I think I FINALLY found a way to utilize Master of Cruelties to the fullest. I was originally trying to go the route of using him as the primary win con, when I SHOULD be using him as a possible 1-2 combo punch. I got to thinking: "How could I best use him in a competitive environment without having to resort to only burn spells as a follow up?" I then started thinking of how monoblack uses "Gary" (Gray Merchant of Asphodel) to close out "board stalls" in mid-late game scenarios. Then I thought, "Why can't I use him as well? In fact, why not go with black creatures with evasion AND him to give myself some competitive options that already work well together, but give me a win from out of nowhere?"
So I brewed up this list. Welcome to "Devotion to a TRUE Master!"
WAYS TO WIN: Works like a monoblack build but uses some planeswalkers for draw/removal and come from out of nowhere with Master of Cruelties to set up a 1 turn clock
THE STARTING LINEUP:
Desecration Demon: Biggest creature monoblack uses and has built in flying evasion
Lifebane Zombie: Unless they have a black/artifact creature to block, he slips on by the following turn after a Master of Cruelties trigger. Has an upside of letting me "peak" at my opponent's hand, with an EVEN BIGGER upside of exiling a possible threat
Gray Merchant of Asphodel: Ah "Gary"...the most FEARED common in standard at the moment ;) This guy is great by himself with some devotion, however he is a good follow up to MoC instead of having to result to burn spells
AEtherling: An unblockable damage dealer? Why yes i will add you to the lineup! What's that? You like working with Whip of Erebos as well and staying around permanently after?
Thassa, God of the Sea: Just in case I need to make a creature TRULY unblockable to go in for the kill (and to make sure MoC can trigger in board stalls). She also has the handy ability of "cycling" away unwanted cards at the start of each turn. Basically increases how many cards I can "see" at the start of each of my turns. Devotion probably wont' be reached as I SHOULD be already winning if I do.
Master of Cruelties: The big man himself! A "quick" answer to those pesky decks that like to gain a lot of life like Selesnya AND monoblack devotion. Basically allows me to put them on a 1 turn clock after his trigger resolves
THE SUPPORT STAFF: *(i.e., Planeswalkers)
Jace, Architect of Thought: Gives me some card draw while helping out against aggro at times
Chandra, Pyromaster: Let's see...she can "ping" an opponent after MoC trigger, or just ping them for a damage and make a creature unblockable so MoC can get through...seems good! If she gets ticked up enough, I could even "dig" for a Lightning Strike with her ultimate to deal 9 damage
Ral Zarek: Same reasons as Chandra above, but also has the ability to take out an x/3 creatures if need be. Also, his ultimate SHOULD mean I win :)
THE WEAPONS: (a.k.a the removal spells)
Hero's Downfall + Dreadbore: Versatile at taking out most "threats' that are dropped on the board on the opposing side of the battlefield
Lightning Strike: takes out any x/3 creature while still giving me an option to burn the opponent's face after MoC trigger. COULD also lower loyalty on a planeswalker or else take them outright if <= 3
Mizzium Mortars: An answer to Blood Baron of Vizkopa along with being a possible one sided board wipe
Far / Away: Good at taking care of multiple creatures or else bouncing one of my own back to my hand to "protect it" from removal
UNSUNG HEROES: (everything else
Underworld Connections: Gives me a couple of black devotion along with being able to draw me a card
Rakdos's Return: Gives control/midrange decks fits and takes away any "card advantage" they have gained. Not to mention it is a 3 mana "ping" after MoC trigger if need be :)
Whip of Erebos: "Buys back" any soldiers that have perished in the line of duty while still adding a couple to black devotion
Thoughtseize: allows another "peak" while taking out the card that would have given me the most problem
COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED AND PLEASE +1 IF YOU LIKE IT!!
