Don't worry TheoryCrafter! The update list I refer to is yet to be published, you couldn't have known! Still, I'll look forward to you deck once it'll be posted, I feel like there's a lack of Phenax decks around and I want to use as many chances as I can get for confronting with others on this matter. I hope I'll be able to get my order through and done by the end of the month.

THCue, I've got some news. This update is not out yet, as stated earlier, but I'm thinking of cutting out the Tunnel Vision combo related cards, among with Tunnel Vision itself. This is due to a number of reasons, mainly the fact that tutors got banned from my playgroup, so the consistency of this combo dropped off completely. I have yet to decide myself onto this, but substituting the cards in those slots could allow for better overall performance of the deck in general, other than increasing the support for the mill theme in general. At the moment I'd like to wait a bit, in order to check and see if Strixhaven has something to hand out to mill players. Stay tuned, the update will come out... eventually.

Awesome I've made tons of changes to mine can't wait to see what you did and we all can compare. Keep us updated.

Got the cards and then found myself rebuilding the whole deck. Sorry it took so long K1ngMars. Here it is: Phenax of the Many Mills

I've got a Phenax deck since 3 years now (mostly thanks to this primer) and I've got one recommandation and question : How do you manage to resolve the Bloodchief Ascension as we are usually not attacking, ok there is Syr Konrad, the Grim or Duskmantle Guildmage to trigger it but I feel like it's heavily reliant on your opponents. It probably works in your playgroup but whenever I play it, I become the archenemy (even if it's turn 1) because they know that when it's going to be online, it will be really difficult for them to kill me and prevent me from killing them. An alternative/recommandation at the same cost may be Ruin Crab. P.S. I love the legacy combo <3

Sorry for the double post, what are your thoughts about Captain N'ghathrod in the 99 ? Could help to bring value or adding damage with the few horrors in the deck. As for the bane of your existence, I love Bitter Ordeal but yeah it's tutoring. Sorry for the crab recommandation from last post, I did not read your previous post.

Hi Syndras, thanks for the comment and sorry for the (very late) reply.

Regarding Bloodchief Ascension, I agree with you with both observations: in fact, I tend to never play that card on turn one as all my opponents will just start attacking me. However it happens sometimes that I am able to get some form of large blocker early on against aggro decks, at which point they are forced to attack else where and "gift" me one or two counters. I can rarely get the enchantment to three counters, as that generally means I immediately win/kill someone, but that speaks to its undoubted power. Moreover, it is a good lightning rod for removal, for just one . Do not forget, that due to how life exchange works, Tree of Perdition's effect meets the condition of "life loss" required by Bloodchief Ascension, so long as the opponent we are targeting has at least 15 life.

As for Ruin Crab, albeit being powerful in 60 card formats, it is generally too little too late for commander, at least in my opinion, unless you start looping large amounts of lands, something probably more suited for a Muldrotha, the Gravetide deck.

Regarding Bitter Ordeal, actually the main issue is that Gravestorm counts each permanent put into a graveyard this turn, but milled cards, despite featuring permanent card types are not permanents since they do not go to the graveyard from the battlefield, and as such do not count towards Gravestorm. Moreover, as you already said, due to my playgroup's additional rules, this card is not playable as it would count as a "reverse tutor".

Captain N'ghathrod is certainly interesting, as it could provide incidental advantage to the 5 Horrors in the deck. However, the most important effect would be its last ability, which albeit powerful, would probably suffer from the same fate as Wrexial, the Risen Deep. I will keep an eye on it, I could try it out and see how it performs, thanks for the suggestion.

im going to make a deck like this, with more infinite mill combos Mindcrank + Duskmantle Guildmage etc

Good to know Dimir_Unseen! I'll be glad to have a look at it!