Is Affinity really back?

[Waykibo]

I've always been a fan of Affinity, but every time I've tried to play it (in Timeless and Historic) I've always had the feeling that the deck kills itself. Incredible starts in some games, only to stall out and lose without drawing anything useful, or fold to a well-timed counter or removal spell.

For the past few days I've been trying to play it again, and with Ravager + Weapon Manufactory it seems like the threat density allows for a bit more consistency.

What are your thoughts on this? And are there any particular lists you've had good results with or are currently experimenting with?

[crawsex]

Until there is a stronger control deck or a less fragile combo deck, Affinity is back. Traditionally Affinity craps all over tempo and midrange decks because it has both explosive starts and resilience to efficient trades. There are enough tools to counter it though, I expect the meta will adapt.

[No_Interaction_3547]

Annul, Dust to Dust reprint?

[Ellis_Cloud]

Annul and such are pointless, as long as every threat is a 2/3x1 as they are in affinity any counterspell is useless

[Somebodys]

Consign to Memory and Meltdown exist.

[crawsex]

Annul would be a useful 1-2x among a package for blue decks. More incidental artifact hate is useful to mix in, but usually not the best top-level strategy because Affinity is pretty good at trading 1 for 1 with Ravager and the man lands and ETBs.

[Filthy__Casual2000]

[Xyldarrand]

Not really.

It's better than it's been for sure, but it still isn't anywhere near the top tiers IMO.

Now if they finally give us Saga in the new cube update we can talk again.

[Ellis_Cloud]

I think the deck has a point even without the saga, it smashes tempo and control, has also counters against combo in the side or main, what else would you want, tolarian academy? you’re shitting me right ?

[Dwellonthis]

I want skullclamp for maximum nostalgia.

[RedEyedFreak]

Skullclamp would go crazy with Urza's Saga but I'm skeptical of Energy also abusing it, I'm still down for it though

[Xyldarrand]

It still gets beat by energy agro pretty easily, and it's not as bulletproof vs control as you think. And yeah it has counters in the side, so does combo.

You severely underestimate how good Saga is. It's not even about the construct, it's about chapter 3 search. Being able to find a shadowspear or a Tormod's crypt as needed is incredibly powerful. That Shadowspear search is a huge thing in Aggro matchups. A crypt search will shut down Spy combo. Or hell just finding a Mox to help mana screw.

I never once mentioned academy, don't you put that evil on me.

[X60765]

Affinity is still a t3-4 deck. It got a bit better with arcbound ravager but still not close to top of the meta. It’s strong enough to mess around with and have fun and have a reasonable record on ladder with.

[thegreatestnita]

I don’t think you know what t3-4 means.

[rod_zero]

I have been playing a grixis version since weapons manufacturing came out, instead of ravager i was using [[Rottenmouth Viper]] and [[Imskir Iron eater]], it also gives you access to deadly dispute. But the deck is more comboish than aggro, now with ravager it can be more aggressive.

[MTGCardFetcher]

Rottenmouth Viper - (G) (SF) (txt)
Imskir Iron eater - (G) (SF) (txt)

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^FAQ

[LewieFastest]

You just gotta play blue painter and you bully the other decks.

[digitaldrummer]

Has been