MTG Salvation

Well, first I'd like to say that I love this format. I feel it's fun to play and a challenge to break the field. Our LGS had hosted several TL tourney's that went very well. Then it simply died. We throw smaller tourney's here and there, (when we get enough) but nothing like it used to. I'd love to see this format take off again. Until then however I'll continue to play with the few people I currently play with. So here's my current list and pet deck. For years I played Mono Black Control in both Standard (when it was viable) and in EDH. I play Chainer, Dementia Master and had tons of fun with the deck. So this deck plays somewhat similarly to that list. So enter my Maga, Traitor to Mortals Tiny Leaders beast....



Not that i really have to explain but the most powerful cards are obviously the lands. It's really the only reason I have to run Cruel Tutor. Many times it searches for the Powerhouse's in Cabal Coffers and Volrath's Stronghold. Also why I run cards like Crucible of Worlds and Petrified Field. Having a Stronghold in play with either Fleshbag Marauder or Merciless Executioner against these Sword or Giest decks is laughable. Especially with an Arena in play.

The confidence I have in this list is unreal. I've had good results vs both control and aggro. Typically I can be as patient as I want as Maga is easily cast for 7-12 on a normal basis and he closes out games FAST. Cards like Fleshbag and the Marauder allow me to sometimes get greedy. Sacing Maga for another drain life cast.

I'd like to somehow move Thoughtseize to the main and add in a Virulent Plague to the Sideboard as there are a lot of Marath, Will of the Wild in our area.

Has there been any updates to this deck since April? I'm thinking of getting into tiny leaders because there's a nice group of players at my local store and I think this is a cool deck.

For example, would Torment of Hailfire be a good fit for this deck? Good for multiplayer and 1v1, good just like your other X cards but has more options. I was thinking you could replace either Mind Shatter or Consume Spirit. Maybe as a sideboard card if not in the main. Just seems like a really useful card that doesn't lose usefulness as a wincon because of the multiple modes.

This deck has no issue finishing out a game, so the issue with Torment of Hailfire is it's "role" isn't needed really in this list. While I've not looked at the list in well, a year it looks like. Mind Shatter is there for the crippling blow vs other control decks. Hailfire doesn't really do that. Also, my experience with HoT in Standard is it's terrible when you draw it when you are behind. Consume Spirit you can rock a creature that's beating on you and gain 5+ fairly easily.

Looking at my list the last changes i've made before retiring the deck was I took out the Cruel Tutor and added Thoughtseize to the Main deck and the added an Engineered Plague to the Sideboard.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Torment of Hailfire but I've played this deck a LOT and every card has it's purpose for existing in the 60. Not that i've tested anything in like a year but to that point the list was VERY well rounded.