Nissa's Growing Forces (Modern)

=== I N T R O D U C T I O N ===

My second home-brewed modern deck and the first one I assembled in reality. I am looking forward to give it a go at the kitchen table as well as on Friday Night Magic!

=== S T R A T E G Y ===

Modern seems to have a very competitive meta, so I decided to play aggressively and try to overwhelm my opponent before he is able to get his threats online. It is basically the same strategy as Affinity, but the deck is considerably cheaper. The design may also be more resilient than Affinity, because of its slightly superior lifegain abilities and options to get more value in the late game.

Now for a detailed discussion of the decklist:

13 Forest
Nothing to say here.

3 Khalni Garden
Basically three 0/1 creatures among my land slots. Not the worst 1st turn play one can make, and not the worst late game topdeck either.

1 Pendelhaven
Comes into play untapped and boosts my weenies. Sweet. Only a one-of, because it's legendary and I definitely don't want to end up with two of them in hand.

2 Radiant Fountain
Useful defense against Burn for mono-colored decks without color-intensive spells. Not more than two in my deck though, because Nissa needs 1GG to cast.

2 Contagion Clasp
This card pushes my deck over the top. Starting to proliferate with a Hardened Scales in play and two or three creatures with +1/+1 counters on them will probably mean GG. Plus, its ETB effect is a pretty useful removal - the -1/-1 counter kills Birds of Paradise, Steel Overseer and Dark Confidant immediately, and can be proliferated to weaken bigger threats. It is not optional though, so I run only two of them because of their potential drawback against decks that run only few or no creatures at all.

1 Slab Hammer
Get on the value train with this equipment and either Khalni Garden or Radiant Fountain! This engine may decide the grindier games in my favor. It can also be used to "untap" Pendelhaven, to have it ready to pump a blocker during my opponent's turn.

4 Hardened Scales
The bread and butter of this deck. I love synergy.

4 Lead by Example
First choice combat trick here. May be used to "reload" a creature with graft.

4 Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
My deck's commander. Optimal 3rd turn play after a 1st turn Hardened Scales and two 2nd turn Servant of the Scale. Also loves Contagion Clasp.

4 Aquastrand Spider
Graft is a very synergistic mechanic in this deck. Every time a +1/+1 counter is moved onto another creature, Hardened Scales will trigger. This can get out of control very fast. The Spider also provides much needed defense against airborne threats.

4 Blisterpod
Cheap and low-profile but persistent threats are essential for this deck's strategy, since I need something to put my counters onto. Go on, waste a removal on this critter. I don't mind. Helps to bring out Nissa one turn earlier.

4 Essence Warden
Insurance against Burn, but generally a great 1st turn play in any weenie or token deck.

4 Hangarback Walker
Provides a bunch of fliers if killed. Great deterrent against enemy attacks if left untapped for blocking. Useful mana sink for the late game. Overall, a very synergistic creature we have here.

4 Servant of the Scale
Value. Removal? Thanks, my plant token appreciates all the +1/+1 counters.

4 Simic Initiate
Dream play: 1st turn Hardened Scales. 2nd turn Simic Initiate, followed by Servant of the Scale. Graft the Servant to make it 4/4, leaving you with a 1/1 Initiate that will become a 6/6 if the Servant gets killed, ready to graft all those sexy Essence Wardens summoned afterwards.

2 Tukatongue Thallid
Not quite as powerful as Blisterpod, but much cuter and a nice filler card.

Finally, let's talk sideboard:

4 Dismember
Best green removal spell ever printed. The life loss is not a big issue for this deck. The Contagion Clasps, the Slab Hammer and a Lead by Example go out if these go in.

2 Ghost Quarter
Replaces the Radiant Fountains against Tron.

4 Gleeful Sabotage
For fighting Affinity decks, this is my removal spell of choice. Two for one is always sweet. Same mainboard card swaps as with Dismember.

3 Heroic Intervention
Board wipes like Anger of the Gods just screw this deck over. Heroic Intervention may help to keep the upper hand. Protects ALL of my permanents, which is sweet. My three artifacts have to make room for these cards if needed.

2 Scavenging Ooze
Omnomnooze has strong synergy with Hardened Scales and will help keeping delver decks under control. To do so, an Aquastrand Spider and a Hangarback Walker will have to sit on the bench.

=== C O N C L U S I O N ===

That's it! I hope you like my concept. If so, let me know by writing a comment. If not, please also write a comment to let me know why.