I've always been fascinated by any sort of hybridization between decks. Even though the strategic implications are huge, I'm more satisfied knowing that something clever is occurring. In this instance, we have the best of both worlds.
On the surface, we have a Pyromancer Ascension control deck that resembles the Standard version from years ago, but it clearly draws on the RWU Control shell that is prevalent in Modern. You control the early game with value cards like Electrolyze, Remand, and Shadow of Doubt. Your cantrips plus Serum Visions and Sleight of Hand ensure that you'll hit your land drops (something every control deck wants) but won't flood out in the late game.
Once you get Pyromancer Ascension online, it's going to be very difficult for opponents to kill you.
The sideboard is the money maker. After Game 1, most players will want to sideboard out their semi-dead removal spells. At that point, it should not be difficult to get a turn-four win with Deceiver Exarch plus Splinter Twin. We've seen transformations like this before, but it's the type of thing that is only going to be viable until your opponents catch on.
Until then, you can keep racking up those free wins!
Lordmorpeth's Pyromancer Ascension
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Gerry Thompson
@G3RRYT
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Gerry Thompson is a former professional Magic player and strategy writer, whose career highlights includes a Top 8 at Pro Tour Gatecrash and two Grand Prix wins in Denver and Nashville. He's currently a development intern for Wizards of the Coast.
