This is my attempt to build a casual self - sacrifice deck. I would love some advice on how to make the combo that I'm trying to run more consistent, and ideas of what to do with the extra cards that are directly in the combo would be great as well!
So, here's what we're working with:
T1: Swamp, Hex Parasite
T2: Swamp, Bloodthrone Vampire
T3: Swamp, Geralf's Messenger Sac Geralf's Messenger using Bloodthrone Vampire and have the Messenger bounce back through the undying mechanic, so that he deals a total of four damage to some player that turn.
T4: Swamp, Blood Artist Then use the excess mana to activate Hex Parasite and have him take the +1/+1 counter off of Geralf's Messenger so that he can be sacrificed again by Bloodthrone Vampire and do a total of three damage and gain one life, with the addition of Blood Artist.
After this, play a Crypt Ghast or Dark Prophecy to help the game progress.
So the above combo is pretty solid, but since it needs at least three cards to run I'm a little worried about consistency and having the deck crippled easily by some simple removal spells. Apart from the cards needed for the combo, here are the cards I chose and why I chose them:
Exsanguinate - I've always wanted to run this in a deck, and it seemed appropriate to run with Crypt Ghast and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx since I have the potential to have a high devotion to black through Geralf's Messenger and Dark Prophecy.
Geth's Verdict - I liked the idea of having removal that doesn't target with an additional bit of damage, but could potentially be weak against token decks or creature - heavy decks. It should probably be sideboarded, or just replaced with a more consistent form of removal. I'm completely open to suggestions.
Grave Pact - This just seemed like fun, since I will ideally be sacrificing quite a few times per turn. Eventually the opponents board will be cleared, and then I could swing for significant amounts of damage with Bloodthrone Vampire after all of that sacrifice pumping.
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - Not at all a necessary card, but since my devotion to black could potentially be so high it seemed appropriate. It would probably be better to take these out for Diabolic Tutor or something to ensure some consistency for the combo that the deck runs around. Again, I would love suggestions.
Tragic Slip - I chose this for its cheap cost and nearly guaranteed fulfillment of the morbid mechanic, making it cheap and effective removal.
The inclusion of Exsanguinate, Crypt Ghast, and Gray Merchant of Asphodel are by no means necessary, I'm primarily concerned with making the sacrifice combo work, and having it be consistent. Also, any ideas for a more effective sideboard would be great. I'm a little worried about not being able to destroy artifacts or enchantments or other pesky permanents but I guess I might have to live with that, since the deck is mono black. Any help, suggestions, or ideas in this area would be fantastic and so greatly appreciated!
