Kuroikage

Modern Avatar Death's Shadow Goodstuff Jank Mono-Black Tempo Theme/Gimmick

Andramalech

Creature (25)

• 4x Boggart Trawler  ^Flip
• 4x Death's Shadow
• 4x Nethergoyf
• 3x Orcish Bowmasters
• 3x Scourge of the Skyclaves
• 3x Shadow of Mortality
• 4x Street Wraith

Instant (13)

• 3x Fatal Push
• 4x Fell the Profane  ^Flip
• 3x Malakir Rebirth  ^Flip
• 3x Spoils of the Vault

Land (8)

• 4x Swamp
• 4x Verdant Catacombs

Sorcery (9)

• 4x Agadeem's Awakening  ^Flip
• 3x Thoughtseize
• 2x Toxic Deluge

Enchantment (4)

• 4x Ripples of Undeath

Artifact (1)

• 1x The Last Ride

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Sideboard

Instant (9)

• 3x Dismember
• 3x Flare of Malice
• 3x Surgical Extraction

Sorcery (6)

• 3x Feed the Swarm
• 3x Postmortem Lunge

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Maybeboard

Creature (9)

• 4x Hex Parasite
• 4x Necroplasm
• 1x Rowan, Scion of War

Artifact (1)

• 1x Mishra's Bauble

Instant (12)

• 4x Not Dead After All
• 4x Supernatural Stamina
• 4x Undying Malice

Sorcery (2)

• 1x Night's Whisper
• 1x Persist

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This deck is a mono-black ({B}) Death's Shadow shell utilizing cards from Modern Horizons 3 (MH3).

Theme

(the name of the deck comes from the Japanese translation of "Black Shadow", since I'm such a big fan of the Naruto universe.)

• I have researched Death's Shadow prior to 2015 Era magic, and it was formerly a staple in 'Grixis Shadow' or even 'Jund Shadow' builds.

• My attempt here is to commit to the mono-colored shell and succeed with an idea where otherwise, the meta might say is simply too restricted; two and three colored decks always have more access to tech and response spells.

• Nevertheless, I'm about this concept because initially when this deck was popular, Shadow of Mortality and Scourge of the Skyclaves were not yet printed. So I'm curious to see if there's any utility brought back to the archetype.

Construction

• This deck is being created (well, recreated) following the release of Modern Horizons 3 (2024). It's meant to capitalize on the printed cards Boggart Trawler  , Fell the Profane  , and formerly printed cards Malakir Rebirth   and Agadeem's Awakening  .

No Pain (lands), No Gain

• My intention is to use as many pain lands that sting as deep as 3, or spells that cost life to execute, such as Postmortem Lunge, Feed the Swarm, etc.

• As I previously mentioned, I've done a bit of research and a short compiled list of typical, featured pieces key to the functionality of a 'Shadow' shell include the following:

Hand Disruption

• Thoughtseize, Grief, Inquisition of Kozilek are typical choices due to the efficacy of preventing those pesky removal spells.

Draw Advantage

• Street Wraith as a dual use card, lowering our life total and drawing a card, thinning the deck, doing all the things necessary.

• Ripples of Undeath was chosen over Necrodominance due to the circumstantial setup choice, and how Undeath functions almost like a Black Sylvan Library.

Removal

• The only noteworthy thing in the mainboard is really Fatal Push, and otherwise we have Dismember in the sideboard.

Discussion

This archetype is so old and a lot of duelists I've engaged with don't remember this kind of deck! Once upon a time shock lands like Blood Crypt and Watery Grave meant business. With the high-time of Red Deck Wins looming over everyone, it's hard for a deck like this to succeed but it IS SO MUCH FUN. I hope that I hear from you in the comment section, don't forget to leave an upvote whether you love the concept or despise it. Hot girls have haters ~<3

Top Ranked	Achieved #21 position overall 1 week ago Achieved #9 position in Modern 3 days ago Achieved #3 position in Modern Theme/Gimmick 3 days ago
Date added	8 months
Last updated	3 days
Legality	This deck is Modern legal.
Rarity (main - side)	15 - 0 Mythic Rares 23 - 6 Rares 18 - 6 Uncommons 0 - 3 Commons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	2.92
Tokens	Orc Army
Folders	Modern Decks I Did Not Make