Deck with which I won a Battle for Zendikar Draft. 8 won, 1 lost
(9 players draft)
Most helpful cards:
Drana's Emissary is the avatar of the archetype, even though I didn't got to play her too often (and obviously she is priority target to opponent's removal within this deck). 2/2 flyer for 3 mana is always good deal. Her ability is good by it's own and it's great in this archetype. On top of that, she's a badass cool-looking sexy vampire.
Serene Steward a 2/2 is decent 2-drop by it's own. His ability is a game-winning one. There are nice flyers in black and white that abuse those +1/+1 counters. This creature paired with Drana's Emissary or Stone Haven Medic is gross. Even if she only triggers to put a counter on Courier Griffin as soon as it enters, it's freaking good value.
Silent Skimmer did an awesome job, it was the heart of the deck.
Dutiful Return was always a blast. It kind of countered the backside of Bone Splinters
Solid removal:
Stasis Snare is awesome too. Cheap instant speed unconditional removal which also synergizes well with Eldrazis that requires opponent's cards exiled like Wasteland Strangler which was deadly partnered-up with this enchantment.
Sheer Drop is very good, get's rid of early aggro threats if really needed; and if not, it's a table-turner at late-game thanks to it's awaken ability.
Bone Splinters, Smite the Monstrous and Gideon's Reproach have their conditions, but they do their job as efficiently as the rest of the guys.
Grip of Desolation was obviously the best removal in the deck. It exiles the targets; good thing by itself and also useful for the purposes of Wasteland Strangler. The "exile target land" part was a bomb in many scenarios including Awaken creature lands (that gave me 2x1 board value) and splashed opponent's lands.
Honorable mentions:
Emeria Shepherd was "the bomb" of the deck. She usually gets taken care of pretty fast, but her ability is a game changer at late stage of the match where I could wisely pick from tons of cards in my graveyard. Even if triggered only once (which was always the case), it's tons of value. She can get even back a Stasis Snare. In Zendikar, there are lots of creatures with Ingest and effects that then put the exiled cards in the owners graveyard, so it's more than likely that a Plains is waiting there to be brought back to the battlefield and instantly trigger Emeria Shepherds ability again.
Dominator Drone is a 3/2 for 3, which already makes it a decent creature; it has Ingest which is cool and served other purposes; but the most useful ability whas the ETB trigger, it's a surprise drop that wins matches. Made wonders for me, I loved this guy.
Blighted Steppe was incredibly loyal to the deck. Just by being there accompanied by Niraka Assassin or Kalastria Nigthwatch stopped opponents from attacking in a variety of difficult situations.
