This deckbuild is being designed for multi, budget, casual, Vampire Tribal, Drain themed, EDH.
All my decks adhere to these guidelines:
1) Be able to win.
2) Be mostly true to a flavor and a theme.
3) Be good against one or multiple opponents.
5) Be fun to pilot or to play against and interactive.
6) Have multiple paths to victory.
7) Have lots of cool interactions and synergy.
8) Play out differently every game to keep it fun over a long time.
9) Be streamlined and fast to play without excessive upkeep, time-consuming play or overcomplicated boardstates.
10) Integrate the Commanders abilities into the strategy at least a little, but be able to win without ever playing the commander.
The number in front of the card will denote CMC of the creature/spell.
Yes, I know Cabal Coffers is a card I should be getting, but it's price is a large deterent at the moment, so it'll have to wait.
OUT >> IN
April 29 2012 Update: Vampiric Link >> Exquisite Blood: While Link had the unique ability of targeting your opponent's creature, working similar to the Commander release 'Vow' cards, it never packed enough punch. I'll gladly peel away from the vorthos equipment for the broken combo piece. Thank you MTG. Blade of the Bloodchief >> Dark Imposter: Small buff or targetable removal. Will try Dark Imposter and hope the 6 mana is achievable on a regular basis. Child of Night >> Blood Artist: I'll miss the lifelink, but get it in an alternate form. Swamp >> Prismatic Lens: Another manarock to try smooth the early game.
Pristine Talisman is the sneakiest, most unsuspecting tech I have ever seen that wins games. It's like starting the game with 50 life cause no one suspects that type of impact from a card like that. In my meta at least, 10 hp can be a game turner :).
Gauntlet of Power and Extraplanar Lens are both very tempting, though I think that I would stick with Nirkana Revenant if I wanted to add another mana doubler. Cost is another factor, as I don't want to put more than $10-15 more into this build. I was lucky with Caged Sun when it came out and bought 2 before the price on them rose.
Door of Destinies looks very tempting, but I think would shine more in a high creature based deck. With only 20 creatures currently, and odds are some more will be cut, I'm betting this guy won't find a home. Good suggestion though.
Lashwrithe and Nightmare Lash are also both very interesting and very powerful pieces of equipment. They compliment my lifegain creatures very nicely. Will add the later one for now....will consider the former if a slot opens up.
Played some rounds with the deck and overall I'm impressed with it's casual performance.
Details of one 3-man game in particular: Playing against Sygg, River Guide merfolk "taps" theme and Horde of Notions "Allies" themed decks.
Merfolk player proceeds to play Meekstone -.- and really limits the aggro board presense. Allies player never truely recovers and can't gain momentum as allies often should (perhaps this was my saving grace). I play Blood Seeker on turn 2, draining about 10 life from the merfolk player and 5 life from the allies player through the course of the match. I also put into play Hexmage Vampire enchanted with Vampiric Link and Child of Night. Doesn't seem stellar, but turn 5 I play Sanguine Bond and swing at the allies player, who has all his creatures tapped. Deal 4 dmg. Gain 4 life. Merfolk player loses 4 life. I repeat this process through several rounds, compounded with Malakir Bloodwitch coming into play turn 6, Exsanguinate being played turn 8, and Profane Command in my hand to recur the Bloodwitch when she died (which she was killed on turn 9). Not a fast game, but very good control.
Also had the oppertunity to try out Spine of Ish Sah in a game, and it turned out to be really nice. Love the synergy with Curse of the Cabal as another way to sac the Spine for recurrance.
Sangromancer earned a place of honor aswell, though I was playing against an Orzhov token build....so lot's of lifegain to be had. Didn't end up winning that game, but was fun to gain 30+ life just by defending.
Anyways, still welcome comments if anyone has them...
Since I do play a Bleeder Version Drana with a Vampire Subtheme I'd like to share some experiences I had playing the deck.
Try to get more draw/card advantage into the deck. Recently, when I played the deck I drew a fistful of cards with Well of Lost Dreams which fits perfectly into the theme and is a nice mini-combo with the talisman you're running. MVP however was Decree of Pain, which reset the board and drew me a dozen cards.
The massive draw led to a Demonic Tutor finding Sorin Markov followed by a Corrupt taking out one player, and almost killing another through Sanguine Bond. ... and Yawgmoth's Will let me do this again, despite Sorin getting killed after the first stunt.
