[Modern] Artifact Knight - Side Board Help

[shadylogician]

Artifact Knight

I was hoping I get tips on the side board.

Any other tips or suggestions are also appreciated.

I find it funny how this deck runs better than I can pilot it   

[WWolfe]

I'd consider adding 2 more lands, looking at it I'm not sure 18 is enough.

It's also possible that you could put in some creatures that have protection from certain colors....Fiendslayer Paladin, Mirran Crusader, Knight of Glory, etc..

[shadylogician]

Ty, I'll try to put in 2 more lands. In reference to protection, my main issue is red. I have been struggling with making them and others main board. I have also thought about ignoring protection and just using brave the elements. It might be easier with 2 more land.

[shadylogician]

I having a hard time trying to figure out what can I move around in the sideboard to add some protection knights like the Paladin en-Vec and Stillmoon Cavalier if I even should.

[shadylogician]

18 oddly enough is the perfect amount of lands. Having Aether Vial and these low mana spells makes this deck not very mana dependent and can become flooded very easily. Due to the nature of Knight Exemplar, this isn't exactly the fastest deck. You want to get the indestructible online and use Brave the Elements to protect it.

My main concern right now are fast fliers. I have recently started trying Spidersilk Net; been thinking about Leonin Skyhunter or Serra Avenger Any tips on those?

[Crusader]

Yes, Leonin Skyhunter is your flyer. The harder you try to make this deck viable in competitive, it becomes more unplayable. It was my dream deck for many years still is. Mono white knights runs better in a primitive simple form. Splash some equipment, and do not depend on puresteel paladin. After that you wont need Aether vial without the acceleration. Eliminate the dead draw potential, increase independent cards. I can get deeper into the deck after I sleeve mine up. Will need 4-5 days to brainstorm and playtest.

[robort]

Just tossing these out here, stoneforge masterwork and strength of arms.

[ushiikun]

Why Elbeth instead of Gideon? Gideon's tokens are Knight allies, synergizing with your deck much better.

[shadylogician]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Mono white knights runs better in a primitive simple form. Splash some equipment, and do not depend on puresteel paladin. After that you wont need Aether vial without the acceleration. Eliminate the dead draw potential, increase independent cards.

I do see and agree that the Puresteel Paladin may be over-reaching. The Aether Vial is crucial however. It allows me to play my Knight Exemplars on the same turn protecting them from damage. Aether Vial is also helpful for combat tricks and unit replacement when opponent is tapped out. I do run a GW Vial Knight as well.

Just tossing these out here, stoneforge masterwork and strength of arms.

Stoneforge Masterwork is too slow if I am running slow. It has no impact if I have 1 creature out for a bit. I don't have room for Strength of Arms.

Why Elbeth instead of Gideon? Gideon's tokens are Knight allies, synergizing with your deck much better.

I want Gideon, Ally of Zendikar, but I am waiting for him to rotate out.

[CosmicCharlie]

I agree that pure-steel is over-reaching, 19 artifacts is not reliable enough for metalcraft and you only have 9-11 equipments for taking take advantage of his draw ability.
You're sideboard options really depends on your meta, you should really consider your meta when building and build your deck as 75  cards rather than 60 cards with a 15 card sideboard.

[shadylogician]

19 artifacts is not reliable enough for metalcraft

What number would be for a reliable metalcraft?

build your deck as 75  cards rather than 60 cards with a 15 card sideboard.

I like how you put that. That definitely paints a clearer picture. Thanks

[CosmicCharlie]

Back when I  had a metalcraft deck in standard I found 22 to be the bare minimum for metal craft by turn 3.

[CosmicCharlie]

You could always cut 2 puresteel paladin so that you don't need metal craft as much rather than upping your artifact count. Student of warfare is a solid replacement and spectral rider or leonin skyhunter are good if you're looking for more evasion with those swords.