My take on the new Vampires with Madness from Shadows.
I've noticed a lot of other BR Vampire brews are trying to be more midrange rather than true aggro, so I've made my curve as low as possible to really get the beaters out there.
I have to say that Liliana, Heretical Healer
is the deck changer here, she makes the deck go from mediocre to actually competitive.
Consistency is becoming less of an issue which is promising. More tweaking may be needed and recommendations are most welcome.
Card Choice Discussion
Insolent Neonate - Perfect fit for this deck and I feel it offers the most versatility. It is a Madness enabler, a draw engine, and a potential instant speed sac outlet to transform Liliana, Heretical Healer
. Did I mention it has Menace?
Indulgent Aristocrat - A 1/1 with Lifelink that isn't a dead draw in the mid to late game. for a counter on each Vampire I control is very useful.
Zurgo Bellstriker - The odd man out, but is a beater that fits the curve. It can also be made a Vampire (and a 3/3 with haste) with Olivia, Mobilized for War
Asylum Visitor - Having 0 cards in my hand is an inevitability and it can be as early as Turn 3. This card seems to be the most contentious when discussed in this brew and well, generally actually. But, in playtesting I have found it to be incredibly useful. It's a 3/1 beater, has Madness without the Falkenrath Gorger and it's draw mechanism has always proven relevant. Personally, I prefer running this over Tormenting Voice.
Ravenous Bloodseeker - A good 2 drop, but not a great one. Mainly used as a discard outlet but is also a good early game blocker and can potentially swing for a bit of damage. Only running 2-off for this reason.
Three Drops Show
At the moment I am only running 6 three drops and this is where I want it to stay. I think the only concession I would make in this regard is maybe one or two copies of
Stensia Masquerade.
Drana, Liberator of Malakir - She is a lightning rod for a reason.
Olivia, Mobilized for War - She makes everyone mean and is a worthy discard outlet. The best T3 and T4 play are an Olivia into a Drana which is just insane value.
Liliana, Heretical Healer
- This, other than Zurgo, is the odd card out but it makes perfect sense and I think takes this deck to another level. Obviously the goal here is to get her to transform and all her Planeswalker abilities are perfect fits for this deck. She gets a plus 2 for being a discard outlet, and she can immediately bring back any non-legendary creature in my graveyard. Her ultimate, thought I doubt will ever happen, is also very useful. Plus she makes a 2/2 Zombie. Having 8 sac outlets also makes her easy to transform if she is being targeted.
Removal and Utility Show
Lightning Axe - Pretty much kills everything and is also a discard outlet. In playtesting I haven't had to pay 6 yet.
Fiery Temper - Essentially a Lightning Bolt in this deck, but I have cast it for 3 in times of need which isn't that bad.
Alms of the Vein - Essentially a Lightning Helix in this deck, but again I have cast it for 3 in times of need which again isn't that bad for a 6 life swing.
Maybeboard Show
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet - Everyone knows how good this guy is, but at 4 CMC he is just out of the curve. He is still under consideration
Olivia's Bloodsworn - A nice little flyer whos ability is still relevant in the late game. Definitely considering dropping the two Zurgo's for this
Kolaghan's Command - Awesome, but a little expensive and might not be needed.
Cards I have ruled out Show
Incorrigible Youths - This seems to be a standard in a lot of these brews but I have found it wanting more times than I have had it pay off. A 3 drop 4/3 with haste is boss, but as a 5 drop? No thanks. Way out of the curve. I'd much rather have the 3 drops I have anyway.
To the Slaughter - I just can't get the Delerium to trigger with the current build.
Call the Bloodline - Playtested it and it was a little slow for my liking.
Tormenting Voice - I think this card is too slow for card advantage. I absolutely know I will always get to 0 cards which is why I feel putting card draw on a 3/1 beater, i.e. Asylum Visitor, is the superior fit for this deck.
Sinister Concoction - A good removal card but I don't like milling myself. If I were to mill a Drana or a Olivia I'd be super frustrated.
