This is my first, and possibly favourite decklist. It's built around the theme of some of my favourite characters in my favourite series of books - The Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson. Anyone who is into 'grimdark' fantasy, military fantasy or epic fantasy should give them a read - obviously, I strongly recommend. Bear in mind, however, that reading through this representation there are some spoilers present.
To provide some background to the picture I'm trying to paint, High House Shadow is one part of a pantheon of gods within the series. Shadowthrone is the name of the ruler of the house. He is new to his power, and is suspected to be the former emperor of the Malazan Empire, Kellanved, who was assassinated along with his second in command and master assassin, Dancer, after which his rule was usurped by the Empress Laseen - I've always seen Queen Marchesa as a good representation of Laseen FWIW. Shadowthrone is usually described as an ephemeral, cloaked figure wreathed in shadows, and is often seen with a cane. In character he is manipulative, shifty, incredibly clever, with ultimate goals unbeknownst to any but himself; he speaks in cryptic riddles and takes every chance he can to bend others to his will or snare them in his service. Needless to say, Lazav, Dimir Mastermind visually embodies this rather well - even mechanically, the similarity is strong.
He does have an accomplice, by the name of Cotillion, The Rope, Patron god of assassins. I don't have a specific card that embodies Cotillion here, but probably the closest visual representation in the deck is Shadowmage Infiltrator. Cotillion is usually described as nondescript, bland and ordinary features, but an air of lethality that bodes ill for any who would cross him. As can be implied from his nickname, his weapon of choice is the rope. The assassin is a theme I have tried to instill through the deck. There are a few assassin type creatures and a few rattlesnake type creatures in which the theme is implied. Some of them I would consider taking out for a better choice, but some of them are staying where they are as flavour wins.
Last but not least, these two ascendants are not the only beings within the realm of Shadow. Throughout the series, there are quite a few different characters revealed to be living within Shadow, including Demons, Hounds of Shadow, fallen ascendants or gods, and others. These are represented within the deck to the best of my abilities.
Beacon went to see Savra and got replaced. Avatar fits well enough another character and fills GYs for more Lazav targets. With some of the mechanisms here I should have no problem getting ten creatures to GYs.
This deck struggles more with colour fixing than pure ramp.
Umm, what about simple Dimir Signet, Fellwar Stone, Charcoal Diamond, Sky Diamond, Commander's Sphere to get ramp/colour fixing so your deck works better. Coldsteel Heart in theme? I have no frame of reference about theme but nothing is more frustrating that sitting there unable to play your (thematic) deck.
Looking at this wants me to put a Szadek deck together again...
Yeah these are all good suggestions. The signet is probably a good start, the sphere and fellwar I could probably squeeze in too. I try not to let theme affect manabase too much, so I'm not too worried there. It has been a while since this deck had any love though, so I should probably do a reassess.
Following from the previous post, I've added: Trepanation Blade - Almost certainly will be a winner. I can definitely make it connect. Commander's Sphere - For colour fixing Coldsteel Heart - Likewise.
And removed: Hedron Archive - The loss of draw is lamentable, but I seem to do ok with that. Harvester of Souls - It doesn't really fit ideally in this deck, and the curve could be lower. I lose some flavour, but what can you do? Avatar of Woe - Curve lowering. I'm unlikely to hit the cost reduction based on my deck requirements so out it goes.
Looking at options for extra flavour and character representation - Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder is basically Iskaral Pust but with thrulls instead of bhokarala.
Made some changes here - partially for flavour, partially to tighten the deck up a little and give it some direction:
In: Ash Barrens Barren Moor Polluted Mire Remote Isle Lonely Sandbar - Throwaway lands really fit the theme of a broken realm. Extra fixing and draw aren't to be scoffed at either. Myojin of Night's Reach - Heavy mana cost, but that discard is a game changer that works very well for Lazav - he fits the Edgewalker character better too. Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder - This guy IS Iskaral Pust minus a maniacal grin and those thrulls flinging leavings at passers by. Phyrexian Reclamation - This really evokes the Azath houses' grounds well - and it's a valuable tool too. Night's Whisper - Flavour add and fits on the Scepter. Victim of Night - Flavour add and fits on the Scepter. Murderous Cut - Flavour add, and also handy non-conditional instant speed removal. Hidden Strings - SUCH flavour, and pretty good utility too.
