Basically starting turn 3, I start dropping LD spells every turn, and based on the quantity I have, I usually beat out the opponent for land draws. At that point its usually a scoop, or my magnivores, thunderscape masters (using the black ability), or cosmic larvae come out. Sometimes I like to drop the cosmic larvae with reckless charge on turn 4, then flashback on turn 5, just for the heck of it.
I completely agree that LD is very boring and depressing to play against. I rarely play with the deck anymore just because no one likes to play against it.
So the deck i've been trying to make (well i half built and started playtesting) essentially runs a bunch of Cabal Rituals (and my one dark ritual), Rhystic Tutors, and Sleeper Agents (a personal favourite), with the end goal of getting out cards like Grinning Demon, Phyrexian Scuta, Yawgmoth's Bargain, and Devouring Strossus (backed by Breeding Pit) for the win (all of which are spirit-linked since i'm splashing white for life). I'm looking into picking up more removal spells (I don't have any Doomblade at the moment - only Dark Banishings!) but I'm still at a loss of how to build the deck. From my playtests, I've found that I can play all my rituals and boost my mana to play some big cards, but then I'm at a loss and can't maintain that tempo simply because the mana pools empty (unlike green land search).
When I mentioned the green thing I'm basically arguing between me building a green deck versus a black deck, and yeah, i guess removal is a big difference.
Monoblack power decks used to be huge... you could play dark rituals, grinning demons, devouring strossus, and power through to big creatures and cards in hand at the expense of life and creatures.
However, I'm looking at the metagame and I'm wondering if this build is still viable. You can put down a 4/5 leatherback baloth for 3 in a monogreen, and a 5/5 phyrexian scuta comes down on turn 4, provided you pay 3 life. Spells like dark ritual and cabal ritual only add mana for one turn, while green can give you lands just as easily, and will give you mana advantage for later turns.
I'm trying to make a strong black power deck but I'm feeling like green is stronger in every aspect. Does anyone have any advice on how to build it?
This is my sideboard at the moment. Its basically trying to counter colour bases since, to be honest, I haven't played many "competitive" games. The only "deck" counters are Spiritual Focus and Sacred Ground.
Thanks for the welcome DrDRum! I was starting to think these forums didn't want me =(
I really like the ideas you offered.. I"m going to start working towards running 8 enchantresses, and taking out the black. You're right about the tutors and the Yawgmoth's Bargain (I never really thought about how little I actually use it in games until you mentioned it). I personally think Aura shards is a great card for mirror matchups, and its a good removal without having to give up cards for Disenchant, etc.
I've had some feedback that this deck is a bit short on creatures... what other sorts of creatures would you suggest I add?
Here is an enchantress deck I've been playtesting for a while now, and I'm relatively happy with. What do you guys think of it? I've had some comments that there should be more creatures but in my playtesting, it seems fine. If I should add more creatures, which ones specifically? Also, I have an aversion to any sets that came after Mirrodin so... consider that the theme of the deck =P This deck was also made on a budget, so that's why there are no Argothian Enchantresses or Explorations, etc.
There are 3 win conditions: aura'd creature beatdown, words of wind, and sacred mesa (4 if you count the Obliterate + Opalescence in the sideboard).
I feel like your current set up is too dependent on Crucible of the Worlds. With cards like Stripmine and Raze, you'll end up losing your own land advantage while trying to take away your opponents. Here's a little land destruction deck that I've been running for a while. It's not the fastest in the world (you're really dependent on NOT losing by turn 3), but once turn 3 rolls around, its pretty much over for your opponent provided you pick up more land destruction spells than he is drawing.
This deck is also kind of a budget deck, so no fancy nonbasic lands, or new cards (because of my aversion to the newer sets). Land destruction is the theme, but Cosmic Larva + Reckless Charge is a fun combo that surprises on turn 4, and should also count as a win condition.
So... i'm new to MTG salvation, but not new to the game. I've been playing casual for a looong time (8 years?), but never competitively. I have a huge prejudice against every set that has come after Mirrodin because I saw huge shifts of change in the metagame which I didn't like (Hound of Konda in Kamigawa, watchwolf in ravnica, and now we have leatherback baloths??), though I'm starting to like ravnica a little better at least.
I currently run a kind-of-hopefully-competitive GWub enchantress deck, which you can view here: http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=123786. I'd love to hear feedback and comments on my deck - I've been playing it for a while but never outside casual.
Also, I'm looking to buy some bulk rares for cheap! I really like collecting the older cards (ex. urzas to mirrodin), and the rares are always super cool. if anyone has a bunch of bulk rares they're looking to dump, let me know!
