{"ops":[{"insert":"Shroofus Sproutsire — Beginner Primer"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What This Deck Wants to Do"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck is very straightforward once you understand the core loop:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cast Shroofus early → make Shroofus bigger → deal combat damage → create Saprolings → attack with those Saprolings → overwhelm the table."},{"insert":"\nShroofus himself is a Saproling, so when he deals combat damage to a player, he also creates Saprolings.\nThat means every pump spell does more than just deal extra damage.\nIf Shroofus goes from 1 power to 5 power and connects, you do not just deal 5 damage.\nYou also create "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5 Saprolings"},{"insert":".\nThose Saprolings then attack on the next turn and can create even more Saprolings.\nThat snowball is the entire deck.\nYour Basic Game Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Turn 1: Ramp"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your ideal first turn is usually:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Land → mana creature or other acceleration"},{"insert":"\nExamples:\nLlanowar Elves"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Elvish Mystic"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Birds of Paradise"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Wild Growth"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Utopia Sprawl"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"fast mana like Chrome Mox or Lotus Petal"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The goal is to have enough mana to cast Shroofus on Turn 2.\nTurn 2: Cast Shroofus"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Most good hands want:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Turn 2 Shroofus"},{"insert":"\nOnce Shroofus is on the battlefield, the deck becomes much more dangerous.\nDo not worry about immediately building a giant board.\nThe first goal is simply:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"make Shroofus connect once."},{"insert":"\nTurn 3: Attack"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is usually the most important turn.\nAttack with Shroofus and use your cheap pump or protection spells to make sure the hit matters.\nCards like:\nGroundswell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Might of Old Krosa"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Invigorate"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mutagenic Growth"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blossoming Defense"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tyvar's Stand"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"can turn Shroofus from a harmless 1/1 into a serious threat very cheaply.\nA strong first hit creates the Saprolings you need for the rest of the game.\nTurn 4 and Beyond: Use the Army"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once you have Saprolings, stop thinking of the deck as a Voltron deck.\nNow you are a token aggro deck.\nCards like:\nRuxa, Patient Professor"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Beastmaster Ascension"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Echoing Courage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Champion of Lambholt"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Alpha Status"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Triumph of the Hordes"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Craterhoof Behemoth"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"help turn your growing board into lethal damage.\nThe more Saprolings deal damage, the more Saprolings Shroofus creates.\nThe Most Important Rule"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do not waste your pump spells too early."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You usually want to:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"attack first"},{"insert":"\nand then wait to see what your opponent does.\nIf they do not block or interact, you can pump Shroofus before damage.\nIf they try to remove him, many of your pump spells also protect him.\nFor example:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Blossoming Defense"},{"insert":" gives both pump and hexproof.\nThat means you can protect Shroofus while still making the attack stronger.\nTry to make your opponents act first.\nWild Defiance"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Wild Defiance is one of your strongest setup cards.\nWhenever one of your creatures becomes the target of an instant or sorcery, it gets an extra "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+3/+3"},{"insert":".\nSo your cheap pump spells become much stronger.\nFor example:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Groundswell with landfall"},{"insert":"\nnormally gives +4/+4.\nWith Wild Defiance, Shroofus effectively gets:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+7/+7"},{"insert":"\nbecause Wild Defiance adds another +3/+3.\nIf you cast two pump spells, Wild Defiance triggers twice.\nThat is why the deck can suddenly produce extremely large Shroofus attacks from very little mana.\nSeason of Growth"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Season of Growth works especially well with your pump spells.\nWhenever you target one of your creatures with a spell, you draw a card.\nSo if Season of Growth is on the battlefield, your normal pump spells can replace themselves.\nWith both:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Season of Growth + Wild Defiance"},{"insert":"\na pump spell can:\ndraw you a card"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"give an extra +3/+3"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"still do whatever the original spell says"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is one of your best value engines.\nBear Umbra"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bear Umbra does three useful things:\nmakes Shroofus bigger"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"helps protect him"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"untaps all your lands when Shroofus attacks"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The important part is the untap.\nYou can spend your mana before combat, attack with Shroofus, untap your lands, and then use that mana again for pump or protection.\nIt is especially strong with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gaea's Cradle"},{"insert":".