All this was fueled by Cabal Coffers, which is definitely a great investment if you like playing mono black.
This is just a short recap to give you some ideas, what would be great inclusions in your list.
Since I do play a Bleeder Version Drana with a Vampire Subtheme I'd like to share some experiences I had playing the deck.
Try to get more draw/card advantage into the deck. Recently, when I played the deck I drew a fistful of cards with Well of Lost Dreams which fits perfectly into the theme and is a nice mini-combo with the talisman you're running. MVP however was Decree of Pain, which reset the board and drew me a dozen cards.
The massive draw led to a Demonic Tutor finding Sorin Markov followed by a Corrupt taking out one player, and almost killing another through Sanguine Bond. ... and Yawgmoth's Will let me do this again, despite Sorin getting killed after the first stunt.
All this was fueled by Cabal Coffers, which is definitely a great investment if you like playing mono black.
This is just a short recap to give you some ideas, what would be great inclusions in your list.
I'm curious as to where you're headed with your list!
Ardeyn
Good Morning
Thanks for the tips. I'll comment accordingly:
Yeah, I love the Well of Lost Dreams/Pristine Talisman minicombo too. Run it in my Darien, King of Kjeldor deck. Was seriously considering it for this build too, but only have one copy and I started to have to make budget cuts somewhere. Vampires can get pricey. Also, monoblack tends to theme gaining cards by 'losing' life...not 'gaining' life. I'm pretty vorthos and is why I adding Minions' Murmur instead. Might swap it for Well of Lost Dreams though if I'm not satisfied with it...
Alas, Decree of Pain is over budget for me. Everytime I look at a build that includes black, this card comes up. I'll get it one day...just not today...and tomorrow doesn't look likely either. Same goes for many of the others listed in your paragraph. Just can't justify the cash. Was looking at Sorin Markov since he's a vamp and all...but my meta hates the 'becomes 10' ability...and I'm against the 'mindslaver' ability...so I would be hypocrytical if I played it. Was hoping for the new Sorin to be monoblack for a second chance....but Wizards miffed that chance too.
Drana, Kalatria Bloodchief is most certainly a valued suggestion. I ended up cutting her for Bloodlord of Vaasgoth, but you're convincing me to make the swap back again. (I already purchased Vaasgoth )
Kalastria Highborn is a card I just don't understand. You need mana open to make any use out of it, and it only triggered when your creatures are affected. Blood Seeker is way better on the way it, and Falkenrath Noble is way more versatile, imo, on the way out. Am I missing some kind of combo or synergy with this guy that makes him so good?
Syphon Mind I pass on, not because it's not a good card cause it is, but because I often use my decks for 1vs1 casual play aswell. That turns this guy into too expensive an addition.
Ambition's Cost was in my original draft, but was cut for Minions' Murmur. A garenteed 3 cards for 4 mana...or potential of more for that same 4 mana (or less of course). I figured with Captivating Vampire I goal to have more bodies fielded, so that's my reasoning.
Plague Wind is a tempting choice no doubt, if not an expensive one. Just had a game where a Wrexial of the Risen Deep cheated a milled one into play. If I could cheat it easily, it would be included...but 9 mana means it's usually sits there unused.
As to where I am heading...I'm nearing the end of the road. The decklist can most certainly become more competitive by removing my budget restrictions. It's a matter of fine-tuning and achieving a solid build that can handle Aggro strategies as well as Control-Combo Strategies. I think I've suceeded in that goal as I've won more than I've lost with this deck...so far.
I'm hoping for some last minute additions from Dark Ascension....but it's becoming ever-increasingly less likely with all the good vamps released so far including red in their mana cost. Here's to hoping.
How has Bloodghast been for you? I have a set of them, I just haven't bothered in EDH 'cause I don't have any stax pieces, which seems to be where you usually find him. And speaking of Highborn, these two vamps plus that one mana scry vamp wizard was a mini-combo, at least in 60 card. Sac the ghast to scry, pay B for the Highborn, play a land and get the ghast back. Like I said on my build, I never saw Highborn and Falkenrath Noble as competing for the same spot, I just saw them as redundancy on different points of the curve.
2 things on your mana: I'm thinkin' I'll add Temple of the False Gods to my build, thanks for that :). And, 36 just seems low to me, especially with 7+ mana spells. Maybe I just need to slot in some draw over a land in my build...
