{"ops":[{"insert":"This deck is a tribute to pro wrestling. Violence, costumes, drama, betrayal, all that wonderful stuff. I'm aiming to keep a nice balance between an actual playable deck and including a bunch of stupid wrestling tropes. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Update: "},{"insert":"After playing the deck for a bunch of games, I felt like it needed some more card draw. It definitely can pack a punch and become a threat, but it has a hard time bouncing back from that. I added some more card draw and swapped out a few creatures to try to get a bit more trample happening.\n\nFlavor criteria"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Since there are only like 3 actual wrestlers in MTG, we're going to have set some ground rules for the kinds of folks who are going to be part of our battle royale. \n\nI started off by looking for creatures that had the right combination of muscles, costuming, aura, and love of fisticuffs. They also need to be relatively humanoid in shape. I generally settled around warriors, barbarians, and berserkers to start. Performers are also in, though they aren't many of them. There are a few exceptions, and I'll get to them in the flavor section. \n\nAs for other spells, we're going for fight spells that feature real wrestling moves as much as possible, and cards that depict bare-handed fighting or just feel appropriate to the general mayhem of a battle royale-style match . There are a number of cards that feature gladiator-style combat, and I'm good with that thematically as well. I'm also fine with cards that show fans cheering, would-be managers or valets, and weapons that might show up in a wrestling match. For equipment, I've tried to avoid swords, but fine with things that bludgeon or help with punching. I think Garruk's whole vibe feels like a wrestling gimmick, so you'll notice there are a few cards featuring him in the art.\n\nI've also added a number of cards with goad, which to me feels like cutting a promo to start some shit (and it's often flavored like that)\n\nRule 0"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck includes a copy of Slaying Mantis (which I have yet to resolve). My playgroup doesn't care, but if someone did, we'd pretend it's a Wirewood Guardian, which is the closest vanilla 7 mana 6/6 I could find. \n\nThe Commander"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I started this deck as a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Maarika, Brutal Gladiator"}},{"insert":" deck and I think that's still a really good choice, since there are some great black cards that fit the theme. I went with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cait, Cage Brawler"}},{"insert":"so the deck can function more consistently. Since there are a lot of limitations on deck building, she's nice to rely on in the early game. She does become very dangerous in combat, and I like the idea of her fighting her way up from the bottom. In the few games I've played with this deck, she does tend to survive quite a bit longer than I expected. ("},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Update:"},{"insert":" People started killing her early, LOL)\n\n\nThe Game Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Since Cat is usually the first entrant in our battle royale, and she's pretty strong with a fight spell (at least on your turn). You can rely on attack triggers and combat damage on every turn she's around without worrying whether she's going to die in combat.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phase 1: Ruthless aggression"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Our early gameplan after playing Cait is to aggressively attack whoever is playing blue. If I draw [[Mass Hysteria]] or [[Bloodlust Inciter]], we'll be able to attack on turn 2., but it's not something to rely on. While it's important to try to get counters on Cait, it's not game over if you don't win. I've focused not on trying to discard the highest value card in mind, but really sculpting my hand for what I need. We do have some options for things we want in the graveyard like [[Anger]], [[Brawn]], Sabin, and [[Bloodbraid Challenger]].\n\nTurns 3-4 are a good time to deploy a draw engine or ramp. You may want to get a timely creature out here for blocking purposes in case someone takes your attacks personally. \n\n\nPhase 2: Sow chaos"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look, I'm not saying these cards are good, but they "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"are goad. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grenzo, Havoc Raiser"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Popular Entertainer"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Disrupt Decorum"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mass Hysteria"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Grand Melee"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spectacular Showdown"}},{"insert":" These cards are going to cause problems for our opponents. Grand Melee is a stupid card, and opponents seem to take it personally (or at least get a little frustrated by it). \n\nThere are also 15 fight effects in this deck for when an opponent has a creature you need to take out. I think that as currently built, too many of these are sorceries, so in the future, I think with a few more instant fight effects, I might have a better chance of defending if these cards aren't landing.