Updated 1/5/22
This budget mono black devotion deck revolves around sacrificing creatures, drawing cards, and eventually casting Gray Merchant of Asphodel to win the game. Turn 1 and 2 you should try to get a Vampire of the Dire Moon, Bloodsoaked Champion, or Yarok's Fenlurker out on the board. Also, cards like Kitesail Freebooter in the early game make sure the coast is clear and they get rid of anything you won't be able to deal with on the board.
It is important to be aggressive with attacking the first couple turns until they get a couple creatures out there. The 1 and 2 CMC creatures are great for sacrificing in the late game. Once you get cards like Ayara, First of Locthwain and Nightmare Shepherd, you can use them to sacrifice creatures, draw cards, and do damage. Creatures and enchantments like Zulaport Cutthroat, Grim Haruspex, Dark Prophecy, give you lots of devotion and greatly benefit that strategy. It is best to control the opponents board state with cards like Spark Harvest and Ravenous Chupacabra. Witch's Cottage is there to get a creature back if it is beneficial. Castle Locthwain is there as a card draw backup.
Once you have a good board state set up you can cast Gray Merchant of Asphodel for lots of damage and most of the time end the game. If that isn't enough, then activate Ayara, First of Locthwain to sacrifice the Merchant and bring it back with Nightmare Shepherd. you can also use this combo with cards like Ravenous Chupacabra, Kitesail Freebooter, and Yarok's Fenlurker.
For the side board...the one thing that mono-black usually lacks is enchantment removal but Feed the Swarm will work if needed. I included Tainted Remedy in the sideboard for life gain decks. 2 Duress for control based matchups as well as Ashiok, Dream Render for any Graveyard centric decks. Witch's Vengeance is for any decks that go wide with tokens or tribal decks. Finally, Hero's Downfall can be used against more creature and planeswalker heavy decks when you need more removal.
Overall this deck is very fun to play and has so many ways to do damage, draw cards, and win. I’m trying to keep this a budget deck and I know there are some more expensive options. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and if you have any suggestion for me, on a budget, let me know! I'm always open to ideas!