How has Bloodghast been for you? I have a set of them, I just haven't bothered in EDH 'cause I don't have any stax pieces, which seems to be where you usually find him. And speaking of Highborn, these two vamps plus that one mana scry vamp wizard was a mini-combo, at least in 60 card. Sac the ghast to scry, pay B for the Highborn, play a land and get the ghast back. Like I said on my build, I never saw Highborn and Falkenrath Noble as competing for the same spot, I just saw them as redundancy on different points of the curve.
2 things on your mana: I'm thinkin' I'll add Temple of the False Gods to my build, thanks for that :). And, 36 just seems low to me, especially with 7+ mana spells. Maybe I just need to slot in some draw over a land in my build...
Haven't had enough experiance with Bloodghast yet. Thought it would be a good thing to have as a sac option, with all the sac effects that I have, but just hasn't come up much yet.
Pending price, Dark Imposter is definately getting a slot. Probably the guy that's getting cut is Bloodlord of Vaasgoth. It's just too hard to get my deck to utilize the bloodthirst properly....he belongs in Olivia.
I never had much problem with my mana base. If I were to change, I'd try for a few more mana-rocks just to increase my tempo. And get a Cabal Coffers of course....but that's out of my budget.
What do you think of Blood Artist? Could make for a good replacement instead of Kalastria Highborn. The effect is just as strong, but you don't have to worry about paying the B all the time.
Why do you numerate cards in deck like that? It's very bad because I can't import such deck. Please dont do it.
Also if you have 30 swamps in the deck, you get 101 card.
Why do you numerate cards in deck like that? It's very bad because I can't import such deck. Please dont do it.
Also if you have 30 swamps in the deck, you get 101 card.
I numerate cards like this so that I and those viewing my build can visualize my curve easier. Others do this aswell, and it's a growing trend. Get used to it.
The deck isn't meant to be imported so you can cockatrice it or whatever online. It's meant to be collected and built. Talked about and discussed. Enjoyed and played with.
Thanks for pointing out a possible extra card....I'll look into it.
Cavern of Souls is way out of budget and not even released yet. Couldn't add it to my deck, even if I wanted to.
Hall of the Bandit Lord is a good thought, though I only have 1 copy of that card and it's going into my Intet 'go big or go home' build.
I numerate cards like this so that I and those viewing my build can visualize my curve easier. Others do this aswell, and it's a growing trend. Get used to it.
The deck isn't meant to be imported so you can cockatrice it or whatever online. It's meant to be collected and built. Talked about and discussed. Enjoyed and played with.
Thanks for pointing out a possible extra card....I'll look into it.
Cavern of Souls is way out of budget and not even released yet. Couldn't add it to my deck, even if I wanted to.
Hall of the Bandit Lord is a good thought, though I only have 1 copy of that card and it's going into my Intet 'go big or go home' build.
Or, we could numerate it like we do on this site so we don't have to jump between multiple sites. And to make it harder for someone to netdeck us, of course :p. lol
On topic...I don't remember if we've talked about this, but I feel that Lashwrithe is a much superior card to the original one. It comes in with the germ, so it's automatically a threat, and you can mix and match the cost you pay to equip it. No mana? Pay some life. Split it, since it's early game? No problemo. Have the mana? Pay a simple BB and you're golden.
Or, we could numerate it like we do on this site so we don't have to jump between multiple sites. And to make it harder for someone to netdeck us, of course :p. lol
On topic...I don't remember if we've talked about this, but I feel that Lashwrithe is a much superior card to the original one. It comes in with the germ, so it's automatically a threat, and you can mix and match the cost you pay to equip it. No mana? Pay some life. Split it, since it's early game? No problemo. Have the mana? Pay a simple BB and you're golden.
Yeah, I was strongly considering that guy but decided to go with the classic since I owned neither. Would love to include it aswell, but there are only 100 slots.
Alrighty. Cards are ordered and an update is imbound for this deck. So far, I'll looking at doing the following:
Vampiric Link >> Exquisite Blood: While Link had the unique ability of targeting your opponent's creature, working similar to the Commander release 'Vow' cards, it never packed enough punch. I'll gladly peel away from the vorthos equipment for the broken combo piece. Thank you MTG. Blade of the Bloodchief >> Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Small buff or utility control. I believe Drana will be better suited for this deck. Sign in Blood >> Dark Imposter: Small card draw versus targetable removal. Will try Dark Imposter and hope the 6 mana is achievable on a regular basis. Child of Night >> Blood Artist: I'll miss the lifelink, but get it in an alternate form. Swamp >> Prismatic Lens: Another manarock to try smooth the early game.
