This is my longest running deck and properly the second EDH deck I ever build. A lot have changed since then. Both my knowledge of MtG generally and the cardpool have improved. I was inspirered to build this deck for my love of Pox and had Geth, Lord of the Vault as its commander. The idea was to disrupt everything and everyone, play Geth and steal something from the yards to close the game. Not a totally solid plan, and when we got Erebos, God of the Dead it was an easy swap. Erebos provides card advantage from the commandzone and will potentially make all the handdisruption asmymetrical.
Usually the mana is fine. It's mostly for multiplayer, and the deck isn't hated from the beginning. I'll admit that 35 mana is a bit low, but i hate drawing unusable mana late-game
The Ritual is an all time nostalgic favourite, which also help to empty my hand early game/when using pox. Saw your Erebos-deck, have you been able to test the deck yet? Looks strong! My worries are always to run into another control-deck. If i don't set up some handsdisrupting environment, I'll most likely be losing.
So, I've listed the deck by founction (though not able to figure posting it properly :-)) and it's clear that I lag in ramp. Any suggestions for ramping options in black?
Consider dropping Mindcrank since it's main function is the combo with Bloodchief Ascension, which i actually find boring. Also Drain Life and Enslave since I have plenty of removal and both uses quite a lot of mana. Maybe even Pestilence though I like the ongoing damage and possible sweeper. And maybe my beloved Dark Ritual should go too...
Usually the mana is fine. It's mostly for multiplayer, and the deck isn't hated from the beginning. I'll admit that 35 mana is a bit low, but i hate drawing unusable mana late-game
The Ritual is an all time nostalgic favourite, which also help to empty my hand early game/when using pox. Saw your Erebos-deck, have you been able to test the deck yet? Looks strong! My worries are always to run into another control-deck. If i don't set up some handsdisrupting environment, I'll most likely be losing.
I've been testing my Erebos/Geth decks for about six weeks now. I'm curious how often you're able to cast Geth on turn six or before with so little mana. Also, how do you resurrect high mana cost cards with his ability with so few lands?
So, I've listed the deck by founction (though not able to figure posting it properly :-)) and it's clear that I lag in ramp. Any suggestions for ramping options in black?
Consider dropping Mindcrank since it's main function is the combo with Bloodchief Ascension, which i actually find boring. Also Drain Life and Enslave since I have plenty of removal and both uses quite a lot of mana. Maybe even Pestilence though I like the ongoing damage and possible sweeper. And maybe my beloved Dark Ritual should go too...
How often are your opponents losing enough life to add counters to Ascension? With so few lands, I suggest going for mana rocks that you can reliably cast before the third turn, like Mana Vault and Everflowing Chalice.
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I'm curious how often you're able to cast Geth on turn six or before with so little mana. Also, how do you resurrect high mana cost cards with his ability with so few lands?
Geth is mainly to there help along, sometimes he works as a finisher. Most often he sits in c-zone. When he comes out, I'm usually in Top-Deck mode, mana isn't a problem here. Coffers is helpful adding loads of mana, partnering up with the Tomb of Urborg even better.
Although I don't run it myself anymore, Megrim's a good way to knock planeswalkers down a couple notches.
Doesn't Liliana's Caress do the same or am I missing something?
EDIT: Ah, looked at the wording. Megrim deals damage. That's it, right?
How often are your opponents losing enough life to add counters to Ascension? With so few lands, I suggest going for mana rocks that you can reliably cast before the third turn, like Mana Vault and Everflowing Chalice.
You might be right about this one. I rarely do any damage with critters, mostly it's the enchantments. So maybe switch Bloodchief for Megrim...?
Been keeping an eye on Erebos and considering him as a new general. How have he been working out for you? He looks strong. Comes out soon, pretty well protected, ability to draw cards(!) and becomes a big body. And oh, your opponents can't gain life either. What's not to like?
Some questions for your deck. How often do Underworld Connections profit? I did consider it, but I turned it down 'cause of the denying of land (and the fear of that land being blown up). Gibbering Descent seems good, but not sure if I understands it properly. If I have no cards when my upkeep comes around, I won't untap anything, but then draw a card?
When he comes out, I'm usually in Top-Deck mode, mana isn't a problem here.
I usually play control so I'm challenged by the notion of a mono-B EDH deck without cards in hand. Are you okay not even having the threat of an answer?
Coffers is helpful adding loads of mana, partnering up with the Tomb of Urborg even better.
Without Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth on the field, how many Swamps do you generally have in play? Are you reliably able to find the Tomb to benefit from Coffers?
Been keeping an eye on Erebos and considering him as a new general. How have he been working out for you? He looks strong. Comes out soon, pretty well protected, ability to draw cards(!) and becomes a big body. And oh, your opponents can't gain life either. What's not to like?
