Welcome to the tenth episode of “Science of Pauper”! Since it is kind of a small jubilee, I thought of doing something fun rather than competitive (even though those two do not need to be exclusive). In this episode, I am going to present to you one of my Pauper Highlander decks. For those of you who do not know this format, a Highlander deck consists of at least 100 cards of which each non-basic land card may be included only once. In contrast to the other deck techs I have done so far and will do in the future, I will not discuss each card separately due to the high number of different cards. I will rather depict the main idea of the deck and its synergies.
Ancient Den
Azorious Chancery
Bant Panorama
Esper Panorama
Evolving Wilds
7 Forest
Halimar Depths
6 Island
7 Plains
Quicksand
Rupture Spire
Seat of Synod
Selesnya Sanctuary
Shimmering Grotto
Simic Growth Chamber
Terramorphic Expanse
Tree of Tales
Basking Rootwalla
Caravan Escort
Skywatcher Adept
Coiling Oracle
Escape Artist
Gnarlid Pack
Knight of the Skyward Eye
Looter il-Kor
Qasali Pridemage
Selesnya Evangel
Silhana Ledgewalker
Veteran Armorer
Wild Mongrel
Borderland Ranger
Civic Wayfinder
Crafty Pathmage
Scroll Thief
Silkbind Faerie
Survivor of the Unseen
Trinket Mage
Yavimaya Elder
Bant Sojourners
Coalition Honor Guard
Guardian of the Guildpact
Mold Shambler
Ninja of the Deep Hours
Pallid Mycoderm
Simic Ragworm
Wickerbough Elder
Drelnoch
Mulldrifter
Scrivener
Territorial Baloth
Thresher Beast
Aethersnipe
Pale Recluse
Errant Ephemeron
Jungle Weaver
Krosan Tusker
Bonesplitter
Dispeller’s Capsule
Distortion Strike
Hyena Umbra
Reclaim
Relic of Progenitus
Sylvok Lifestaff
Viridian Longbow
Writ of Passage
Evolution Charm
Journey to Nowhere
Treasure Hunt
Armadillo Cloak
Capsize
Excommunicate
Oblivion Ring
Plumes of Peace
Rhystic Study
Snake Umbra
Temporal Spring
Aethertow
Cenn’s Enlistment
Deep Analysis
Foresee
Ocular Halo
Resounding Silence
Second Thoughts
As you may have already realized, the deck tries to beat the opponent down with evasive creatures and keeping the pressure by gaining card advantage in the process. Creatures like Ninja of the Deep Hours and Scroll Thief have to be dealt immediately, otherwise, the card drawing will quickly get out of control. Looter il-Kor does not net you cards as such but it help you to get the cards you need. Snake Umbra, Distortion Strike, and Writ of Passage all support the card advantage theme.
Simic Ragworm and Silkbind Faerie synergize very well with Viridian Longbow and Ocular Halo for board control or card advantage, respectively. Trinket Mage also fits into this combination by tutoring the Equipment.
Speaking of Equipment, the super-aggressive Bonesplitter turns all creatures in considerable threats. When combined with Thresher Beast or Drelnoch, it puts you into a win-win-situation (if not removed). Either they take a huge swing or they have to deal with a card advantage of two cards.
For the very late game, Capsize-ing your Journey to Nowhere or Oblivion Ring with their first trigger on the stack will not only recycle your removal, but it will also exile the targeted card permanently.
Guardian of the Guildpact is probably the most robust creature Pauper has to offer. Combined with Armadillo Cloak or Bonesplitter can win you the game.
I hope you enjoyed the deck and you will give the format a try in your playing group. It is really a fun alternative to EDH or other multiplayer formats.
That’s it. Stay clean!
High_Gene
Twitter: ScienceOfPauper
Email: ScienceOfPauper@googlemail.com