Hey folks, I've had a bunch of success with my Rack pox list so I thought I'd share. I run it with Bottomless Pits in place of Liliana of the Veil because I'm dumb. Detailed explanations of card choices are given here. I'm currently testing 3x Bloodghast, 2x Tombstalker as my creature-base over 4x Bloodghast, 1x Nether Spirit.
Also, Jin15 got this deck figured out back in 2012. I think it's important to see his posts. My only criticism of his lists is that Mishra's Factory is bad for the deck. I prefer Spawning Pool.
Can we get some Pox math going? Trying to learn the best times to Pox
This is a very important thing to know as a Pox player. The optimal time to Pox is given in this order:
(n % 3) = 1 (best case)
(n % 3) = 2 (okay case)
(n % 3) = 0 (worst case)
For those unfamiliar with modular arithmetic (you use it to tell the time), ( n % 3 ) is equal to the remainder of n/3. The reason why ( n % 3 ) = 1 is the best case can be exemplified by the case of an opponent having n = 4 lands, you having m = 3. You cast big Pox and then they sac 2 lands, you sac 1. They lost 2 lands, you lost 1, both players are now at 2 lands.
This shouldn't hold you down too much, but it's important to keep in mind when playing Pox. It's often difficult to balance since Pox hits life, hand, creatures, and land, so keep all aspects in mind.
For the sake of completeness, ( n % k ), read n mod k , is the remainder of n/k. It's a super useful operation in programming, computer science, and mathematics (group theory!). And I guess Magic too When we tell time, we do arithmetic modulo 12, but for some reason we say 0 is 12. So on the 15th hour, 15 % 12 = 3:00 PM.
When I have no cards in hand, there will never be a time where tapping Thawing Glaciers will allow me to keep it in my hand an NOT subsequently discard it to Bottomless Pit at upkeep? Tell me there's a special way around this I'm not seeing!
Yeah, I know Mono-Black isn't the most competitive list; nor is it well positioned to do well against an artifact based deck. However, I'd like to see if I could increase my odds post-board to atleast 50-50. The best idea I've got is -1 Pithing Needle, -1 Sudden Death, +2 Drown in Sorrow. I fear 5 sweepers (3 BSZ, 2 Drown in Sorrow) might be too much. Opinions? Any other suggestions?
In specific,
1. Could I benefit from -2 Gatekeeper, +2 Hypnotic Specter?
2. Are main-deck sweepers, 2x Mutilate, in fashion?
3. Any advice on finishing up the sideboard?
I'm a legacy Pox player, Rack-Pox in specific. Rack-Pox is a slightly more aggressive playstyle than the traditional land destruction and prison Pox varients. Moreover, it's about half the cost of the land destruction version which is why I play it. Despite being budget and not as common as the LD version, it most definitely holds its weight against tier 1 decks in the Legacy meta.
I was wondering if the same were true in Modern. I had a budget but seemingly tight list in mind and was wondeirng if it could consistently hold its weight against tier 1 Modern decks:
It's decent for sure. You should check out [link]. It's in the early stages but could be useful. Feel free to ask questions about budget options there also.
I see that in your budget list you run has 24 lands. A criticism I've been told of my list is that I have too few lands. Do you think a mono black deck should be running ~22 lands?
I'm a legacy Pox player, but I decided it's about time I get my foot into Modern. Moreover, I wanted to make a more interactive deck to play on the kitchen table with friends. Here's my first attempt at a fun but hopefully mildly competitive MB(C/A) modern deck:
Suppose I have Oppression out, and my opponent has only one card in hand, Treasure Cruise. They cast Treasure Cruise. What happens?
A: No discard (since hand is empty), opponent draws 3.
B: Opponent draws 3, then discards 1 due to casting Treasure Cruise.
Thanks!
4x Pox
4x Smallpox
4x Hymn to Tourach
4x Innocent Blood
4x Inquisition of Kozilek
[4 Instants]
4x Dark Ritual
[3 Enchantments]
3x Bottomless Pit
4x The Rack
2x Cursed Scroll
[5 Creatures]
4x Bloodghast
1x Nether Spirit
[22 Lands]
17x Swamp
3x Spawning Pool
2x Dakmor Salvage
4x Extirpate
3x Engineered Plague
2x Ensnaring Bridge
2x Dystopia
2x Null Rod
2x Powder Keg
Also, Jin15 got this deck figured out back in 2012. I think it's important to see his posts. My only criticism of his lists is that Mishra's Factory is bad for the deck. I prefer Spawning Pool.
3 Liliana of the Veil
[5 Creatures]
4 Bloodghast
1 Nether Spirit
[24 Spells]
4 Dark Ritual
4 Innocent Blood
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
4 Hymn to Tourach
4 Smallpox
4 Pox
4 The Rack
2 Cursed Scroll
[22 Lands]
4 Mishra’s Factory
3 Dakmor Salvage
15 Swamp
1 Darkblast
2 Pithing Needle
3 Ratchet Bomb
2 Syphon Life
3 Engineered Plague
4 Leyline of the Void
This is a very important thing to know as a Pox player. The optimal time to Pox is given in this order:
(n % 3) = 1 (best case)
(n % 3) = 2 (okay case)
(n % 3) = 0 (worst case)
For those unfamiliar with modular arithmetic (you use it to tell the time), ( n % 3 ) is equal to the remainder of n/3. The reason why ( n % 3 ) = 1 is the best case can be exemplified by the case of an opponent having n = 4 lands, you having m = 3. You cast big Pox and then they sac 2 lands, you sac 1. They lost 2 lands, you lost 1, both players are now at 2 lands.
