MTG Salvation

I've been reading tons of primers to try to find my best fit for my Dark Confidant's and Stoneforge Mystics. When I came across this deck, I thought it was cool so I started putting it together. I can use some help with the mana-base, sideboard and a few card choices. Take a look:

[I've been reading tons of primers to try to find my best fit for my Dark Confidant's and Stoneforge Mystics. When I came across this deck, I thought it was cool so I started putting it together. I can use some help with the mana-base, sideboard and a few card choices. Take a look:



I have read tons of primers on this deck, so I'm not looking for a cookie cutter explanation. I like to create my own decks in parallel with things that work, just with my own twist on them. I really like the idea of mana denial and after a successful tourney last Thursday using that strategy, I wan't to bring this deck there to hurt people.

My favorite cards are cards that can be what I need them to be when I need them to be. I love Deathrite Shaman because he is always useful. I like Zealous Persecution because it does more than one thing. So, points if you recommend cards like that. The other aspect I would like to watch out for is the low mana curve. I would like to include a big stompy dude like Tombstalker, but I don't want to take the hit if Bob is on the field.

Now, I'm going to list a bunch of cards that I have been mulling over for now. I just do not know what would come out of the main deck.

• Elbrus, The Binding Blade
  
• Raven's Crime
  
• Duress
  
• Unearth
  
• kor Duelist
  
• Vault Skirge
  
• Hammer of Ruin
  
• Diabolic Edict
  
• Grim Discovery
  
• Hymn to Tourach
  
• Malicious Affliction
  
• Sin Collector
  
• Syphon Life
  
• Sudden Death
  
• Unmake
  
• Snuff Out
  
• Necrotic Ooze
  
• Murderous Cut
  
• Needlebite Trap

Alright those are the cards that looked like they could be some fun in this deck. I own ever card here so that is why they are listed. I do have a small budget for this deck so recommendations would be great. Thanks a lot!

Why are you not playing a bayou?

This deck is pretty much Deadguy Ale. One of the funnest decks to play. If you like mana denial you might also want to check out Poxblade. It runs the Sinkholes and Vindicates you like, but you also get Smallpox.

My two cents, I would find a way to bump your Stoneforge Mystic and Dark Confidant up to four each. Also I'd bump Lingering Souls up to three. If you can find it in your budget your deck is screaming for Wasteland. Mother of Runes and Liliana of the Veil are gold btw.

If you are interested in my Deadguy Ale and Poxblade lists let me know.

@WeaponX- Why would I run a Bayou in a B/W deck?

@Laser Brains- Thanks for the suggestions. Right now, availability and pricing are my biggest concerns. Especially with Wastelands. I will eventually get more Dark Confidants and Stoneforge Mystics but I would like to find them at a better price before I soak more money into this. Lingering Souls is a very interesting card and I agree, I think I should be running 4 but what do I cut? Same with Mother of Runes. One of my favorite cards. I'm not a big fan of Planeswalkers to be honest. Maybe its the old school player in me. Lastly, I am very interested in both of your lists. Please post away!


I also think I should cut the Leonin Arbiter for Shadow of Doubt so his ability doesn't screw me up on the fetch lands and Stoneforge's tutor yet Ghost Quarter still becomes a Strip Mine and I get a card.

The Bayou is for Deathrite Shaman versatility.

I don't think I've ever used a Deathrite Shaman to gain life, but I can see what you're saying. Not enough people realize that with a Shaman and Bob down, thats a 5 turn clock. Hopefully I'll have other things on the field to make it even faster but I would definitely be using it to take 2 life before gaining 2. I'm hoping the Batterskull and the StP on Bob when necessary will gain me enough life.

@THElogic11 The first list is my own build but you can find more by googling Deadguy Ale. Typically this archetype is grindy but resilient.

Deadguy Ale (60)


The following deck is a monster and is considerably more unique and reliable than both Deadguy Ale and most Mono Black Pox decks. It is extremely disruptive and runs the land kill you like.

Poxblade (60)

@Silex Cut the Gatekeepers for what? Lingering Souls? Good call by the way, I didn't even think about how frustrated I would be with a Gatekeeper in hand and 2 black mana down. Would adding some Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth help the situation or nah?

@Laser Brains Thanks! You don't feel that the Angler hurts you with Bob down? Looks like Lingering Souls is where it's at.

There is a small chance he can hit you. He hasn't hit me yet. Funny you mention it though. This is my most recent addition to the deck so he's still in testing. I used to run Tombstalker though. They are essentially the same creature if you want to pay one more for his flying ability. I am liking him though.

