Mtg Budget Deck Tech: $25 Abzan LifeGain in Kaladesh Standard!

This budget Abzan lifegain deck is a lot of fun for just $20! A good answer for the aggro decks at FNM, and best of all, we get to play Lone Rider, along with a bunch of cards that can transform him at the end of turn 3, some of which happen to be really good, like Blessed Alliance and Essence Extraction. We also get to play Arborback Stomper, which is actually, seriously awesome.
Creatures (17)
4 Jaddi Offshoot
4 Lone Rider
3 Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
4 Arborback Stomper
2 Felidar Sovereign
Spells (18)
4 Blessed Alliance
4 Essence Extraction
2 Stasis Snare
4 Pulse of Murasa
2 Fumigate
1 Providence
1 Wildest Dreams
Lands (25)
4 Forsaken Sanctuary
4 Tranquil Expanse
4 Foul Orchard
4 Evolving Wilds
4 Plains
3 Forest
2 Swamp
Sideboard (15)
2 Immolating Glare
2 Quarantine Field
3 Woodweaver's Puzzleknot
2 Die Young
3 Appetite for the Unnatural
2 Kambal. Consul of Allocation
1 Linvala, the Preserver
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Category
Gaming

[@tenacious_deadman5883]

liking the cuts feature you added. hope to see more of that. Keep up the great work bro.

[@BigBoatDeluxe]

Dev, your budget series is my favorite KZbin MTG series. Most of your brews are unique, interesting and fun. I check for new vids every day! I fuggin love this shit.

[@Grimm_HD]

Finally an abzan deck lol. looks pretty sweet and I like the budget layout. Can definitely be upgraded but should still do work. Great vid as always. Keep up the good work.

[@trollartist6664]

I was just telling my friends that I want a deck like this. We always get our ideas from you. You are probably our most watched KZbin channel. love the presentation, and everything about what you do and how you do it, keep it up man.

[@MoarRainbows]

man you're the best at making these budget decks

[@benjaminlewis8300]

I liked seeing the cards that got cut and would like to see/hear that as a part of the deck techs moving forward. Great work as always.

[@sergioguerra2060]

I giggle everytine he says "I'm tapped out" great deck. love the cuts and out of budget slides. keep it up dev

[@wanderingaming5805]

Hey dev! I love the videos! I have watched pretty much every deck tech you have done for kaladesh standard. I think you should show upgrade options for the decks you make, the mono green energy deck you made awhile back has been winning me games! Keep up the great work!

[@kyleleblanc7857]

another awesome deck tech, love the channel , keep up the good work Dev!!!!

[@nancetillery9905]

one of my favorite videos you have done in awhile dev, really a awesome deck tech!

[@tuliocostarj]

Still waiting for a good budget Temur deck Dev. I know you won't disappoint. Super fan of your channel and decks. I have purchased like 18 of them so far and can't wait to make a few more. Keep up the good work!

[@dubby2510]

I look forward to your wonderful deck techs. I wish I could build awesome decks like this myself.

[@koreannom]

I always love your deck techs. I just wish cards were alot more affordable and accessible in Australia.

[@MillenniumDiceTV]

TheKoreanNom Accesible isn't an issue, but yeah the prices are a right pain, we almost pay like double what america does..

[@koreannom]

mhmm, indeed the prices are high. For me, I just wish there was a local game store which had a mtg community near me, I have to get all my cards online.

[@GeminiAmbience]

Do you play online? I've switched to only playing on MTGO because it saves money and unless there's server maintenance in progress, you can always find games when you have time to play.

[@grant8347]

Google MTG forge. I couldn't stomach spending money any longer, it even let's you draft for free 😈

[@koreannom]

on tcgplayer, don't you have to pay shipping for every store u use?

[@tammasdexter4291]

I have a decktech. $20 monoblack life gain. 1x kalitas, traitor of ghet 59x swamp

[@BigBoatDeluxe]

You're gonna shake up the metagame with that rogue brew.

[@mr.meeseeks8567]

Naw man. TWO Kalitas. That way, if one dies, you always have another (: Got to watch out for those control decks.

[@tammasdexter4291]

Mr. Meeseeks woah man, that's not budget.

[@Fiskie666]

Mr. Meeseeks I died xDD

[@schonsospaet22]

I love your intro- music on EVERY video!

[@ivanpotosky4988]

Would love to see you playing these. Love your deck tech videos

[@mnjesu]

Dev! you're the man, love your stuff. I'd really love to see your decks played on mtgo! let's make it happen!!!

[@bjerneeee]

That Cave Story sample at the start

[@gemofmagic9436]

look at your shirt, omg, excellent! * goes back to actually watch the content *

[@jesseupperman1676]

Dude, I love your deck techs. I play commander and I built 2 standard decks out of your ideas.