This shouldn't hold you down too much, but it's important to keep in mind when playing Pox. It's often difficult to balance since Pox hits life, hand, creatures, and land, so keep all aspects in mind.
For the sake of completeness, ( n % k ), read n mod k , is the remainder of n/k. It's a super useful operation in programming, computer science, and mathematics (group theory!). And I guess Magic too When we tell time, we do arithmetic modulo 12, but for some reason we say 0 is 12. So on the 15th hour, 15 % 12 = 3:00 PM.
Curious, does Mind Twist still deserved to be banned? Or would one expect it to be unbanned at some point.
Thanks,
Rav.
Can I use Spinning Darkness to target my Nether Spirit and have it deal no damage (since Nether Spirit is black) and then gain 3 life? Or was I never able to target the Nether Spirit to begin with?
Thanks,
Rav.
I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something with interactions between Thawing Glaciers and Bottomless Pit.
When I have no cards in hand, there will never be a time where tapping Thawing Glaciers will allow me to keep it in my hand an NOT subsequently discard it to Bottomless Pit at upkeep? Tell me there's a special way around this I'm not seeing!
Thanks,
Rav.
Non-affinity player here looking for some advice how to increase my post-board match-ups against Affinity.
Here's the list: tappedout.net/mtg-decks/29-08-14-mono-black-midrange/
4 Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Nantuko Shade
[2 Artifacts]
2 Lashwrithe
[3 Enchantments]
3 Phyrexian Arena
2 Slaughter Pact
4 Victim of Night
[10 Sorceries]
4 Thoughtseize
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Black Sun's Zenith
[23 Lands]
23 Swamp
3 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Relic of Progenitus
3 Wrench Mind
3 Rain of Tears
3 Sudden Death
1 Black Sun's Zenith
Yeah, I know Mono-Black isn't the most competitive list; nor is it well positioned to do well against an artifact based deck. However, I'd like to see if I could increase my odds post-board to atleast 50-50. The best idea I've got is -1 Pithing Needle, -1 Sudden Death, +2 Drown in Sorrow. I fear 5 sweepers (3 BSZ, 2 Drown in Sorrow) might be too much. Opinions? Any other suggestions?
Thanks Affinity!
-Rav
Could I get some critique on my list?
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/29-08-14-mono-black-midrange/
4 Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Nantuko Shade
[2 Artifacts]
2 Lashwrithe
[3 Enchantments]
3 Phyrexian Arena
2 Slaughter Pact
4 Victim of Night
[10 Sorceries]
4 Thoughtseize
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Black Sun's Zenith
[23 Lands]
23 Swamp
3 Grafdigger's Cage
2 Relic of Progenitus
3 Wrench Mind
3 Rain of Tears
3 Sudden Death
1 Black Sun's Zenith
Thanks,
Rav
I would appreciate some feedback on my list. Please limit all suggestions to a $15/card budget.
4x Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
4x Vampire Nighthawk
4x Gatekeeper of Malakir
4x Nantuko Shade
[2 Artifacts]
2x Lashwrithe
[7 Instants]
2x Funeral Charm
2x Disfigure
3x Geth's Verdict
4x Sign in Blood
3x Thoughtseize
3x Inquisition of Kozilek
2x Mutilate
[23 Lands]
22x Swamp
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
4x Surgical Extraction
3x Pithing Needle
2x Duress
1x Mutilate
5x ???
In specific,
1. Could I benefit from -2 Gatekeeper, +2 Hypnotic Specter?
2. Are main-deck sweepers, 2x Mutilate, in fashion?
3. Any advice on finishing up the sideboard?
Thanks!
-Rav
I'm a legacy Pox player, Rack-Pox in specific. Rack-Pox is a slightly more aggressive playstyle than the traditional land destruction and prison Pox varients. Moreover, it's about half the cost of the land destruction version which is why I play it. Despite being budget and not as common as the LD version, it most definitely holds its weight against tier 1 decks in the Legacy meta.
I was wondering if the same were true in Modern. I had a budget but seemingly tight list in mind and was wondeirng if it could consistently hold its weight against tier 1 Modern decks:
4 Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
4 Nantuko Shade
4 Vampire Nighthawk
2 Liliana of the Veil
3 Disfigure
4 Funeral Charm
2 Geth's Verdict
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
2 Lashwrithe
4 Sign in Blood
3 Thoughtseize
4 Extirpate
2 Mutilate
2 Pithing Needle
2 Bile Blight
3 Deathmark
2 Duress
What do you think?
Take care,
Rav
I see that in your budget list you run has 24 lands. A criticism I've been told of my list is that I have too few lands. Do you think a mono black deck should be running ~22 lands?
Thanks,
Rav
I'm a legacy Pox player, but I decided it's about time I get my foot into Modern. Moreover, I wanted to make a more interactive deck to play on the kitchen table with friends. Here's my first attempt at a fun but hopefully mildly competitive MB(C/A) modern deck:
3 Liliana of the Veil
4 Korlash, Heir to Blackblade
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Nantuko Shade
2 Lashwrithe
3 Thoughtseize
4 Funeral Charm
3 Disfigure
2 Geth's Verdict
4 Sign in Blood
15 ???
I have no clue what the modern metagame is like, so I'd love any and all suggestions. Please be considerate of an approx <$10 dollar/card budget.
Also, I'd love to know how to sideboard for modern.
Thanks,
Rav.