Scars of Mirrodin Affinity Considerations
Mox OpalMemnite
Etched Champion
Galvanic Blast
Carapace Forger
Vedalken Certarch
Metalcraft is easily achievable in Affinity, thus the profusion of cards bearing the mechanic in the list above. Amongst them, Mox Opal and Memnite are considered to be auto inclusions, replacing rainbow lands and Arcbound Worker in the original Affinity. The rest however, require some justification. But before we jump into decklists, here's a functional map of the archetype to help you build the ideal Affinity list.
Speed
Artifact LandsMox Opal
Ornithopter
Memnite
Springleaf Drum
Arcbound Worker
Frogmite
Affinity is known to be a deck that lays all cards from the hand onto the board as early as turn 2. This is achieved largely with Seat of the Synod and other artifact lands, each functioning as painless Ancient Tomb when fuelling mana for Frogmite and gang (actually, just Frogmite).
Mox Opal just does it a step further by giving you access to mana of all colors. Even though its legendary, the drawback is mitigated with cards like Arcbound Ravager and the classic Atog. The consensus seems to be that 2-3 is a fine number, with some arguing for 4.
Ornithopter, Arcbound Worker, and Springleaf Drum work together as the other mana acceleration pieces beside Mox Opal. Memnite adds to the consistency of fast mana by providing 4 more slots to activate Metalcraft for the Mox, lower costs for Frogmite, and additional bodies to tap for Springleaf Drum. To be honest, the 1/1 body is mostly irrelevant. Try looking at Memnite as a mana enabler instead.
To be very critical of Frogmite, how does a fast 2/2 impact Legacy? Sure you can land it turn 1 for free. But compare that to a turn 1 Wild Nacatl or even a 2/3 Kird Ape. Even those are outclassed on turn 2 by the ubiquitous Tarmogoyf. Perhaps deck builders cling onto this card as it's the only card with the the Affinity keyword.
Bombs
Cranial PlatingArcbound Ravager
Master of Etherium
Steel Overseer
Cranial Plating and Master of Etherium are both cards that scale with the number of artifacts in play, perfect for Affinity. And if you've not played against an experienced player with Arcbound Ravager, you'll not realize the impact of instant speed distribution of +1/+1 counters. How large have you seen a 0/2 Ornithopter grow because of Cranial Plating and Arcbound Ravager?
Steel Overseer might seem to be slow, and unlike Fauna Shaman, you'll often need more than 1 activation before it shines. However, there are comments that it is extremely powerful in the deck, especially in combination with Thopter Foundry. In fact, they provide some kind of long term plan for the explosive deck, especially with man lands like Mishra's Factory and Blinkmoth Nexus. I'm seriously tempted to try that out!
Long Term Plans
ThoughtcastMyr Enforcer
Carapace Forger
Thopter Foundry
Vedalken Certarch
Etched Champion
Thoughtcast is a sorcery speed Ancestral Recall for 2, but there might be better things mentioned later.
Etched Champion is guaranteed to be a smaller Progenitus, and can turn creature matchups around with Cranial Plating.
Myr Enforcer is getting cut from decklists here and there as it's just a 4/4 (LOL) that lands turn 3 or so. Isn't it amazing how the power level of Legacy has increased with the advent of Tarmogoyf?
Speaking of undercosted creatures, Carapace Forger might not really seem good when you consider Myr Enforcer is not meeting high expectations. Perhaps the deck should be renamed to Affini-goyf instead.
Now Thopter Foundry excites me. Even though it is double colored, costs 1 to activate, and requires a sacrifice, I think it's a fair (read good) trade turning Memnites, Frogmites, and extra Moxes into 1/1 flyers that wields Cranial Plating, maintains MoE's size, and gets pumped by the M11 robot lord. Oh, and there's bonus life points too. Affinity builders looking for some long term engines may even eschew Arcbound Ravager for this. And if you're crazy enough, add some Myr Retriever/Myr Servitor.
How will a 1 mana Icy Manipulator affect Affinity now that we have Vedalken Certarch. I have no idea but a creature Rishadan Port that taps down blockers seems to be quite a good deal.