Out:
2 Island
2 Swamp Dramatic Reversal - Not a lot of use here. Spinal Embrace - So expensive. Tragic Slip - Conditional, and not flavoured correctly. Everflowing Chalice - Hesitant to remove rocks, but this needs to be abused to hold its place. Will likely seek to replace it with something more solid. Scythe of the Wretched - Just found I wasn't using this, same with below. Nim Deathmantle - See above. Clever Impersonator - I rue taking it out, it's a great card, but it fits better in other decks. Body Snatcher - It's good, but its one use and doesn't enitrely fit flavourfully.
All in all, pretty happy with this. The lore is getting dense, and I think generally this should play well.
Thanks! I've got a couple more changes to make. The scepter thing, there's really only one card I can see here that I wish could fit on the scepter and doesnt and that's Ponder. I'm happy to keep it for now, but if something better comes along I'll switch it out.
Truth be told I don't draw into it all that often. And without Fabricate it's luck of the draw (I'm not considering adding it either). It could go, as it's not crucial to the lore. Not sure if I have a spare Staff of Nin but there's bound to be a suitable replacement in my folder somewhere. It bears thinking about in any case. We'll call it a work in progress for now.
Have since addressed this issue - had a spare copy of Quicken in the folder, which will allow me some fun combat shenanigans, and added Chain of Vapor too. Took out Night's Whisper and Preordain. This still doesn't leave me a huge number of instants to imprint - could always add Doom Blade I guess, or Go for the Throat - much more likely to see a place - but for now I'm happy enough.
In: Unsubstantiate - Isochron target, fits thematically too. Ghost Quarter - This is basically Malaz City. Creepy, dangerous, and home to a bar run by a demon and a mad god.
Upped the clone game a little - recent sets have got a lot better in this respect and I like the combat options Identity Thief gives. The flavour is nice too. Some of the instant and sorcery spells I've moved out were a little conditional, although to be fair Cyclonic Rift. It's obviously excellent, but I sort of want it in another deck. What I've added is a few more draw options and library manipulation. I've never actually played Future Sight, so not sure how it will play out, but the deck has struggled for draw, so between this and Tomorrow's 'scry 3 each draw' I'm hoping this will even out some.
Yeap, been waiting to add this a little while. Yuriko is obviously strong, fits the theme well, plays well with other choices. Makes a great Apsalar, too.
Partially a curve reduction, partially better draw, and thematically a better representation of the habitants of the realm of Shadow. Functionally the Sire suits, too so that's nice.
Currently the deck is more or less thematically as good as I can manage it to be. I'd like to add Creeping Tar Pit at some point, the flavour is juicy there, and suits nicely. Phasing would kind of be a cool mechanic to introduce too - Teferi's Isle literally is Drift Avalii, maybe Vanishing could see a space. Thematically it would be good, functionally, I'm not sure.
This is my first, and possibly favourite decklist. It's built around the theme of some of my favourite characters in my favourite series of books - The Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson. Anyone who is into 'grimdark' fantasy, military fantasy or epic fantasy should give them a read - obviously, I strongly recommend. Bear in mind, however, that reading through this representation there are some spoilers present.
To provide some background to the picture I'm trying to paint, High House Shadow is one part of a pantheon of gods within the series. Shadowthrone is the name of the ruler of the house. He is new to his power, and is suspected to be the former emperor of the Malazan Empire, Kellanved, who was assassinated along with his second in command and master assassin, Dancer, after which his rule was usurped by the Empress Laseen - I've always seen Queen Marchesa as a good representation of Laseen FWIW. Shadowthrone is usually described as an ephemeral, cloaked figure wreathed in shadows, and is often seen with a cane. In character he is manipulative, shifty, incredibly clever, with ultimate goals unbeknownst to any but himself; he speaks in cryptic riddles and takes every chance he can to bend others to his will or snare them in his service. Needless to say, Lazav, Dimir Mastermind visually embodies this rather well - even mechanically, the similarity is strong.
