Two back-to-back draft wins (4-3-2-2) relying on mostly black (with red splashes). Not surprising and often mentioned in this thread is the presence of Homicidal Seclusion in both decks. And it played a pivotal role in several games across both drafts.
As Bataleur mentioned, the strategy for both decks was essentially killing everything and then having the last man standing. Both decks have Soulcage Fiend, which may or may not be a mistake. Definitely awkward against RW, but did not mind against other decks.
The deck definitely has game. I first saw a version in the comments of an article discussing b/w tokens in block. From playtesting in the Magic Online 2-mans yesterday/today, Hellrider is by far the largest obstacle to this deck's success.
Against R-W tokens, I'm currently 1-3. Against the remainder of the field, i'm 10-3 (1-1 zombies, 5-1 gwb tokens, 2-0 self-mill, 2-1 BV (losing to one also using reanimator engine)
As for comparison to Burning Vengeance based decks, what I like about this deck compared to the BV decks is the non-reliance on enchantments, thus avoiding the continuing increasing in maindeck enchantment hate. This may change if recent rumors materialize.
Still working on the land counts and some of the details (card draw vs. fog effects)
I'll echo the above statements that I have never had an issue successfully completing a prize split in 8-4 queues. Though it is reliant on the "honor system," it seems, to me, that it is largely a non-issue.
FWIW, here is a deck that includes the Pike + Geist. I have not seen much of this deck in the 2 mans, but it could be a good shell to work from if anyone is looking to develop this with the new set.
I was going through some of the decklists from daily events on Magic Online to get ideas for constructing my sideboard, and I noticed a few players (decks looked same / mostly same, though) running Mental Misstep as a 2-of. Against which decks would this be brought in against? Is it to slow down Delvers and other 1cc creatures, or to protect against removal (Gut Shot, Virulent Would, etc.)
I'm also seriously considering MDing some Wolf Runs. Just to see what happens.
I faced a deck in the 2-mans on Magic Online doing this, and I found that it adds another layer of attack for the deck and turns usually innocuous dorks into legit threats.
Definitely worth giving it a shot if you can balance colored mana requirements of both it and the remainder of the deck
I've just started getting back into Magic lately and have been working on Block Constructed -- running mostly a variant of the self-mill decks floating around the daily events. I can also put together UR (like jon_12345's list) or G/W.
I'd be open to to some ISD testing. Modo name identical to forum.
As Bataleur mentioned, the strategy for both decks was essentially killing everything and then having the last man standing. Both decks have Soulcage Fiend, which may or may not be a mistake. Definitely awkward against RW, but did not mind against other decks.
Deck 1:
7 Mountain
1 Haunted Guardian
1 Blood Artist
1 Crypt Creeper
2 Butcher Ghoul
1 Falkenrath Exterminator
1 Demonic Taskmaster
1 Searchlight Geist
1 Soulcage Fiend
1 Archwing Dragon
1 Heir of Stromkirk
1 Polluted Dead
1 Maalfeld Twins
1 Pillar of Flame
1 Barter in Blood
1 Homicidal Seclusion
2 Grave Exchange
1 Thunderous Wrath
1 Killing Wave
2 Death Wind
2nd Deck:
5 Mountain
1 Haunted Guardian
1 Butcher Ghoul
1 Crypt Creeper
1 Soulcage Fiend
2 Bloodflow Connoisseur
1 Demonic Taskmaster
1 Driver of the Dead
1 Undead Executioner
2 Evernight Shade
1 Maalfeld Twins
2 Gang of Devils
1 Human Frailty
1 Necrobite
1 Lightning Prowess
1 Barter in Blood
1 Homicidal Seclusion
1 Grave Exchange
2 Death Wind
Against R-W tokens, I'm currently 1-3. Against the remainder of the field, i'm 10-3 (1-1 zombies, 5-1 gwb tokens, 2-0 self-mill, 2-1 BV (losing to one also using reanimator engine)
My version takes a slightly different approach, eschewing Secrets of the Dead and playing Archangel's Light
As for comparison to Burning Vengeance based decks, what I like about this deck compared to the BV decks is the non-reliance on enchantments, thus avoiding the continuing increasing in maindeck enchantment hate. This may change if recent rumors materialize.
Still working on the land counts and some of the details (card draw vs. fog effects)
4x Clinging Mists
4x Moonmist
2x Hysterical Blindness
2x Mystic Retrieval
3x Forbidden Alchemy
2x Think Twice
2x Increasing Confusion
1x Snapcaster Mage
4x Blasphemous Act
2x Desperate Ravings
3x Faithless Looting
2x Archangel's Light
1x Shimmering Grotto
2x Woodland Cemetery
4x Hinterland Harbor
4x Sulfur Falls
3x Clifftop Retreat
4x Evolving Wilds
1x Plains
1x Forest
1x Mountain
1x Island
1x Swamp
2x Nephalia Drownyard
3x Ray of Revelation
1x Ancient Grudge
2x Naturalize
3x Dissipate
1x Memory's Journey
1x Runic Replication
3x Brimstone Volley
1x Nevermore
I faced a deck in the 2-mans on Magic Online doing this, and I found that it adds another layer of attack for the deck and turns usually innocuous dorks into legit threats.
Definitely worth giving it a shot if you can balance colored mana requirements of both it and the remainder of the deck
I'd be open to to some ISD testing. Modo name identical to forum.