Modern Zarathur/Ork

Is there a little bit too much focus on the command struggles or is it a normal necessity for a Chaos deck?

I made the exact same adjustments as you since i started running a zara ammo depot deck: that is, i took out 2 alpha legion infiltrators for 2 dire mutations.

Good looking deck, I run my Zara deck about the same except for

-2 Dire Mutation

+1 Bloodletter

+1 Warpstorm

Draconav, I think that this deck in particular wants to run many small units so that it can use Ammo Depot more effectively; decks without Ammo Depot probably want to play more of the larger heavy hitters that Chaos can muster.

Kingsley is right.

Aside from small tweaks based on preference, my Zarathur deck is pretty much identical to this, and I can confirm that playing low costs is the key.

If you're interested in playing meatier cards, generally its not a bad idea to go the other way, with Ku'gath/DE. I'm convinced this "modern zarathur" approach is stronger and more consistent, however.

Won a small tournament with this today. Gleeful Plague Beast is a real killer!

Now... if only I could figure out what to drop to make room for Snake Bite Thug (and maybe Evil Suns Warbiker)... Maybe the Inventors - or Dire Mutation. Or both?

I'm dropping 1x Inventor and both Mutations in favor of 3x Snakebite Thug, but not running the Evil Sunz.

Damn, I've done the same, and now it'll look like I'm copying you again!

Well, almost the same. I never ran the Mutations, so I've instead lost No Mercy and 1 Warpstorm... which now makes our decks absolutely bloody identical. Sheesh.

What are your thoughts on Xavaes? He's close to the cut for me, and am considering replacing him to get my second Warpstorm back in.

I like Xavaes, but I don't love Xavaes. I could easily see cutting him, in which case I would probably either add a 1x No Mercy, the second Warpstorm, or put back the third Heretek Inventor.

I think Warpstorm is a definitive Chaos card and wouldn't be confident in going for less than 2.

Though I guess that depends on the local popularity of Shadowsun.

Void pirates can at times be anti-synergy with the Ammo Depot if he actually earns cards. If not, why even bother with the guy?

Of course, it is possible to only draw either of the two, but my gut feeling is I wouldn't be too happy about seeing both on my starting hand.

You guys really think this build needs x3 pirates, x3 traders and x3 promotion? Just wanted to hear some insight.

This deck is focused around Ammo Depot drawing you a bunch of cards and letting you out-deploy your opponent; in order to facilitate that, you want a really cheap cost curve. Void Pirate has a little bit of antisynergy with Depot - if you think it's too much, Shoota Mob or Goff Boyz are both solid choices in the 1-cost slot.

I'd say Void Pirate is a great contingency plan if you don't get the Ammo Depot, and while the two effects can step on each others toes, its more a lack of cumulative effect than an opposition of effects. Besides, the cost curve is so low, I've often found it possible to draw a load of cards, play'em, then use the Depots.

Nature of this deck is such that its very rare that Depot doesn't trigger.

Worth mentioning that it's sometimes just a matter of avoiding to win command at the 2-card planets for Depots to get rolling, even despite Pirates.

After some testing my dilemma is still how to force 3 Slaanesh temptation into this deck?

While the 2 shields are important to secure Zarathur, and the card ability is also good for the "out deploy" strategy, you can only put it in by weakening either the command (basic strategy), or the already not so strong hitting power of the deck.

Maybe changing Xavaes and two Void pirates for the 3 S.T. is the least harm, but I'm not sure loosing the 1 costs and the command won't hit back. What is your experience?

After some testing my dilemma is still how to force 3 Slaanesh temptation into this deck?

While the 2 shields are important to secure Zarathur, and the card ability is also good for the "out deploy" strategy, you can only put it in by weakening either the command (basic strategy), or the already not so strong hitting power of the deck.

 

Maybe changing Xavaes and two Void pirates for the 3 S.T. is the least harm, but I'm not sure loosing the 1 costs and the command won't hit back. What is your experience?

The best way in my experience to find room for new cards is actually reconstructing the whole deck from scratch. Keep the general idea and key units put in the new cards you want to try and after you got your new deck deside on cuts and changes. Just trying to cut cards fromman existing list doesn't work well most of the time, unless it is a no-brainer situation.

I agree!

I'm no Kingsley, but this is my current take on Zarathur, Temptations included:

I back this deck. Piloted it to a 1st place win at the Louisville Regional.