Merciless Synergy
Theme Merciless Synergy is a versatile deck built around Merciless Executioner. Each time something dies, we get to scry, draw cards, drain life and add a ton of counters to the survivors. We win by generating incremental advantage until a harmless creature suddenly gets 10 counters out of nowhere (thanks to Hardened Scales) and becomes unblockable (thanks to Rogues Passage).
ExplanationThe deck has three synergistic components:
I) Grim creatures that grow each time something dies.
II) Value Engines that generate incremental advantage when things die.
III) Avengers whose strength depends on the number of creatures in our graveyard.When any two align, we start to grind the opponent out of the game. When all three align, our board becomes overwhelming.
Merciless Executioner is the centrepiece that makes the whole thing run twice as efficiently. Its the lamb and the priest, sacrifice and sac outlet, rolled into one.
The Grim Creatures (5 copies)
We have three of these: Rot Shambler, Malakir Cullblade and Kalitas.
The Grim Twins, Rot and Cullblade, are mirror images:
Rot Shambler gets a +1/+1 counter whenever our creatures die.
Malakir Cullblade gets a +1/+1 counter whenever the opponents creatures die.
Kalitas, the Traitor of Ghet has lifelink and gets +2/+2 counters when it sacrifices a zombie or vampire (Cullblade is a vampire).
Merciless Executioner pumps both twins with one fell swoop.
Were turbo-charging the rate at which our Grim Creatures gain counters by playing multiple copies of Hardened Scales. In our deck, these creatures get scary really fast.
With a single Hardened Scale, Merciless Executioner becomes: Pay 2B. Each Grim Creature gets +2/+2. Opponent sacrifices a creature.With three copies, it becomes: Pay 2B. Each Grim Creature gets +4/+4. Opponent sacrifices a creature.
To abuse the mechanic further, we play Servant of the Scale, which triggers HS twice. Finally, to add insult to injury, we pair it with Evolutionary Leap.
With HS and EL, Servant becomes: Pay GG. Draw a creature card. Give a creature +3/+3 at instant speed.
With HS, EL, Shadows of the Past, Grim Haruspex and Zulaport Cutthroat it becomes: Pay GG. Scry 1, draw a card, draw another creature card. Drain 1. Give a creature +3/+3 at instant speed.By pairing two Servants, we can build a counter storage battery, play whac-a-mole with our opponents removal spells AND create an avalanche effect each time we hop the counters by triggering HS again.
We are also playing one copy of Drana, Liberator of Malakir because she is too good to pass with our counter-generation machine.
Archfiend of Depravity helps against token/go-wide decks and pumps up Cullblade.
The Value Engine (2 scry, 2 draw, 2 creature-draw, 2 drain cards)
Shadows of the Past (Merciless triggers it twice) + Grim Haruspex + Evolutionary Leap + Zulaport Cutthroat.
Each time one of our creatures die, we get to scry, draw cards, drain life and add a ton of counters to the survivors. Each time one of our opponents creatures die, we get to scry and counter again.
With so many things dying, Shadows allows us to cycle through our deck quickly and find the cards we need. It also helps us push through when our creatures cant reach over the opponents wall.
The Avengers (3 copies total)
Graveblade Marauder + Seed Guardian. These function as our finishers. Not essential but can immediately swing the scales. We dont need too many copies as we can bring them back with Palace Siege, Greenwarden and Baloth Null.
The rest of the deck oils the cogs:
The Fuel (5 copies of Merciless)
Merciless makes the world go round and round. It removes an enemy creature, grows our Grim Creatures, fuels the Value Engine and stocks our graveyard for Avengers.
Sacrifices: Merciless, Servant + anything else as necessary.
Sac outlets: Merciless, Evo Leap, chump blocking.
Evo leap synergies: Instant speed pump spell with Servant, card advantage, sac outlet for value engine.
Necromancers
Baloth Null + Greenwarden + Palace Siege. Palace Siege can lock the board by constantly returning Merciless.
Life drain
Zulaport + Kalitas + Shadows + Palace Siege.
Removal
Creature removal: 5 copies of Merciless/Fleshbag, 1 Archfiend, 1 Ruinous Path.
Artefact and enchantment removal: 1 Caustic Caterpillar (can be looped back with our Return cards)
Planeswalker removal: 1 Ruinous Path + Graveblade Marauder (Tip: You can divide his damage between the opponent and his planeswalkers. Damage opponent, then redirect his graveyard damage.)
Sideboard removal: Duress, Self-inflicted Wound, Ruinous Path, Languish, Infinite Obliteration.
[QUESTIONS]
Q1) Upgrades/maybe what would you take out though?Den Protector? (replace Greenwarden?)Collected Company?Matter Reshaper?Bone Splinter?Gladehart?Splash white for a counter transfer creature which moves counters from one creature to another?
Q2) How can I optimise the deck? Also, should I change the manabase?
Q3) What should I do with the sideboard?
