A Return to the Pinnacle of Success:

Once Scars of Mirrodin was release Valakut decks became very popular and highly competitive. They were posting good numbers as there just wasn't a well defined strategy to beat them yet. Well, as we know, because of the success of the deck that is exactly what happened. The birth of Blue Black put Valakut on its heels. With cards like Memoricide, Spreading Seas, Tectonic Edge, Flash Freeze, and discard options Blue Black was able to oust Valakut as the top deck.

Now that Blue Black is top dawg can Valakut do anything to reclaim its title? I feel a Rocky Balboa movie coming along cause this going to be the story of a top fighter who is now the under dog coming to bash some face. Thrun, the Last Troll and Green Sun Zenith might just offer the resiliency that Valakut needs to reclaim its title.

Here is my proposed list:

Valakut Post Beseiged

Creatures:

4 Overgrown Battlement

4 Primeval Titan

1 Inferno Titan

1 Avenger of Zendikar

1 Gaea’s Revenge

Total: 13

Spells:

3 Lightning Bolt

4 Explore

2 Slagstorm

4 Growth Spasm

3 Cultivate

3 Green Sun Zenith

2 Summoning Trap

Total: 20

Lands:

3 Terramorphic Expanse

3 Evolving Wilds

11 Mountains

6 Forests

4 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle

Total: 27

Sideboard:

3 Acidic Slime

1 Slagstorm

1 Summoning Trap

1 Avenger of Zendikar

1 Gaea’s Revenge

3 Ricochet Trap

2 Thrun, the Last Troll

Card Choices:

4 Battlement: great early accelerants, offer stall, can't be removed via Lightning Bolt or Slagstorm.

4 Primeval Titan: Come on, really. I'm not explaining this one.

1 Inferno Titan: Great against aggro decks as it can decimate their board. especially if it makes it to the attack phase.

1 Avenger of Zendikar: Not bad verses control or aggro, if you can't answer him he wins the game byself. I like to keep the threats varied so that's why he's a one of with another in the board.

1 Gaea’s Revenge: The variation rule applies here too as he is great against control but not as spectacular against aggro.

2 Slagstorm: This is the replacement for pyroclasm. The extra mana is worth the extra damage it deals. Plus is can hit players and creatures unlike pyroclasm. Also, planeswalkers.

3 Green Sun Zenith: This slot was originally held only by summoning trap. But because of the extra consistancy of the Zenith it gets a slightly bigger nod as opposed to summoning trap.

2 Summoning Trap: This card is still too good not to play it. It is instant speed and can be cast for 0, neither the Zenith can do. It will be better in control match ups than aggro because of its aforementioned abilities.

The rest of the cards in the main deck are fairly simple and necessary. In the board we have:

3 Acidic Slime: Used to take out which of the 3 things it can target is most detrimental depending on the match up. Drawing multiples usually isn't bad.

1 Summoning Trap: This is here to increase of match win percentage against control.

2 Thrun, the Last Troll: I wanted to give control as hard a time as possible. Having to stare down this guy while fighting the Valakut strategy will be difficult.

1 Gaea's Revenge: Here for the same reasons as the Troll.

3 Ricochet Trap: This card is a must have!!! I don't know how I have seen so many player not have this card somewhere in their 75 card list. It makes no sense. This card can let you counter their counter spells and redirect those pesky Memoricides and Inquisition of Kozilek back on your opponent.

Everything else is pretty self explanatory. Look for my version of GW Beats in the up coming days.