Pauper: Black Altar Tron - Deck Tech and Sideboard Guide

Black Altar Tron is an extremely combo-centric version of Tron. The combo itself centers around creating a loop with Ashnod's Altar and Myr Retriever - Myr needs to be in the graveyard, and Ashnod needs to be in play. This way, you'll be able to sacrifice a Myr, get the one that is in the graveyard, create two mana, and then use this mana to cast Myr again. That's the loop.

You'll typically use this loop to feed Golem Foundry and create an infinite number of counters and golem tokens. You can also use the loop with Pactdoll Terror to drain the opponent's life.

To play so many expensive spells, this deck needs the Tron mana base, as it easily cheats out mana with Urza's trio. However, this deck also often needs a few extra tools in certain matchups, and that's why I've been using a slightly different list.

Decklist

Refurbished Familiar fits this list perfectly. You'll nearly always cast this artifact for just , and it is a 2/1 with flying. Its ability also attacks the opponent's resources and can even draw you cards in certain situations.

To deal with threats a bit better, this list plays Executioner's Capsule and Serrated Arrows. These two artifacts work really well as removals, so they also fit this list perfectly. They're also good targets for Myr Retriever.

To get Urza's trio as fast as possible, this list plays Expedition Map and Crop Rotation. Prophetic Prism is a way to filter mana, as is Energy Refractor.

Though the last banlist updates cost this list the powerful Deadly Dispute, it can still create a lot of card advantage with a few other cards.

Why Play Black Altar Tron?

Altar Tron is one of the strongest combos right now. It is very recursive and can play against most decks in the format very easily.

A few new cards have made this list more versatile and well-prepared. You can now play more aggressively with the Familiar and control the board a bit better with artifact removals. It is well-positioned in the meta, but you must know a lot about the format and the main strategy to actually dominate it. That's because, as you'll have to make multiple micro-decisions with this list, you could end up wasting too much time if you don't have a lot of experience with it.

Mulligan

With this deck, mulligans are delicate. Your opening hands need enough pieces to develop the main game plan, but you still need to consider your combo and how consistent your mana base is. This hand, for instance, is quite greedy, so you should avoid it.

This hand, however, is a bit more interesting. It has two land drops, Candy to clear the top of your deck, and Refractor, which will draw you a card and filter mana, so your Familiars can work. In any case, you'll still have to rely on your next draws to develop your game plans. Consider the deck you're facing and decide for yourself if you should keep it.

This hand is a bit more solid. It has two Tron pieces and can get you the trio on turn 3. It also has card draw, so you'll be able to find whatever else you need later on.

This sideboard is the most colorful part of this deck, and includes many cards that will be a lot of help in certain matchups. Krark-Clan Shaman, with Hunter's Blowgun, is much more efficient to deal with boards full of creatures. This sideboard also has board wipes, lifegain, and hate for artifacts and graveyards.

Vs. Mono-White Aggro

This matchup is better for Tron, considering Mono-White has just a few ways to stop the combo apart from Thraben Charm. Still, you can play around it: just make sure you can keep playing the combo after the opponent uses Charm.

Dust to Dust can be annoying, but it will disrupt your opponent more than you. It doesn't really affect Tron all that much.

Side in

Side out

Vs. Madness Burn

This matchup is a bit more complicated. Refurbished Familiar may create some value to your opponent, even though it can also block flying creatures. It could be quite problematic, actually. The opponent can put a lot of pressure on you quite fast and efficiently, and you'll need all the lifegain you can get to win.

Post-side, I highly recommend you add some green cards and try to keep the best hand possible when you mulligan.

Side in

Side out

Vs. High Tide

This is a combo mirror, and your opponent has a slight advantage over you because they are a little bit faster. Put your Familiars to work as much as you can - attacking their resources and cornering them through the air.

Your sideboard won't be a lot of help, considering your opponent will play their cards regardless of what you do, and most likely just focus on playing their combo as fast as possible. Fangren might help with the pressure, but it's not more efficient than just focusing on your main win condition.

Side in

Side out

Vs. Mono Blue Terror

This matchup is a bit more complex because your opponent can interact really well with your spells and put a lot of pressure with Delver of Secrets and their Serpents. Use your Refurbished Familiars well to disrupt your opponent, and try to get them to play a few counters if possible. Lead them into a mistake, and you might just be able to punish them.

Side in

Side out

Vs. Bogles

This matchup is quite dangerous, particularly in game 1, as you won't be able to effectively stop Bogles then. Post-side, with Krark and Blowgun, things are different, but you'll need to set up really well to progress your main game plan before you die. So, try to get the best opening hand as possible.

Side in

Side out

This unique Black Altar Tron version uses the powerful mechanism at the center of the archetype and new weapons to deal with the current threats in the Pauper meta. It has been very resilient in the Pauper League so far, from personal experience, and has performed really well.

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

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!