Hey all!

I recorded a few games with this aggro nature deck, and I just found today that one of them was against our very own @x-rain! His post showed his side of the game, so I've included it below to show my hard (and massive misplay).

The Deck

Deck Code:
GU_1_5_GAwCAuCAuCEyCEyHAEHAECCOCCOCAvCAvIASCGCCGCBCCBCCKBWKBTCBxCBxCDLCDLCEcCEcCByCByBEoBEoIARIAR

The deck is one I saw Aldous playing. The distinctive features of the deck are the inclusion of 2x Grove Summons and 2x Reflection Elementalists. The elementalists in particular caught my eye and offer one more way to make use of the large number of low-stat creatures the nature can generate. In particular: any 2 mana badger from the GP can be upgraded, which is nice.

Aldous' deck used 2x Pyramid Wardens, which I subbed for Wild Hogs (because I don't have Pyramid Wardens). You'll see in my gameplay that being able to play a Wild Hog and immediately turn it into an Elementalist is a nice synergy.

Grove Summon provides a lot of hand refill with the downside that it's completely random which wild creatures you get. Sometimes you'll get 9 mana cards that you never get a chance to play, but you'll usually get something you can play, and again Reflection Ele can turn even terrible 1 drops into a threat.

Finally, there is a slight nod to the Dagan/regen package:

All told, I've found it be a fun deck to play. Ele's ward is a nice way to shore up wild nature's biggest weakness: board wipes (and sleep at higher ranks).

Gameplay 1

The other side of the board from @x-rain 's vid! Nature is definitely favored in this matchup, and even going second, I'm feeling pretty good about my chances. By turn 3, with a hand full of buffs, I'm not feeling so good any longer. 🤣

At 7 mana I have a horrendous misplay! This is a combination of being tired and also having been trying to setup a Sudden Bloom for several turns. The game-winning line was:

1. Wild Hog
2. Wildfire
3. Lambasting Wand

Instead, things get desperate and the game is decided by a 50/50 Selena's Mark attempt. Still, it was a great game. GG!

Gameplay 2

This game against light does not feature an embarrassing missplay. It's also a solid example of winning even when going second against aggro light.

1 Mana

I like Animal Bond against aggro light. They have a lot of protect+ward creatures that Selena's mark just isn't great with. In addition, the badgers are just better at battling for board over multiple turns.

The mulligan is a bit rough, but luckily we get a one drop to go with our removal. My opponent also pips on turn 1, so I don't have to worry about Theist/Levy until turn 3. Playing the walker is the right move with so much removal in hand to back him up.

2 Mana

Jannisary is the expected followup and represents pretty close to a perfect open for aggro Light. I focus on removing the snowball 2-4 with LS. Love to see FFB in the draw, too. Next turn is gonna be great.

3 Mana

I throw canopy first when it has the best chance to miss the frontline and avoid buffing the other creatures. Not the end of the world if it had backfired, but even better that it went where I wanted it.

4 Mana

Wildfire with only 1 creature on board never feels great - unless you are playing it to clean up aggro light's board!

5 Mana

With two Sudden Blooms in hand, I opt to hold on to my last relic swing. Light does run 2x vesper for removal, so it was safer to use to to clear the acolyte, but the temptation of being able to swing 2x with a big, buff creature was too much for me to resist. Again, having it removed isn't the end of the world, so the expected value was very positive.

5.5 Mana

And the payoff!

6 Mana

I was thinking it was GG, but he had other plans. Takes one to the face (ouch!) and is able to clear with FoP. I make the most of my turn by getting bladeflies out and buffing one to protect myself.

6.5 Mana

Aaannnd it's Asterius of course! Good thing we had that frontline to slow him down a bit. Interestingly, though, he decides to trade out the other 2/2. I assume fearing a wildfire?

There are a few lines I can take, but none of them feel great. I decide to throw canopy. Any target hit is a good target, but bonus points if it hits Asterius. Additionally, risking 2 mana gives me options in how to react depending on how it goes. Taking 4 damage to the face might seem risky at such low HP, but clearing his board after Asterius is basically game over.

7 Mana

As expected, he's got no gas left. I play the Sudden Bloom and it's GG.