I am so sick and tired of try-hards at my local FNM talking smack about Liliana of the Dark Realms every time she's brought up. "She's a 4CMC for 3 loyalty!" "Activating her second ability when she's just been played kills her!" "She's just not playable." Nope. Been hearing the same things about her that everyone's been saying and nothing new to bring to the table. So I'm here to disprove and wreck the meta at my local FNM.
Here's the breakdown.
Removal
Victim of Night -- 2CMC kill spell. Usually I'd consider this too risky as it doesn't hit vampires, zombies and werewolves. However, the meta has changed since this spell first arrived on the scene and not everyone's playing those creatures. So it's a good spell to have.
Doom Blade -- Again, another 2 CMC kill spell. A lot of people are playing black at my local comic shop, but the majority of those playing black play control or Jund. If indeed your opponent is running a creature heavy black deck, just sideboard in Murder.
Tribute to Hunger
-- Probably one of my favorite sacrifice spells. I know how effective it is 'cause I get pissed off when someone uses it on me. The important thing on this is timing, however. And yeah, it kind of sucks against green decks playing T1 Arbor Elf T2 Arbor Elf Arbor Elf (you get the idea) but if you know how to play it you'll be fine.
Mutilate -- Your bread and butter. Overrides indestructibility, regenerate abilities, etc. All for 4CMC. Granted, it's dependent on how many lands you control, we're playing mono black here.
Mind Rot -- Not exactly considered 'removal', but it's hand control and it's effective. They can't kill you if they don't have things to play in their hand, right? (Unless you're playing against reanimator, but in that case you have more than enough kill spells.)
Desecration Demon -- This guy is definitely removal. Yeah, he's a creature but he's a 4CMC for 6/6. Either you kill some of their creatures, they get scared of it's strength and sac creatures to tap it, you deal damage or they spend a removal spell on it. Either way, you're getting something done with this. And if brought out at T4 it is definitely a threat that must be dealt with immediately.
Liliana of the Dark Realms -- Her first ability fuels Mutilate, her second ability is basically a
Death Wind
and, assuming you can reach it (but don't bet on it), her emblem almost guarantees you a win if you don't keep top decking lands but actual threats.
Tools to help you reach your win condition
There are lots of tools to help you reach your win conditions in this deck (and I'll explain what those are in a bit if it isn't apparent already) and I'll explain how and why.
Underworld Connections -- I prefer this over Sign in Blood 'cause it can be an EoT and in a game going longer than usual, this definitely helped me out loads.
Evolving Wilds -- I used to think this thing was near useless 'til like a year ago. It thins out your deck, bringing out the lands you need and increases the odds of you drawing into what you want.
Liliana of the Dark Realms -- Same idea as Evolving Wilds -- drags the swamps out of your deck and increases your chances of drawing into what you need. Admittedly, she's not what you'd consider the 'win condition' of the deck but more of a tool and she's also there for flavor. What would the game be without flavor?
In addition, many people forget that planeswalkers provide damage deflection. Instead of you taking the damage, Liliana presents a threat that needs to be dealt with.
Diabolic Tutor -- 4CMC just straight up look through your deck for whatever you want. Simple as that.
Bloodgift Demon -- A little more draw power in a body. Holds the front against little dudes, maybe play offensive if you're in the position to.
Win conditions
Corrupt -- This is fueled by Evolving Wilds and Liliana of the Dark Realms. If you're a little behind, you close the gap or completely get ahead of them. If you're already ahead of the game, you increase the gap in life. Also a finisher late enough into the game.
Griselbrand -- This really doesn't need an explanation.
Nightmare -- I really like this card 'cause it's strength is based off swamps you control. Every time I've brought this out in a game, if it wasn't dealt with immediately it won me the game.
Shrieking Affliction -- Very unassuming card. Deals quite enough damage to your opponent over time. Late game if your opponent's deck has run out of fuel and he/she's top decking, he's also losing life. Additionally, it discourages them from playing their hand. Mind Rot really helps out here.
