What's the aim?
The aim of this deck is to get Master of Cruelties out onto the battlefield, then use a card like Glaring Spotlight or Break Through the Line to reduce the opponents life total to 1, before finishing them off with a quick burn.Mainly want some Sideboard suggestions to help this deck adapt, Mainboard suggestions are also welcome of course!!
Card List Breakdown
Mainboard
So, in case the reason for each card wasn't obvious enough, I'll provide reasons for my choices here:
Master of Cruelties - I love this card. I think it's awesome, hence building a deck around it. Originally he won me a few games just by having one or two in my old deck, so I deemed him worthy of his own deck. Oh and First Strike + Deathtouch? Fight me bro.
Mogis, God of Slaughter - A god designed to work with Master of Cruelties here, every turn bleeds the opponent or forces them to sacrifice some precious defence. Also, once their health is reduced to 1, if I have no burns in hand, Mogis provides reliable fall-back.
Vexing Devil - This little guy is ridiculous. Just 1 for a 4/3. Makes for either an amazing addition to the defence line, a sweet instant 4 damage to the opponent, or a perfect little attacker.
Pharika's Chosen - A pretty comfortable little defender to hold the line. Since it has deathtouch, it'll kill whatever it damages, stopping any damage I'm not comfortable taking.
Chandra, Pyromaster
- I always like to have a Planeswalker handy, and Chandra provides a nice little burn to help break down the opponents defence, to finish them off after the Master has done his work, and even to help him through the line. Her other abilities aren't too bad either, but don't contribute towards the combo really.
Liliana Vess - Ah my sweet Vess, helps me get rid of the opponents hand bit by bit, but most importantly, can help me draw Master of Cruelties if I'm unfortunate enough to have not drawn him yet. Of course, suddenly stealing all creatures from all graveyards, placing them onto the battlefield ready to fight for me isn't too bad either. Though it doesn't contribute to the combo, it does provide a nice little fall-back plan. I'm all about them fall-backs, me.
Lightning Bolt &
Collateral Damage
- My two main burns, nice and cheap as all I should really need them for is a quick 1 damage to finish, the fact they deal more is just a bonus.
Collateral Damage
may require me to sacrifice a creature, but assuming it's a finisher that's hardly a cost.
Terminate & Dreadbore - Do these need explaining really? Destroy creatures. That's good. Me want that. Two mana? Even better. Also can destroy Planeswalker? Stop it you.
Break Through the Line - Says it all in the title really doesn't it? Haste and unblockable for Master of Cruelties for just one (assuming it's placed before the Master is out)? Yes please.
The Lands As many dual colours as I can get, but maybe a bit over the top? I do like the scry from Temple of Malice but feedback on the others would be greatly appreciated.
Sideboard
Glaring Spotlight - This shuts down hexproof decks AND gives Master of Cruelties a way through any defence line that might be in place, would replace Break Through the Line when fighting hexproof decks I imagine.
Lightning Greaves - In sideboard at the moment mainly as I'll be swapping them in and out to test them. These obviously provide a way to play Master of Cruelties and then attack the same turn.
That's it ladies and gentlemen! Need suggestions for more sideboard cards to give this deck a little more adaptability, and of course any improvements to its main body would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