[@lifeiaskedfor]

glad i have wifi so i didnt miss this video Kappa

[@chrismintram9619]

Would love to see a non-budget version of this deck. I played Felidar Sovereign in my very first deck, and was able to win with it on occasions, but haven't played with it for years.

[@jakesimpson2625]

Hey Dev would love to see a updated version of your blue white humans I was attempting to make one but, I would love a video too use as a reference. On another note love your work keep it up

[@lTsComplicated]

great video. I kept it black white. switched out green with some flying lifelink. and walls to keep hp up and can always sac it from ayli

[@chrissimosley4898]

Hey Dev. I enjoyed the deckteck, like always. take it easy

[@gemofmagic9436]

Woah I think you've managed to make a deck both I and my partner would enjoy playing (trust me this is no mean feat). Very nice!

[@giampaolofini1535]

2nd video in a row with a 90's Nicktoons-reference TV shirt. I like yo' style.

[@meatrace]

Oh shit man, you fixed your gapteeth. Was watching the whole video like "he is talking weird and his front teeth don't look right" but couldn't put my finger on it.

[@xavierjuancruz]

meatrace Dev lookin good!!

[@beastman723]

bro thank you for this vid ive been really wanting to et into magic but dont have the money for the really good expensive decks and dont have the knowledge to build my own

[@noritzugaming4406]

Just decided to give this a go on MTGO, gotta say really enjoying it, very solid in an aggro heavy format. I did add 3 Authority of the consuls taking out the providence, wildest dreams and one jaddi (sided it). also took out the 3 puzzle knots from the sideboard to bring in natural state to the sideboard for some extra answers to an early copter. So far the only weakness i have is to aggressive walkers (mainly gideon). otherwise the matchups seem pretty viable, very strong against most aggro, and its held its own in midrange against aetherworks/delirium. havent had many tests against control or more tempo like w/u flash.

[@basketchase7294]

How about Retreat to Kazandu? You can gain even more life with Jaddi offshoot and you can put counters on your lone rider so he doesn't die to grasp when he flips. Great deck!

[@ΕπαμεινώνδαςΣτεργίου-ψ5κ]

I know it's a little bit over budget but you could play seasons past instead of wildest dreams.Gets you all the cards you need and you don't need the time you cast it,plus it goes to the bottom of your library so you can draw it again sometime

[@katthecopykat9126]

I have a white black standard lifegain deck that I use. I actually throw in odric, Lunarch Marshal in order to give everything lifelink deathtouch etc

[@dabigbossdk]

I love your Channel fam

[@skittlestheblightdragon1158]

i would really like to see a an abzan fabricate deck tech. You get heaps of fabricate cards such as angel of invention and cultivator of blades which can make very big servos to attack with

[@YHVHYeshua]

Sebastian Schulke sounds like a fun deck

[@ryleesheffield1525]

this deck is awesome, i really wanna see some gameplay with it now

[@oliver4936]

@Strictly Better Mtg: What about Serene Steward? Didnt see it in the Cuts at the end of the video, but it's not in the deck and it seems like it would actually fit pretty nicely as manasink for end of opponents turn instants and top-deck modus.

[@jeroentju21]

good vid again like all ur decks;)

[@alienintellect4427]

What's up Dev? I got a killer mono red aggro list! Entire main and side board's under 25$ on tcgplayer, and get this, it can beat nearly all the top-tear decks in the format, baring crazy Emrakul and Ulamog shenanigans. Would love an opinion on it! ^^

[@juxsonjunior7272]

AlienIntellect442 You have a deck list to share it? post it, please

[@davidmoehilg8438]

have you considered blossoming defense in this deck? I feel it would go great with flipping your lone rider making him a 3/3 firststrike lifelink or pump up your jaddi offshoot to kill an attacker other then that love the deck keep up the good work

[@andybowser4207]

loved the intro

[@NathanA-mk9ne]

The is kinda like my B/W life gain control with lone rider. Great deck tech once again.

[@clintwilliams9205]

This deck looks amazing!

[@RoryKenner]

For the love of God, Dev, stop being that good good boy. Making us all look bad ;) for real, though, keep it up man! Love the music!

[@althaearatliff5918]

Yes, Abzan, thank you soooo much!!!

[@erich4274]

Blessed alliance is also a hard counter to pummeler decks. Gets around 64/64 trample hexproof by target the opponent instead of pummeler

[@MaliciousTachyons]

My lifegain deck's mono white (inclusive of two Giselas). I like this one although I see it being a tad slow for my local meta.

