Overview:
The point of this deck is to counter all of those combo decks out there while still being able to play a standard game1 vs delver, Jesekai and Abzan. Smallpox is an insanely powerful card, two mana for that sacrificing a creature, life lose, discard and all of the other goodys? But the one thing that keeps from being played is its linear effect. However, with a deck built around not only benefiting from Smallpox's linear effect (such as dredge spells, land falls, and delves) you can get all of the benefits of playing Smallpox while gaining potential outlooks for the future and win cons.
How to Play:
If you can, open with a thought seize (of course). What you want to take from the opponents hand is cards that would counter your Smallpox. It's OK to let your opponent hold on to some treasure cruises and lightning bolts, because even though you'll be playing with card disadvantage most likely by turn two when you play your Smallpox, you'll still have the upper hand because you'll be ready with a strategy of your small pox and your opponent will have to recover, which can lead to regaining card advantage, field advantage and all sorts of other advantages. If your opponent is playing early turn three and four threats, get rid of them by delving a murderous cut or hit them with Abrupt Decay.
Win Conditions:
Zombie Infestation: Zombie Infestation not only helps fill up the graveyard, but adds some easy sacs for small pox. You want to be careful and not go overboard with you discards though. After play testing I've found that you can end up discarding to many important cards that you end up wishing you had in your hand later.
Lingering Souls: This card is a perfect discard with Zombie Infestation. The flying tokens can really help attract some battle attention and blockers away from your 2/2 zombies so they can get through unharmed.
Tarmogoyf: I'm not sure what I have to say about why this card is good in this deck.
Bloodghast: Bloodghast is a perfect finisher in this deck especially when its bee in your graveyard for a while and your opponent has forgotten about it.
Sideboarding:
This deck already covers many combos naturally with small pox, but there are still decks that prove challenging to beat. Birthing Pod decks have been a real trouble, because of there ability to operate in situations where everybody has limited resources. If you go up against one, you'll want to you'll want to dig for torpor orbs that you sideboard in before the opponent can hit there pod. If you can't, your screwed.
I'm always open to suggestions, so if you have an idea don't be afraid to put it out there!
Thanks,
Ninjadude51