I know this ups the mana curve a little more...can't see to get around it. Looked at other mana rocks, but seems like there are not many to pick from that are within a budget.
I welcome comments and suggestions. See original post for decklist.
I run with vampire tribal but use Olivia Voldaren as my commander. Have you thought of using her? There are some good red vampires like Markov Blademaster and Rakish Heir. Plus Olivia costs less than Anawon. Just a suggestion
I run with vampire tribal but use Olivia Voldaren as my commander. Have you thought of using her? There are some good red vampires like Markov Blademaster and Rakish Heir. Plus Olivia costs less than Anawon. Just a suggestion
Or you could be like me and run both mono black and BR vamps :D.
Not to mention that going multicolor bends the budget over the furniture and labors away exhaustively at its upper thigh region.
I've finally obtained a copy of Vampire Nocturnus (amongst other cards) and have gladly inserted it into my build.
Turns out that, during an RtR draft, I picked up two copies of Sphinx's Revelation, one of which was foil. They're selling like hotcakes, XD, so I traded mine in for some wishlist cards I've been waiting a looonnggg time for. I'm happy.
This deckbuild is being designed for multi, budget, casual, Vampire Tribal, Drain themed, EDH.
All my decks adhere to these guidelines:
1) Be able to win.
2) Be mostly true to a flavor and a theme.
3) Be good against one or multiple opponents.
5) Be fun to pilot or to play against and interactive.
6) Have multiple paths to victory.
7) Have lots of cool interactions and synergy.
8) Play out differently every game to keep it fun over a long time.
9) Be streamlined and fast to play without excessive upkeep, time-consuming play or overcomplicated boardstates.
10) Integrate the Commanders abilities into the strategy at least a little, but be able to win without ever playing the commander.
The number in front of the card will denote CMC of the creature/spell.
4 Erebos, God of the Dead
//Planeswalker (1)
5 Liliana Vess
//Vampires (24)
1 Indulgent Aristocrat
2 Blood Artist
2 Blood Seeker
2 Gatekeeper of Malakir
3 Dark Impostor
3 Yahenni, Undying Partisan
3 Bloodhusk Ritualist
3 Captivating Vampire
3 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Vampire Nocturnus
4 Falkenrath Noble
4 Sangromancer
4 Sanctum Seeker
4 Bloodline Keeper
0 Lord of Lineage
5 Malakir Bloodwitch
5 Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
5 Bloodlord of Vaasgoth
6 Nirkana Revenant
6 Ascendant Evincar
6 Necropolis Regent
6 Patron of the Vein
6 Thief of Blood
7 Butcher of Malakir
2 Metallic Mimic
4 Crypt Ghast
5 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
//Card Advantage(7)
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
2 Animate Dead
2x Damnable Pact
3 Phyrexian Arena
4 Dread Return
5 Beacon of Unrest
5 Promise of Power
//Drain (6)
2x Exsanguinate
2x Profane Command
4 Grave Pact
5 Sanguine Bond
6 Blood Tribute
6 Wound Reflection
//Control (11)
2 Feast of Blood
2 Go for the Throat
2 Urge to Feed
3 Murder
3 Arterial Flow
4 New Blood
4 Mutilate
6 Deadly Tempest
7 Scour from Existence
7 Spine of Ish Sah
8 Decree of Pain
1 Blade of the Bloodchief
3 Quietus Spike
4 Lashwrithe
4 Nightmare Lash
//Ramp (8)
1 Sol Ring
2 Jet Medallion
2 Sword of the Animist
3 Bontu's Monument
3 Worn Powerstone
3 Pristine Talisman
4 Paradise Plume
6 Caged Sun
//Lands (36)
24 Swamp
0 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
0 Cabal Stronghold
0 Bojuka Bog
0 Phyrexia's Core
0 Rogue's Passage
0 Reliquary Tower
0 Shizo, Death's Storehouse
0 Temple of the False God
0 Myriad Landscape
0 Terrain Generator
0 Hall of the Bandit Lord
0 Spawning Pool
100 cards so far...