He does have an accomplice, by the name of Cotillion, The Rope, Patron god of assassins. I don't have a specific card that embodies Cotillion here, but probably the closest visual representation in the deck is Shadowmage Infiltrator. Cotillion is usually described as nondescript, bland and ordinary features, but an air of lethality that bodes ill for any who would cross him. As can be implied from his nickname, his weapon of choice is the rope. The assassin is a theme I have tried to instill through the deck. There are a few assassin type creatures and a few rattlesnake type creatures in which the theme is implied. Some of them I would consider taking out for a better choice, but some of them are staying where they are as flavour wins.
Last but not least, these two ascendants are not the only beings within the realm of Shadow. Throughout the series, there are quite a few different characters revealed to be living within Shadow, including Demons, Hounds of Shadow, fallen ascendants or gods, and others. These are represented within the deck to the best of my abilities.
Without further ado, here is the list:
4 Lazav, Dimir Mastermind
Creatures
2 Invisible Stalker
2 Sygg, River Cutthroat
3 Vampire Nighthawk
3 Nighthowler
3 Shadowmage Infiltrator
3 Jace's Archivist
3 Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
3 Thada Adel, Acquisitor
4 Gonti, Lord of Luxury
4 Gigantoplasm
4 Evil Twin
4 Identity Thief
4 Ninja of the Deep Hours
4 Sakashima's Student
4 Stunt Double
5 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
5 Higure, the Still Wind
5 Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder
6 Dragonlord Silumgar
6 Vela the Night-Clad
6 Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
6 Archetype of Finality
6 Deepfathom Skulker
6 Dread
6 Sire of Stagnation
6 Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar
7 Lord of the Void
7 Silent-Blade Oni
7 Hollowborn Barghest
8 Myojin of Night's Reach
0 Everflowing Chalice
2 Fellwar Stone
2 Isochron Scepter
3 Kusari-Gama
2 Swiftfoot Boots
3 Commander's Sphere
3 Trepanation Blade
3 Whispersilk Cloak
4 Bident of Thassa
Enchantments
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
3 Dauthi Embrace
3 Underworld Connections
4 Dissipation Field
5 Fool's Demise
5 Future Sight
Instants
1 Opt
1 Brainstorm
2 Go for the Throat
2 Unsubstantiate
2 Lim-Dul's Vault
2 Impulse
2 Victim of Night
Sorceries
2 Hidden Strings
4 Ill-Gotten Gains
4 Whispering Madness
4 Ashen Powder
4 Aetherize
5 Murderous Cut
9 In Garruk's Wake
9 Plague Wind
3 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Lands
1 Watery Grave
1 Nephalia Drownyard
1 Submerged Boneyard
1 Temple of Deceit
1 Dimir Aqueduct
1 Ghost Quarter
1 Command Tower
1 Sunken Hollow
1 Maze of Shadows
1 Mystifying Maze
1 Ash Barrens
1 Barren Moor
1 Polluted Mire
1 Remote Isle
1 Lonely Sandbar
11 Swamp
14 Island
4 Lazav, Dimir Mastermind
Invoking the rites of Shadow
0 Everflowing Chalice
2 Isochron Scepter
3 Commander's Sphere
The tools of the Talons
2 Swiftfoot Boots
3 Trepanation Blade
3 Whispersilk Cloak
4 Bident of Thassa
Subtle Manipulations
3 Underworld Connections
4 Ill-Gotten Gains
5 Future Sight
Otataral
2 Fellwar Stone
4 Ashen Powder
Hands of the Talons
2 Invisible Stalker
3 Shadowmage Infiltrator
3 Jace's Archivist
4 Gigantoplasm
4 Evil Twin
4 Identity Thief
4 Ninja of the Deep Hours
4 Sakashima's Student
4 Stunt Double
5 Body Double
6 Archetype of Finality
7 Silent-Blade Oni
Azalan Demons
4 Necrotic Ooze
6 Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar
7 Lord of the Void
Aptorian Demons
6 Dread
6 Deepfathom Skulker
Korvalahrai Demon
6 Sire of Stagnation
The Hounds of Shadow
3 Nighthowler
7 Hollowborn Barghest
Scabandari Bloodeye
3 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Cotillion, The Rope - Patron of Assassins
4 Gonti, Lord of Luxury
