Hello all! This is my take on Mono Black in Standard. I started out as really agro, But recently cut 4 Creatures for Rite of Belzenlok. One of my favorite cards in Dominaria. I would love some feedback!
Testing so far: - 2-1 against U/W Approach. - 2-0 against U/B Control? (Scarab God).- 2-0 against White Approach. - 1-2 against some U/W/R Historic themed deck (2 Jaiya 4 Karn 2 Teferi).- 2-1 against Izzet Wizards.
Deck Breakdown: Aggressive but controlling
The Minions
Dread Wanderer
Our one and only 1 drop is an aggressive and resilient guy. I chose to go with him over Night Market Lookout because this deck has better use for constant bodies. We want to smile at death. If you run out of bodies to sac for Rite of Belzenlok Wanderer should always be around. Just like this next guy...
Scrapheap Scrounger
Much like Dread Wanderer, sole purpose is early aggression and ideal sacrifice fodder. All there is to it.
Glint-Sleeve Siphoner
Pretty much a black staple in standard right now. Its important to keep us up on card advantage. Also, menace is nice.
Kitesail Freebooter
Duress (kinda) on a body...a flying body, for 2 mana. Love it. Made a difficult choice replacing Gifted Aetherborn for this one. I just found the deck worked better to keep control when we can. And since I decided to side board Duress. I found this to be a happy medium.
Dread Shade
Our powerhouse. I have had great success with this beast. Great mana sink. Rarely a dead draw, and hard to remove (from combat and burn). Dropped him to 3 only because we dont need to see him all the time. And I wanted to make room for more control since hes just a beef cake finisher. I can see this card keeping its spot until rotated out.
Ruin Raider
More card advantage. But this time on a bigger butt. We do lose more life (depending). But he does his job well. Get him on right after Glint-Sleeve and youve got yourself Bonnie and Clyde.
Josu Vess, Lich Knight
I just like this card. Ever since he was teased. Hard kicker to get off but 4 for a 4/5 menace is menacing already. But top deck this guy while youre behind or ahead and its GG. Be wary if playing against U/W Control. He also has good synergy with Rite of Belzenlok.
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Gonti is our garnish on this dish of death. Hes the most flavorful card right in front of Josu. Theyre both just there for flavor. He can pull you cards to either use against your opponent or just plain keep it from them. Hes probably one of the most fun cards Ive played with since I started back in Zendikar. Im still considering bringing him up to 2. But hes worked well at just being a one-of.
Controlling is Caring
Battle at the Bridge
This card is my latest addition. We need some life gain in the deck. Of course its not the only reason to main deck this. With all the gods running around, this makes a nice answer to them. Also another really effective mana sink.Good synergy with Scrapheap.
Torment of Hailfire
So I might have some bias towards this card. It almost singlehadedly won me all four matches at HOU prerelease. I know its frowned upon in decking a control card that gives our opponent options. But this card has yet to fail me. We can make whatever they choose to do work in our favor. It can also be an answer to those pesky Seal Away. I want this deck to be adaptive. I think the max number I pulled off was X=13, which at that point they cant do anything. Another great mana sink and a good draw anytime of the game.
Cast Down
The latest Doom Blade of standard. I personally like this better than Walk the Plank because its instant speed. Even tho Walk the Plank has more accuracy. But I prefer Battle at the Bridge to answer Legendary creatures.
Vraska's Contempt
Speaking of Legend answers...
Some Utility
Rite of Belzenlok
Kind of the punchline of the deck. My favorite card of Dominaria. The value is just amazing. You are essentially getting 5 creatures for 4 mana. One is a beef cake. Not a bad top deck either, as it makes it easier to rebuild your board if your behind and make your opponent scoop if youre ahead.
Aethersphere Harvester
This provides more flexibility for the deck and is a great get away vehicle for Glint-Sleeve. As they go hand in hand.
liliana, death's majesty
Our Queen.
