Whether you are Master Shredder or a turtle, Ninjas are the epitome of cool.
This tribal Ninja deck has gone through repeated play-testing to make it as powerful as possible.
As we know, the Kamigawa block was considered to be a weak block. However, with the release of many new Ninjas over the years (with the addition of Yuriko in 2018), Ninjas have reached their peak strength. I have tested this deck against some modern competitive decks and it is able to win consistently.
Strengths
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Insane removal and disruption. Plenty of card-draw to allow more options.
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A real blast to play. Who doesn't love Ninjutsu-ing a Throat Slitter past their defenses and taking down their most elite creatures?
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Rich theme.
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Strong synergy. The cards are designed around each other and support their weaknesses.
Weaknesses
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Weak to black creatures. Because this deck heavily rely on "fear" mechanics, you may find yourself at an disadvantage playing against black creature type decks.
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Combo dependent. I have tried including multiple win conditions in the deck, but the heart of Ninjas lie in their combo. An experienced opponent will disrupt it and shut you down.
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Weak defense. This deck is all about the attack. That said, there are some deference in place, but don't expect to survive a swarm.
HOW TO PLAY
LAND
Underground Sea is obviously a broken land. Always use Polluted Delta to fetch it. This deck should have no issues with mana management.
River of Tears can be a bit tricky to use. If you need blue mana, tap it before playing a land!
EQUIPMENT
These three powerful equipment are the best a Ninja can get.
Umezawa's Jitte provides constant flow of buffs and debuffs. I would usually equip this onto an unblockable like Slither Blade and ping away each turn. Save the counters for some big plays! The +2 health is also wonderful because this deck has weak defenses, and might take a pummeling while setting up.
Empyrial Plate is a surprisingly strong support card. With the constant drawing from Ninja of the Deep, Yuriko and Baleful Strix, you should have no problem keeping a full hand. This also solves a problem of Ninjas having frail bodies.
Lightning Greaves is basically a 2 mana; all your creatures get haste card. It is surprisingly powerful and allows you to launch rapid attacks. What is even more amazing is that it has Shroud. Shroud protects the precious creatures from spells/abilities but doesn't negate Ninjutsu. (Ninjutsu does not target, it just returns to hand.)
CREATURES
Evasive Creatures
Dimir Infiltrator is our tutor card. The beauty of it is that most of the cards are 2 CMC, so you can get anything you need.It allows you to fetch Cover of Darkness/Umezawa's Jitte/Empyrial Plate/Lightning Greaves/Go for the Throat/Mana Leak/Baleful Strix
Baleful Strix is a card-draw and has both great defensive and offensive utility. Its deathtouch allows you to block any dangerous creatures and also means opponents are unwilling to block it!
Ornithopter can pull off some sick plays because of its 0 CMC. It basically allows you to Ninjutsu for base cost. Play it out again in main phase 2 to get it ready for the next turn. Works as a chump blocker too.
Slither Blade is the most reliable evasive creature. A 1 mana for 1/2 body is good in itself. It can also chump block unlike Tormented Soul.
Support Creatures
Kira, Great Glass-Spinner this can be side-boarded, but it is an amazing form of defense against creature removal. Almost nothing gets through it. Even if it does, you gain card advantage. Remember, Ninjutsu is NOT TARGETED. Work around any draw-backs by equipping Lightning Greaves twice. Also has flying for emergency use.
Drana, Liberator of Malakir. She is near broken in this deck. One problem Ninja's have is their weak bodies. This girl buffs them up good. She also buffs up our evasive creatures to actually make them into a legit threat.
Reminder, since she does first stike damage, your other creatures get the buff before dealing combat damage (that is awesome).
Ninja Creatures
Mistblade Shinobi is pretty meh, but his cheap cost allows you to fit him into an attack sometimes.
Ninja of the Deep Hours is the workhorse of this deck. Do not underestimate the power of card draw! Even just getting 1 hit in is good enough.
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow is the new belle of the ball. She is obviously broken and meant for use in commander, but honestly she's too cool to pass up and I'm including her in the deck. She replaced 2 of the Ninja of the Deep Hours. Her ability is really strong because many of the Ninjas have high CMC.
Throat Slitter is going to be the most hated card by your opponents when she starts destroying creatures left and right. Pure glee.
Okiba-Gang Shinobi I'm pretty on the fence about this guy. Sometimes he rocks and removes 2 important cards, but sometime he's a whiff. He's in the deck just in case Higure needs to summon him.
Sakashima's Student is the ultimate troll. He once transformed into a Ghalta, Primal Hunger and swung in for the lethal. Couldn't stop laughing. He is very flexible, and can transform into more of your own Ninjas or an opponent's creature.
Higure, the Still Wind is the dad figure to all the little Ninjas. His tutor ability is all round useful. Good base stats and a 2mana unblockable ability just in case you don't have your Cover of Darkness out.
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni is the mum figure. Unfortunately, she also into necromancy. She's pretty situational, but can sometimes turn the tide with a good reanimation.
Silent-Blade Oni is your crazy uncle that buys you insane christmas gifts. And by buy I mean he steals it from your opponent. Would rarely see play, given his high mana cost, but when he's out... oh boy, the fun will never end.
SPELLS
Cover of Darkness is a key card in this deck. It allows you to give fear for all only 2 CMC, what a steal.
Go for the Throat allows you to remove any nasty creatures that you can't deal with using Throat Slitter. Instant speed also allows you to play some combat tricks with it.
Mana Leak is just an all round good counterspell. Because of the sneaky nature of Ninjas, open mana always looks threatening! Blue and black also have bad enchantment removal, so this is your best bet.