3 Kusari-Gama
Sordiko Qualm - Queen of High House Shadow
6 Vela the Night-Clad
Apsalar - Assassin of High House Shadow
3 Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
Kalam Mekhar - Assassin of High House Shadow
5 Higure, the Still Wind
Vorcan Radok - Mistress of High House Shadow
6 Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
Iskaral Pust - Magus of High House Shadow
5 Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder
Kalse/Ampelas/Eloth
6 Dragonlord Silumgar
Ben Adaephon Delat
5 Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
Mebra
2 Sygg, River Cutthroat
Cutter/Crokus Younghand
3 Vampire Nighthawk
Edgewalker
8 Myojin of Night's Reach
Magery & Deception
1 Brainstorm
1 Opt
2 Lim-Dul's Vault
2 Hidden Strings
2 Impulse
2 Unsubstantiate
4 Aetherize
4 Whispering Madness
4 Dissipation Field
2 Victim of Night
2 Go for the Throat
3 Dauthi Embrace
5 Murderous Cut
9 In Garruk's Wake
9 Plague Wind
"They never did find the bodies"
1 Watery Grave
1 Nephalia Drownyard
1 Submerged Boneyard
5 Fool's Demise
The Temple of Shadow
1 Temple of Deceit
Malaz City and Smiley's Bar
1 Ghost Quarter
The Deadhouse & Azath Grounds
1 Dimir Aqueduct
1 Phyrexian Reclamation
Mock's Hold
1 Command Tower
The Shattered Realm of Kurald Emurlahn
1 Sunken Hollow
1 Maze of Shadows
1 Mystifying Maze
1 Ash Barrens
1 Barren Moor
1 Polluted Mire
1 Remote Isle
1 Lonely Sandbar
11 Swamp
14 Island
Mechanically I am open to suggestions if there are any, and I'm definitely interested in hearing thoughts regarding the deck in general.
Let me know what you guys think!
Thanks
Toc.
Avatar of Woe, Ashen Powder
Out
Cryptoplasm, Beacon of Unrest
Beacon went to see Savra and got replaced. Avatar fits well enough another character and fills GYs for more Lazav targets. With some of the mechanisms here I should have no problem getting ten creatures to GYs.
In: Dreamscape Artist
Out: Nether Spirit
Strict upgrade to some pretty decent ramp. Kind of fits the theme too.
Cemetery Puca
Out:
Sol Ring
This deck struggles more with colour fixing than pure ramp.
Umm, what about simple Dimir Signet, Fellwar Stone, Charcoal Diamond, Sky Diamond, Commander's Sphere to get ramp/colour fixing so your deck works better. Coldsteel Heart in theme? I have no frame of reference about theme but nothing is more frustrating that sitting there unable to play your (thematic) deck.
Looking at this wants me to put a Szadek deck together again...
In:
Open into Wonder
Out:
Dimir Charm
Should be a good draw. Plays nice with Sygg, River Cutthroat, Shadowmage Infiltrator, Deepfathom Skulker, Bident of Thassa. There seems to be a subtheme brewing of unblockability, which makes me wonder about adding Trepanation Blade. It would very much help make the most of Lazav's ability and fits the overall theme somewhat.
I've also tracked down Dimir Signet and a spare Commander's Sphere. They'll probably make their way in.
Following from the previous post, I've added:
Trepanation Blade - Almost certainly will be a winner. I can definitely make it connect.
Commander's Sphere - For colour fixing
Coldsteel Heart - Likewise.
And removed:
Hedron Archive - The loss of draw is lamentable, but I seem to do ok with that.
Harvester of Souls - It doesn't really fit ideally in this deck, and the curve could be lower. I lose some flavour, but what can you do?
Avatar of Woe - Curve lowering. I'm unlikely to hit the cost reduction based on my deck requirements so out it goes.
Still tracking down Dimir Signet.
In:
Necrotic Ooze
Out:
Stolen Identity
I maybe lose a little bit of flavour here, maybe not. Gaining a whole lot more utility though, there's quite a few activated abilities I can use.
Also looking at Go for the Throat, Murderous Cut and Victim of Night for removal. 2 of which are targets for Isochron Scepter, and all of which fill the assassin theme in some way.