Even if you don't end up going with Erebos, God of the Dead, I highly suggest adding more card draw to your deck. Erebos' anti-lifegain clause helps in the mirror and having a draw engine just a commander cast away has been helpful if I haven't drawn/tutored into Necropotence yet.
Some questions for your deck. How often do Underworld Connections profit? I did consider it, but I turned it down 'cause of the denying of land (and the fear of that land being blown up).
Perhaps a reframing of perspective might help here. Connections lets you choose when/if you're going to draw the card/lose the life. Also, many metas have more important things to do with their targeted land destruction, like getting rid of your Cabal Coffers.
Gibbering Descent seems good, but not sure if I understands it properly. If I have no cards when my upkeep comes around, I won't untap anything, but then draw a card?
It's untap, upkeep, draw, main, and so on. If you have Descent in play with an empty hand, you'll untap, skip your upkeep, and then go to your draw step.
How do you typically win? What does your endgame look like?
Me having a bunch of enchantments on board, denying opponents to cast spells. Also, it's not unlikely for me to tutor for Sorin. He guns them down pretty good.
I usually play control so I'm challenged by the notion of a mono-B EDH deck without cards in hand. Are you okay not even having the threat of an answer?
Kinda, because if I don't have any cards in hand, my opponents won't have any. If they do, plans went haywire and time for me to shuffle them cards. The cards in the deck are usually fine on the board instead of in hand.
Without Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth on the field, how many Swamps do you generally have in play? Are you reliably able to find the Tomb to benefit from Coffers?
Coffers is good every time i draw it. And yeah, should be able to tutor for it. Demonic, Vampiric, Liliana and Expedition. Thinking about adding Liliana otDR for putting more swamps into play.
Even if you don't end up going with Erebos, God of the Dead, I highly suggest adding more card draw to your deck. Erebos' anti-lifegain clause helps in the mirror and having a draw engine just a commander cast away has been helpful if I haven't drawn/tutored into Necropotence yet.
Perhaps a reframing of perspective might help here. Connections lets you choose when/if you're going to draw the card/lose the life. Also, many metas have more important things to do with their targeted land destruction, like getting rid of your Cabal Coffers.
Hoping to draft into a Erebos! Will consider Connections again.
It's untap, upkeep, draw, main, and so on. If you have Descent in play with an empty hand, you'll untap, skip your upkeep, and then go to your draw step.
Ok, it would wreck not too few of my enchantments effects.
My meta doesn't have one... yet. He looks fearfull having lurked a bit on Beusapu's thread.
I have played around with my deck mentally, and came up with a couple of changes. Thinking about going full-on Draining/Gaining style, removing all the creatures and loose the focus on graveyards - going to look something like this. Cards in the sideboard are wishlist, but sadly out of budget. Thoughts?
If you're going to go sans creatures, Torpor Orb is an inexpensive way to cripple a lot of decks. With Trading Post, you could recur it and Mindslaver.
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Have been thinking about adding two cards: Raven's Crime, it's pretty bad multiplayer card, but I could see it do some work if I get some drawengines going.
Since being in mono-B, I will have problems dealing with certain card types, and therefore I guess I should play some library exilers. Sadistic Sacrament seems like the best, but any other suggestions?
Longest running deck, and actually not much have changed since I updated the OP last time. Added a couple of gy-hate cards in form of Crypt Incursion and Scarab Feast and will mos def add Bolas's Citadel once I get my hands on it!
Yeah, so GloriousGoose convinced me to try Pestilence with rapid baby art - and I do happen to have an unlimited one, so this goes in instead of Polluted Bonds which I'm not that fond of anyways. I do have some reluctance about it though, as I tend not to want Erebos to be a creature since I run multiple things that forces all players to sacrifice creatures. But I will give it a shot...
You've mentioned having problems with enchantments a couple times. I'd consider Blast Zone over one of your lower performing utility lands. It's not fast and it's telegraphed but the possibility of destroying multiple permanents is huge upside.
Are you intentionally omitting planeswalkers? You have enough creature hate here that you could feasibly protect them for a few turns and some of the black ones are right in line with your game plan.
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[Pr]Jaya | Estrid | A rotating cast of decks built out of my box.
Great suggestion on Blast Zone. I can totally see this go in here. It's a really great land we got, and something I think I'll add to multiple of my decks.
The ommission of planeswalkers isn't totally intentional. I used to play Liliana Vess and Sorin Markov, and I didn't like either of them much. Liliana was usually a expensive tutor and Sorin was mostly a huge life lose to a single player, and afterwards I got more hated then before. The only other black PW I could see myself running, would be Liliana of the Veil and I'm not likely to require her anytime soon with her giving pricetag. But I do have both Karn Liberated and Ugin, the Spirit Dragon and they would properly be good inclusions. They could take care of things I'd otherwise would have trouble dealing with.
