
UPDATE 10/26/2014
Temur has had some recent success with Kibler nearly missing top 8 at GP LA and Einar Baldvinsson making it to the finals of GP Stockholm. I will be cleaning up the primer to better reflect their decks as well as explain my own card choices for my current build.
Why Aggro instead of Monsters?
G/R/x Monster builds rely on the Caryatid/Courser duo for their early turns while ramping into big threats much earlier than the norm. While the duo are extremely powerful and Courser's stock shoots through the roof with the fetches, I always felt the duo put you more into a defensive position and do nothing to put you into an aggressive position when needed. While there is an expectation of Mono Red/Black aggro decks to hit the format on its onset the big contenders will be midrange decks running the same duo and eventual control decks that will figure how to beat the duo and the small aggro decks.
Enter my initial attempt at Temur Aggro. The deck still does use ramping creatures to get ahead of the curve but in the form of the Mystics. Elvish Mystic allows for early explosive plays being a turn 2 Rabblemaster or Savage Knuckleblade. Rattleclaw Mystic fills in the Caryatid ramp spot but is able to get in for 2 damage when needed. The other creatures include Monster deck mainstays Stormbreath Dragon and Polukranos because they are the best at their mana cost and both must answer threats that win the game if left alone.
The Beats:
The offensive and defensive juggernaut who also happens to be able to swing in for 3 with his ferocity trigger.
Brian Kibler has stated that this card is the weakest one in the deck but it enables Ferocity triggers as well as combat tricks.
Savage Knuckleblade is another must answer threat that is relevant at any point in the game. He is a mana sink that can get bigger, swing the turn he comes in OR dodge removal.
Flying evasion threat that triggers ferocity.
Stormbreath Dragon is a 4/4 flying beater that blanks white removal. He can block Butchers and Wingmate Rocs all day as well.
Polukranos has a lot going for him. He costs 4 and has a 5/5 body. He also is a wrath on a stick. A very big stick.
Support:
The Mystics. Your go to rampers. Elvish enables turn 2 Rabble or Knuckle beats while Rattleclaw allows you to get in for 2 OR set up Polukranos a turn early OR have Knuckleblade come in swinging.
The Dragonspeaker doubles as a beater as well as removal.
Lists:
[deck]Einar Baldvinsson - Temur Aggro, GP Stockholm 2nd Place[/deck]
[deck=Brian Kibler's GPLA List]4 Elvish Mystic
4 Heir of the Wilds
4 Rattleclaw Mystic
4 Savage Knuckleblade
4 Boon Satyr
3 Polukranos, World Eater
3 Ashcloud Phoenix
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
4 Crater’s Claws
3 Lightning Strike
3 Temur Charm
4 Frontier Bivouac
4 Yavimaya Coast
4 Wooded Foothills
3 Mana Confluence
2 Shivan Reef
1 Temple of Epiphany
3 Forest
2 Mountain
Sideboard
3 Stubborn Denial
3 Hunt the Hunter
2 Magma Spray
2 Surrak Dragonclaw
2 Stormbreath Dragon
2 Disdainful Stroke
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker[/deck]
NBW Departures from the established:
Goblin Rabblemaster is showing to be a pillar of the new format. When left alone this is greenskin bastard can take over the game.
Stoke the Flame is your go to removal spell. It kills damn near everything that gets in your way.
Why am I playing Rabblemaster many others are choosing not to?
Because my meta is allowing me to. Kibler's Temur Aggro build is pretty well suited to deal with a variety of decks. My meta on the other hand is a heavy Courser midrange/control field. Rabblemaster on turn 2 is a powerful play that most of my opponents have a tough time handling. He does not reliably enable ferocity but he strengthens your Elvish Mystic draws in comparison to Boon Satyr.
Stubborn Denial VS Temur Charm Maindeck
I originally tried Temur Charm during my initial build of my deck but found it to never really work for me. While I was ahead it made sure I stayed ahead but when I was behind? Never gave me a chance. Kibler feels the same way. Temur Charm does shore up the Mono Green Devotion match up but with the meta pushing the deck out Kibler has stated that bringing in Stubborn Denial into the main deck would improve the Abzan and control match ups quite a bit. Since my meta is heavy on Abzan and control I use Stubborn Denial.
Stoke the Flame VS Lightning Strike
I run stoke due to the lack of small aggro and Jeskai decks in the my current meta. Lightning Strike allows you to deal with small aggro as well as Jeskai Win's Mantis Rider and Rabblemasters. Stoke on the other hand hits the magic number in the current meta and allows me to save my Rabblemaster and tokens if they would to be killed by opposing blockers. No small aggro or Jeskai decks in the meta? Run stoke to handle their big creatures.
Here is my current list:
[deck]NBW Current list[/deck]