\nInstill Energy"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Instill Energy gives Shroofus pseudo-haste.\nIts strongest use is when you can make enough mana to:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"cast Shroofus and Instill Energy on the same turn"},{"insert":"\nThat means Shroofus can attack immediately.\nSometimes this allows a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Turn 2 Shroofus attack"},{"insert":", which moves the whole deck one turn faster.\nIt is also very useful after Shroofus gets removed.\nInstead of:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"recast Shroofus → wait a turn"},{"insert":"\nyou can:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"recast Shroofus → Instill Energy → attack immediately"},{"insert":"\nYour Main Finishers"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You do not need to memorize every possible line.\nMost games end through one of these.\nBeastmaster Ascension"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once you can attack with enough creatures, your whole army gets a massive power boost.\nVery simple and very deadly.\nRuxa, Patient Professor"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ruxa makes your normal Saproling tokens bigger and makes blocking them much less useful.\nThis is one of the easiest ways to keep your Saproling damage flowing.\nAlpha Status"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once you already have several Saprolings, put Alpha Status on Shroofus.\nShroofus can suddenly become enormous.\nBecause he has trample, that huge power can create another giant wave of Saprolings.\nTriumph of the Hordes"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you have a decent board, Triumph can simply end the game.\nDo not wait for a perfect board.\nSometimes four or five Saprolings are already enough.\nCraterhoof Behemoth"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If your battlefield is wide, Craterhoof is your classic finisher.\nYour tutors can find it when you are ready to end the game.\nMulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"You do not need a perfect seven-card hand.\nYou mainly want three things:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Shroofus"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Something useful after Shroofus"},{"insert":"\nA good hand usually looks something like:\n2 lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1 cheap ramp card"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Shroofus"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"pump or protection"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"2 flexible cards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The most important question is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Can this hand realistically cast Shroofus on Turn 2?"},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If yes, the hand is usually worth serious consideration.\nIf your hand is full of powerful four- and five-mana cards but cannot cast Shroofus early, it is often better to mulligan.\nWhat Should I Tutor For?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do not automatically tutor for the strongest card in the deck.\nTutor for what you currently need.\nNeed protection?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look for:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sylvan Safekeeper"},{"insert":"\nor\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Guardian Augmenter"},{"insert":"\nNeed help getting damage through?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look for:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ruxa"},{"insert":"\nor\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Champion of Lambholt"},{"insert":"\nNeed cards?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look for:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Toski"},{"insert":"\nHave a big army and want to win?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look for:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Craterhoof Behemoth"},{"insert":"\nThe best tutor target is usually the card that solves your current problem.\nWho Should I Attack First?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Usually attack the player who is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"easiest to connect with"},{"insert":".\nYou are not always trying to kill the biggest threat first.\nYour first attack is often about creating Saprolings.\nIf one opponent has no blockers and another has three blockers, attacking the open player can give you the army you need to deal with everyone else later.\nThink of the first opponent as your way to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"start the engine"},{"insert":".\nCommon Mistakes"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Keeping hands that are too slow"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck wants to move quickly.\nA hand full of strong cards is still bad if Shroofus does not come down early.\nUsing pump before you need to"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Attack first.\nMake your opponent show you whether they have interaction.\nSacrificing Saprolings too freely"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your Saprolings are your damage engine.\nKeeping bodies is usually better than trading them away for small amounts of value.\nWaiting too long to attack"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck is not trying to build the perfect board.\nPressure matters.\nIf you can safely make Shroofus connect, do it.\nThe Simple Version"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you ever feel unsure what to do, return to this:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1. Cast Shroofus early."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2. Attack the easiest opponent."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3. Pump Shroofus after blockers whenever possible."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"4. Protect him if necessary."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5. Create Saprolings."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"6. Make the Saprolings bigger or harder to block."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"7. Keep attacking."},{"insert":"\nThat is the deck.\nIt looks complicated because there are many powerful individual cards, but almost all of them exist to support the same simple plan:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Get one good Shroofus hit, then let the mushrooms multiply."},{"insert":"\n"}]}