🔵Aetio Deck Guide for @ParallelTCG
"Non-Convergent Build" by @quixoticflux888
Deck Summary: Aetio's main win condition is to mill your own deck, thus enabling an OTK with the Paragon's muster.
This build focuses on the strategy of "the best defense is a good offense," aiming to get a strong tempo opening and force your opponent to waste time fighting for the board. By the time they stabilize, you are ready to play Aetio for the win.
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We leave out the convergent package in this build to make room for more tech and counterplay, including Memento of the Fallen, 2x Genetic Correction, and 2x Saboteur.
This deck is very matchup specific. It isn't optimized for any one matchup but it tends to have a reasonable chance against everything common in the meta right now, with even some ways to fight back against bad matchups like Scipi or Burn Cathy A few general notes on mulligan and playstyle:
-We're mulliganing for a standard tempo opener - Valerusi Striker -> Standard Bearer -> Magna is simple and effective, and if you don't have Magna, a Subjugate or Cunning Scipian + 1 drop is also good. Another great opening line is Striker/Gamma -> Cunning Scipian -> Memento of the Fallen if your opponent doesn't immediately contest board.
-We can cast Swelling Tide OTP T1 if we have to, but we prefer to cast it on T2/3 when we have more options. Ideally we cast it on T2, with a 1-drop in our hand as backup in case it whiffs, but then best case we can cast a Subjugate or Magna right on T2.
-We don't have as much draw as the Convergent build, so value your draw cards even higher than usual. Try to never bank Formatician, and don't be afraid to do things like use Magna to only draw if it keeps you from running out of cards. We lose two ways with this deck, either falling behind on tempo early, or running out of draw in midgame.
some matchup specific stuff
SHROUD
in general, value draw insanely high, you can get stunlocked by Treacherous Scheming super hard, but if you get aggro tempo opening they won't have time for that
New Dawn - you only lose if they get big singularity stewards, or if they banish your Cyrene (battle ready) and you dont get enough damage in waste. Get wide and obsess over Singularity Steward, also don't lose board. Baron can be dangerous too
Niamh - Similar to New Dawn except with a tight clock because you can also lose to Niamh. Don't give them spots where they can combo Singularity Steward + Dominion. Need to find balance between tempo/board control, face damage, draw, and mill. You should be slightly favored but have to pilot carefully
Brand - hard mulligan for Genetic Correction to answer Brand. if you can not fall behind on board and answer brand w/ Genetic, you win
Aetio vs Shroud is actually a very fun matchup, have fun with it
OTHER PARALLELS
Cathy - mulligan for Magna and Knife, you need tempo in this matchup. Hold Sabos as much as possible now that burn cathy is most popular post-shotgun. Against burn cathy, it all comes down to not losing board early and then having Sabo later. Remember ToE can get Subjugate back from waste to re-cast muster
Juggernaut Workshop - just get wide as fast as possible, value Kalare for clearing an early juggernaut or a Upcycle'd Cestmir. Memento wins this matchup a lot. Playing Mournful Delta right before trading stuff into a Defense Juggernaut can be good. This matchup tends to snowball super hard based on whoever has the better opening, but you are favored
Scipi - mulligan for knife, magna, OTD look for saboteur as well., otherwise need a good curve, abuse Swelling Tide in this matchup since they'll usually be wider than you. Need to get a good Subjugate, Knife, or stronger Triumphs than them. A well-timed Sabo can be a game winner here. Unfortunately this matchup tends to come down to just who draws better
Nehemiah / Gaffar - in both cases the most important thing is to not get snowballed too hard in opening. Genetic Correction and Kalare answer the Paragons, as well as other overstated creatures, the Kalare + Gunslinger combo can be especially powerful here. Sabo great for clearing Altar of Gaia to shut down their combos ahead of time. The new power level of Hasty Mobilization makes mid-game dangerous so don't get too comfortable. The most dangerous thing is Terramech since we don't have a direct answer to it anymore, but it's less dangerous than it used to be. Can always tech in a Master Poisoner if we really want an answer for Terramech specifically.