The general idea is to harass my opponent with discards (Hymn to Tourach, Blightning, Liliana Vess) while building a vampire army that isn't too expensive to field and synergizes with buffs. Sangromancer's presence will reap the lifegain benefits of the aforementioned discards, in addition to that from dying creatures. As for the vampire army, there are some staples here that are just great at what they do, such as Bloodghast and his undying self, Gatekeeper of Malakir and his creature clearing, and of course Vampire Nighthawk. These guys are great in their own right, but only become much more threatening when
Vampire Nocturnus
is fielded, and exponentially more threatening when they have first strike from Stromkirk Captain and deathtouch (either innately or from a Basilisk Collar). And, of course, if my own vampires aren't enough, Olivia Voldaren is always there to make more.
With the presence of Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx and Cabal Coffers, mana has the potential to be at a massive surplus. Bearing that situation in mind, in addition to the amount of lifegain this deck can produce, Well of Lost Dreams will allow for new hands to be consistently drawn and fielded with speed. The goal is to not let games get that far, of course, but it's a solid backup plan none-the-less.
COMBOS:
Basilisk Collar
+
Sangromancer
+
Vampire Nighthawk
should also allow for some steady lifegain through the destruction of the opponent's creatures by vampires with deathtouch, in addition to lifegain through lifelink.
Basilisk Collar
+
Stromkirk Captain
+
Vampire Nighthawk
will basically allow the aforementioned lifegain strategy to operate without fear of losing my own creatures due to first strike.
Basilisk Collar
+
Bloodghast
can be a great cannonball approach to throwing your creatures at the opponent to kill their blockers off, or just being allowed through to suck up some life. Regardless of the vampire's fate, he'll always be back to do it again.
Gatekeeper of Malakir
+
Sangromancer
for some bonus life if gatekeeper's are played later on and the opponent has creatures out.
Basilisk Collar
+
Olivia Voldaren
can enable her to insta-kill target opponent's creatures, at the cost of not employing said creatures under my own control thereafter.
Thornbite Staff + Vampire Nighthawk
makes it an infinite creature sweeper at only a pop. Sangromancer
+
Thornbite Staff
+
Vampire Nighthawk
only sweetens the deal.
Sorin Markov will allow for damage to be dealt and life to be gained every turn, and the opportunity to set the opponent to 10 health if that becomes necessary. Ideally, he'll be able to pick-off injured creatures after the combat phase to generate even more life thanks to Sangromancer. Hopefully his ultimate won't ever be required, but it's there if needed to suicide the opponent. The option of removing loyalty counters from an opposing planeswalker through redirecting damage also doesn't hurt.
Liliana Vess will also be used as a tutor to pull whatever cards are necessary to complete any combos, as well as Liliana Vess
+
Sangromancer
for some bonus life while she harasses with discards. She can also make sure a black card is present on top of my library to trigger
Vampire Nocturnus
in the event that is absolutely necessary and not already present.
PENDING CHANGES?
I've considered removing 3xSangromancer and 2xBlightning to add 2xBloodline Keeper
and 3xCaptivating Vampire. At that point, it might make sense to ditch the semi-discard/lifegain approach of the deck altogether and also drop 2xLiliana Vess and 3xHymn to Tourach as well. I haven't really thought much beyond that and the direction I'd take things, though, but I'm tossing the idea around in my head. Again, at that point it might be a better to make a different deck altogether, as Thornbite Staff wouldn't have as strong a reason to be here anymore either.
COMMENTS:
The deck has definitely seen a lot of changes since I first started putting it together, but I think I'm generally happy with where it is now. I am definitely still looking for any feedback that anyone has; more ideas and different perspectives are always welcome. While I'd like the deck to be somewhat competitive, it's most certainly going to be used in a casual setting with friends.