Comments & Suggestions always welcome!
Yes, I know Cabal Coffers is a card I should be getting, but it's price is a large deterent at the moment, so it'll have to wait.
OUT >> IN
April 29 2012 Update:
Vampiric Link >> Exquisite Blood: While Link had the unique ability of targeting your opponent's creature, working similar to the Commander release 'Vow' cards, it never packed enough punch. I'll gladly peel away from the vorthos equipment for the broken combo piece. Thank you MTG.
Blade of the Bloodchief >> Dark Imposter: Small buff or targetable removal. Will try Dark Imposter and hope the 6 mana is achievable on a regular basis.
Child of Night >> Blood Artist: I'll miss the lifelink, but get it in an alternate form.
Swamp >> Prismatic Lens: Another manarock to try smooth the early game.
May 20 2012 Update:
Sign in Blood >> Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Small card draw versus utility control. I believe Drana will be better suited for this deck.
Bloodlord of Vaasgoth >> Swamp: Just wasn't working out that well...
June 13 2012 Update:
Suffer the Past >> Swamp: Just wasn't ever doing anything for me.
August 17 2012 Update:
Swamp >> Paradise Plume: Another mana rock that grants lifegain benefit.
Praetor's Grasp >> Dauthi Embrace
Nov 1 2012 Update:
Chancellor of the Dross >> Necropolis Regent
Dec 18 2012 Update:
Swamp >> Shizo, Death's Storehouse
Swamp >> Vampire Nocturnus
Feb 4 2013 Update:
Prismatic Lens >> Shadow Alley Denizen
Bloodchief Ascension >> Black Sun's Zenith
Mar 1 2013 Update:
NEW GENERAL: Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
Imp's Mischief >> Rend Flesh
Anowon, the Ruin Sage >> Bloodlord of Vaasgoth
Innocent Blood >> Murder
Bloodghast >> Moonlight Bargain
May 22 2013 Update:
Ascendant Evincar >> Crypt Ghast
Swamp >> Rogue's Passage
Aug 31 2013 Update:
Grave Pact >> Well of Lost Dreams
Crypt of Agadeem >> Swamp
Nov 8 2013 Update:
Bloodlord of Vaasgoth >> Decree of Pain
July 18 2015:
Shameless bump. This decklist is still active; I've just hadn't felt the need to tweak it at all yet.
Sept 15 2015:
Oblivion Stone >> Dictate of Erebos
Jan 26 2016:
Demonic Collusion >> Ascendant Evincar
Markov Patrician >> Bloodlord of Vaasgoth - 3rd times the charm?
April 14 2016:
Black Sun's Zenith >> Life's Finale - wanted -1/-1 counter theme for my Glissa deck...
Swamp >> Blighted Fen
Quag Vampires >> Indulgent Aristocrat
July 4 2016:
Dauthi Embrace >> Lashwrithe
Mirri the Cursed >> Anowon, the Ruin Sage
Curse of the Cabal >> Grip of Desolation
Painful Quandary >> Blade of the Bloodchief
Mind Shatter >> Worn Powerstone
July 15 2016:
Pawn of Ulamog >> Sword of the Animist
Anowon, the Ruin Sage >> Thief of Blood
Victimize >> Deadly Tempest
Grip of Desolation >> Urge to Feed
Sept 7 2016:
Well of Lost Dreams >> Chancellor of the Dross
Dec 3 2016:
Minions' Murmurs >> Damnable Pact
Rend Flesh >> Curtains' Call
Tendrils of Corruption >> Languish
Chancellor of the Dross >> Erebos, God of the Dead ** NEW GENERAL **
Swamp >> Myriad Landscape
Swamp >> Hall of the Bandit Lord
Feb 13 2017:
Moonlight Bargain >> Jet Medallion
May 4 2017:
Geth's Verdict >> Swamp
Barter in Blood >> Yahenni, Undying Partisan
Vampire Hexmage >> Metallic Mimic
Beseech the Queen >> Animate Dead
Diabolic Tutor >> Increasing Ambition
Consuming Vapors >> Scour from Existence
Everflowing Chalice >> Bontu's Monument
Curtain's Call >> Swamp
Basilisk Collar >> Phyrexian Reclamation
Aug 31 2017:
Thief of Blood >> Patron of the Vein
Tribute to Hunger >> New Blood
Oct 5 2017:
Shadow Alley Denizen >> Sanctum Seeker
Life's Finale >> Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Jan 23 2018:
Dictate of Erebos >> Grave Pact
Languish >> Arterial Flow
April 28 2018:
Buried Ruin >> Cabal Stronghold
June 19 2018:
Increasing Ambition >> Nirkana Revenant
Exquisite Blood >> Thief of Blood (removing the infinite combo)
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
UWGRBSliver Queen Control p=8329402#post8329402
RBUWG Slivers http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=363247 RETIRED
G Omnath http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=7428848#post7428848
Legacy
0 Cheerios
Thanks for the post.
