This deck began during Theros/Return to Ravnica Standard as a cheap alternative to Mono-Black Devotion. It focused on
Agent of the Fates
and more aggressive creatures along with powerful Auras like
Deviant Glee
. Gradually, mostly due to rotation, it has shifted into a hybrid of aggro and midrange, focusing more on combat damage than Gray Merchant of Asphodel.
Creatures:
Bloodsoaked Champion is one of the three 2/1s that Mono-Black Aggro needs. This isn't exactly MBA, however, so the full four are not needed.
Gnarled Scarhide
is a four-of due to Bestow. Either you have an early 2/1, or you can pump one of your creatures later.
Tormented Hero
can actually block. With several Bestow creatures and
Boon of Erebos
, Heroic can actually be relevant.
Pain Seer
is a powerful card advantage engine. The average CMC in the deck isn't high, and most often I'll take three. With multiples out, you have to be careful, but it's very efficient.
Spiteful Returned
is another powerful card. It's essentially a 3/1, but like
Gnarled Scarhide
, it is greatly improved by Bestow.
Grim Haruspex draws us yet more cards. Mostly, the creatures are small, so be prepared for them to die hard and often. Haruspex gives a small advantage to combat as well.
Herald of Torment
is definitely strong. However, unlike
Pain Seer
, you lose life no matter what. Having multiples of this and the Seer can lead to a quick loss. Bestow is still great.
Mogis's Marauder
is one of the true win conditions. Intimidate lets our creatures dodge most blockers, since all of the creatures give at least one devotion. Play him and another creature to give haste as well.
Erebos, God of the Dead is another card drawer. The cost is steeper than Underworld Connections, but he can be a big body and card draw is still nice. If I already have one, the second is a dead draw, so I'm running one.
Support:
Boon of Erebos
is extremely useful during combat, or to "counter" removal. It can also get the last bit of damage in.
Bile Blight is the first piece of the removal suite. Very useful against tokens and fragile creatures.
Hall of Triumph
is a colorless anthem for us. Unfortunately, it's Legendary, so I'm running one to cut back on dead draws like with Erebos, God of the Dead.
Hero's Downfall is essential. It kills anything and everything. The only reason I'm not running four is because I don't have four.
Whip of Erebos counteracts our life loss, and can reanimate threats. It's not quite as useful as in a graveyard-focused deck, but it's still great.
Murderous Cut is the stand-in for the fourth Hero's Downfall. It can be cast for , which is nice, but it only hits creatures.
Temple of Malice is a relic from the days of
Deviant Glee
. It scrys though, which is quite useful.
Radiant Fountain gains us much-needed life and comes in untapped.
