I am a fan of devotion, but I wanted to build a deck that doesn't have Deathrite or Liliana in it. I don't need fetch lands for a mono black deck (Deathrite looses some value right there) and with a devotion deck you want some board presence, Liliana provides it, but the +1 is something that you want to build around. You don't really want to discard cards in this deck.
The overall game plan of this deck is to disrupt their hand on turn 1. Lay a resilient creature on turn 2 (Bloodghast) and on turn 3 (Geralf's). Then tap Nykthos on turn 4 for 5 mana, tap the other two lands for a total of 7 mana, use Beseech the queen for whatever card you want in your deck that you need and cast it. Turn 5, cast Gray Merchant for a huge life swing. This deck is somewhat mana hungry, but I really like having tutors in the deck and a few cards which could really get you out of a jam.
I am tempted to put in Nantuko Shade instead of Gatekeeper for another mana sink and I feel like the Whip of Erebos is somewhat weak and a sword might be better. The lightning greaves are in there strictly to protect your creatures from removal spells. I am new to the modern format and any feedback would be appreciated!
3 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
21 Swamp
Creatures
4 Bloodghast
3 Gatekeeper of Malkir
4 Geralf's Messenger
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
2 Thoughtseize
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
1 Hero's Downfall
3 Profane Command
3 Beseech the Queen
3 Phyrexian Arena
1 Whip of Erebos
1 Lightning Greaves
The overall game plan of this deck is to disrupt their hand on turn 1. Lay a resilient creature on turn 2 (Bloodghast) and on turn 3 (Geralf's). Then tap Nykthos on turn 4 for 5 mana, tap the other two lands for a total of 7 mana, use Beseech the queen for whatever card you want in your deck that you need and cast it. Turn 5, cast Gray Merchant for a huge life swing. This deck is somewhat mana hungry, but I really like having tutors in the deck and a few cards which could really get you out of a jam.
I am tempted to put in Nantuko Shade instead of Gatekeeper for another mana sink and I feel like the Whip of Erebos is somewhat weak and a sword might be better. The lightning greaves are in there strictly to protect your creatures from removal spells. I am new to the modern format and any feedback would be appreciated!