Pristine Talisman is the sneakiest, most unsuspecting tech I have ever seen that wins games. It's like starting the game with 50 life cause no one suspects that type of impact from a card like that. In my meta at least, 10 hp can be a game turner :).
Gauntlet of Power and Extraplanar Lens are both very tempting, though I think that I would stick with Nirkana Revenant if I wanted to add another mana doubler. Cost is another factor, as I don't want to put more than $10-15 more into this build. I was lucky with Caged Sun when it came out and bought 2 before the price on them rose.
Door of Destinies looks very tempting, but I think would shine more in a high creature based deck. With only 20 creatures currently, and odds are some more will be cut, I'm betting this guy won't find a home. Good suggestion though.
Lashwrithe and Nightmare Lash are also both very interesting and very powerful pieces of equipment. They compliment my lifegain creatures very nicely. Will add the later one for now....will consider the former if a slot opens up.
Thanks for the input!
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Okay, Did a little revamping and tweaking to the build. Check it out in the OP.
I welcome comments and suggestions.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Played some rounds with the deck and overall I'm impressed with it's casual performance.
Details of one 3-man game in particular: Playing against Sygg, River Guide merfolk "taps" theme and Horde of Notions "Allies" themed decks.
Merfolk player proceeds to play Meekstone -.- and really limits the aggro board presense. Allies player never truely recovers and can't gain momentum as allies often should (perhaps this was my saving grace). I play Blood Seeker on turn 2, draining about 10 life from the merfolk player and 5 life from the allies player through the course of the match. I also put into play Hexmage Vampire enchanted with Vampiric Link and Child of Night. Doesn't seem stellar, but turn 5 I play Sanguine Bond and swing at the allies player, who has all his creatures tapped. Deal 4 dmg. Gain 4 life. Merfolk player loses 4 life. I repeat this process through several rounds, compounded with Malakir Bloodwitch coming into play turn 6, Exsanguinate being played turn 8, and Profane Command in my hand to recur the Bloodwitch when she died (which she was killed on turn 9). Not a fast game, but very good control.
Also had the oppertunity to try out Spine of Ish Sah in a game, and it turned out to be really nice. Love the synergy with Curse of the Cabal as another way to sac the Spine for recurrance.
Sangromancer earned a place of honor aswell, though I was playing against an Orzhov token build....so lot's of lifegain to be had. Didn't end up winning that game, but was fun to gain 30+ life just by defending.
Anyways, still welcome comments if anyone has them...
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Since I do play a Bleeder Version Drana with a Vampire Subtheme I'd like to share some experiences I had playing the deck.
Try to get more draw/card advantage into the deck. Recently, when I played the deck I drew a fistful of cards with Well of Lost Dreams which fits perfectly into the theme and is a nice mini-combo with the talisman you're running. MVP however was Decree of Pain, which reset the board and drew me a dozen cards.
The massive draw led to a Demonic Tutor finding Sorin Markov followed by a Corrupt taking out one player, and almost killing another through Sanguine Bond. ... and Yawgmoth's Will let me do this again, despite Sorin getting killed after the first stunt.
All this was fueled by Cabal Coffers, which is definitely a great investment if you like playing mono black.
This is just a short recap to give you some ideas, what would be great inclusions in your list.
Also good cards in a (draining) vampire build are:
Drana, Kalatria Bloodchief(removal on a stick), Kalastria Highborn, Patriarch's Bidding, Syphon Mind (which happens to work great with the surprisingly good Sangromancer), Ambition's Cost, Plague Wind and Enslave (for those opposing generals, indestructibles or other creatures that are nice to have).
I'm curious as to where you're headed with your list!