In:
Ash Barrens
Barren Moor
Polluted Mire
Remote Isle
Lonely Sandbar - Throwaway lands really fit the theme of a broken realm. Extra fixing and draw aren't to be scoffed at either.
Myojin of Night's Reach - Heavy mana cost, but that discard is a game changer that works very well for Lazav - he fits the Edgewalker character better too.
Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder - This guy IS Iskaral Pust minus a maniacal grin and those thrulls flinging leavings at passers by.
Phyrexian Reclamation - This really evokes the Azath houses' grounds well - and it's a valuable tool too.
Night's Whisper - Flavour add and fits on the Scepter.
Victim of Night - Flavour add and fits on the Scepter.
Murderous Cut - Flavour add, and also handy non-conditional instant speed removal.
Hidden Strings - SUCH flavour, and pretty good utility too.
Out:
2 Island
2 Swamp
Dramatic Reversal - Not a lot of use here.
Spinal Embrace - So expensive.
Tragic Slip - Conditional, and not flavoured correctly.
Everflowing Chalice - Hesitant to remove rocks, but this needs to be abused to hold its place. Will likely seek to replace it with something more solid.
Scythe of the Wretched - Just found I wasn't using this, same with below.
Nim Deathmantle - See above.
Clever Impersonator - I rue taking it out, it's a great card, but it fits better in other decks.
Body Snatcher - It's good, but its one use and doesn't enitrely fit flavourfully.
All in all, pretty happy with this. The lore is getting dense, and I think generally this should play well.
In:
Dauthi Embrace
Maze of Shadows - Slight combo, and lots of theme.
Out:
Halimar Depths
Whispersilk Cloak - Turns out I'd doubled this up.
In:
Mystifying Maze
Plague Wind
Both fit mechanically, and the maze is a theme win.
Out:
Island
Grinning Totem
In:
Opt - Isochron suite.
Memory Plunder - Flavour win for Apsalar.
Out:
Hero's Downfall - Better used elsewhere. Flavour wasn't quite right.
Windfall - Not sure this is right to take out, but playtesting will tell.
In:
Unsubstantiate - Isochron target, fits thematically too.
Ghost Quarter - This is basically Malaz City. Creepy, dangerous, and home to a bar run by a demon and a mad god.
Out:
Coldsteel Heart
Dimir Guildgate
In:
Thada Adel, Acquisitor, Go for the Throat
Out:
Identity Thief, Rapid Hybridization
More assassin flavour. Thada Adel suits for someone helping to protect the throne of shadow. Should be fun to give her shadow with Dauthi Embrace too.
In:
Everflowing Chalice
Fellwar Stone
Ill-Gotten Gains
Identity Thief
Future Sight
Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar
Out:
Open Into Wonder
Shapesharer
Dreamscape Artist
Memory Plunder
Cyclonic Rift
Quicken
Upped the clone game a little - recent sets have got a lot better in this respect and I like the combat options Identity Thief gives. The flavour is nice too. Some of the instant and sorcery spells I've moved out were a little conditional, although to be fair Cyclonic Rift. It's obviously excellent, but I sort of want it in another deck. What I've added is a few more draw options and library manipulation. I've never actually played Future Sight, so not sure how it will play out, but the deck has struggled for draw, so between this and Tomorrow's 'scry 3 each draw' I'm hoping this will even out some.
In:
Dissipation Field
Swiftfoot Boots
Out:
Body Double
Necrotic Ooze
In:
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow
Out:
Cemetery Puca
Yeap, been waiting to add this a little while. Yuriko is obviously strong, fits the theme well, plays well with other choices. Makes a great Apsalar, too.
In:
Sire of Stagnation
Out:
Mindleech Mass
Partially a curve reduction, partially better draw, and thematically a better representation of the habitants of the realm of Shadow. Functionally the Sire suits, too so that's nice.
Currently the deck is more or less thematically as good as I can manage it to be. I'd like to add Creeping Tar Pit at some point, the flavour is juicy there, and suits nicely. Phasing would kind of be a cool mechanic to introduce too - Teferi's Isle literally is Drift Avalii, maybe Vanishing could see a space. Thematically it would be good, functionally, I'm not sure.