The Vicious King

This was one of my first mono colored decks back when I really got hard into deck teching and trying to create my own things. It was also my first real dive into tribal commanders and genuinely wanted something more unique then, Cats, Dragons, or Elves. So, my search began for something that I found interesting as well as a little casual. I stumbled across our man Gargos, Vicious Watcher and I was in love. The deck has gone through a couple iterations, as you could see in the revisions tab. This is the most recent version, as of July 2021.

Theme

Green beat down, it is not much more difficult then that haha. It is also very Tribal, Hydra Tribal specifically. It also plays a strong Overrun / Ramp to it as well.

Combos

None: Honest

• How Does It Work: Really there are no real combos within this deck. Really just Synergies. Previously there was the Patron of the Orochi + Temur Sabertooth combo within it. However, this a 3+ combo and just ate too much space. By the time you ramp out this combo, you should have enough mana to not need it.

Synergies

Extraplanar Lens + Snow-Covered Forest: This is a key synergy here. You get double mana and no other players can have it unless they too are kicking around Snow-Covereds.

Unbound Flourishing: This bad boy right here is probably one of the strongest things in the deck. Not only does this double the +1/+1 counters you put on your 'X' spell creatures, but you also get to copy Instant and Sorcery 'X' spells. Animist's Awakening for 4, five mana for 8 lands, feels pretty good. Finale of Devastation for 10, get Craterhoof Behemoth and also God-Eternal Rhonas. Exponential Growth, Wildest Dreams, or even abilities with 'X' like Hydra Broodmaster. It is just WAY too good not to have in a deck that has this much 'X' in it.

Natural Order + Craterhoof Behemoth: The Alpha Strike if you will. Sacrifice a simple and at this point, useless mana dork for a girthy 8 mana value spell. Cast this after popping a Hydra Broodmaster or sacrifice the Hooded Hydra to it (if it has ten or more +1/+1 counters on it). You make tons of snake tokens and then give them all +X/+X and trample. It is just a nice finisher.

The Great Henge and/or Guardian Project: When you have a lot of mana, you need a lot of card draw. This, either one or both, will help supplement that. Combine this with things like Return of the Wildspeaker and Rishkar's Expertise, and you could steam roll into some value.

Garruk's Uprising / Primal Rage: You want to know the one thing that Hydras really lack... Trample. That means that you can have a Voracious Hydra with thirty +1/+1 counters and it takes a 0/1 plant token creature to stop you in your tracks. Now there is a small combat trick with Charge Through that will be cheeky and help you get some slick quick damage, but these will give all your Hydras the ability they rightfully deserve. The bonus to this is Garruk's Uprising will not only provide trample but also card draw on power 4+.

Conclusion

This deck is not one that I really wanted to have combos in. I would rate it at maybe a solid 5 out of 10 for power level. It can be strong if it is left to its devices, but all it takes is a well placed board wipe to ruin your day. Things like Wildest Dreams and Eternal Witness can help with this, but it is by no means a way around a heavy creature control deck. You just want to ramp fast and hit hard and alpha strike with a Craterhoof Behemoth or a Triumph of the Hoards. IF you have suggestions you would add to this deck please feel free to comment it.

Leave a comment and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can, enjoy and have a wonderful day/night GLHF <3