Ardeyn
Good Morning
Thanks for the tips. I'll comment accordingly:
Yeah, I love the Well of Lost Dreams/Pristine Talisman minicombo too. Run it in my Darien, King of Kjeldor deck. Was seriously considering it for this build too, but only have one copy and I started to have to make budget cuts somewhere. Vampires can get pricey. Also, monoblack tends to theme gaining cards by 'losing' life...not 'gaining' life. I'm pretty vorthos and is why I adding Minions' Murmur instead. Might swap it for Well of Lost Dreams though if I'm not satisfied with it...
Alas, Decree of Pain is over budget for me. Everytime I look at a build that includes black, this card comes up. I'll get it one day...just not today...and tomorrow doesn't look likely either. Same goes for many of the others listed in your paragraph. Just can't justify the cash. Was looking at Sorin Markov since he's a vamp and all...but my meta hates the 'becomes 10' ability...and I'm against the 'mindslaver' ability...so I would be hypocrytical if I played it. Was hoping for the new Sorin to be monoblack for a second chance....but Wizards miffed that chance too.
Drana, Kalatria Bloodchief is most certainly a valued suggestion. I ended up cutting her for Bloodlord of Vaasgoth, but you're convincing me to make the swap back again. (I already purchased Vaasgoth
Kalastria Highborn is a card I just don't understand. You need mana open to make any use out of it, and it only triggered when your creatures are affected. Blood Seeker is way better on the way it, and Falkenrath Noble is way more versatile, imo, on the way out. Am I missing some kind of combo or synergy with this guy that makes him so good?
Syphon Mind I pass on, not because it's not a good card cause it is, but because I often use my decks for 1vs1 casual play aswell. That turns this guy into too expensive an addition.
Ambition's Cost was in my original draft, but was cut for Minions' Murmur. A garenteed 3 cards for 4 mana...or potential of more for that same 4 mana (or less of course). I figured with Captivating Vampire I goal to have more bodies fielded, so that's my reasoning.
Plague Wind is a tempting choice no doubt, if not an expensive one. Just had a game where a Wrexial of the Risen Deep cheated a milled one into play. If I could cheat it easily, it would be included...but 9 mana means it's usually sits there unused.
As to where I am heading...I'm nearing the end of the road. The decklist can most certainly become more competitive by removing my budget restrictions. It's a matter of fine-tuning and achieving a solid build that can handle Aggro strategies as well as Control-Combo Strategies. I think I've suceeded in that goal as I've won more than I've lost with this deck...so far.
I'm hoping for some last minute additions from Dark Ascension....but it's becoming ever-increasingly less likely with all the good vamps released so far including red in their mana cost. Here's to hoping.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
You thinking about adding Dark Imposter? Maybe over Child of Night, since Markov Patrician is slightly stronger?
2 things on your mana: I'm thinkin' I'll add Temple of the False Gods to my build, thanks for that :). And, 36 just seems low to me, especially with 7+ mana spells. Maybe I just need to slot in some draw over a land in my build...
--- Meren of Clan Nel Toth --- Jhoira of the Ghitu --- Prime Speaker Zegana ---
--- Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief --- Ghoulcaller Gisa --- Akroma, Angel of Fury --- Titania, Protector of Argoth ---
Haven't had enough experiance with Bloodghast yet. Thought it would be a good thing to have as a sac option, with all the sac effects that I have, but just hasn't come up much yet.
Pending price, Dark Imposter is definately getting a slot. Probably the guy that's getting cut is Bloodlord of Vaasgoth. It's just too hard to get my deck to utilize the bloodthirst properly....he belongs in Olivia.
I never had much problem with my mana base. If I were to change, I'd try for a few more mana-rocks just to increase my tempo. And get a Cabal Coffers of course....but that's out of my budget.
What do you think of Blood Artist? Could make for a good replacement instead of Kalastria Highborn. The effect is just as strong, but you don't have to worry about paying the B all the time.
Thanks for checking out the list.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
--- Meren of Clan Nel Toth --- Jhoira of the Ghitu --- Prime Speaker Zegana ---
--- Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief --- Ghoulcaller Gisa --- Akroma, Angel of Fury --- Titania, Protector of Argoth ---
Also if you have 30 swamps in the deck, you get 101 card.
I numerate cards like this so that I and those viewing my build can visualize my curve easier. Others do this aswell, and it's a growing trend. Get used to it.