[@annoying3boys]

Land Upgrades: Blooming Marsh, Concealed Courtyard, Canopy Vista, Hissing Quagmire, Shambling Vent

[@edgarhernandez7162]

Thoughts on aether hub?

[@annoying3boys]

Edgar Hernandez not really, there is no energy theme going on here, the on color lands are what's needed

[@armanireeves139]

annoying3boys no more tap lands

[@Lude-Life]

I run an abzan delerium deck at my fnm. my favorite color combo

[@Memphisd1991]

Hey, like your deck techs very much, but why 90% of them are budget ones :-/ would prefer a slightly higher rate of competitive deck techs.

[@Drathys]

think it should have been mono black deck today to fit the coming apocalypse. thanks

[@OnlyZunkin]

Unstable mutation would be excellent in this deck. It's instant speed and it's absolutely devastating if combined with the Lone Rider. It pumps enough that it makes it so even your Jedi Offshoot can take out most early game attackers. You don't want to have more than maybe two copies since it is creature dependent but after you ambush your opponent with this card the first time they will spend the rest of the match having to worry if you have a combat trick up your sleeve or not. The fear of a combat trick often does as much or more good as the combat trick itself. Another viable option in this vein is rush of vitality which can net you some life and be used as a pseudo counter spell vs removal. I generally don't like it as much as Unstable Mutation because it doesn't work nearly as well for removal and life gain purposes. An Unstable Mutation will usually net you at least five life and let you take out even a very large attacker where as rush of vitality often doesn't pump enough to get the job done although it protects the creature you place it on. I know this is a budget deck but even just one copy of Ob would do a lot to sure up the lack of late game card draw.

[@Orangesarecool7]

How would you add Gisela into this deck? Thanks!

[@honeyham6788]

what other creatures would you recomend for a non-budget deck? I'm adding Vampire Cuthroat as it's consistent evasion against high power stuff

[@sebamm6469]

Cool tip: pulse in turn 5 to get rider and then rider gets you a free rider transform. And six life. you can actually build pretty much this whole deck even in magic duels.

[@sebamm6469]

I so love this channel. :'D

[@matttrott1504]

Like looking forward to g/w big Servos

[@johnnaffziger8392]

Where would you add the Gisela and how many? Would love any insight in ways to upgrade this. Currently swapped the Foul Orchards for Blooming Marsh, Tranq. Exp. into Fortified Village and Forsaken Sanc. into Shambling Vent.

[@evancuyuch9260]

I would have thought Chaplain's Blessing would have gone in here fairly well.

[@TheKlopor]

Isn't the deck more consistent with just white and green as color of choice? The extraction with double black it's difficult, while ayili doesn't seem that great. Maybe using aerial responder and larger than life? I know we lose removal for a sorcery pump spell, but this way we have the option to close the game without felidar. Just outrun the aggro decks.

[@BradleyRubin]

Is there any chance you could do more EDH decks? I love your presentation but Standard isn't my thing.

[@Kyle-xd1ci]

You mentioned Kalitas and Gisela. Would you have any other suggestions for a non-budget tech besides the landbase?

[@Slakx310]

could you please please cover what you would throw in there if you had more money please ^^

[@YHVHYeshua]

Christian Kohl agreed! maybe an upgrade options list after the deck tech is finished...and what it would replace.

[@bs_nerdman9582]

the opening is the bomb

[@brotherman539]

Have you considered Chaplain's Blessing? One white, gain 5 life?

[@tempestandacomputer6951]

It doesn't do anything though, it frankly doesn't feel good.

[@josefberka4374]

You best my man! Problems with election? Here is a decklist :D

[@BeardedTruth]

Dude I have made a magic Duels version of this deck and it literally DESTROYS my opponents in THG. More often than not, this deck can carry both people in THG

[@justmagicmostly]

DEV! Y U NO ANSWER MY QUESTION? when you say to upgrade the Mana base, what do you suggest exactly? can you lay out for me the ideal Mana base you'd use if a budget was no concern?

[@Lude-Life]

I have a request can you do a non budget abzan control deck. I rum a delerium abzan right now I top 8 with all the time. I don't really time to spend on building decks at the moment and I think abzan is really good in the current standard.

[@justmagicmostly]

when you say to upgrade the Mana base, what do you suggest exactly? can you lay out for me the ideal Mana base you'd use if a budget was no concern?

[@valakutis]

would alms of vein work with that white enchantment that makes you discard life?

