{"ops":[{"insert":"A classic budget voltron commander option! Cast "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sergeant John Benton"}},{"insert":" , pump him with auras, equipment, and combat tricks, then replenish your hand! Includes a lot of hexproof and indestructible effects to keep him alive! This deck (excluding basic lands) was $19.96 pre-tax buying from three of my LGS. I also kept the Card Kingdom Price less than $50, including shipping. All cards were less than $1 from Card Kingdom (prices unfortunately have risen some).\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Bracket Discussion: "},{"insert":"By the current bracket system, this deck is in bracket 4 because it expect to take at least one player out before turn 6. Benton will come out on turn 2-3, then swing for lethal against one player 2-3 turns later (frequently turns 4-5). However, the budget restrictions does keep the power down a bit (e.g. insufficient turn 1 ramp to ensure Benton is out on turn 2 consistently). With an appropriate pre-game discussion and warning, I think this deck could be played in a bracket 3 pod. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Note: This deck is tuned to what was available at my local game stores. If you want to build a similar deck for a similar price, you may have to make substitutions to match the price."},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gameplan"},{"insert":"\nOpening Hand: \nGreat hand (20%): You have the lands and ramp to play Benton on turn 2. Some of the ramp lets you get away with only 2 lands, but most require 3 lands. (A perfect hand would include a protection piece and a couple of cheap pumps)"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good case (10%): You have the lands and ramp to play Benton on turn 3 and buff him in his first combat"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Okay case (10%): You have the lands to play Benton on turn 3, but no ramp. You have something to play on turns 1-2 that turns into buffs for Benton later"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mediocre Case (20%): You can play Benton on turn 3, and that will be the first spell you cast. Consider a mulligan"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mulligan (40%): Can't play Benton by turn 3, only access to one color of mana, 5 lands (unless you can play Benton on turn 2), 6+ lands."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe first goal is to get Benton out as quickly as possible, ideally on turn 2. You either need to convince someone to let you hit them (so they draw cards), or be bigger than the weakest player's blockers.\n\nOnce he's out, he should attack every turn and deal combat damage to a player. You should prioritize attacking the same player so they benefit less from the card draw, rather than attacking players evenly. It's mean, but the weakest player is a good first target. You can go for stronger players after you've drawn 20+ cards and kept only the best.\n\nYou will continually have to discard down to 7 cards each turn. In the mid game, prioritize ramp, especially the ones that let you cheat out extra lands, so you can play more and discard less. Always leave an untapped land or two for that protection card in your hand, or to bluff if you are missing a protection card.\n\nOnce Benton is out a couple turns, you can usually swing for lethal at someone. Try not to deal much over the 21 commander damage because you can deck yourself. Double strike and evasion help seal the deal!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deck Discussion/Budget Restrictions"},{"insert":"\nThe budget restrictions made Sergeant John Benton less broken, but it's still a powerful and aggressive deck. I have an extensive backlog of possible cards to consider. If you upgrade the deck, I recommend prioritizing ramp upgrades first (so Benton more consistently comes out on turn 2), followed by protection (more permanent effects or protection + buff).\n\nUpgrade - (category): More expensive cards to increase the power level, or cards I really wanted to include but couldn't find at my LGS."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Close Cuts: Cards that were in the deck at some point and later cut"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Maybeboard: A dumping ground for relevant cards. Most of it is chaff and worse than cards in the deck, but it's easier to save things here than repeat Scryfall searches over and over."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Ramp: "},{"insert":"I prioritized cheap one-mana ramp, followed by cards that let you put a lot of lands into play, followed by some padding given LGS availability. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skyshroud Ranger"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sakura-Tribe Scout"}},{"insert":" are fantastic upgrades to get Benton out on turn 2 and to ramp out lands later.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Protection: "},{"insert":"I feel the budget constraint the most here. The good cards have hexproof, indestructible, and some sort of buff, but I have to settle for one or two of those features per card. I'd also highly value permanent hexproof and indestructible effects. This is a great category to spend more on.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Pump: "},{"insert":"There are surprisingly few pump-only cards; most cards have a dual purpose (pump+evasion, pump+protection, or pump+vigilance for blocking). I wish "},{"insert":{"card-link":"All That Glitters"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Idolized"}},{"insert":" were available at my LGS; the effects are powerful and affordable.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Targeted Removal: "},{"insert":"The combo pump/removal cards have nice flexibility. The rest of the package is mediocre. Just upgrade to the standard best-in-slot effects like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Swords to Plowshares"}},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Evasion: "},{"insert":"I'm fairly satisfied with this evasion package. I treat deathtouch as evasion because Benton has trample. That means he only has to deal one damage to each defending creature. There are a few upgrade options for more true unblockable effects, but this should be sufficient. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Land: "},{"insert":"The deck plays more consistently once I used some budget for cheap dual lands. Most/all of the turn 1/2 plays require green mana, so I traded out Plains for the tapped dual lands. Better dual lands will make it run even smoother! "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Reliquary Tower"}},{"insert":" (no max hand size) and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cathedral of War"}},{"insert":" (land with Exalted) are great utility land upgrades!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Other: "},{"insert":"This deck could benefit from more \"no max hand size\" cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Spellbook"}},{"insert":". They were too expensive for the budget restriction but really limit the benefit of drawing 10+ cards on a big hit.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mass Disruption: "},{"insert":"I'm fairly satisfied with these one-sided board wipes, but I'll have to evaluate them after some games. They are some of the highest mana-value spells. \n"}]}