You are a necromancer with a strong bond to the natural world. Erebos considers you a worthy follower, and has disclosed the location of the fallen Sultai Empire's burial grounds, a copse that is brimming with power. While its inhabitants are in restless sleep beneath the ground, you need merely uncover them to make use of what resources they have... or happen to be.
Pharika has taken interest in your exploits and will lend you aid if you ask, and Erebos is ready to answer a prayer when your wits have failed you. You also command a small band of satyrs and centaurs who were born to explore the world around them, and they will help you to uncover the graves of powerful beings.
Legends say the Sultai discovered a power beyond what any other clan could muster, but they were never truly able to harness it for themselves. It's time for you to finish what they started. Let the excavation begin...
This deck is a hyrbrid of a few different ideas--
my previous Sultai deck and
a Chromanticore/Soulflayer deck used by
Frank Lepore, which in turn was created by
John Cuvelier. Possible strategies include using
Sidisi, Brood Tyrant for zombie production, using the
Whip of Erebos for life gain and reanimating some creatures, using
Soulflayer
to delve away creatures for hexproof, flying, indestructible, and/or Chromanticore's abilities, and (surprisingly) bestowing
Chromanticore to a useful creature, such as
Silumgar, the Drifting Death
.
Cards that give abilities to
Soulflayer
: Chromanticore, Hornet Queen, Pharika, God of Affliction,
Silumgar, the Drifting Death
, Sylvan Caryatid (hexproof only, not defender),
Torrent Elemental
Cards that help you dig through your deck and/or fill your graveyard: Commune with the Gods, Courser of Kruphix, Satyr Wayfinder, Sidisi, Brood Tyrant,
Monastery Siege
(using Khans), Sultai Ascendancy
I don't count Tasigur, the Golden Fang as a card that filters your deck and fills your grave because he feels like more of an end goal to me, and he only moves two cards at a time for four mana. However if you find his ability more useful than I do, consider it to be on that list as well.
The general strategy with this build is to spend the first few turns digging as deep as you can, then either delving cards away for powerful threats or establishing a defense until you can set up the perfect combo. It's possible to have a
Soulflayer
with flying and hexproof on turn 3 by self-milling on turn 2, or you could use Commune with the Gods on turn 3, take Tasigur, the Golden Fang to your hand, then delve away the cards you just put in the grave and cast him with your remaining mana. It's also possible to end up with a
Soulflayer
with Chromanticore's abilities along with hexproof, flying, and deathtouch, which is extremely difficult to deal with for most players.
In addition to these strategies, there are also a few clever tricks you can play with.
Torrent Elemental
can be exiled with delve or Whip of Erebos at any time, then brought back later with its ability. Once Sidisi, Brood Tyrant is on the field (assuming she sticks), Sultai Ascendancy, Satyr Wayfinder, and Commune with the Gods have a very good chance to get you instant creatures in addition to their normal abilities. (Realistically, Sidisi, Brood Tyrant will most likely be a distraction for your opponent to deal with while you dig deeper getting game winning cards where you want them.) And of course, turn 3 Nemesis of Mortals (AKA Not-Tarmogoyf) is a good way to pull ahead.
So far, this deck has days when it works spectacularly, days when it crashes and burns (read: mulligan to 4 or 5 and fail to draw the lands you need), and days where it hangs tough and makes come-from-behind victories. I'm open to advice on how to tweak it (especially the side board). Any thoughts are welcome!
