MTG Salvation

So I created this deck due to Land ramping being a huge issue in my play group as well as a lot of playing on other people's turns which becomes frustrating when a turn that was suppose to take no time takes 5+ minutes for the stack to resolve. As such, the win conditions for this deck are to beat face with Zurgo, which works out because that is what Zurgo does best. While beating face you use a lot of control such as forcing people to play on their turns and protecting our beat stick barbarian. The curve on this is lower and uses some artifact mana to compensate after Armageddon. Some cute synergies while using this is Assault suit on Zurgo, this makes him less desired to be murdered because you offered your beat stick McGoo to another person while also racking up commander damage. Other cute things are sneaking World Slayer Zurgo. Some things to worry about is that Zurgo is pretty scared of tucking and exile so try to get your protection up and running before letting him out to beat face. Also note, be wary of letting Zurgo to someone who can flicker him. If you give him to them with assault suit, if they flicker him, You lost your favorite beat stick. Any feedback would be great.

I like the idea, but one point on the Assault Suit is that the trigger is a may, so if someone has a blink engine you can just keep him around.

I would probably overhaul the equipment package with Darksteel Plate, Loxodon Warhammer, Grappling Hook and Fireshrieker.

Debtor's Knell is one of my favorite enchantments of all time, but the 7cmc and being a huge target make me wary to pick one up. However I do think Zurgo decks would benefit from Aggravated Assault and the combo of Spellbinder and Savage Beating. Since you have land tax Waves of Aggression may serve you well because of the retrace and essentially being Assault #2. If your group is into the infinite combo deals, then Sword of Feast and Famine is a must and goes infinite in the same way as Savagebinder combo. Now that I think about it I might take Narset apart and build Zurgo...

A buddy of mine likes the run cheap double-strike cards to so some quick Commander kills in his Zurgo deck such as Assault Strobe and Battle Mastery.

I understand that its a may, I wanted to let people know not to give Zurgo to people with bounce capabilities. Thanks for reiterating it though, makes it easier for the future!

Quote from jakalova »

I like the idea, but one point on the Assault Suit is that the trigger is a may, so if someone has a blink engine you can just keep him around.

I had Darksteel in here for a little while but decided that more often than not whenever I get Darksteel it just doesn't do enough, there are SO many ways my playgroup gets around it, like sacrifice, exile, bounce, tuck, ect. Destroying isn't a high priority when they have stronger responses. There are some other issues, I am not sure what the rules are on Loxodon Warhammer should I give it to Zurgo and than assault suit him, would my opponents get the life or me? Spellbinder Savage Beating looks great actually, I am scared of imprint though using two cards and then having a one card removal is kinda rough, if it sticks, it is fantastic, ESPECIALLY with assault suit. I still have to play test this, currently I am trying to build as much stuff that can stick as possible, mostly because my playground has expressed a DEEP fear of this deck. I will think about adding Savage Beating and Waves of Aggression though, both are very strong for when you need that extra round of combat damage, especially for like a Worldslayer proc. My play group super HATES on anything combo. From the way it looks that has a limit so its not inifinte, so I would likely have to think about it, and the way a friend said it, if debtor's knell lasts for even a single round while I have a MLD, Debtor's knell is likely going to stay longer because they have to deal with zurgo bashes and Debtor's knell. I will play test it and see. Depending on the ruling on Loxodon Warhammer though, that is a likely addition and then I can shove more do damage to myself effects.

Quote from jakalova »

I would probably overhaul the equipment package with Darksteel Plate, Loxodon Warhammer, Grappling Hook and Fireshrieker. Debtor's Knell is one of my favorite enchantments of all time, but the 7cmc and being a huge target make me wary to pick one up. However I do think Zurgo decks would benefit from Aggravated Assault and the combo of Spellbinder and Savage Beating. Since you have land tax Waves of Aggression may serve you well because of the retrace and essentially being Assault #2. If your group is into the infinite combo deals, then Sword of Feast and Famine is a must and goes infinite in the same way as Savagebinder combo.

Let no land be safe!

Quote from jakalova »

Now that I think about it I might take Narset apart and build Zurgo...

Hero's Downfall has been exchanged for Utter End. This is because for one more mana we have better control and its doesn't require two of the same mana to use, which makes it a little better.

Adding Archetype of Aggression in exchange for beacon of unrest. This is due to the 3 mana cost as well as getting a few more creatures and Archetypes general awesomeness.
Adding Stranglehold instead of Debtor's Knell. this is due again to the reduced mana cost and the control given.

Again the purpose of this deck is to hold people's arms down while Zurgo Laughs and Laughs and Laughs.

Upon more review of Loxodon Warhammer by jakalova, I have decided to add it in, I will however be adding it together with Erebos for more pain and general value.

As such here are the following changes.

Loxodon Warhammer in exchange for Trading Post
Erebos, God of the Dead in exchange for Rebuff the Wicked
Austere Command in exchange for Cauldron Haze

I don't run Debtor's Knell in my Zurgo deck but it might be worth considering with all the MLD as it basically wins if you can pass the turn with it out after blowing everything up.

Do you have enough gas without stuff like Read the Bones, Ambition's Cost, and Ancient Craving?

Savage Beating and Waves of Aggression have really pulled their weight for me. As have Seize the Day and Aurelia, the Warleader. They add that extra punch that sometimes people gamble on you not having. In the same vein, Psychotic Fury has been great. Blood Frenzy is one of my favorite multiplayer cards and this is the best deck I've played it in. An extra 4 or more damage if you need it, but occasionally your opponents attack each other too and then it's really fun.

My biggest problem has been having Zurgo stolen. It's annoying when he's killed, but not too bad. Getting him stolen is really annoying. That will depend on the amount of blue players and thievery you face though. I have yet to get him tucked, but that would be annoying as well.

Loxodon Warhammer does cause the creature's controller to gain life. If Assault Suit shenanigans are your plan, maybe O-Naginata is a better choice. You're also missing Tenza, Godo's Maul which is a powerful trample enabler.

I like how unabashedly hateful your deck is. Skull Rend is spot-on flavorwise (skull rend = helm smash) and really brings the pain too.

I have a few issues with stuff like Read the Bones, or spells that give you a one time draw don't give enough value. I am going to look into more combat phases after I play test what I currently have. Personally the deck is about keeping everyone else in a mire of sadness as Zurgo does his thing. Getting Zurgo stolen/tuck is a big issue. The good news is we have a TON of tutor in this deck. So you can just tutor for an exile or Zurgo. I will get some miles in on this hopefully soon, just unable to currently.