So, some big changes. The Mindslaver effects was fun, but not very good a lot of the time, and I rather just play my own cards. I already had lots of gy-removal, so trimmed that aswell. Innocent Blood was very cheap removal, but mass-answers is overall just way better. Also cleaned a bit in the land-section - who am I kidding, Everglades is a terrible land!
4 Erebos, God of the Dead
Instants - 3:
1 Dark Ritual
1 Vampiric Tutor
3 Hero's Downfall
Sorceries - 24:
1 Mind Twist
1 Bubbling Muck
2 Black Sun's Zenith
2 Chainer's Edict
2 Consume Spirit
2 Demonic Tutor
2 Exsanguinate
2 Hymn to Tourach
2 Night's Whisper
2 Sign in Blood
2 Smallpox
2 Torment of Hailfire
3 Dark Deal
3 Death Cloud
3 Delirium Skeins
3 Pox
3 Praetor's Grasp
3 Read the Bones
3 Toxic Deluge
3 Yawgmoth's Will
4 Damnation
4 Ill-Gotten Gains
4 Syphon Mind
5 Dark Petition
1 Expedetion Map
1 Mana Vault
1 Nihil Spellbomb
1 Pithing Needle
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Sol Ring
1 Wayfarer's Bauble
2 Charcoal Diamond
2 Jet Medallion
2 Mind Stone
3 Thaumatic Compass
3 Crucible of Worlds
3 Phyrexian Totem
3 Pristine Talisman
4 Geth's Grimoire
4 Null Brooch
5 Gilded Lotus
5 Venser's Journal
6 Bolas's Citadel
6 Mindslaver
Enchantments - 20:
1 Bloodchief Ascension
2 Liliana's Caress
2 Waste Not
3 Bottomless Pit
3 Megrim
3 Necrogen Mists
3 Oppression
3 Oubliette
3 Phyrexian Arena
4 Lethal Vapors
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Night of Souls' Betrayal
4 No Mercy
4 Tainted Aether
5 Exquisite Blood
5 Painful Quandary
5 Spreading Plague
1 Blast Zone
1 Bojuka Bog
1 Boseiju, Who Shelters All
1 Cabal Coffers
1 Deserted Temple
1 Drownyard Temple
1 Geier Reach Sanitarium
1 Howltooth Hollow
1 Lake of the Dead
1 Maze of Ith
1 Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Sea Gate Wreckage
1 Strip Mine
1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
21 Swamp
The Ritual is an all time nostalgic favourite, which also help to empty my hand early game/when using pox. Saw your Erebos-deck, have you been able to test the deck yet? Looks strong! My worries are always to run into another control-deck. If i don't set up some handsdisrupting environment, I'll most likely be losing.
I write EDH articles on EDHREC and MTGCasualPlay. I hope you like them!
EDH DECKLISTS
RGWUril, the Miststalker WBRKaalia of the Vast Sunforger WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUGDerevi, Empyrial TacticianWUBRGSliver Queen EDH
UB Wrexial, the Risen DeepWU Hanna, Ship's NavigatorWGSigarda, Host of Herons EnchantressWULavinia, of the Tenth
RRPurphoros, God of the ForgeBBChainer, Dementia MasterWWEight-and-a-Half TailsUUMuzzio, Visionary ArchitectGGJolrael, Empress of Beasts
BGVhati il-DalRWTajic, Blade of the LegionUBRZurgo HelmsmasherUBDaxos the ReturnedWBKarlov of the Ghost CouncilWUBruna, Light of Alabaster
RWAurelia Angel Tribal URJhoira Chaos Deck UGVorel +1 Counters BRGProssh Tokens
UBRGwendlyn Discard EDH URG Surrak Dragonclaw UBLazav Mill EDH WUBrago Flicker EDH Deck
Consider dropping Mindcrank since it's main function is the combo with Bloodchief Ascension, which i actually find boring. Also Drain Life and Enslave since I have plenty of removal and both uses quite a lot of mana. Maybe even Pestilence though I like the ongoing damage and possible sweeper. And maybe my beloved Dark Ritual should go too...
Although I don't run it myself anymore, Megrim's a good way to knock planeswalkers down a couple notches.
How often are your opponents losing enough life to add counters to Ascension? With so few lands, I suggest going for mana rocks that you can reliably cast before the third turn, like Mana Vault and Everflowing Chalice.
Geth is mainly to there help along, sometimes he works as a finisher. Most often he sits in c-zone. When he comes out, I'm usually in Top-Deck mode, mana isn't a problem here. Coffers is helpful adding loads of mana, partnering up with the Tomb of Urborg even better.
Doesn't Liliana's Caress do the same or am I missing something?
EDIT: Ah, looked at the wording. Megrim deals damage. That's it, right?
