove Wildgrowth Walkerimage you can protect it with Selfless Saviour or something else. Because now it isn't a endless loop because Dina, Soul Steeperimage will kill your opponent. 

9.
Try to use Dina, Soul Steeperimage as much as possible against grindy matchups. Each damage counts in the grind. And sometimes a Collected Companyimage with a Dina, Soul Steeperimage on the battlefield is enough to kill your opponent. 

10.
Don't forget that you can search for Extraction Specialistimage with Chord of Callingimage to for example enable the combo in your opponents turn and kill there creatures. Or just to bring back a Selfless Saviour. Extraction Specialistimage is a silver bullet in this deck and has many uses, so don't waste it.

11.
Chord of Callingimage can also be used to enable the combo in your opponents turn. This is helpful if they have a big board an would combo of or kill you with on of there creatures or against Izzet Creativity. You can also use this option with Collected Companyimage if it is possible.

 

Matchups:

This 20 games where all played in the "Diamond League" in MTGA. The Game Info is just a info for you to know how the games went. 

 
Played W-L On Play/Draw Deckname Game Info
17. December 2-1 Draw Izzet Phoenix Game 1 my opponent had an Thing in the Ice // Awoken Horrorimage turn 2 and I drew the wrong side of the deck. Game 2 I had the combo turn 4 and game 3 the had again a Thing on turn 2, but we managed to get a Collected Companyimage through and find an answer to it. After we removed the transformed Thing in the Ice // Awoken Horrorimage we just finished with Return to the Ranksimage into Combo into Return to the Ranksimage again. I'm considering a little mainboard change in the near future, to have answers in the mainboard.
17. December 2-0 Play Raktos Sacrifice Game 1 I had the combo on turn 4 and he focused on his plan. Game 2 I beat 4x Mayhem Devilimage and on turn 10 or so Return to the Ranksimage finished the game.
17. December 2-0 Play Raktos Midrange Game 1 he had a good amount of removal but Collected Companyimage enabled the combo. Game 2 he was stuck on 2 lands and scooped turn 5. 
17. December 0-2 Draw Bant Control Mass Removal Control I think the only purpose of my opponent's deck was to remove everything at any time. I don't think that this kind of decks, however, he beat me 2 games in a row.
17. December 2-0 Play Mirror Game 1 I had the combo on turn 3 and he would had it on turn 4. Game 2 I have the combo on turn 4 with Voice of the Blessedimage out. 
17. December 1-2 Draw Raktos Goblins Game 1 he just overruned me. Game 2 I had the combo on turn 4. Game 3 I had a mulligan to 5 and never drew anything useful. Sad game ^^
17. December 1-2 Draw BG Elfs Game 1 he beat me brutally down. Game 2 I had the combo and game 3 I flooded out. 
17. December 2-0 Play Dark Phoenix Game 1 Return to the Ranksimage shined and enabled the combo. Game 2 was interesting, they had 4x Fatal Pushimage and than tried to go wide, but Return to the Ranksimage shined again and keept us alive to combo off.
17. December 2-0 Draw Boros Convoke Game 1 I had the combo on turn 3. Game 2 he just scooped.
17. December 2-0 Play Izzet Phoenix Game 1 I had 2x Collected Companyimage and Chord of Callingimage, that was enough. Game 2 he salty scooped.
17. December 2-0 Play BG Midrange Game 1 was removal heavy but I had 2x Collected Companyimage and that was enough. Game 2 was also a fast game.
17. December 2-1 Draw Izzet Phoenix Game 1 I had bad draws and he had 3 Phoenixes. Game 2 and 3 he tried to counter always Collected Companyimage and played very slow. I don't know why but that gave me more than enough time to kill him in both games.
16. December 1-2 Draw Abzan Elfs Game 1 they just destroyed me. Game 2 I had the combo and game 3 the had Chord of Calling + Collected Company and I had a slow mulligan to 5. 
16. December 1-2 Draw Mirror Game 1 he was just faster. Game 2 Knight of Dusk's Shadowimage won the game and game 3 was a close one, but he found the combo 2 times and I couldn't find it.
16. December 2-0 Play 5C Enigmatic Combo Game 1 was a fast game with a turn 3 combo kill. Game 2 I made a big board and Selfless Spiritimage + Reidane, God of the Worthyimage prevented him from wiping the board.
Summary:

36 Wins

17 Loss

Winrate: 67,9%  

Google Docs Link to all played games: Link


Changelog:

15.December
+
added Izzet Phoenix and Dark Phoenix Sideboard Guide
+ added Mono B Waste Not Sideboard Guide
+ added Mirror Sideboard Guide (not finished ,needs more testing)
+ added Mono Green Shrine/Stompy Sideboard Guide
+ changed Sideboard a little bit for the mirror Knight of Dusk's Shadowimage
+ cleaned up the description a little bit
16. December
+ changed Izzet/Dark Phoenix Sideboard Plan
17. Decebmer
Deleted played games from december 11,15, and 16 because of the limitation of the description characters. The problem is that each row of the table counts over 200 characters. In future you can only see the last 10-15 played games in this description.
+ created Google Docs link for all the played games (you will find all played games in there and nothing else!)


If you have any questions or feedback to the deck tech, just use the comment section. 
Best regards
UnReaLz_TV

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UnReaLz_TV
Last Updated: 17 Dec 2023
Created: 08 Dec 2023
2311 222 0

Mainboard - 60 cards (23 distinct)

Creature (29)
$0.79
$0.250.04
$0.25€0.17
$0.49€0.250.03
$0.35€0.270.03
$0.55€0.660.03
$0.40€0.510.80
$2.78€3.490.15
$0.92€0.30
$0.39€0.260.03
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (10)
Land (21)
$11.64
$54.73
$2.000.15
$69.50
$110.00
$36.30
$2.52
$28.50€25.513.12

Sideboard - 15 cards (10 distinct)

$2.21€2.162.19
$1.50€1.470.41
$1.82€1.46
$0.75€0.929.62
$0.50
$0.43€1.06
$1.97€1.500.03
$0.25€0.170.02
$1.06€1.670.12

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