Competitive Deck Spotlight: Kithkin Aggro

A deck that's been appearing here and there for a couple years now has finally broken through the surface: Kithkin Aggro. The miniature menace has seen a lot of love with the release of the new M10 core set. Here's an overview of the deck itself.

Kithkin Aggro wins the game by playing a lot of creatures that either get stronger, or make each other stronger. Also, through the use of Ajani Goldmane, Goldmeadow Stalwart, and (in some cases) Kitchen Finks, the deck maintains life advantage. In addition to that, it makes use of Control in the form of Path to Exile, Pollen Lulliby, and Burrenton Forge-Tender protect it's weak points.

Before the release of M10, Kithkin Aggro had a huge disadvantage: Wrath of God. This one spell was so commonly used that it could single handedly shut the deck down. In addition, one of it's reliable ways to pump up it's creatures, Glorious Anthem, could not be played until turn 3. At that point, if you hadn't been able to use your Kithkin to hurt your enemy, chances are you would never get the chance.

Replacing Glorious Anthem is Honor of the Pure. While it does not affect nonwhite creatures, it buffs every creature that Kithkin Aggro runs, for one mana less. That's right, turn 3 Kithkin Aggro can have three 2/2 flyers on the board, or several larger, threatening Kithkin. Also with the advent of cards like Harm's Way, Kithkin can now protect their creatures from the dreaded Lightning Bolt.

Like any deck, Kithkin Aggro has it's weaknesses. First off is Pyroclasm. This card will deal 2 damage to all creatures for two mana, which is enough to wipe your board of Kithkin quite often. Also, Volcanic Fallout (2 damage to all creatures and all players, uncounterable) is still commonly used. Then there are effects that can tap all of you creatures, such as Cryptic Command and Sleep. And, if your enemy lasts long enough to get off a Planar Cleansing, your fate is sealed. But with a little luck and careful attention to your gameplay, these disadvantages can be played around.

Expect a lot of top 8 lists across the nation to be listing Kithkin Aggro this summer. As avid Magic: The Gathering fans know, the Lorwyn/Shadowmoor megablock will rotate out of type 2 this September, but until that point, Kithkin Aggro is definitely high on the list of threatening decks.