Aristocrats Dressed in Black

Modern* SoggyGecko

SCORE: 17 | 29 COMMENTS | 3347 VIEWS | IN 5 FOLDERS


Just Clearing It Up —Nov. 18, 2015

Looks like a fun build, +1. Is Carrier Thrall too slow? I like that you can sac him and are left with another creature to sac or ramp. I'm surprised not to see Altar's Reap or Bone Splinters as killing creatures helps your plan so there's no downside. Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx could help ramp since you're on the devotion train. Whip of Erebos another good recursion option. He's kinda lame but Corpse Hauler dies to trigger Artist and Cutthroat while bringing back a key creature. Then again Gravecrawler, Messenger and Champion can already come back... Lastly, Drown in Sorrow can wipe a board giving you lots of death triggers and maybe takes out the opponents tokens and small creatures also. If enough die you can win so leaving yourself with an empty board won't matter.

November 6, 2015 7:46 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #2

Thanks for the comment! I'll give you my thoughts on all the cards.

First, I do like Bone Splinters. I totally forgot about that card, and will be running it now. I also like Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, however, I have a very low curve that does care about having black mana turn one. So I can't run it.

While the rest of the cards are good, there are quite a few problems with them. Carrier Thrall and Corpse Hauler are 2 drops that are not as good as my two drops now, and my two drop slot is taken up. Next, Altar's Reap is good, but again, another two drop.

Whip of Erebos exiles my cards, so I don't like it. Finally, Drown in Sorrow is a good board wipe, however I don't want it in there too much.

November 6, 2015 7:54 p.m.

Akos14 says... #3

GabeCubed have you thought about Nantuko Husk I love it when paired with Bloodsoaked Champion.

November 7, 2015 10:29 a.m.

SoggyGecko says... #4

Hmm.. I like it. The only problem I have with it is I don't know what to replace it with. I want a slight mono-black devotion going on, and Geralf's Messenger fits really nicely in that type of shell. Also, I don't want to add more 3 drops, seeing as I want a very low curve for this deck. Thanks though!

November 7, 2015 10:49 a.m.

Akos14 says... #5

Its cool just an idea I think that this deck is really cool with that black devotion going on.

November 7, 2015 3:24 p.m.

Demonshadow7 says... #6

Have you considered Killing Wave as a 1 or 2 of? Or even Liliana, Heretical Healer  Flip? I feel like she would be a decent fit for this deck list.

November 7, 2015 7:13 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #7

I think that Killing Wave is definitely an interesting card. I am not sure that I want something that bad in there, though. I do have cards that I do want to stay on the battlefield, so I don't necessarily want that. I still may try it, because it still is a very powerful card, and does basically fit what the deck is doing.

I think that Liliana, Heretical Healer  Flip is pretty cool. I am just scared that it may just be a major lightning rod, although that is not too bad, because it would take away from Blood Artist and Zulaport Cutthroat. I think I may try it, only as a one of though. It is pretty easy to activate with Viscera Seer. It is also nice to be able to get back either Blood Artist or Zulaport Cutthroat off of it. I'll put it in place of Skirsdag High Priest for now, just as the one of.

November 7, 2015 8:39 p.m.

skz2 says... #8

maybe Grim Haruspex to draw some cards

November 11, 2015 8:49 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #9

skz2 hmmm... It definitely is an interesting card. I think it is good, the only thing is that I'd have to get rid of Geralf's Messenger, which has saved me a few times. I'll test it out instead of Geralf's Messenger to see.

November 11, 2015 11:01 p.m.

GriffinRider says... #10

Hey there. Love the deck dude.

I have a few suggestions. Primarily, I think you're running too many land; when you're playing a single colour and your highest mana cost is 3, it's really not necessary to play 23. It clogs up your draws and you always end up getting land instead of what you need. I'd drop it down to 21-22 levels, or even 20 if you're game. The other option is to keep the same amount of land, but add a few Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, as it wouldn't then have such a detrimental effect on your efficiency.