You might be right about this one. I rarely do any damage with critters, mostly it's the enchantments. So maybe switch Bloodchief for Megrim...?
Been keeping an eye on Erebos and considering him as a new general. How have he been working out for you? He looks strong. Comes out soon, pretty well protected, ability to draw cards(!) and becomes a big body. And oh, your opponents can't gain life either. What's not to like?
Some questions for your deck. How often do Underworld Connections profit? I did consider it, but I turned it down 'cause of the denying of land (and the fear of that land being blown up).
Gibbering Descent seems good, but not sure if I understands it properly. If I have no cards when my upkeep comes around, I won't untap anything, but then draw a card?
Thanks for the suggestions! Appreciated.
I usually play control so I'm challenged by the notion of a mono-B EDH deck without cards in hand. Are you okay not even having the threat of an answer?
Without Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth on the field, how many Swamps do you generally have in play? Are you reliably able to find the Tomb to benefit from Coffers?
Yes, wording is everything in this game.
Even if you don't end up going with Erebos, God of the Dead, I highly suggest adding more card draw to your deck. Erebos' anti-lifegain clause helps in the mirror and having a draw engine just a commander cast away has been helpful if I haven't drawn/tutored into Necropotence yet.
Perhaps a reframing of perspective might help here. Connections lets you choose when/if you're going to draw the card/lose the life. Also, many metas have more important things to do with their targeted land destruction, like getting rid of your Cabal Coffers.
It's untap, upkeep, draw, main, and so on. If you have Descent in play with an empty hand, you'll untap, skip your upkeep, and then go to your draw step.
Of course, happy to help!
Me having a bunch of enchantments on board, denying opponents to cast spells. Also, it's not unlikely for me to tutor for Sorin. He guns them down pretty good.
Kinda, because if I don't have any cards in hand, my opponents won't have any. If they do, plans went haywire and time for me to shuffle them cards. The cards in the deck are usually fine on the board instead of in hand.
Coffers is good every time i draw it. And yeah, should be able to tutor for it. Demonic, Vampiric, Liliana and Expedition. Thinking about adding Liliana otDR for putting more swamps into play.
Okay, Megrim is going in!
Hoping to draft into a Erebos! Will consider Connections again.
Ok, it would wreck not too few of my enchantments effects.
Just more tinkering for me to do!
My meta doesn't have one... yet. He looks fearfull having lurked a bit on Beusapu's thread.
I have played around with my deck mentally, and came up with a couple of changes. Thinking about going full-on Draining/Gaining style, removing all the creatures and loose the focus on graveyards - going to look something like this. Cards in the sideboard are wishlist, but sadly out of budget. Thoughts?
Have been thinking about adding two cards:
Raven's Crime, it's pretty bad multiplayer card, but I could see it do some work if I get some drawengines going.
Since being in mono-B, I will have problems dealing with certain card types, and therefore I guess I should play some library exilers. Sadistic Sacrament seems like the best, but any other suggestions?
Are you intentionally omitting planeswalkers? You have enough creature hate here that you could feasibly protect them for a few turns and some of the black ones are right in line with your game plan.
Great suggestion on Blast Zone. I can totally see this go in here. It's a really great land we got, and something I think I'll add to multiple of my decks.
The ommission of planeswalkers isn't totally intentional. I used to play Liliana Vess and Sorin Markov, and I didn't like either of them much. Liliana was usually a expensive tutor and Sorin was mostly a huge life lose to a single player, and afterwards I got more hated then before. The only other black PW I could see myself running, would be Liliana of the Veil and I'm not likely to require her anytime soon with her giving pricetag. But I do have both Karn Liberated and Ugin, the Spirit Dragon and they would properly be good inclusions. They could take care of things I'd otherwise would have trouble dealing with.
Overall I lowered the curve and focused on more speed in form of rituals and even more drawpower.
1 Scarab Feast
1 Crypt Incursion
1 Innocent Blood
1 Barter in Blood
1 Sinkhole
1 Descent into Darkness
1 Shrieking Affliction
1 Worst Fears
1 Mindslaver
1 Sever the Bloodline
1 Skull of Ramos
1 Everglades
1 Leechridden Swamp
1 Dark Ritual
1 Bubbling Muck
1 Consume Spirit
1 Sign in Blood
1 Night's Whisper
1 Read the Bones
1 Sensei's Divining Top
1 Crucible of Worlds
1 Wayfarer's Bauble
1 Charcoal Diamond
1 Thaumatic Compass
2 Swamp
So, some big changes. The Mindslaver effects was fun, but not very good a lot of the time, and I rather just play my own cards. I already had lots of gy-removal, so trimmed that aswell. Innocent Blood was very cheap removal, but mass-answers is overall just way better. Also cleaned a bit in the land-section - who am I kidding, Everglades is a terrible land!