Modern: Eldrazi Tron - Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide

Tron is one of the most iconic MTG decks of all time, and, in Modern, it is still quite popular. Its Mono-Green version, in fact, was quite popular not that long ago. However, after MH3 came along, Eldrazi were back on the menu, and Eldrazi Tron became the most popular Tron version around.

In this article, we'll explore the current version, Eldraton, including its main cards, strategies, game style, and sideboard for a few matchups.

To sum up, the plan is to complete Urza's Land Trio as fast as possible to accelerate the mana curve and play giant Eldrazi on the board. However, if you can't do that, you can still play other cards to accelerate your mana and make sure everything goes as planned.

One of this deck's most important cards is Ugin's Labyrinth. Also released in MH3, this land goes really well with Eldratron's -cost cards, and you'll have no issue actually using its effects.

Devourer of Destiny is the card you need in your starting hand besides Labyrinth, as, this way, you'll be able to look at the top 4 cards in your deck and put one on top. You can also enable Ugin's Labyrinth with it on that same turn, which will speed up your game plan considerably.

Kozilek's Command is quite versatile. It develops your game plan and can be useful in many critical moments. With these cards and a few other important pieces, like Eldrazi Temple, this deck doesn't need the consistency Expedition Map brings. Instead, you can add other important pieces that can make a difference.

With this version, you need to play your game plan as fast as possible, and Mystic Forge is great at that. It lets you not only see the top card of your library but also play spells directly from there, which is incredibly helpful in certain moments.

Mulligan and Game Style

You need to prioritize hands that put your plan in motion straight away. Keep in mind that, without Expedition Map, you don't need to focus on completing Urza's Trio, but rather accelerate your mana curve as much as you can. Urza's Trio is only one way to do that.

The example above is a very interesting starting hand. It enables Labyrinth on turn 1, may let you find another land on the top of your deck with Devourer, and guarantees a Seer on turn 2. This is incredibly powerful, and you'll still have Forge to speed up your game plan even more.

The example above may give you Karn on turn 4, which is not ideal, and two of its cards will be the dead for the rest of the game if you can't access green mana. You should definitely mulligan it.

Lastly, we have a rather complicated starting hand. This hand may give you Tron on turn 3, which would be ideal to speed up your game plan. However, you might also simply not find the third piece you need and end up with something you don't want in your hand at that moment. Furthermore, if you're playing first and don't know what your opponent is playing, Chalice of the Void and Talisman are not great, and may simply cost you the game.

Keep in mind that this deck is a toolbox, and you'll hardly change a lot when you sideboard. Karn makes your sideboard more versatile, so removing pieces may make the deck less consistent than if you simply left them there.

Vs. Boros Energy

This matchup may be difficult without The One Ring, but Boros was also hit by the latest bans, as it lost Amped Raptor, and apparently hasn't adapted to this change yet. I believe that, now, this matchup is favorable for Tron. All you need to do is survive the first few turns, pay attention to their hates, and follow your game plan.

Post-side, nothing changes. Chalice of the Void is excellent in the main deck, and All Is Dust can change the game entirely. Your sideboard is great against this deck, and you can use all of it quite easily with Karn.

Side in

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Side out

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Vs. Rakdos Midrange

This matchup is quite complicated. It was a lot worse in the past, when Rakdos could still play rather problematic cards. Still, beating this recent version won't be easy, and you'll struggle against their disruption and creatures. They'll put a lot of pressure on the game, and Ragavan will always be problematic. Chalice once again will be critical in this matchup, as it can disable their main threats.

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Vs. Grinding Station

Now that Mox Opal is back in Modern, one of the decks that tries to make the most out of -cost artifacts is Grinding Station. Currently, it can win the game on turn 2, which is a nightmare for Tron. The idea is to, basically, use Grinding Station to mill their entire deck with Underworld Breach in play, and then win with Thassa's Oracle.

Winning this matchup is not impossible, as your opponent needs to draw well and a great opening hand. You also have the best hate against this type of deck: Karn, the Great Creator. Chalice is another excellent way to disrupt your opponent, which can disable most artifacts.

Side in

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Side out

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Vs. Goryo’s Vengeance

This is another incredibly strong deck that uses FON and Counterspell, besides other pieces in their sideboard that can disrupt our game plan. Getting Pithing Needle with Karn is excellent, but your priority is guaranteeing a strong start to catch your opponent off guard when they can't access many resources, as well as build a better board. The graveyard hate in your sideboard will also be essential to keep your opponent in check.

Be careful with Psychic Frog, as it can easily derail the game, particularly when your opponent puts more than one in play.

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Vs. Eldrazi Tron

The good ol' mirror match. Mirror matches can be quite interesting, so I added my take on this duel. Many factors can determine who will win an Eldratron mirror match: the version you decided to play, who will play first and who will draw first, each players' starting hand, and the quality and consistency of their next draws, for instance.

A card I consider critical is Liquimetal Coating, which you can play with Karn to follow a land destruction game plan and turn your opponent's lands into artifacts. Then, you can use Karn's +1 to turn them into 0/0 creatures, "killing" them in the process. Even if that strategy isn't viable, you can still disrupt your opponent's mana base, and prevent them from playing their heaviest spells.

Chalice of the Void is a lot less valuable in this matchup, but it can still be useful, and, as usual, you're better off not messing around with your main deck too much when you sideboard.

Thought-Knot Seer is extremely powerful, and Sowing Mycospawn is another way to use land destruction against your opponent. It also fixes your mana curve.

Side in

No changes.

Side out

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What do you think of this deck? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!