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Update: "},{"insert":"I felt a little light on card draw so I cut some of the goad cards for now. I think Phase 2 is really around feeling out the game and setting up for a big attack.\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phase 3: Everyone else accidentally kills each other?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gratuitous Violence"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dictate of the Twin Gods"}},{"insert":" and a lack of blockers due to all the nonsense, I'm generally hoping some opponents sort of accidentally kill each other while I sit back and watch. If all goes well, Cait will clean up any stragglers and earn a title shot at Starrcade. \n\n[[Brash Taunter]] is also an option to end things. I did 26 damage by having the taunter fight a giant Cait then fired off a couple more fight spells on their largest creature. \n\nCard packages"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ramp"},{"insert":"\nThe ramp package is a bit of a mixed bag and I'm considering switching it up. Treasure is pretty flavorful (and gold maybe moreso) and we have three fighters who make it in [[Jolene, Plundering Pugilist]], [[Professional Wrestler]], and [[Professional Face-breaker]]. \n\n[[Prizefight]] and [[Boxing Ring]] provide both treasure and fight effects which is absolutely perfect.\n\n[[Raucous Audience]] and [[Cheering Fanatic]] also provide some ramp. [Cheering Crowd]] is such a fun card even though it always dies so fast.\n\nThe strangest choices come from my 3 auras. I think [[Overgrowth]] and [[Wild Growth]] both work from a name perspective, I suppose. \n\nI think that this deck really needs a shot-in-the-arm type ramp. I could see possibly adding an equipment or something that makes treasure. It feels like late-game I may really need a big turn.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Draw"},{"insert":"\nA lot of our draw is power-based, and in some ways, it stretches the limits of flavor to the max, but in trying to make a functional deck, you just have to keep the cards flowing. \n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Neyith of the Dire Hunt"}},{"insert":" is one of the best cards in the deck and should probably be the commander. I think she counts in that her presentation is pretty badass, and she cares about fighting and making sure people take punishment and making everybody stronger. She's sort of like a commissioner. Anyway, I have to include her.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Outcaster Trailblazer"}},{"insert":" is another iffy piece. Maybe her gimmick is like Mr. Iguana or Jake the Snake? I'm not sure, but she should be drawing us at least a couple of cards. Right now we only have 16 creatures with power greater than 4, so we very likely need a couple more here. \n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thickest in the Thicket"}},{"insert":" is absolutely a great card. it's fun to say, it makes me happy every time I play. It doubles power, it draws cards. It's a life goal. If you are building a deck like this, or doing anything else in life, you always want to be the thickest in the thicket.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Tavern Brawler"}},{"insert":" I've played this in a coupe of games already and outside of the time it exiled a Brawn, I've been incredibly happy with it. It usually makes Cait an instant threat, and is not really a target for removal. The art looks like someone just got hit with a chair, so the flavor is 100% on point. I think getting hit with a wooden chair might look even cooler than a metal chair especially if you could gimmick it to explode into bits.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Garruk's Uprising"}},{"insert":" I currently am low on 4 power playables but in my experience it's worth it for the trample and draw if Cait is at 4 power or more. Garruk looks like a wrestler to me, in this art, he's basically Luchasaurus, right?\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Harmonize"}},{"insert":" I chose the version with a bunch of hobbits taking a bath because it's like post-match bonding tub time or something like that. My opponents called the flavor out before I even said it, so it it's canon now. This might not be the strongest card in the world, but I was honestly happy to cast it late-game.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cream of the Crop"}},{"insert":" This isn't exactly card draw, it has not been good and I'm a little sad about it. This deck is just a little creature-light, and I'm not usually digging more than 3-4 cards at a time. I included it as a reference to Macho Man's famous promo and it's important to shout 'the cream alWAYS rises to the TOP' when it triggers.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mask of Memory"}},{"insert":" I've always loved a masked wrestler. Who is behind the mask of Black Scorpion or the Midnight Rider? This one will always put you up a card when your creature connects.