Pick Your Poison: Sarevok, Raised by Giants

Commander / EDH Aristocrats BG (Golgari) Casual Landfall Sacrifice Theme/Gimmick Tokens

Shazica

Creature (32)

• 1x Bellowing Mauler
• 1x Catacomb Sifter
• 1x Clackbridge Troll
• 1x Creakwood Liege
• 1x Custodi Lich
• 1x Desecration Demon
• 1x Druid of Purification
• 1x Fain, the Broker
• 1x Fiend Artisan
• 1x Foundation Breaker
• 1x Grismold, the Dreadsower
• 1x Indulgent Tormentor
• 1x Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia
• 1x Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest
• 1x Mortician Beetle
• 1x Mycoloth
• 1x Neverwinter Dryad
• 1x Ophiomancer
• 1x Pitiless Plunderer
• 1x Ramunap Excavator
• 1x Ravenous Squirrel
• 1x Sakura-Tribe Elder
• 1x Scute Swarm
• 1x Shriekmaw
• 1x Skullport Merchant
• 1x Springbloom Druid
• 1x Tendershoot Dryad
• 1x Tireless Provisioner
• 1x Tireless Tracker
• 1x Titan Hunter
• 1x Valentin, Dean of the Vein  ^Flip
• 1x Viridian Emissary

Planeswalker (2)

• 1x Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools
• 1x Vraska, Golgari Queen

Land (37)

• 1x Blighted Woodland
• 1x Command Tower
• 1x Deathcap Glade
• 1x Evolving Wilds
• 1x Fabled Passage
• 10x Forest
• 1x Jund Panorama
• 1x Myriad Landscape
• 1x Nurturing Peatland
• 1x Overgrown Tomb
• 1x Phyrexian Tower
• 1x Riveteers Overlook
• 10x Swamp
• 1x Terramorphic Expanse
• 1x Tyrite Sanctum
• 1x Undergrowth Stadium
• 1x Verdant Catacombs
• 1x Warped Landscape
• 1x Witch's Clinic

Sorcery (9)

• 1x Agadeem's Awakening  ^Flip
• 1x Bala Ged Recovery  ^Flip
• 1x Caravan Vigil
• 1x Deadly Brew
• 1x Growth Spasm
• 1x Make an Example
• 1x Night's Whisper
• 1x Pest Infestation
• 1x Victimize

Artifact (7)

• 1x Bag of Devouring
• 1x Blade of the Bloodchief
• 1x Helm of the Host
• 1x Mind Stone
• 1x Skullclamp
• 1x Sol Ring
• 1x Swiftfoot Boots

Commanders (2)

Enchantment (7)

• 1x Awakening Zone
• 1x Dreadhorde Invasion
• 1x Evolutionary Leap
• 1x Font of Fertility
• 1x From Beyond
• 1x Khalni Heart Expedition
• 1x Protection Racket

Instant (4)

• 1x Deadly Dispute
• 1x Harrow
• 1x Roiling Regrowth
• 1x Village Rites

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This is a B/G sacrifice matters-theme deck with Sarevok, Deathbringer + Raised by Giants, made for the Tier1Con competition "Vind Et Precon Deck!".

INTRODUCTION

The game plan of this deck is to drain my opponent's life and board with Sarevok's ability, and close out the game with a buffed evasive creature or an army of tokens. Although this might echo classic Smokestack-effects, Sarevok gives my opponents the crucial element of illusion of choice, as they will have both a say and an opportunity themselves through their cards to dodge his draining effect. Further, combat steps will be particularly delightful as passive players will be punished, which quickens the pace of the game. As I generate tokens that can be sacrificed on their turn, I now introduce a political element where I can save someone from Sarevok--of course for a favor to cash in down the lane. All in all, this deck will pressure my opponents to make intriguing choices, carefully navigate the battlefield, and pick their preferred poison between losing life or value.

EXECUTION

This strategy will require some work, however, as Sarevok's ability is quite negligible by itself, and since it can backfire on me. To make Sarevok more impactful, I've coupled him with Raised by Giants, which will effectively close out the game in a turn cycle or two if left unmanaged. Should my opponents dodge the life drain, they will instead likely render themselves more and more open to Sarevok himself. Fain, Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest, Blade of the Bloodchief and last but not least Helm of the Host further accelerates Sarevok's impending doom. As for my own life total, many lands, ramp cards and creatures has synergy with sacrifice self-gain, which will make sure I dodge Sarevok's far more often than my opponents. Occasional life gain will seal the deal.

POWER AND BUDGET

Power-wise, this deck sits quite comfortably around the more casual spectrum. It can go off quickly, but folds to repeated removal on Sarevok or the other threats. The strategy is clearly telegraphed, which should ensure no one feels caught off guard once the deck picks up some steam. The deck can be made a lot meaner through a Tergrid   and Fleshbag Marauder-styled version, and there are certainly pricier power upgrades to consider like Diabolic Intent, Bitterblossom, Food Chain, Liliana, Dreadhorde General, more tutors, faster mana rocks and ramp... but I've chosen this more laid-back configuration to re-invigorate some rarely seen synergies and take my opponents by (initially) enthusiastic surprise. I enjoyed brewing it, and hope that it might cause a smile or two. :)

Date added	1 year
Last updated	1 year
Legality	This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)	5 - 0 Mythic Rares 38 - 0 Rares 20 - 0 Uncommons 17 - 0 Commons
Cards	100
Avg. CMC	2.95
Tokens	City's Blessing, Clue, Copy Clone, Eldrazi Scion 1/1 C, Eldrazi Spawn 0/1 C, Emblem Vraska, Golgari Queen, Food, Goat 0/1 W, Inkling 2/1 WB, Insect 1/1 G, Pest 1/1 BG, Plant 1/1 G, Saproling 1/1 G, Snake 1/1 B, Monarch Emblem, Thrull 0/1 B, Treasure, Worm 1/1 BG, Zombie 2/2 B w/ Decayed, Zombie Army 0/0 B
Folders	To Be Built