If you have lifegain you can use Defiant Bloodlord

I don't think I have enough lifegain to justify Defiant Bloodlord, I'd rather run Sanguine Bond and even then I think Exquisite Blood is better to help stabalize.

@ Joblo01, Tainted Strike is definitely a good card but it feels a bit win-more I think. I'd have to pump Drana anyway, although a bit less, especially since in my playgroup we upped the infect-count to 15 since one of us started playing Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon.

Current pending changes are taking out Black Market to test Doubling Cube. Black Market feels too slow. Doubling Cube also seems very win-more, but I feel like I'd be happier to see it than Black Market in any case.

Have you looked at Life's Finale as a way to remove problems before they appear and to help Sepulchral Primordial?

Yeah, I'm thinking about testing it in the place of Black Sun's Zenith, but not sure yet. It's definitely on my radar though :)

What about Abhorrent Overlord

Would Sadistic Sacrament be good in this deck

What about infinite mana?

Magus of the Coffers+Umbral Mantle

xmistfitxzviprx: There are already 2 infinite mana combos in the deck, Basalt Monolith+Rings of Brighthearth and Rings of Brighthearth+Cabal Coffers+Deserted Temple.

Doesn't hurt to have one more

If you were going to run that, you'd be better off using Staff of Domination over Umbral Mantle as there aren't really any other creature tap abilities to abuse with mantle. Plus Staff provides access to your wincon given enough mana.

Erebos's Titan

I've tried Magus of the Coffers but he's just too slow. Gets removed too easily or dies in a boardwipe. Umbral Mantle is just a really bad card without the combo, like enpc said.

Sadistic Sacrament sure is backbreaking, but I think it's mainly good for 1vs1 and it just takes a lot of time to resolve, haha. That said, it's one to consider.

Currently have a Doubling Cube on its way in the mail to replace Black Market. Last week was the first time I finally pulled off what I intend to do with Black Market, which is drop it turn 4/5 and then do a boardwipe to gain a bunch of counters. The problem normally is that black market is a bad top deck and it won't get counters when commanders die. It really is just useful at the start of the game.

Infernal Darkness ?

Your deck is a thing of beauty, i hope it sees lots of play

Have you considered Homeward Path? In case someone takes control of drana.

Have you tried Kokusho, the Evening Star. It can't be abused as it would be in a dedicated reanimation deck but it is still really good. I would also suggest Hellfire if you are looking for another boardwipe. Its a 5 mana Plague Wind for this deck and the life loss is minimal unless fighting millions of tokens. A black mage shouldn't let that happen anyway while having access to insane removal like Tainted AEther or even a Pestilence. I would also suggest Phyrexian Tower since its a sac outlet on a land. Also would you consider adding a Grim Monolith over the Mind Stone since it can go ham with your Rings of Brighthearth and bump your infinite mana combos up to a good number of 3. Can I ask you how you have liked All Is Dust? In my mind Blacks biggest weakness is its inability to reliably deal with artifacts and enchantments and I feel that something like Oblivion Stone would be better since you can deal with things like opposing Sword of Light and Shadows or Sword of Feast and Famines that would otherwise ruin your day. I hope some of these suggestions were helpful.

Perfect_Phyrexia: Grim Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth doesn't produce infinite mana. The total cost to untap is 6 (4 from monolith, 2 from rings) and you only produce 3 each tap which nets zero mana.

ah that makes sense. Do you still think it would make a good addition nonetheless? Its an aight mana rock but really shines with ways to untap it like Aphetto Alchemist

Voltaic Key would be nice in that slot too since it can untap other rocks as well as going infinite with the Rings of Brighthearth and a big Everflowing Chalice or a Doubling Cube

I wonder if Forced March is better than Silence the believers.

Never underestimate the power to exile creatures.

Everyone should be running reanimation or indestructible stuff so exile is better when something like a Blightsteel Colossus is staring you down from across the table.

You're right, I forgot it exiled stuff.

Geth Lord of the Vault