A fairly cheap Grixis deck. It's definitely a control-type deck, killing creatures with cheap kill cards and removing other types of threats via Duress or Negate until the bombs come out to take over the game. There are definitely better replacements for a lot of these cards, but I'm going for a cheap deck with a lot of synergy. Any feedback and +1's are appreciated as always!
Kill Cards
Mizzium Mortars - One of my favourite cards. Takes out big threats like Kalonian Hydra and Blood Baron of Vizkopa. The overload cast is basically game when you've got out Master of Cruelties.
Dreadbore - Kills any creature and even hits Planeswalkers! Couldn't really ask for much more from 2 mana. This over Hero's Downfall cause well...that price of that card is too damn high!
Magma Jet - Amazing early game card. Can keep small creatures off the field early, but if there are no creatures, 2 damage to the face of the opponent is always worth it for the scry to set up the next few turns.
Doom Blade
- Great card most of the time. No explanation is really needed.
Lightning Strike - Added in for instant removal of haste creatures which were my main problem.
Far / Away
. Another great one. Makes getting rid of hex proof cards like Fleecemane Lion and Sylvan Caryatid manageable. Also a great way to get rid of GW's wurm and voice tokens.
Anger of the Gods - Just a great card against aggro and ramp, which is pretty much all I played against this week.
Helpers
Underworld Connections - Better in slower games when I can afford to take the life. When I can afford to use it it's a big help in keeping my hand full.
Duress - The cheap Thoughtseize. Great in the first few turns when you can find out what kind of deck they're playing and what their plays will be the next few turns. As a bonus you even get to take out any Planeswalker/instant/sorcery/enchantment/artifact that could give you trouble in the foreseeable future.
Negate - Since most creatures can be killed off with all the other cards.
Ral Zarek
- The most expensive card in the deck, but boy is he worth $10. His synergy with Master of Cruelties is unreal! He taps a blocker helping the Master get through while untapping a land to help keep land open for that Negate. If there are no blockers for the Master, his -2 wins the game. Even when Master of Cruelties isn't on the field, his -2 helps keep enemy creatures in check. Tapping blockers to help
Liliana's Reaver
get through is also no joke. If his ultimate goes off it's pretty much game over if I have any of my creatures out, but that's only a very rare bonus.
Bombs
Master of Cruelties - All these kill cards make it pretty easy for him to get through and take the opponent's life total down to 1.
Ral Zarek
and Magma Jet are the best ways to ping for that last point, but an attack from any of the other creatures will do it too. He's also an all-star on defence - 1st Strike Deathtouch is well, cruel! Even stops Kalonian Hydra and Obzedat, Ghost Council. You're gonna be glad this deck is running Negate (and Duress early game/when they're tapped out), because this guy is going to be the target of all the opponent's kill cards. If you do a good job keeping the opponent's creatures in check, he's almost always a game winner.
Liliana's Reaver
- In here because
Desecration Demon
is also too expensive for me right now, but he actually works with the deck quite well! Deathtouch on defence is great, but he's best on the offence. Once again kill cards and
Ral Zarek
help clear a way in, and when he hits it's nothing but value. Tokens help in future attacks, or even in defence a while later, and the forced discard is nice as well.
Hypersonic Dragon - A much cheaper alternative to Stormbreath Dragon. The 4/4 flying haste for 5 is great, but even better are the instant speed Dreadbores, Mizzium Mortars, and Duress's. Opponents need to get rid of this or else they're going to have a problem.
Lands
The guildgates are the main method of mana fixing for tricolour here. There are 10 so a bit more than half the land is still basic, meaning you can drop the guildgates early when you can afford to be a bit behind. Even if you pull one a bit later while searching for that 5th land for Master of Cruelties, the plethora of cheap kill cards should keep you out of harms way. Magma Jet also helps put a basic land to the top if you need one.
SIDEBOARD
3x
Slaughter Games
- One of the best sideboard cards. 4 of them to increase your chances of removing the biggest problem from the opponent's deck/graveyard/hand.
1x
Far / Away
- Use against Fleecemane Lion, Sylvan Caryatid,
Witchstalker
and
Gladecover Scout
, but also creatures with protection from red and/or black, like Blood Baron of Vizkopa or Fiendslayer Paladin.
1x Anger of the Gods - For when I absolutely have to get one
1x Mizzium Mortars - When Magma Jet and Lightning Strike aren't quite enough damage
2x
Turn / Burn
- Mainly for getting rid of gods. Thanks RobSchneider for this suggestion
2x Pithing Needle - For Planeswalkers and pesky creatures/artifacts
2x
Dark Betrayal
- For those black creatures
Doom Blade
can't hit. Thanks mkafna09 for this suggestion
1x Ultimate Price - To bring in against mono-black or
Desecration Demon
for sure, but also instant removal against devotion decks
2x Havoc Festival - To bring in against control. If we start at even life when this hits they lose. If there's a minor difference then my
Ral Zarek
, Magma Jet, and Lightning Strike can help me catch up and keep me on top
