Sup Pauper Peeple-Thanks Chris for Showcasing my UG Tempo deck on episope 115! I never fully explained the whole idea that evolved into the list I'm currently at now.
I believe it was either a PPttP episode or maybe another pauper medium where a more tempo based mono u delver list was brought up. This is a tweaked version of that list I have tested a bit;
tappedout.net/mtg-decks/delver-o-war/The list basically tried to win like most delver strategies, but used more time-walk type tricks to reach it's goal. I love strategies like this, because they are thrilling and challenging. The problem with the list (and tempo strategy in general) I found while testing, was that if I wasn't building my board presence, all the time walking doesn't accomplish anything. With only 12 2 and 3 power creatures pre-board, this didn't reliably happen. I needed a more powerful, consistent, fast, resilient and resistant plan of attack...
Enter the various green monsters and UG Tempo was born...
I needed creatures that were houses by themselves while adding a piece to the puzzle as I would need a lower creature count to reliably flip delvers;
Werebear- ensures a turn 3 Blastoderm, and becomes a nice threat as the game naturally progresses. I tailored my instant and sorcery package to fairly reliably produce 4/4 beater bears in the mid-late game. Werebear loves spells it turns out. also the reason for the high fetch land count.
Wild MOngrel- Werebear's best friend. Also a great finisher of sorts and good for using excess spells that gain graveyard value like runesnag, accum. knowledge, and extra lands to help dodge red removal. These are also key to success against mono g stompy as pump spell management.
Dermy- Not much to say, the Ron-Co set it and forget it beater... Most matchups this is the main win-con, others it's a multiple edict effect and part of the grand scheme. This creature is the all-star of this attempt at pure tempo play!
Man'o'war- this creature helps all of my threats get through while taxing my opponents mana and adding another threat. On paper it seems good to load up on these when trying to clear the way but the truth is, at it's mana cost you really only want to cast one of these a game tops or you just fall behind on-board when you should be jamming other threats. Great with curfew as an added bonus.
Delver- This creature rocks a Flava-Flave clock the moment it flips.
Then I tailored my spell package to reflect my deck's strange needs;Portent- The most imPortent spell for creating tempo in the deck. the added versatility of being able to flip delvers is gravy... Manipulating my opponents draws is insane when I have massive ammounts of power on-board. This card can make all of my threats devastating and can create inevitability. A+++ +++
Vapor snag- One drop removal without going to a third color. It's possible these could be snaps, or any other bounce spell. This card has performed well, but I'm interested in suggestions for this slot...
Curfew- Great early hate for certain matchups, a good counter to removal and for re-buying Blastoderms and double bouncing with man'o's.
Runesnag- Solid but not great catchall... They're great fodder for the Mongrel/Bear package. I have given some serious thought to Miscalculation in this slot but haven't tested it
Accum. Knowledge- Again Mongrel, Delver and Da Bears love these.
One-of testing;Vines- A counter/pump to use with my often untapped green mana. In certain matchups these are the nuts. Might even want one more of these in the board.
Repulse- I like repeal, but permanents are rarely the problem you see. yes casting repeal for 1 or 2 is great, but how often does it cost 3+(affinity?). I've been testing with one, and the card has been great mid to lategame while holding up mana. I may end up at 2 of these and give it a whirl cutting a snag.
Thought scour- This is a cute little trick to use with Da Bears with 4 or 5 cards binned as a pseudo pump-spell cantrip. Often boarded out, but nice to see in game one.
Maybeboard;Temporal Spring- Early on I tested with this card a bit(it seems like a slam dunk), but the fact that it was sorcery, slow 3 color intensive mana and didn't replace itself, proved to be more trouble than it was worth. Boomerang is just better out of the board IMO while being able to hold up other spells.
Basking Rootwalla- It teams up nicely with mongrel, but Da Bears and Delver don't like it. Also there are many instants to cast in this deck.
Cloudfin Raptor- Increasing the 1 slot creatures could be good, although only 2 creatures reliably grow this thing past the 1/2 stage
Phantasmal Bear- A solid choice if I ever need to lower the curve for whatever reason. also lives through my curfew turn 2 if needed. the fact that it get's binned at a whim is almost desirable with Da Bears and might make it a better choice over something like Young Wolf or Nettle Sentinel.
Imperiosaur- I am intrigued with the new possibility of testing some number of these. The shroud of Dermster is definitely relevant comparatively in this list and fading gives my opponents a false sense of security. Then I drop another or just curfew one, and they just lose.(I guess curfew still serves as removal counter with the dino as well...) This has the strongest chance of making the cut in some capacity.
Errant Ephemeron- I loved this guy in the Mono U list, but it was so unreliable to count on for damage in the window I create for myself, it hopes to suspend on one of the most critical turns in most matchups, and it's a miserable topdeck mid to late-game as my land drops usually stop at 4-5.
Sideboard;Boomerang- Post/Enchant lands and when you need more bounce
Dispel- replaces snags in control matchups, and comes in some capacity against instant removal
Hydroblast- Goblins, Burn and Post
Moment's peace- Wee fiend, race situations.
Gleeful sabotage- Affinity
Negate- Catchall
Serrated Arrows- if real removal is absolutely needed
Vines- Removal heavy control, and a bit of reach.
I never really thought to name it, maybe something like Welcome to the BlastoDome. I would love any input people are willing to dole out. This deck has been evolving for almost a year now, and it's been one of the funnest decks I've ever assembled. I've had a lot of success in testing, and in the right meta-game this thing crushes. As I told Chris, I need to figure out a better strategy against etb value creatures and card advantage decks in general, so hit me up!