This is a fun and fast mage deck looking to win by 6 mana. It's relatively cheap and can easily play well without Pyramid Warden. First the deck and then discussion.
Deck Code:
GU_1_4_BDrBDrBEXBEXGAVGAVCANCANCAmCAmCEkCEkCEpCEpCEqCEqCErCErCEvCEvIBBIBBIBiIBiIBqIBtHAFHAFHBSHBS
General Strategy
Start fast. Win fast. When you hit 6 mana, you want to hit them for 6 damage with an Epiphany and win the game. This deck is great for flux farming, the Blessing of the Gods event, and future GODS farming.
Going First
You want creatures. 2x Assistant Alchemist + Scryer is your best possible open. Pyramid Warden is a good second option.
Going Second
You want spells. The bolts in particular (Tracking and Starshard). This will let you clear your opponent's creatures and take over the board. Axewomen are decent and of course Pyramid Warden is always handy if you have it.
Early Game
At three mana, you're looking to drop Oni onto the board. If you already have board control, consider saving any 1-mana spells you have in order to drop Oni and immediately bag into it to activate his ability. Miraculous Familiar works the same way if that's what you drew. Keep pumping out creatures while clearing their board with spells. Remember that even hitting with a 1 strength creature generates favor that you can use to buy more cards from the sanctum.
Mid-Game
What's mid-game? Win by 6 mana. The deck currently runs 2x Ratify given the prevalence of Guild Enforcers and Big Beast nature decks. Don't let one big card ruin your game plan. If these decks fall out of favor, consider 1x Ratify or rely on your damage spells completely. Just remember that Wyrmbreath and Epiphany to the face are part of the game plan. If you need them to keep board control, finishing gets harder.
Critical Components
Card Draw / Foresight
All-Seeing Spire is required for this deck. Foresight + card draw gives you a big edge in getting to the cards you need. Cards for Oni. Cards for your Familiars. Cards for Volcanic Watcher. Most importantly, as you start getting to 6 mana, the Spire means you have a much greater chance of having the finishers you need. Shadow Scryer + the Spire is even better. You can send back 2 cards per turn and draw a 3rd. This cycles an entire deck of 30 cards in ten turns. The odds are ever in your favor.
Spell Boost
Limited in this deck to Street Conjuror and Volcanic Watcher. Most of the time, hold Street Conjurer to play on the same turn you need its effect. Most of your spells are cheap enough that you can play the boost before if needed. 1x Volcanic Watcher is included because we play a decent number of creatures. If it gets to 1/5, it gets out of hand quickly. If tweaking the deck, consider 2x Watchers.
Deck Substitutions
Upgrades
The usual legendary cards all make this deck better.
- Demetrios, Playwright
- Pallas' Wand
- Vortimer the Volatile
- Pallas, Champion of Magic
Downgrades
- Skeleton Heavy for Pyramid Warden
- Illuminate for Form of Power
Conclusion
This is my go-to Mage deck for flux wheel farming. You either win quickly or concede quickly. Luckily, you win more often than lose and you can get twice as many games done in the same time frame as a ramp magic deck. Most importantly, I need a fun deck or else the grind is just a grind.