\n\n[[Garruk, Primal Hunter]] fits in nicely, I just honestly use it a sorcery speed draw spell, and don't worry about the beasts.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Interaction and Fight Spells"},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Knockout Maneuver"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Outmuscle"}},{"insert":" , and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Signature Slam"}},{"insert":" form the trifecta of cards that have the best wrestling art in the game, but they are...not great. Also Signature Slam is an elbow drop, but I guess it's coming from a giant gorilla, so we'll give it a pass. \n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ram Through"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Prizefight"}},{"insert":"and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Bushwhack"}},{"insert":" have some upside, while "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Barroom Brawl"}},{"insert":" has some potential for fun nonsense if the person to your left doesn't hate your guts for goading all their creatures. [[Bridgeworks Battle]] and [[Stump Stomp]] give us some options. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Arni Slays the Troll"}},{"insert":" I like from a flavor perspective, telling a big story of a rivarly, but I'm not sure that it fully pulls its weight. \n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Suplex"}},{"insert":" is obviously in, even if it's not a fight spell. It's really our only way of dealing with artifacts until I decide whether Kogla has what it takes to be a wrestler.\n\nFlavor justifications"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a lot of words, so buckle up.\n\n[[Archetype of Aggression]] - One of the ways we can get damage through. He's mad as hell and he gives our team evasion when we need it. \n\n[[Bloodbraid Challenger]]- I've been a fan of this guy for a while. He's got the aura for a wrestler, he's a great card to discard and bring back later. The cascade is a nice bonus.\n\n[[Bloodlust Inciter]] - This guy is fucking into whatever is going on in the ring. He's the hype man. I like the idea of a turn 2 Cait attack, but not sure if this guy is fully worth a slot.\n\n[[Boldwyr Intimidator]] -\nUpdate: I cut this guy because he sucks so bad I've always loved the idea of turning blockers into cowards, and this card has always been a favorite of mine. Unfortunately, he's kind of terrible. I do like discarding him to put counters on Cait. I'm probably a coward for doing this. Sorry buddy.\n\n[[Brash Taunter]] - He's my alternate wincon, he's the ultimate shit talking little valet/manager who gets jumped and comes back the next week wearing a neck brace. The upside is this guy feels no pain. I've had him fight Cait to great effect. Your opponents will probably remove him ASAP.\n\n[[Brawn]] - Pure synergy! We got the brawn, we got a discarding commander. We definitely do not have brains that I know of and I do not care.\n\n[[Champion of Dusan]] - I've never heard of Dusan Championship Wrestling, but this guy looks pretty tough to me. For a stupid common, he does a lot in this deck. He triggers Ferocious, and once he invariably dies, he can give a key creature a trample counter. Love this guy, but also he does kind of suck.\n\n[[Combat Celebrant]] - He just loves to celebrate combat, it's in his name! He's got 4 power, he's carrying a cute little drum, and he gives you an extra combat. That's all I need to know. \n\n[[Earth Rumble Wrestlers]] - These goobers are always going to have to be in this deck. It's embarrassing, but they are literally the only creature with reach in this whole thing, and sometimes they do trigger ferocious, sometimes they do have trample, so that's something they got going for them. Also, this is obviously my favorite episode of Avatar. I had no idea going in that Avatar had a wrestling episode or that Mick Foley was in it, so I was psyched. \n\n[[The Boulder, Ready to Rumble]] - Now we're cooking with synergy! The Boulder earthbends when creatures have 4 power, and I haven't played him yet in this deck, but I am so excited. He's never leaving this deck ever.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"[[Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma]]"},{"insert":" - Okay, you got me. I realize that there have been pro wrestling bouts with real bears, and giant hairy guys who could pass as bears, and wrestlers with bear in their name, but obviously Goreclaw is just a good magic card. I'm putting this wrestling bear in this deck and that's my right. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"[[Grenzo, Havoc Raiser]] "},{"insert":"- The secret lair art for this card got me, and also the name got me, and to tell you the truth, I only care about goading things with this guy. He's like the ultimate dickhead manager. He's gonna provoke and run away, and maybe get a kick in when the guy is on the ground. I can hear crowds chanting 'Fuck you GrenZO' while he smiles his shit-eating grin.\n\n[[Lovisa Coldeyes]] - This would be a hell of a real life gimmick. She's not much of a fighter herself, but she has herself a boy stable to hype up.\n\n"}]}