[@AuraXars]

Think that seasons past could be better than wildest dreams, not sure but think it's worth testing, imo it seems like there are not to manny things you wanna get back at a certain manacost, you mentioned blessed allaience, essece extract, fumigate, and with past you get get those for 1 mana cheaper and maybe something else aswell

Lukas.Ericsson yeah wildest dreams gets boned at the top and bottom of the mana curve, depending on what you're trying to get. The choice is nice though. Seasons past is 6, fumigate is 5, Providence is 7? Hmm maybe seasons past straight control might be cool, there's descend upon the sinful too, talk about a grind though!

[@AuraXars]

deck might have abit to manny 3s for past, but i think it's a good option to consider

[@VikingII]

Why didn't Aetherflux Reservoir make it in?

[@cicjose6016]

any thought to Authority of the Consuls? or Aerial Responder?

[@BlaineTog]

Paul Anderson He mentioned them on screen after talking about the sideboard. :)

[@pacree1015]

hey can you put a non budget deck for these colors on your next video's link area

[@Lexdaela]

Dang dude, almost 40k!

[@ErinDwight]

dem cats learning how to play magic. youve seen how they pay so much attention? xD

[@pedrocaixinhas7377]

Pious evangel instead kabal?

[@ronaldross8886]

Deck looks sweet, but why no copies of Retreat to Hagra? I would think a copy or 2 just nets you so much value as this is a slow deck.

[@frankywils5349]

Why not add the Tree of Redemption ? Tap tree switch life on their EOT, your turn play Alyi sac the Tree to Ayli boom gain 20 and her 2nd ability is turned on! it's silly but it works.

[@prettyflyforacompsci7725]

Franky Wils that tree isn't standard legal any more. You're thinking of Tree of Perdition, which only hits our opponent.

[@frankywils5349]

Yeah sorry, that's the tree I meant. But yeah you use the Tree to swap life totals/toughness with opponent than sac the Tree to Ayli and gain life equal to the trees toughness and as long as your on curve should be 15-20 life gained which turns on her 2nd ability and you start exiling there stuff.

[@prettyflyforacompsci7725]

That's still a bit of a one trick pony. Think about it, if you don't draw it until they're low, it's just a blocker that can be sacced to gain life. Heck, if you don't have Ayli out, it is essentially a vanilla 0/13.

[@kshockley68]

Dev, how do you test? Do you print out proxies, or do you try things out online (ex. MtGO)?

[@anthonyboyd8118]

No alms of the vein?

[@the_one_who_changes1191]

What about chaplains blessing? It's a ONE COST GAIN 5 LIFE

[@altharos566]

Thomas Bridges I think it's not interesting because it does nothing else, topdecking it isn't that great

[@dylanthomson6400]

Why not chaplains blessing ?

[@glenpoulsen7153]

I really don't like Essence Extraction here - the double black looks painful. More Stasis snares perhaps. Or maybe the green instant with +2/+2 and hexproof (forgot the name).

[@davidmoehilg8438]

Glen Poulsen blossoming defense

[@nathangoddard01]

What's that Ranking system you use at the end for those 10 stats?

[@taphab9252]

You didint say what was next!!!!!!!!!!!

[@andrelangston4307]

Do a non budget version!! I want to play this.

[@kadams5113]

bro needs to make a album

[@quentinblack8691]

This guy rules!

[@gamurai]

this looks like a lot of fun in a fair deck fnm kind of way

[@BigGuyLC]

Great opening! Sums up this election to a T.

[@djcree420]

Commander Deck Tech in the future, maybe???

[@rabgix8805]

When providence is in you're opening hand and you decide to keep but you're opponent is playing first, do you reveal it on your turn or before they play?

[@rafael_sekia]

Dev, do you think that Planar outburst can substitute Fumigate? Cause i have some of those lying around

[@YHVHYeshua]

it can but it doesn't give us the extra life gain we are looking for

[@skeletonking2352]

I like to fumigate to life goes on in the same turn.

[@CrustyWhiteBread]

I've been happier than a pig in shit since you posted this video.

[@alexvignolo142]

Abzan is gonna have to gain a lot of life to withstand the advent of WW3.

[@Coffeemancer]

If first-strike creature can kill another enemy creature, but the enemy creature can kill it, does the first-strike creature die or avoid dying because it struck t he enemy before it was struck???

[@YHVHYeshua]

the first strike creature would deal its damage first, and then other creature would die before it deals its damage to the first strike creature...

[@tristanbrock500]

Your should do some modern decks

[@davidbrenner951]

are you talking different? feel like i seen your front teeth more than normal. or it could be the pain meds iam on. 4day hospital stay so far, you are saving my mind dev. thanks.

[@Lude-Life]

David Brenner haha this made me giggle

[@Ash.King.Y]

I felt the same. But maybe is because the camera looks closer then normal. Anyway, amazing job from my favorite youtuber wizzard as usual!