2x Cosmic Larva
2x Goblin Gardener
2x Magnivore
2x Thunderscape Master
Land
8x Mountain
6x Swamp
4x Urborg Volcano
2x Hymn to Tourach
4x Misguided Rage
4x Molten Rain
4x Pillage
4x Rain of Tears
4x Rancid Earth
4x Reckless Charge
4x Sign in Blood
4x Stone Rain
Basically starting turn 3, I start dropping LD spells every turn, and based on the quantity I have, I usually beat out the opponent for land draws. At that point its usually a scoop, or my magnivores, thunderscape masters (using the black ability), or cosmic larvae come out. Sometimes I like to drop the cosmic larvae with reckless charge on turn 4, then flashback on turn 5, just for the heck of it.
I completely agree that LD is very boring and depressing to play against. I rarely play with the deck anymore just because no one likes to play against it.
So the deck i've been trying to make (well i half built and started playtesting) essentially runs a bunch of Cabal Rituals (and my one dark ritual), Rhystic Tutors, and Sleeper Agents (a personal favourite), with the end goal of getting out cards like Grinning Demon, Phyrexian Scuta, Yawgmoth's Bargain, and Devouring Strossus (backed by Breeding Pit) for the win (all of which are spirit-linked since i'm splashing white for life). I'm looking into picking up more removal spells (I don't have any Doomblade at the moment - only Dark Banishings!) but I'm still at a loss of how to build the deck. From my playtests, I've found that I can play all my rituals and boost my mana to play some big cards, but then I'm at a loss and can't maintain that tempo simply because the mana pools empty (unlike green land search).
When I mentioned the green thing I'm basically arguing between me building a green deck versus a black deck, and yeah, i guess removal is a big difference.
Thoughts?
However, I'm looking at the metagame and I'm wondering if this build is still viable. You can put down a 4/5 leatherback baloth for 3 in a monogreen, and a 5/5 phyrexian scuta comes down on turn 4, provided you pay 3 life. Spells like dark ritual and cabal ritual only add mana for one turn, while green can give you lands just as easily, and will give you mana advantage for later turns.
I'm trying to make a strong black power deck but I'm feeling like green is stronger in every aspect. Does anyone have any advice on how to build it?
Thanks,
Winter
1x Nomad Mythmaker
1x Absolute Grace
1x Absolute Law
2x Aura of Silence
1x Carpet of Flowers
1x Choke
1x Harsh Judgment
1x Opalescence
1x Parallax Tide
1x Sacred Ground
1x Seal of Cleansing
1x Spiritual Focus
1x Obliterate
Thanks for the welcome DrDRum! I was starting to think these forums didn't want me =(
I really like the ideas you offered.. I"m going to start working towards running 8 enchantresses, and taking out the black. You're right about the tutors and the Yawgmoth's Bargain (I never really thought about how little I actually use it in games until you mentioned it). I personally think Aura shards is a great card for mirror matchups, and its a good removal without having to give up cards for Disenchant, etc.
I've had some feedback that this deck is a bit short on creatures... what other sorts of creatures would you suggest I add?
Thanks,
Winter
There are 3 win conditions: aura'd creature beatdown, words of wind, and sacred mesa (4 if you count the Obliterate + Opalescence in the sideboard).
1x Silvos, Rogue Elemental
2x Tethered Griffin
4x Verduran Enchantress
2x Auratog
2x Ancestral Mask
4x Armadillo Cloak
2x Empyrial Armor
2x One with Nature
3x Fertile Ground
3x Wild Growth
1x Aura Shards
2x Enchantress's Presence
1x Mirari's Wake
1x Sacred Mesa
1x Solitary Confinement
1x Spiritual Asylum
2x Sterling Grove
1x Words of Wind
1x Words of Worship
1x Yawgmoth's Bargain
5x Plains
2x Swamp
2x Rhystic Tutor
Thanks!
2x Goblin Gardener
4x Ravenous Rats
3x Army Ants
1x Gratuitous Violence
2x Misguided Rage
4x Molten Rain
4x Pillage
4x Rain of Tears
4x Rancid Earth
4x Reckless Charge
4x Stone Rain
8x Swamp
1x Urborg Volcano
This deck is also kind of a budget deck, so no fancy nonbasic lands, or new cards (because of my aversion to the newer sets). Land destruction is the theme, but Cosmic Larva + Reckless Charge is a fun combo that surprises on turn 4, and should also count as a win condition.
So... i'm new to MTG salvation, but not new to the game. I've been playing casual for a looong time (8 years?), but never competitively. I have a huge prejudice against every set that has come after Mirrodin because I saw huge shifts of change in the metagame which I didn't like (Hound of Konda in Kamigawa, watchwolf in ravnica, and now we have leatherback baloths??), though I'm starting to like ravnica a little better at least.
I currently run a kind-of-hopefully-competitive GWub enchantress deck, which you can view here: http://www.mtgvault.com/ViewDeck.aspx?DeckID=123786. I'd love to hear feedback and comments on my deck - I've been playing it for a while but never outside casual.
Also, I'm looking to buy some bulk rares for cheap! I really like collecting the older cards (ex. urzas to mirrodin), and the rares are always super cool. if anyone has a bunch of bulk rares they're looking to dump, let me know!
=D