B/w Rally combo - Rogue Master Brewer Competition
Check out the competition - http://roguedeckbuilder.com/rogue-master-brewer-2-rally-ancestors/
Greetings fellow spell-slingers! This deck was created specifically for Roguedeckbuilder.com's Master Brewer Competition. I highly recommend that you go check out Roguedeckbuilder.com as well as looking them up on Youtube. Kevin does a great job and his work has really helped me as a MTG player. Support his work, he deserves it!
Ok, on to this deck - So the challenge was to build a deck around Rally the Ancestors. The obvious note about Rally the Ancestors (RtA) is the glaring omission of the word "haste" on the card text for the creatures that you summon back. This means that you need to try to create a combo situation where the enter the battlefield (ETB) effects make up for the lack of haste. In addition, you need to try to get as many creature cards in the graveyard to maximize the potential of RtA. I will give a brief deck tech as well as detailing some of the combos/decisions.
There are a lot of really good Abzan builds going around for RtA, but I always like to streamline down to 2 colors if possible. Not only is it cheaper, but you are less likely to get mana screwed. While choosing to go B/w we do lose out on a lot of the really good self-mill that green has, but we make up for it with some awesome black devotion play! I hope you enjoy the deck.
Rally the Ancestors - Ideally you will be firing this card off on turn 7 for X=5 which should give you the win. If you are getting too much pressure early on then you can fire off RtA for a lot of catch up value. Most all the cards in this deck try to capitalize on filling the graveyard for RtA to fire off, or provide some benefit when RtA resolves.
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - This card is the wombo combo off of RtA. If you have a couple creature cards with the GARY in the graveyard then you fire off RtA you will be doing a ton of damage to the opponent while gaining massive life. Usually this will be the game closer, but you can also use it for a tempo swing or emergency situation.
Mogis's Marauder - This is the second wombo combo with RtA. If Mogis's Marauder is in the graveyard then when you fire of RtA you can give your creatures haste! Granted this combo only works when you play RtA on your turn, but it still can push through a ton of damage!
Grave Strength - This card is the bread and butter of this deck. You get to pump creatures to huge amounts while also self-milling to feed your RtA. Don't be afraid to use this card on your small creatures, the self-mill is just as important, if not more, than the creature buff.
Returned Reveler - Such a work horse in this deck. Not only is it a great 2 drop that will help clog up early aggression, but you can also feel free to sack this creature or exploit it for 3 cards of self mill. It also has a nice bonus of milling your opponent too.
Herald of Torment - Just a strong body with good devotion. Also has evasion and works well with Mogis's Maurader's buff after RtA has fired off.
Erebos, God of the Dead - Fun card that benefits from all the black devotion in this deck. Also can be fetched with RtA. So if you fire off an RtA you can bring back Erebos, buff him with Mogis's Marauder and swing for a huge amount. Also gives an added bonus of card draw for slower matchups.
Sidisi, Undead Vizier - This card, THIS CARD! So much strength. So Sidisi is going to let you tutor for RtA or anything else you may need. She also provides 2 Black devotion with a 4/6 deathtouch body. Sidis into exploiting a Returned Reveler equals a 3 card self mill plus RtA tutor, like a boss! If you do run RtA on an X=5 you can pull her back and have her tutor or you can just leave her to provide devotion or get buffed by Mogis's Marauder. Just remember the exploit ability is a "may" clause. You don't have to use it unless you want to.
Merciless Executioner - This card works great against B/W heroic or anything with a single big creature. Oh they have a massive dragonlord?? No problem, Merciless Executioner can sack himself as removal that gets past hexproof because it targets the player not the creature. Also if you pull him back with RtA you can have him sack himself again so that you can clear the way for any push with Mogis's buff.
Dark Deal and Rakshasa's Secret are more ways to fill up your graveyard and also help punish your opponent a bit.
Crux of Fate is the big board clear that can be fetched by the exploit mechanic of Sidisi, Undead Vizier. Don't be afraid to nuke the entire board, including your own cards. You'll get them back with RtA, your opponent stands much more to lose.
Hero's Downfall - upgraded this from Ultimate Price. Ultimate Price is definitely the cheaper version. But Hero's Downfall is just fantastic removal for anything that comes up.
Gravepurge - This card can come in very handy. Especially if you have reached a point where you need to combo off, but haven't drawn an RtA yet. No worries, use Gravepurge to grab a Sidisi in the graveyard then go tutor for RtA. This is not a card you will use each matchup, but it definitely has value more often than not in this deck!
Mana Base - pretty self explanatory - the Bloodstained Mires can be swapped out for any other black land grabbing fetchland. The fetches are there to thin the deck. The scoured barrens are a bit slow, but that's all we really have in standard at the moment.
SIDEBOARD
Arashin Cleric - Board this in when you are against fast burn. The 2 drop and life gain are vital. Also, if you do find Arashin in the graveyard when RtA fires you will get some life.
Bile Blight - Helps against so much annoying early game and keeps your opponents from flooding you too much. Drown in Sorrows could be an effective replacement depending on your meta and play style.
Erase - Normally not a go to sideboard option, but there are some nasty enchantments that need to be handled. This is the quickest and cheapest way to knock them out.
Thoughtseize - Undoubtedly the most go to sideboard option. Use this against control, planeswalker heavy decks, or anything that you need to play disruption against. Duress is not quite as good, but a great budget option if you don't have the Thoughtseizes.
Underworld Coinsmith -Great card against burn. Gains life on ETB. Works well with RtA as well.
Virulent Plague - Hoses tokens :) Enough said.
Well, that's the deck, I hope you like it and have as much fun with it as I have building it. Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.
Don't forget to go support Roguedeckbuilder.com!
~Barbershopboy05/Theodicy86
