Pauper: Bargain Stompy - Deck Tech & Sideboard Guide

Stompy was, for years, one of the most played archetypes in Pauper. Its main advantage was being one of the biggest predators of Faeries in the format, and its role in the Metagame was boosted by Burning-Tree Emissary in 2017.

Over time, the format adapted, Fog effects like Prismatic Strands became staples due to Stompy's high speed, Faeries adopted a splash for removals, and the archetype's presence remained relevant until mid-2022, when a series of downshifts of cheap sweepers combined with power creep made it an outdated strategy that could not keep up with Pauper's power level.

Recently, a list caught the attention of a Magic Online League: Bargain Stompy, a version of the archetype that combines an aggressive plan with Bayou Groff combined with Brave the Wilds and tokens to pressure the opponent.

In this article, we delve deeper into this version of the deck and evaluate its potential for the current Metagame.

This is almost the same list used by IHeatCatz in one of the first post-bans Leagues. Unlike the traditional Stompy version, this variant tries to use micro-interactions between Bequeathal with tokens and Bayou Groff to gain more momentum in the game and use Brave the Wilds with Implement of Ferocity to generate card advantage while having a 3/3 creature for one mana in play from the second turn onwards.

Personally, I don't know if I agree with all the card choices in this list or the need to use artifacts as enablers for Bargain, but this version partially addresses the biggest problem with traditional Stompy with the lack of permanent power that permeates sweeper effects like Breath Weapon and/or more punishing plays against sweepers.

Maindeck

The Bayou Groff package is the first step towards the more aggressive game plan. With Khalni Garden or Young Wolf on the first turn, we have a 5/4 for two mana on the next turn without any concessions, or even with a benefit in case we sacrifice Young Wolf to trigger Undying.

To complement the plan, we also have the Eldrazi tokens from Nest Invader and Malevolent Rumble, which can be sacrificed with Brave the Wilds to turn a land into a 3/3 creature.

This same combination is possible with other cards on the list, such as the Khalni Garden token, or even a Rancor that is on a creature. In addition, the inclusion of Implement of Ferocity aims to generate card advantage while sacrificing the artifact for Brave the Wilds or Troublemaker Ouphe in the Sideboard, and it can also be used to put +1/+1 counters on your creatures.

With Malevolent Rumble and tokens that generate colorless mana, cards like Hooting Mandrills are easier to cast and have a great body for the current Metagame, in addition to being the only card with natural Trample in the list.

Ram Through is our main interaction with the board and works with Rancor and Hooting Mandrills while dealing with troublesome creatures on the other side of the board.

Bequeathal is the other tech used in this list to give Stompy more breathing room. Ideally, you want to use it on an Eldrazi token, or a creature that will be sacrificed to Bayou Groff to draw two cards, but another option is to enchant the same creature that has a Rancor attached to it to punish subsequent blocks and/or removals.

Speaking of Rancor, it remains essential in Stompy to pull damage against smaller creatures and pressure the opponent without blockers on the board, in addition to having a good interaction with Brave the Wilds.

Vines of Vastwood is the classic protection on Stompy and offers a considerable power increase at the cost of Kicker. Its main function is to prevent our threats from being removed by Snuff Out or Galvanic Blast.

Artifact lands increase the number of cards we can sacrifice with Brave the Wilds or Troublemaker Ouphe.

The original list used Darksteel Citadel, but since Troublemaker Ouphe has been moved to the Sideboard because Affinity is not the biggest threat in the Metagame at the moment, we can reduce the number of them to just four Tree of Tales and ensure more consistency in color access.

Sideboard

Troublemaker Ouphe is the main answer against Affinity and Bogles. It allows us to use a creature with a low cost and a decent body while sacrificing Tree of Tales or tokens to exile opponent's lands and/or artifact creatures like Myr Enforcer.

Relic of Progenitus has grown and will continue to grow in the format as long as Tolarian Terror lists are the strongest deck in the Metagame. It may change in a few weeks, but at this point, you need to be very respectful of the possibility of your opponent having multiple 5/5s on the board starting on the third or fourth turn.

Scattershot Archer has been, since the format's origins, an assertive answer to Faeries, and with its growth in the format after the bans, it becomes a necessity for a matchup that, in the past, was great for Stompy.

Healer of the Glade offers a body and a life gain effect that helps to hold Aggro decks back. Other options include Weather the Storm — which is more reactive and has less of an impact on our game plan — or Bakersbane Duo, which has a better body but is slower and requires a high mana investment to ensure life gain.

Two copies of Snakeskin Veil provide a bit more protection in games with too many removals, or even to avoid Tempo plays with Snap or Boomerang from blue decks.

Mono Blue Terror

IN

OUT

Gruul Ramp

IN

OUT

Affinity

IN

OUT

High Tide

IN

OUT

Faeries

IN

OUT

Synthesizer Burn

IN

OUT

Despite the construction of this guide, my experience with Bargain Stompy has been that it tries to do too much and fails to do any one thing very well — the same feeling I got from Synthesizer Burn, only worse.

Maybe this version is still missing some tool to bring Stompy back as we know it. Another variant I tested adopted a light splash of and swapped some slots to include Writhing Chrysalis and Hunger of the Howlpack, which has a good interaction with Eldrazi tokens, and the results were a little more positive because Chrysalis is one of the biggest power plays in the format today, and as I improve this list and/or I'm sure it has some potential, I intend to present a guide for it.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

Thanks for reading!