R/W defender

I'd replace the Outriders with Perimeter Captain or Stalwart Shield-bearers, or maybe even some Lightmine Fields. Lightmine plus Gideon... Well, I'm sure you can figure it out.

I like the idea of the deck, but there's a lot more white cards that would assist the strategy than red. If it weren't for the Vent sentinel's ability and the cheap cost of Ogre Sentry, I'd say remove the red entirely, but sadly the strategy seems to require both. While the Umbras will save the walls from instant kills and burns, they do slow down the deck quite a bit. I'd remove the Eland Umbras in favor of Marshal's Anthems, boosting your wall's power and toughness, and late game bringing them back from any burn or instant kill deaths.

Hey Ben,

First off let me say a defender deck is an interesting idea. (Let me say now, it will have problems with not be able to play the aggressive) You could have some fun with it.

Also my big issue with the deck. You only have 6 mountains. Most likely you will not be able to use Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle efficiently. I think max you can only deal 3 damage with it. Correct me if I'm wrong. Better to add basic land and add in removal or protection. (I like removal personally, but may brave the elements would fit.

Also walls have high toughness, but they will not last against cards such as terminate, deathmark, path to exile, ect.

Umbras will help some, but as much as I like the ones you chose, you may want to add some removal spells yourself.

Hope this can help. -Goodgame

Also just as an after thought banefire instead of fireball 100% of the time. And Ajani Vengeant might find a nice home here. :)

GL and GG

If this isn't conforming to Standard or what not, try Torpid Moloch ... definitely a front runner, not only cheap but with an alternate 'lose defender' condition.  Also, having Valakut in here isn't very smart ... in fact, I wouldn't put that in anything other than a mono red deck ... as you've got to be relying on mtns for your main source of mana for it to be the tiniest bit effective.  What's with the level up creature too??

Nice job. I would drop Ikiral Outrider. for Perimeter Captain. know what i mean?

@Actionmike   Actually Valkut does very nice in multi color (Extended scapeshift /Prismatic omen) Drop for pinnacles for 3+6+12 dmg  19dmg should be game. :) I'm sure you meant that too :P

Just remember ramp with llanowar elves and hierarchs wont work ;) You need 4 lands to replace.  I'm looking at adding cloudpost in mine with eldrazi spells for ++mana :)

Sorry not a scapeshift forum.... here we go.

@meditation  I AGREE!! :)

GG: Yeah, under the right conditions that you're manipulating it ... sure Valakut could be good.  But not in this deck, not with this build as it is.  Also, you really love those cloudposts, don't you? ;)

@Actionmike Agreed. Valkut doesnt work here.

Also, yeah I like the cloudpost, but i much rather have won another bloodbraid FNM. :>/

Too bad we wont see a reprint of cascade.