A few weeks ago, a new Auras version appeared in Magic Online Leagues, dropping the Hexproof package in favor of efficient creatures like Writhing Chrysalis and Nyxborn Hydra, alongside a payoff that was once a familiar face in the archetype: Aura Gnarlid.This variant abandons the "go under" plan to try a new "go tall" approach, mixing the Ramp package with Arbor Elf and traditional payoffs like Armadillo Cloak and Ethereal Armor to close games quickly.The DecklistMaindeckWe are not a traditional ramp deck, but we take advantage of the extra mana from the interaction between Arbor Elf and Utopia Sprawl to enable a turn-two Writhing Chrysalis or to sequence the combination of Ethereal Armor / Ancestral Mask and Armadillo Cloak earlier.Aura Gnarlid is the main plan, but the advantage of running it is that we can focus our enchantments on other creatures and let it grow on its own. In this case, Writhing Chrysalis is a very efficient target and also holds its own in the match.Chrysalis with any Aura and Trample is lethal in many racing matchups, and Nyxborn Hydra provides evasion at a cheap cost, while also being a threat on its own.The ideal line to win most games involves combining Armadillo Cloak with Ethereal Armor or Ancestral Mask to assemble a "megazord" on board. Cloak, however, is an essential piece since it provides not only Trample but also a Lifelink variant to hold off Aggro.Abundant Growth does not ramp mana, but it fixes our colors and replaces itself, while also counting as another Aura for Aura Gnarlid and Ethereal Armor.To dig for threats or the enchantments we need, we run a full set of Malevolent Rumble and Kruphix's Insight. It is worth noting that Insight, besides offering a "draw 3" variant for three mana, can also find Nyxborn Hydra, enabling some setups with other Auras from a single card.SideboardStandard Bearer holds off the mirror while also being functional against Elves, Inside Out, and Basilisk Gate. It also serves as "protection" against Burn, but it is too vulnerable to Lava Dart to make a difference against Madness.Obsidian Acolyte protects our creatures from Cast Down and Snuff Out, while also being the perfect target for our Auras in matches where those are the opponent's main forms of interaction. Benevolent Blessing comes in against archetypes with spot removal capable of handling large creatures, or if we need to deal with many blockers and want more evasion.Except for Arbor Elf, our creatures usually survive Breath Weapon, making it a one-sided sweeper. Lifelink holds off Red Aggro one or two turns earlier than Armadillo Cloak would, and Cast into the Fire comes in against Affinity, handles X/1 creatures from Elves and Faeries, and also answers Maelstrom Colossus or Tron's colored mana sources.Sideboard GuideMono Red MadnessINOUTRed RallyINOUTMono Blue TerrorINOUTDimir TerrorINOUTJund WildfireINOUTSnacker GatesINOUTElvesINOUTFaeriesININSpy ComboINOUTWrapping UpThat's all for today!If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!Thanks for reading!
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