The main differences? I cut out the Enchanted Evening combo, as it's too risky in my playgroup (Merciless Eviction gets slung around easy) and in its place I run a single infinite turn combo. I also have a Linvala, who is brand new to the deck as of the time of this post. There's still some utility lands I need but most non-land cards are rigidly set in the deck.
Also, I think you're not really getting full value out of Grave Defiler, running only 21 Zombies. That's less than a one in four chance you'll hit with the Defiler, and he only digs four cards deep. Unless there's something I'm missing, you could probably exchange him for something more impactful.
You are missing that it is essentially a second way to run the [[Gray Merchant of Asphodel]] combo. [[Cloudstone Curio]] + [[Rooftop Storm]] + Gary wins the game so long as you have access to one more zombie (like maybe your general?). Defiler in place of Gary goes through your entire deck, adds every zombie in your deck to your hand, and finds Gary to drop and finish the game with. It essentially gets you more mileage out of Curio, which for me at least is only part of a single win con.
Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention I can find Containment Priest in a meta with a bunch of filthy cheaters (which is a crad I'd totally suggest using for the anti-cheaty nature). I do see the instant versus sorcery tutor problem (and I just don't have a Mystic Tutor yet :/), so I'll keep that in mind.
Back again. I've got a question for you: what do you think on using Muddle the Mixture? I like it for the options personally- either a tutor or counter. Not to mention if you've got a good stickable target you can go find the Scepter. I also run Grand Abolisher (as great protection and an alternate way to cast Omniscience), so he's a good target to pull up too. Anyway, what're your thoughts on it?
Why did you cut Thousand-Year Elixir? If you're running an infinite combo with Gisa and need haste, why cut out a card that untaps Grim in a creature-vacuum AND gives tap-haste? Sure, Akroma's Memorial beefs up your zombie wall, but if you're that focused on infinite combos, you should just keep the elixir over the memorial, since it serves a purpose like Fatestitcher and Minamo.
Also, why the heck do you run the artifact lands? You aren't yanking all artifacts from your library, you aren't tutoring for artifacts. Using artifact lands leaves you really vulnerable to Merciless Eviction and such. I know if I had one in my hand against you, I'd totally drop it on you. Not to mention so many of your win cons use artifacts, scrapping two of your lands is just icing. Unless you were using artifact recursion and Daretti-style artifact recycling, there's really no reason to add another way to break your land.
I personally run Nykthos in my Grand Arbiter Augustin IV hardcore enchantment control deck, but in that deck I might have Arbiter and 2-3 double-symbol enchantments on the field for a long time, so running Nyk there helps. I do agree with you on this topic though- from my experience running this deck as of late, you might have 5 devotion to black if you're lucky. It's not like we use Gray Merchant of Asphodel for huge devotion drops, it's for the reanimation value of even just a 2 life extort when he drops.
Sweet. Had an example I wanted to mention happen yesterday- friend of mine playing Yore-Tiller Nephilim EDH, basically a 4 color goodstuff. His army just keeps coming and I'm running out of steam to stop it, so I plop Rooftop Storm, no response, drop Havengul, grab Grimgrin from the GY and Sidisi, grab Gravecrawler from the deck, infinitely large Grim, tapped out on mana. Next turn, Havengul grabs Sidisi, get Diregraf Captain, win. Honestly, in my opinion, dump her into your graveyard at your earliest possible convenience, whether that means casting her, discarding, or Buried Alive. If oyu use her first tutor to grab Unholy Grotto, you basically win the game.
Have you considered Sidisi, Undead Vizier? I recently threw a deck similar to this together, and she is incredible. Simply play Sidisi to exploit herself, tutoring for anything. Then you can reanimate her several different ways since she is a zombie: for example Unholy Grotto. Also, Rooftop Storm and Havengul Lich turns into 1: search your deck for a card. Coffin Queen also can nab Sidisi out, then as Sidisi enters play she exploits herself. There are even more ways to bring her out for the free exploit- and even if she is countered, oh well- she's back in the grave, ready to be reused. Short of a Stifle on the exploit, she has so much value in this type of deck I see no reason why you haven't added her yet. From my limited expereince, a good combo deck likes a good, recyclable tutor to pull the pieces out at will, and she fits all that and more. (And in emergency situations, a 4/6 Deathtouch is never a bad choice- not to mention our general can throw her away to get reused once it's safe to again.)
Anyway, thanks for posting this- definitely put me on the right direction to get my zombie apocalypse started!
It's too late for not spending money on Maze, seeing as I already grabbed it. Doesn't matter though, free threat nullification makes so many players I know extremely sad. Then you Thespian Stage or Vesuva it...
Your thoughts on Norn's Annex are basically the exact same I've had every single time I look at it. I guess that frees up the slot for the Greater Auramancy I plan on buying eventually. I might post a full decklist later on when I'm not supposed to be studying, but thanks for now for the insight.
Oh yeah and I also wish you hadn't ever mentioned Maze of Ith. That was extra money I did NOT need to spend on 1 land...:p
I'm not sure if I simply missed it or not, but why don't you run Sphere of Safety? With as many enchantments as you run, it can easily get to 5-6 mana, not counting Ghostly Prison and Propaganda's additional 2. On a slightly related note, what is your thought on Norn's Annex?
Also what is your opinion on Angelic Arbiter? The way I see her, she deals damage and heavily cripples the threat power of opponents.
I'm playing a deck absed on guidlines you showed in here, and I am absolutely loving it so far.
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/all-rise-court-is-now-in-session/
The main differences? I cut out the Enchanted Evening combo, as it's too risky in my playgroup (Merciless Eviction gets slung around easy) and in its place I run a single infinite turn combo. I also have a Linvala, who is brand new to the deck as of the time of this post. There's still some utility lands I need but most non-land cards are rigidly set in the deck.
You are missing that it is essentially a second way to run the [[Gray Merchant of Asphodel]] combo. [[Cloudstone Curio]] + [[Rooftop Storm]] + Gary wins the game so long as you have access to one more zombie (like maybe your general?). Defiler in place of Gary goes through your entire deck, adds every zombie in your deck to your hand, and finds Gary to drop and finish the game with. It essentially gets you more mileage out of Curio, which for me at least is only part of a single win con.
Also, why the heck do you run the artifact lands? You aren't yanking all artifacts from your library, you aren't tutoring for artifacts. Using artifact lands leaves you really vulnerable to Merciless Eviction and such. I know if I had one in my hand against you, I'd totally drop it on you. Not to mention so many of your win cons use artifacts, scrapping two of your lands is just icing. Unless you were using artifact recursion and Daretti-style artifact recycling, there's really no reason to add another way to break your land.
Anyway, thanks for posting this- definitely put me on the right direction to get my zombie apocalypse started!
Oh yeah and I also wish you hadn't ever mentioned Maze of Ith. That was extra money I did NOT need to spend on 1 land...:p
Also what is your opinion on Angelic Arbiter? The way I see her, she deals damage and heavily cripples the threat power of opponents.
I'm playing a deck absed on guidlines you showed in here, and I am absolutely loving it so far.