Yes, Lingering Souls is my jam! You can can pitch them to Smallpox or if you've already cast it you can sac a token to Smallpox. It's really nice against counter magic too. Countering it is sort of moot. Also nice for taking down opponents Delvers and is awesome with Cabal Therapy as well. Cabal Therapy is also nice to pitch to Smallpox as you can still use it's flashback ability and great when you have a dangerous Bob in play that you need to get rid of. I pitch Stoneforge Mystic to it after I've used her ability too. There are a lot of synergies here. It's a deck I'm really proud of.

Quote from THElogic11 »

I don't think I've ever used a Deathrite Shaman to gain life, but I can see what you're saying. Not enough people realize that with a Shaman and Bob down, thats a 5 turn clock. Hopefully I'll have other things on the field to make it even faster but I would definitely be using it to take 2 life before gaining 2. I'm hoping the Batterskull and the StP on Bob when necessary will gain me enough life.

Green for Deathrite is more for the expanded graveyard hate than the life. Without green, Deathrite can't hose Reanimator (that deck targets big creature cards in the graveyard), can't hose Dredge as well (Deathrite can only profitably suck up Cabal Therapy/Dread Return/Faithless Looting with black mana only--what you really need gone from Dredge's yard are the Dredge cards, Narcomoeba, and Ichorid, which are all creatures), can't hose Tin Fins or Zombardment as well (both semi-fringe decks, but you never know), and lets opposing Deathrites suck up creatures with impunity.

Quote from Lectrys »

Quote from THElogic11 »

I don't think I've ever used a Deathrite Shaman to gain life, but I can see what you're saying. Not enough people realize that with a Shaman and Bob down, thats a 5 turn clock. Hopefully I'll have other things on the field to make it even faster but I would definitely be using it to take 2 life before gaining 2. I'm hoping the Batterskull and the StP on Bob when necessary will gain me enough life.

Green for Deathrite is more for the expanded graveyard hate than the life. Without green, Deathrite can't hose Reanimator (that deck targets big creature cards in the graveyard), can't hose Dredge as well (Deathrite can only profitably suck up Cabal Therapy/Dread Return/Faithless Looting with black mana only--what you really need gone from Dredge's yard are the Dredge cards, Narcomoeba, and Ichorid, which are all creatures), can't hose Tin Fins or Zombardment as well (both semi-fringe decks, but you never know), and lets opposing Deathrites suck up creatures with impunity.

Yeah you are right. Thanks for the help. I definitely need more practice against Dredge and Reanimator. My meta is mostly Affinity, Storm, Burn, Tribal garbage and Dark Depths shenanigans.

Okay, I've done some shopping. I found two Scrublands for $50 a clip which didn't hurt my pockets much. I also managed to grab another Stoneforge Mystic. I'll update my list:



I like the way it is coming together. Some questions I do have..

-How good can Fulminator Mage be in this deck? Worth the money?
-How much green mana should be splashed to give DRS the right stuff while maintaining a playable balance? Just a solo Bayou?
-I have one solo copy of Thoughtseize. Should I be running it over a copy of IoK?
-Should Crucible of Worlds or Ensnaring Bridge be in here?
-What type of Sideboard should I run? I like Surgical Extraction, Stony Silence to break up Affinity and Storm (or other combo). Anything else I should be worried about?
-Should I run a beater. Gatekeeper is no longer in the deck, so that eliminates our best attacker. Mirran Crusader or Stillmoon Cavalier seem like my best options. Or even Geralf's Messenger
-What is a more hateful card? Engineered Plague vs. Mutilate
-Other cards to think on: Enlightened Tutor, Ghostly Prison


Edit: More Questions

-Now that the mana base is fixed, should I keep Gatekeeper of Malakir

Took this deck to my Thursday night Legacy tourney at the spot. Went 1-2. Lost to Reanimator (2-0) and B/G Infect (2-1). Beat Pox (2-1). We were playing full-proxy unfortunately, so I was at a disadvantage to many players. However, I Revamped the sideboard. Added 2 Bayou and a Tasigur, The Golden Fang to the main deck after tonight. When I get home, I'll edit this post with the new deck list and sideboard. Still waiting on my copies of Shadow of Doubt, 1 copy of Stoneforge and 1 Scrubland so the deck is a bit off but the Crucible of Worlds worked like a charm. I also played with a solo copy of Utter End and the Thoughtseize that helped at times. Surgical Extraction and Stony Silence were by far the best sideboard hate I had with Phyrexian Revoker.

Thanks for all the help so far!