The Plague

Modern Chasko145

SCORE: 51 | 64 COMMENTS | 8529 VIEWS | IN 10 FOLDERS


Chasko145 says... #1

Thanks for viewing!

May 17, 2017 12:09 p.m.

vashaclarens says... #2

With only 3 blue mana symbols in your entire deck, you're better off finding something else that can fulfill a similar purpose using black mana. I would recommend some Zombie Anthems like Cemetery Reaper, Death Baron, Lord of the Accursed, or big zombies like Diregraf Colossus. Vile Rebirth and Shamble Back are good ways to get creatures out cheap, because right now you only have 3 creatures below 3 CMC.

May 17, 2017 1:14 p.m.

There are 11 too many cards

May 26, 2017 10:17 a.m.

This deck is only 27% lands and 23% 5+ drops. I recommend you add a couple lands, and take out some of the expensive cards like the stuff from the liliana starter deck.

May 26, 2017 10:25 a.m.

Chasko145 says... #5

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions! Just made a couple changes, let me know what you think!

May 27, 2017 6:03 p.m.

I like it

May 27, 2017 10:51 p.m.

Kineverence says... #7

I like the idea of the deck. Create zombies while also splashing in some control elements forcing players to make choices or even not granting them a choice. One of the only things I could think of to try and fix is that when play testing many times, I mainly drew some lands and some creatures with high mana costs and some spells with low mana costs. I kept having bad luck with it probs but just try to get a few more low drop/early creatures to get out fast. Very cool deck otherwise!

June 16, 2017 11:30 p.m.

Chasko145 says... #8

Thanks for the feedback, glad you like it! I'm actually working on that right now haha. Im adding a couple 1-3 drops with infect. I think I'm going to morph this into a zombie/infect deck. Cause why not?

June 16, 2017 11:38 p.m.

Kineverence says... #9

Infect is just cruel! XD Flensermite, Ichor Rats, Phyresis or even Plague Stinger you don't know how many times I have beat out all my friends cause lack of flying or reach cards in their deck! Slow painful death... Good luck!

June 16, 2017 11:52 p.m.

Chasko145 says... #10

Yes! Thats what I'm saying! xD those are some of the cards im adding! I think it'll be funny to watch them all get mad haha

June 17, 2017 midnight

IlGuale says... #11

Hi! Have you tried looking at standard's mono-B zombies' list? It's a really good starting point if haven't played for some time and can be quite upgradable with time and money.

This is a sample list: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/archetype/standard-mono-blackzombies#paper

And this is a relatively old article about a budget zombie deck, with an ultra budget list inside: https://www.mtggoldfish.com/articles/budget-magic-110-54-tix-standard-zombies

Bad news is that in a few months it won't be standard legal anymore. Good news is that modern has a greater card pool and, usually, with rotations prices drop.

August 24, 2017 6:25 a.m.

musicman3310 says... #12

Maybe play Unnatural Endurance, Supernatural Stamina, and Grotesque Mutation for those infect deck beef ups while keeping your stuff and you alive.

August 26, 2017 11:19 p.m.

Chasko145 says... #13

I like that idea. Ill have to make a few changes. Hitting for 1 or 2 infect everytime is kinda slow sometimes. But hitting for 3-4 would be awesome. Especially for 1 extra mana. Thanks!

August 26, 2017 11:28 p.m.

Xica says... #14

If you plan to go creature heavy, add more Bontu's Monument, and take advantage of the best color to draw cards, which prevent you from being ground out, by removal, the opponent having bigger creatures, or discard engines.
(Sign in Blood; Night's Whisper; Phyrexian Arena or more extreme stuff like Vampire Hexmage + Phyrexian Etchings, or go big/go home Null Profusion - which is suicidal if the opponent has discard, and is also too slow for modern)

Some good hate against the graveyards like Leyline of the Void/Nihil Spellbomb/Ravenous Trap.
Same is true about having ways do attack combo with stuff like Duress.

August 27, 2017 10:57 a.m.

Xica says... #15

Plus mono black has some very good power cards, that some may say are mandatory - and in case there is no apparent strategy even i tend to prescribe.
Phyrexian Obliterator - sadly its a removal magnet, but when it survives its like the old versions of eldrazi titans
Disciple of Bolas or Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Vampire Nighthawk; Gifted Aetherborn
Geralf's Messenger
Vampire Cutthroat
...etc.

So without wanting to be rude, what is your aim with the deck (if you have something in mind)?
Zombie tribal? Black (controll-ish) infect? Mono black devotion/goodstuff?

August 27, 2017 11:19 a.m.

Chasko145 says... #16

What i was going for was just a monoblack zombies and infect. I'd like to stay with that theme as much as possible. Pretty much get out as many creatures as i can, pump the infect guys up and kill.

August 27, 2017 11:31 a.m.

Xica says... #17

Well as far i know traditionally mono black infect tended to run a few playsets of infect creatures - Phyrexian Crusader, Plague Stinger, maybe Ichorclaw Myr or Inkmoth Nexus (as 4 of) - and support them with an extreme amount of remval and hand distruption spells.
(Black is very lacking in the pump spell department)
The closest thing black has to pump spells are Lashwrithe & Grafted Wargear.

