Important Read This Frist!

This is the arena version of my Mardu Knight paper deck. You can find that here. Because cards are much easier and cheaper to get on arena I have included Knight of the Ebon Legion, and additional Embercleave and more shock lands but the premise remains the same. Because of the additional Embercleave, I have added a Venerated Loxodon in place of the Circle of Loyalty as to not outweigh the creature ratio too heavily. It achieves the same end of adding +1/+1 to all creatures and it technically costs less for each creature in play. 

This decklist is pure and simple. Cards like Knights Charge just doesn't really work in standard aggro Mardu knights. That's why pros don't play it in Mardu Knights. Knights is an aggro deck that is supposed to outpace mono-red in some cases ending the game by turn 6. My decklist keeps it traditional designed around creating opportunities for your knights to deal consistent damage and end the game with a well-timed Embercleave. that's it.

The Premise

Usually, a Mardu knights deck in top tear play includes 4 Embercleave and 4 Rotting Regisaur. A very effective, very powerful combination but also very expensive. Here I offer a more rooted and cheaper version of the current Mardu knights. This deck relies more on consistently playing knights that synergise well with each other, while still having at least 2 Embercleave in the deck as the trump cards.

Mana Discounts

The land ratio is a bit deceptive. There are 3 cards that cost 6 mana each, and a set of 4 mana Conclave Tribunals. Shouldn't there be more than 21 lands? Because Embercleave costs less for each attacking creature, combined with all the 1 drops this card consistently gets played for no more than three mana. The Circle of Loyalty adds a bit of staying power to the deck in case the game drags on but also costs less for each knight. The Conclave Tribunals have convoked which means there is plenty of mana discount built-in to this deck.

Playing the deck

A few key cards to mention is Skyknight Vanguard's synergy with Embercleave. It brings out an attacking token when it attacks reducing the cost of the equipment. There are several scry lands, as well as Foulmire Knight's adventure to search for those big hitters like Embercleave. Acclaimed Contender is priceless in this regard. You really don't need a playset of all the duel shock lands to make this deck work. Tournament Grounds is what makes it possible to play such an aggro deck with three colours. This deck functions beautifully with the number of lands indicated. Fervent Champion becomes a beast with a well-timed Embercleave and even Steelclaw Lance goes on a turn early because you can equip it for free.