This is a riff on monoblack devotion, minus some of the more commonly seen (and expensive) staples. No Desecration Demons, Mutavaults, Pack Rats, etc.
It retains one of the core win cons of MBD (4x Gary), but is powered by a core of humans--Xathrid Necromancer,
Agent of the Fates
and
Rakdos Shred-Freak
. After playtesting this deck against Monoblue Devotion, and some kitchen-table Golgari and Selesnya decks, it feels pretty powerful. It's consistent, faster than it looks and once it gets going can really control the board state with tons of removal. At 3 swamps it really starts to open up and do some damage.
I'm really looking for some help side-boarding, and any other tips you may have for the mainboard (any advantages I'm missing given the theme).
I'll break down some of the more unique cards in this deck. I assume most folks understand why cards like Underworld Connections and Read the Bones are in a deck like this.
Agent of the Fates
- I love Secret Agent Man! He's the reason I built this permutation of MBD. At 3 CMC he's a 3/2 with deathtouch, 2B devotion (for Gary in later game), and has the nastiest Heroic ability by far--kind of a disgusting package. Of course, you need a Heroic trigger, and black isn't exactly spoiled with them. Most will try and go for super cheap triggers (Orzhov has some great options). Instead, I tried to find something a little more substantial, but not overpriced. Which leads me to...
Gift of Orzhova
- Or, as I call it, "Gift of Orange Soda." What a bitch this is. 3 CMC, good for another 2B devotion, and gives the agent flying, +1/1 and Lifelink. And it triggers heroic and makes opponent sac a creature. Ideally on turn four you're swinging for 4 damage with lifelink, and deathtouch, and you've cleared the board a bit.
Xathrid Necromancer - His triggered ability is awesome. With him on the board, if he dies, or Agent, or
Rakdos Shred-Freak
, or
Deathcult Rogue
, they all come back as 2/2 black zombies. You only need one--just let him hang out and sit there as a block threat. It's a real pain in the ass for opponents as they can never get a leg up.
Rakdos Shred-Freak
- 2 CMC that's a 2/1 with haste, and 2B devotion, very very nice. And he's a human so Xathrid brings him back.
Basilica Screecher
- He's really here to block any cheap flyers early game. Or throw himself to die at a flying fatty. A flying Agent with deathtouch/lifelink is a scary thing on your side, but it doesn't always happen early enough. For instance, Monoblue Devotion will sometimes run
Judge's Familiar
, which can really start to bleed you out if you don't have any flying blockers early game. And it seems stupid to use, what, a Hero's Downfall on a 1/1 owl? Plus his Extort is always nice. Helps give take the mana curve down a tad as well.
That's about it. Like I said, looking for help with the sideboard mainly, and of course any ideas for mainboard that may be more synergistic. I will say I'm not really interested in running any DDs, Thoughtseize, Nightveil Specters, Mutavaults, or Pack Rats in this. Trying to break away from those staples to both save on budget and also make something slightly new.
Thanks in advance!
