Mono black control for a long time has been one of the leading archetypes at FNM, with the pilots of those decks providing jealousy to those with a lower budget with magic. Since I haven't so far seen a good budget version of this archetype, I gave it a try. Here it is!
Erebos, God of the Dead: Yes, I know it isn't budget, but I only put in one, and my friend has one he's willing to trade away.
Grey Merchant of Asphodel: No brainer. Every mono black standard deck, budget or not, should have (and probably does have) at least two of these. I put in three.
Liliana's Reaver: The budget replacement as a 4-drop for Desecration Demon. The deathtouch can challenge your opponent's creatures, while if you can get through using Gift of Orzhova of Herald of Torment enchanting it, you will reap the benefits.
Agent of the Fates: the budget replacement for Lifebane Zombie. While it doesn't have intimidate, the deathtouch on the agent scares your opponents into letting it through, while it can keep his/her creatures from attacking if left untapped. Plus, the heroic (which can be activated) on your opponent's one super-enchanted hexproof creature can make them rage quit and flip the table.
Spiteful Returned: I have loved this card ever since born of the gods was spoiled. If you enchant it onto an evasive creature (or put an evasive enchantment on it) you can cause some serious life loss. Plus, it triggers heroic!
Herald of Torment: The budget replacement for nightveil specter]]. It's an aggressive flyer, it triggers heroic, and can give evasion to creatues like Liliana's Reaver and Spiteful Returned.
Bile Blight: Kills many utility creatures early on, while can also be used as a combat trick against any creatures it can't already kill. If your opponent, although unlikely, is playing tokens, this pounds them.
Doom Blade: Kills everything easily as long as you're not playing against black. In the sideboard for that.
Devour Flesh: can be either removal or life gain if you say a creature.
Ultimate Price: especially with devotion decks taking over, this is good in most matchups.
Gift of Orzhova: gives evasion, balances your life total, and triggers heroic. Why not?
Quag Sickness: If it doesn't instantly kill a creature, this common will constantly make it weaker as the game progresses.
Whip of Erebos: balances your life total, plus reanimate fun: see the look on your opponent's faces when you bring back your Grey Merchant of Asphodel!
Read the Bones: card draw that helps filter for what you want.
Sideboard coming soon.
Please upvote, comment, and check out my other decks!