Finishers
Galvanic BlastShrapnel Blast
Disciple of the Vault
Atog
Lastly, burn like Galvanic Blast and Shrapnel Blast gives the deck reach after the initial burst of threats gets outclassed by larger threats. Sacrificing smaller creatures to Arcbound Ravager and redistributing the +1/+1 counters to a flyer provides that reach as well, in addition to 8-10 life loss when a Disciple of the Vault is on the board. Still, I'm thinking of replace Ravager with Thopter Foundry for almost the same effect, but more 1/1s to avoid a blowout Swords to Plowshares/Krosan Grip.
Looking Back Before SOM
Glimpse of NatureDark Confidant
Erayo, Soratami Ascendant
Thopter Foundry
Steel Overseer
Esperzoa
Standstill
Berserk
With all the hype of the new set, some players look beyond Scars for new directions, including the version utilizing Glimpse of Nature that was highlighted here at Star City Games. If you don't find the decklist, here's it.
With Dark Confidant, who needs Thoughtcast? Unless, of course, you're playing AfFoWnity.
If you're playing a lock-ish version of Affinity, remember that you can use Erayo, Soratami Ascendant in conjunction with Vedalken Certarch. Add Tumble Magnet and Tangle Wire if you like. Oh, and there's Ethersworn Canonist.
Have I mentioned that Thopter Foundry and Steel Overseer works wonders together? Yes! Then have I mentioned that Thopter Foundry and Steel Overseer works well without each other? I think so.
Esperzoa flies, is a 4/3, and the drawback is that it forces you to play 1 of your 12 free spells 2 time in a turn? That seems fair.
And please, don't use Thoughtcast when Standstill draws you 3. If you're still playing the version with Aether Vial, I think you're in a better position to abuse the enchantment than Merfolk with your faster speed.
Lastly, for those who like the balls to the wall approach, you can use your Ravagers, Tarmos, Carapace Forgers, and Cranial Platings alongside Berserk.
SOM Affinity Decklists
Now you don't really need me to suggest a decklist when I've highlighted the synergies above. You really want it? Fine, I'll give not 1 but 3!Long Game Affinity
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Ancient Den
4 Darksteel Citadel
3 Mox Opal
3 Springleaf Drum
4 Memnite
4 Ornithopter
Threats (18)
4 Master of Etherium
4 Etched Champion
4 Cranial Plating
4 Steel Overseer
3 Thopter Foundry
3 Disciple of the Vault
Disruption (4)
4 Vedalken Certarch
Others (4)
4 Thoughtcast
Cutting Ravager and adding Thopter Foundry and Steel Overseer makes it have a long term plan. In the early game, you retain the chance to flood your opponent with Cranial Plating, which becomes the killer weapon when equipped onto a flyer in the late game. Vedalken Certarch and Etched Champion help you get to the late game and Thoughtcast provides some draw.
Berserk Affinity
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Tree of Tales
4 Darksteel Citadel
3 Mox Opal
4 Aether Vial
4 Memnite
4 Ornithopter
Threats (22)
4 Master of Etherium
4 Cranial Plating
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Carapace Forger
4 Arcbound Ravager
3 Disciple of the Vault
Others (7)
4 Standstill
3 Berserk
First spew your 0/1/2/3 cmc threats all over the board. Then reload with Standstill. Finally, finish off with Disciple of the Vault or Berserk.
Lastly, and a personal favorite:
rUB-finity
4 Vault of Whispers
4 Seat of the Synod
4 Great Furnace
4 Darksteel Citadel
3 Mox Opal
4 Aether Vial
4 Memnite
4 Ornithopter
Threats (22)
4 Master of Etherium
4 Cranial Plating
4 Dark Confidant
3 Thopter Foundry
4 Steel Overseer
3 Disciple of the Vault
Others (7)
4 Standstill
3 Galvanic Blast
These decklists may not be tuned but they represent a direction in which you can take.
In summary, Scars of Mirrodin gave Affinity a few toys to play around with. However, looking back at the past provides new direction to evolve this deck. I've provided a list of synergies and a couple of directions for you to make the deck your own and I hope it helps.
Let me know whether this post is useful to you. Do you think this article helped you in building a new Affinity? If you have another idea on Affinity, let me know in the comments below!
Further Reading
The Source Vial Affinity threadThis is probably the best primer you'll read about Affinity. Must read. Tweet this!
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