I'd really like some advice on constructing a Gruul deck based around
Splinterfright
; and before we continue, yes, I know
Rest in Peace
is a thing. I'll address that concern at the end of this post. I really like that Bloodrush dumps creatures in the graveyard and I think there's real synergy there with
Splinterfright
. When choosing cards for this deck, there are a few rules that I followed; either the card is a creature, or it has some utility if you place it in the graveyard (
Mulch
is the only exception).
Rancor
is great, but if you mill it out it does nothing for you, so it doesn't make the list. Here are my thoughts on some cards that could make it into the deck.
Lands:
Kessig Wolf Run
-
Ghoultree
will be in this deck.
Rogue's Passage
- I think
Kessig Wolf Run
is strictly better in this deck, but this one is still worth a look.
CMC 1: Faithless Looting
- Dump two cards of your choosing in the graveyard on the first turn and dig deeper into your deck? With flashback? Yes please.
Vexing Devil
- Get a creature in the graveyard on the first turn and cause four damage? That's another yes.
Legion Loyalist
- Nice finishing move once a
Ghoultree
is in play; a decent option.
Ulvenwald Tracker
- I want the deck to be fast, so I'm not sure if this guy is going to fit the theme, but he's too good not to consider. There will be some
Ghoultree
s in the deck, so removing key blockers could be a kind of pseudo-trample in this deck. We will see.
CMC 2: Mulch
- Very important in a deck like this.
Boneyard Wurm
- With plenty of first-turn creature dumps, this guy could actually see play on turn two.
Dawntreader Elk
- Not too bad, but I don't see the acceleration being necessary. I think I'd rather have a Bloodrush creature, but who knows.
Nightbird's Clutches
- Potential finisher, but I'm not sure the deck can squeeze in too many non-creature spells overall; worth a look, though.
Wild Guess
- A free dump and two extra cards? That's badass in this deck, but there are only so many non-creature slots available.
CMC 3: Splinterfright
- Did you see the name of the thread?
Shattered Perception
- This card can make some bad draws very playable; intriguing card, I like it.
Gnaw to the Bone
- I think this card is too good not to run, but again, there are only so many non-creature spells that can fit; if the deck's speed is there, this won't be necessary.
Slaughterhorn
- Very cheap Bloodrush cost and decent bonus make it worthy of consideration.
Rummaging Goblin
- I think it's much too slow to make the cut, but worth some mention.
CMC 4: Ghor-Clan Rampager
- Reasonable Bloodrush target due to his trample, and excellent Bloodrush cost should you discard him; looks good to me.
Scorchwalker
- Hit a
Splinterfright
with that Bloodrush for +6/+2! Wow.
Huntmaster of the Fells
- I'm playing Gruul, how could I not consider this guy? Not sure he fits, however.
Deadbridge Goliath
- This guy has above-curve P/T and you can still get value if you mill him out; seems good to me.
Cinder Elemental
- A creature body goes great in the graveyard, and he can hit to the face for the win pretty cheaply; there's potential here, especially when faced with
Rest in Peace
. Potential maindeck, definite sideboard.
CMC 5: Wrecking Ogre
- Bloodrush that on a
Splinterfright
and say gg; I like it.
Zhur-Taa Swine
- Excellent Bloodrush value for the price;
Splinterfright
gets +6/+5 for



!
Kessig Cagebreakers
- You swing and you win; what's wrong with that? Also you can Bloodrush any unblocked wolf for tons of face damage.
Creeping Renaissance
- Too slow for the deck, I think, but still worth a look.
CMC 6+: Ghoultree
- This guy is going in, the only question is how many of him.
Rubblehulk
- Very good Bloodrush cost, but the creature version doesn't have trample and at six mana I don't want that creature; makes the deck solely for Bloodrush value. Two copies, maybe?
Increasing Savagery
- Very good value for four mana, and flashback potential if you mill it; I think this is strictly better than
Skarrg Goliath
at the top of the curve (at that point in the game, Sorcery speed shouldn't matter too much), but neither is really good enough for the main deck.
Devil's Play
- A finisher if you draw it, and decent value if you mill it; worth a look. I know the CMC is technically one, but 6+ is where you're actually going to cast it.
Grim Flowering
- Hard not to mention, because drawing that many cards will allow you to discard a lot of them; but I think it's much too slow for the deck overall.
Preliminary Decklist:4 x
Stomping Ground
4 x
Rootbound Crag
8 x
Mountain
5 x
Forest
3 x
Kessig Wolf Run
4 x
Vexing Devil
4 x
Splinterfright
3 x
Scorchwalker
3 x
Ghor-Clan Rampager
3 x
Wrecking Ogre
3 x
Kessig Cagebreakers
2 x
Rubblehulk
3 x
Ghoultree
4 x
Faithless Looting
4 x
Mulch
3 x
Shattered Perception
As for
Rest in Peace
, I can't think of an answer outside of four copies of
Ray of Revelation
and some
Shimmering Grotto
s to make it castable from your hand.
Thoughts?