This deck is built more like a Commander deck then a Pioneer deck. That means it won't be very consistent. It also means that its path to victory isn't clear.

Take a look at this deck Sarkhan's Dragon Den

It has three very clear win conditions. The description also describes what it wants to happen in the early, mid, and late stages of the game.

Once you decide how you want this deck to win, work out which cards will get you there. Beef them up to 3 and 4 copies, and start cutting back the single copy cards.

I'm not sure of your budget, either. I have a feeling that you mashed this list together out of cards you already own. I can tell you from approximately six years of brewing my own decks, you are unlikely to win any games at a tournament without buying a good number of Rares and Mythics for your deck.

An example I can see right away is that Murderous Rider is a far batter card than Murder

I have played with both.

I would also get rid of Cabal Stronghold for 3x Castle Locthwain

Once again, I have been playing with this card and it is ridiculously good.

You have no good ongoing draw in this deck. I use Ob Nixilis Reignited

Due to the fact that Ob Nix uses my life, Murderous Rider helps offset that, as does Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet

Kalitas is very good at the moment, as he exiles creatures. People have a lot of recurring creatures in the current meta.

You have a lot of work to get this deck more ship shape.

When you've made it more competitive give me a shout, and I'll take another look at it.

Good luck.

First off, thanks much to Argy for your kind consideration of this deck & your advice of ways to improve it - immensely appreciated!

I’ve already identified no less than 7 cards that are ineffective & can easily be replaced, some with your suggestions. It was in fact “thrown together” w/ stuff I already had - can’t fool you, huh? EBay is still my source, and I heard nothing but good things about Castle Locthwain, so I immediately ordered 2, already received. Rob Nicholson II (aka Ob Nixilis Reignited) also purchased & on his way to PO Box.

Seems I’ve become a theme decker @ this point, and I think Murderous Rider would make a splendid horseman for the carriages. I’m gonna add some Midnight Reapers for this purpose, too: both are great “M.R.” Black riders, but from what I can find available @ the moment, the Reaper is Cheaper!

Last but not least there will be a Whip included, as well as a couple/three disposable robotic coachmen.... custom categories will be enabled for maximum silliness. Stay tuned for the upgrade... hopefully will be significantly more of a functional build after the changes.

Sounds fun!

I'm always in favour of flavour builds with themed categories.

Just be aware that you do sometimes have to shove some non-themed cards in, to make such decks work.

I was devastated when I played my Triple A deck in Battle for Zendikar Standard that I couldn't make it all Allies, but it needed Butcher of the Horde to make it win.

Oh and I usually order cards from eBay and my LGS, which has singles.

I used to exclusively build my decks with eBay cards. Nothing wrong with that.

If you are in the US you might want to check out Card Kingdom for online sales. I've heard very good things about them.