What are the strenghts/weaknesses of this deck? Is there something that there should be more of in the deck or something that needs to be removed.

The deck started out as unblockalbe/infect, but it morphed to this. One reason it changed was I wanted to remove all of the Zendikar block. I think that what it has become is actually better than the original.

I know this is a radical change, but I consider Livewire Lash one of those cards that the deck has to be built around. I would consider, +2 Livewire Lash +4 Distortion Strike +4 Virulent Swipe (death touch with Virulent Wound could work out very well). Also I would add in more dual lands to throw some more double black mana cost creatures, mainly Phyrexian Crusader (first strike could work well with death touch also) and to help with what you already have.

For this change I would suggest dropping Unholy Strength , Unsummon , Necropede

bolarakis,

I like your suggestions, but I'm trying to do the deck without Zendikar block.

I haven't come across any Phyrexian Crusaders yet, but I have been considering the change.

I've had success with the Livewire Lash, but I was hesitant to add more. You're probably right about the deck needing more. I'll probably replace the Unsummons as I get better cards.

Thanks for the comment.

Might as well cut blue entirely, maybe run some duress instead of counterspells?

Duress is already in. Blue has been helpful in places were black was ineffective.

I think you should run less islands and more swamps -3 island +3swamp or run -4 island and +4 drowned catacomb. That would be best.

I think you could do a lot with 2x livewire lash, and 2x mimic vat in this deck.

I think you should consider Disperse as well. For clearing..since zendikar is out for you.

You could even do 4x mimc OR 4x livewire, but I like the mix.

I approve of the sideboard, but I think you could cut Inxorable Tide. Better to have room for disperse.

Well it seems that you're going with a U/B control here. I think you'll want to have Ichorclaw Myr in the deck as it typically goes through unblocked. Plague stinger and that myr are typically my win conditions granted that will change with phyrexian crusaders.

I recently removed virulent wound from my U/B control infect deck, but if you're set in keeping it in there, then I'd go with 3 of them and 3 go for the throats.

Sideboard flashfreeze for valakut decks gotta love a 2 mana cost counter. It seems like a pretty sweet setup though and looks like it would be pretty effective.

If you're looking at making it more aggro, then green is the way to go. You don't get much better than putrefax and giant growth, not to mention a few other instants and sorcery spells from the scars block.

Phyrexian vatmother is another option, though can be dangerous if you have an infect heavy meta.

I'll give it a couple playtests and see how it works.

Alright after playtesting it a few times, I really like how your deck works. It is a bit slower than my aggro infect deck, but went toe to toe with it pretty well. One thing I definitely think is scratch doom blade for go for the throat. What really killed you was having doom blade instead of go for the throat to deal with my plague stinger. Virulent wound played pretty well, but I still think cut it to 3 instead, maybe go 4 go for the throat 3 virulent wound and then place another creature such as ichorclaw myr into it.

Phyrexian crusader played beautifully, but was normally my first target for counters when I had my lash out and equipped. Since you are playing control, consider darksteel plate, nothing like a control indestructible, that works wonders in my U/B right now.

While I love praetors in general, you may want to cut it to 3 instead of 4 as it was never really the game ender unless you make it indestructible in which case it becomes much more efficient.

Overall I really do like your deck and you gave me some good ideas for my own U/B control infect. Hope some of my tips help. Feel free to ignore them all though lol.

oh and +1

might be worth considering card:Black Sun's Zenith

okay, I'll bite. What's wrong with Zendikar?

I am new to the game and I'm trying to avoid investing in cards that will be out in August. I don't plan on playing Legacy, so I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck. I know I could create a better deck if I let Zendikar in, but I want to see what I can do without it.

I didn't play during Alara block, I took a year off from playing, and my friends loaned me all the cards I needed once I picked it back up, could you borrow stuff?

I know you want to keep it Zendikar free, but would you invest in some commons? If so, there is no reason at all for you to use Disperse over Into the Roil

If you can get your hands on them Inkmoth Nexus is always good. I like Drowned Catacomb over the Darkslick Shores It'll come into play untapped alot more than the shores. Plus it will let you play the nexus easier. Also if you want the equipment bonus Piston Sledge is amazing in infect. Also you can sack the nexus if you need to. and if you want more artifacts for it, you can put in Ichor Wellspring , which is draw. Also I agree with above getting a couple common Into the Roil won't hurt you and when it rotates you can just put Disperse or something else in.

Hope it helps. +1

I won't disagree, this deck could be better if I used some of the Zendikar block. I really enjoy playing the deck knowing that I'm drawing from a limited amount for cards and that makes every win that much more special.

I haven't seen the Piston Sledge in action yet, but I have seen it getting a lot more play than I expected in infect decks. I was using Livewire Lash , but that eventually was removed for more control.

As soon as I come across Drowned Catacomb or Inkmoth Nexus they will be in. Right now, I'm just working with what I have.

Just saying I had a guy play a skittles on me one turn that I couldn't elim cause i didn't have any at the time and next turn he played two Piston Sledge ftw It was an amazingly stupid game. Plus turn three sledge on a Plague Stinger is stupid if they don't have elim in hand. Oh you don't have any elim? Take 4 and get ready for more.

Distant Memories might be something to play test in this deck. Gives you a tutor ability or a draw ability for one less than card:Jace's Ingenuity.

I think a good draw card is Jace Berlen. It is even less mana than Distant memories, plus it kills all those stupid Mind sculptors out there. And may I ask why you dont want to use the Zendikar block?

I think a good draw card is Jace Berlen. It is even less mana than Distant memories, plus it kills all those stupid Mind sculptors out there. And may I ask why you dont want to use the Zendikar block?

@turtledove19 he doesn't want to invest in the set since it'll be rotated out in august.

It's not just financially investing in it, part of it is I just enjoy keeping this deck out of Zendikar. Plus this deck will be viable in tourny play for a while. I have other decks that do use Zendikar, such as Destructor, but I take pleasure in having a competitive deck that draws from less resources.

I know I need a draw mechanism in the deck. I'm not sure what is my best option. Preordain is popular and so is card:Jace's Ingenuity. I was thinking about Foresee and Distant Memories . Any other suggestion would be helpful.

I'm just not sold on the speed of your deck. I know the trade off of quick infect creatures for the control aspect, but I have seen this deck run with only 1 or 2 creatures on the board for too long deep in the game. I like the experimenting with other than quick artifact/green/black infect that so many others are married to, but I would like to see you exploit when your (crusaders especially) creatures get through for a one shot kill, or major damage.