The deck isn't meant to be imported so you can cockatrice it or whatever online. It's meant to be collected and built. Talked about and discussed. Enjoyed and played with.
Thanks for pointing out a possible extra card....I'll look into it.
Cavern of Souls is way out of budget and not even released yet. Couldn't add it to my deck, even if I wanted to.
Hall of the Bandit Lord is a good thought, though I only have 1 copy of that card and it's going into my Intet 'go big or go home' build.
Thanks for the suggestions.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
You can use deck http://deckstats.net/ to visualize, it would be much better.
Or, we could numerate it like we do on this site so we don't have to jump between multiple sites. And to make it harder for someone to netdeck us, of course :p. lol
On topic...I don't remember if we've talked about this, but I feel that Lashwrithe is a much superior card to the original one. It comes in with the germ, so it's automatically a threat, and you can mix and match the cost you pay to equip it. No mana? Pay some life. Split it, since it's early game? No problemo. Have the mana? Pay a simple BB and you're golden.
--- Meren of Clan Nel Toth --- Jhoira of the Ghitu --- Prime Speaker Zegana ---
--- Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief --- Ghoulcaller Gisa --- Akroma, Angel of Fury --- Titania, Protector of Argoth ---
Yeah, I was strongly considering that guy but decided to go with the classic since I owned neither. Would love to include it aswell, but there are only 100 slots.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Vampiric Link >> Exquisite Blood: While Link had the unique ability of targeting your opponent's creature, working similar to the Commander release 'Vow' cards, it never packed enough punch. I'll gladly peel away from the vorthos equipment for the broken combo piece. Thank you MTG.
Blade of the Bloodchief >> Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief: Small buff or utility control. I believe Drana will be better suited for this deck.
Sign in Blood >> Dark Imposter: Small card draw versus targetable removal. Will try Dark Imposter and hope the 6 mana is achievable on a regular basis.
Child of Night >> Blood Artist: I'll miss the lifelink, but get it in an alternate form.
Swamp >> Prismatic Lens: Another manarock to try smooth the early game.
I know this ups the mana curve a little more...can't see to get around it. Looked at other mana rocks, but seems like there are not many to pick from that are within a budget.
I welcome comments and suggestions. See original post for decklist.
Thanks
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Or you could be like me and run both mono black and BR vamps :D.
Not to mention that going multicolor bends the budget over the furniture and labors away exhaustively at its upper thigh region.
--- Meren of Clan Nel Toth --- Jhoira of the Ghitu --- Prime Speaker Zegana ---
--- Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief --- Ghoulcaller Gisa --- Akroma, Angel of Fury --- Titania, Protector of Argoth ---
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
I've finally obtained a copy of Vampire Nocturnus (amongst other cards) and have gladly inserted it into my build.
Turns out that, during an RtR draft, I picked up two copies of Sphinx's Revelation, one of which was foil. They're selling like hotcakes, XD, so I traded mine in for some wishlist cards I've been waiting a looonnggg time for. I'm happy.
Also tossed in a copy of Shizo, Death's Storehouse and Necropolis Regent
Please feel free to peruse my deck and offer up any 'cut' suggestions, as I am always on the lookout for fine-tuning.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
Maybe you should take another look at my deck. Cards are listed and combo is listed in deck synergies.
Thanks for coming out.
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU
ouch... I read my previous reply and it looks really mean. I apologize if you took it that way as that was never my intent.
Small update:
Prismatic Lens >> Shadow Alley Denizen
Wow. I think Shadow Alley Denizen has some STRONG potential here. Could even become 'hidden gem' worthy.
Thoughts?
| B Erebos, God of VampiresB | GYeva SmashG | RBosh ArtifactsR | GURAnimar +1 BeatsGUR | RBVial's Secret Hot SauceRB | UBRNekusar, Draw if you DareUBR | RGBDarigaaz'z DragonsRGB | GBSlimeFEETGB | UBOn-Hit LazavUB | URBrudiclad's Artificer InventionsUR | GUBMuldrotha's ElementalsGUB | WUGKestia's EnchantmentsWUG | GUTatyova - Draw, Land, Go!GU | WGArahbo's EquipmentWG | BUWVarina's ZOMBIE HORDESBUW | WLyra's Angelic SalvationW | WBChurch of TeysaWB | UAzami...WizardsU