Secondly, I really like the idea of a Nantuko Husk, but if you're looking for something that does a little better, and doesn't jam the 3-drop spot on the curve, try Bloodthrone Vampire. Not a zombie, where Nantuko Husk, which might bother you. I personally wouldn't worry about it, however, when you have enough zombies to make it work anyway.

Altar's Reap is brilliant, and I would recommend running 2-3 of them.

I feel like this deck would benefit from more removal spells, to make them a reliable draw. The first thing I'd look to is Tragic Slip.

Having 4 Blood Artist and 4 Zulaport Cutthroat seems a bit redundant to me. I feel like I'd like this a lot more with 2-3 Zulaport Cutthroats, instead of 4.

In any case, most of these are just consequential things, card that I'd personally like to have in there. The most important point I raised is that of the land.

Love the deck dude, +1

November 13, 2015 9:18 p.m.

GriffinRider says... #11

Sorry, I meant to say "when your average mana cost is about 3", not your highest cost.

November 13, 2015 9:20 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #12

GriffinRider First off, thank you!

Now on to business. I have pretty much addressed all of those cards, so I won't really say anything to those, except, I get your point on the Zulaport Cutthroat. I might just drop just one, though.

As for lands, yes, I would agree, but I do have Gray Merchant of Asphodel, which does require some mana. Also, the land is good for landfall triggers on Bloodghast, and good with getting the Gravecrawler and Bloodsoaked Champion back. And I did talk about Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx a little earlier. I do not mind the card, but I really need in the first two turns, so I can't really afford to have colorless mana.

I will get rid of a copy of the Zulaport Cutthroat.

November 13, 2015 11:24 p.m.

bah-bammmm says... #13

i would run only 20 lands. it has a lot of low cmc creatures, so it works. also, Fleshbag Marauder is great.

November 13, 2015 11:43 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #14

bah-bammmm I do understand your point. I maybe could go down on one land, but really I would like at least 22 or higher. Slightly a personal choice, but after a bit of testing, the lands seems just fine to me. I might try out 22 just to see, but I really like 23 right now.

Also, Fleshbag Marauder is cool and all, but pretty high in CMC and not exactly the type of card I would like. Weak creatures can only get you so far. Keep in mind though, this is my personal take, and there are tons of cards that can be in here, so I have to be wowed by a card for me to put it in this deck.

November 13, 2015 11:59 p.m. Edited.

Yeti_Confetti says... #15

Fleshbag Marauder may be a nice touch to this deck. I have a deck similar to this and he combos well with Geralf's Messenger (Having a Blood Artist or two on the field helps a whole lot as well).

November 14, 2015 1:45 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #16

Yeti_Confetti(I like that name) thanks for the comment! I did already explained why I don't want to put it in my deck in the comment above yours. Maybe it'd be good sideboard tech(I have yet to build one), but I am not sure.

November 14, 2015 3 p.m.

renalrickets says... #17

It seems like you're going for a low CMC theme, but for a mono black deck nothing can bet Phyrexian Obliterator. It doesn't slot into your theme in any meaningful way, it's just a damn good card. And it does add some punch to Gary, (Gray Merchant of Asphodel)

November 17, 2015 9:54 a.m.

Yeti_Confetti says... #18

Maybe Deathgreeter and some Sanguine Bonds? Just a thought, I'm trying it out in my deck. Sanguine Bond Is a bit high CMC for me but I am giving it a shot anyway. Thought maybe you'd appreciate the idea.

November 17, 2015 12:20 p.m.

SoggyGecko says... #19

renalrickets and Yeti_Confetti- Phyrexian Obliterator is interesting. Might be a good curve topper, but fitting room is always hard.

Next, Sanguine Bond is a very expensive card, CMC wise. While fun in casual, not exactly what I would like. Same with Deathgreeter. Finding spots is kinda hard.

Thanks for the suggestions!

November 17, 2015 1:56 p.m.