The problem with mixing infect with other strategies comes from the fact that they don't help each other, i mean that infect counters don't decrease life total and vice versa, thus you dilute your deck, and sacrifice speed without getting much out of the deal.
Not to mention that most cards that support creature heavy stuff, like tribal decks, don't do much in the leaner infect decks, since creatures are rare.
For example Bontu's Monument is wonderful, when you cast 7-9 creatures during a game, and its not so useful, when you plan to use only 1 or 2 creatures.

August 27, 2017 11:44 a.m.

Chasko145 says... #18

After many changes I think this deck is finally set to my liking. It works pretty fast, and well with only 3-4 mana. Thoughts?

September 2, 2017 2:30 p.m.

Chasko145 says... #19

Shit.. Forgot to take out Phyresis and Tainted Strike.. Oops lol

September 2, 2017 2:36 p.m.

Blard says... #20

Try Mutagenic Growth for extra pump for free

September 19, 2017 9:44 p.m.

Sgt.Pickles says... #21

Hey man, I like the deck and I think it's decent and really fun, as you say, for playing casually or with friends. However, if you wish to take this to FNMs, it unfortunately won't do much.

The problem with this deck is that it's too slow and/or not resilient enough for modern. The strategy you're onto is a very popular one, but you need to do this super fast. Infect is usually played with the colour green because of Glistener Elf and the bigger pump spells. Green infect often wins turn 2-3, while this deck would probably win turn 4-5, which just isn't fast enough for modern, a format that has combo wins on turn 3, or perfect control decks. More over, your deck simply isn't resilient enough. When you get a creature on the battlefield after turn 1 or 2, chances are it will just get countered or hit by a removal spell. Infect is a deck that can be explosive, but loses steam super quickly if you don't get off on the right foot.

However, all hope is not lost :P black offers stronger (not cheaper, just more powerful) creatures and more control options to ensure your plan doesn't get stomped on. This is what sets it apart from green infect decks.

The goal of green infect decks is to do the job as quickly as possible, and they win by focusing solely on that plan. In order to win with black infect, you need to try not to think about speed and instead think about what black gives you: power and resiliency. So, you drop like half of your pump spells, drop a couple of the weaker infect creatures (keep flensermite, crusader, and plague stinger I guess), and increase the amount of control spells.

Right off the bat, take out Bontu's Monument. I promise you, it does nothing for you in this deck. Now, think about what pump spells are the best in this deck. Since we are not going for speed, one-time instant and sorceries are just not worth it, so cut those (except for maybe a couple copies of supernatural stamina, and/or grotesque mutation, as those guys have other uses) (you may notice I told you to keep things with lifelink, this is because you will struggle against Burn decks). So, I like the auras, especially the snakeskin thing. As it gives control a very hard time. Maybe use 3-4 copies of the snakeskin and cut out the rest of the auras. Lashwrithe is a must in this deck, it is just so ridiculously strong, so run 3-4 copies. Grafted Wargear can also be strong, but it's not as strong as lashwrithe, so don't think about it much for now. As for control, the biggest thing you are worried about is not so much opposing creatures, as we have our strong infect guys to block, but it's having your infect creatures removed. Therefore, run some Duress, and if you have the money, Inquisition of Kozilek. You could also add Apostle's Blessing. We do want some removal against things we can't deal with, so just go 2-3 copies of Victim of Night and 2-3 copies of Go for the Throat. I don't like Grasp of Darkness in this deck because it doesn't get huge things, which are the only real things we are afraid of.

So, try that stuff out, lemme know if you need any more help cause I'm always willing to share ideas :P good luck man!

September 24, 2017 11:05 a.m.

Chasko145 says... #22

Thanks for the feedback! I really appriciate the help. I've made a few changes recently and will update later.

October 1, 2017 7:38 p.m.

DrK4ZE says... #23

You could improve it a lot just by optimizing the cards you have. For example, all your hand disruption cards can be replaced with a combination of Thoughtseize, Inquisition of Kozilek, or even Collective Brutality. Researching, and finding the best version of each card can go a long way to improving any deck. Unfortunately, better cards tend to be more expensive, but if you can afford it you'll notice the difference.

Also, in an infect deck you typically want fewer creatures, more pump spells. So I'd cut Contagious Nim, and Bontu's Monument in favor of more removal/pump/hand disruption spells.

Finally, as a general deck building rule for beginners: to start a deck out pick 9 cards that you'd like to base the deck around. Run 4 of each, + 24 lands and BAM deck. From there you can shuffle things around a bit (fewer high drops more low drops/more lands or less lands/Varying your removal). This helps trim the fat, creates a consistent deck, and gives you a nice starting point.

Example:

Do your research, test it out, keep what works toss what doesn't. Always glad to see new players. Best of luck!

October 3, 2017 6:57 a.m.

Chasko145 says... #24

Thanks for the feedback! I forgot to update this before i cycled again haha. Ill try to update it tonight if i can find time. I think youll like the update a little more than this. Its working real well.

October 3, 2017 8:01 a.m.

Pieguy396 says... #25

I would strongly recommend some dual lands in your deck. Anything ranging from Jungle Hollows to Llanowar Wastes to Woodland Cemeterys to Overgrown Tombs to Verdant Catacombs can drastically increase the consistency of your deck. Also, a few effective pump spells that are generally run in Infect decks are Might of Old Krosa and Giant Growth, both of which are probably better than Forced Adaptation, Revenge of the Hunted, etc. Some effective removal spells also include Fatal Push and Go for the Throat, both of which I think are better than Doom Blade. In any case, good luck!

October 9, 2017 7:05 p.m.

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