Welcome to Jund Midrange/Control!
The idea of this deck is to be a toolkit mashup of Gruul and Mono-black. While some of the key cards from each deck are missing, certain cards are present to help mitigate them missing. This deck is still in playtesting mode and is subject to major changes and alterations.
A bit of backstory: I played Jund around the middle-point after Theros release. It looked a bit different then, much heavier with more Domri Rade, Xenagos, the Reveler, Polukranos, World Eater and many more Gruul staples with black removal compliments.
This time around, I'm aiming for something more akin to control that can pull a small transformation in the sideboard if needed. This is one of those decks I feel I need to evaluate each card by to help make my point.
Mainboard
Creatures
Courser of Kruphix - This bad boy is one of THE reasons this deck works. While it gives up information, it makes up for it by allowing ample use of Domri Rade, Chandra, Pyromaster, and Underworld Connections to generate crazy card advantage.
Desecration Demon - This deck is light on flying, and most decks running heavy fliers at the moment are actually not big on token generation or mana dorks (bar Gruul). Demon is scary, and he is efficient as a 4cmc 6/6 beater.
Reaper of the Wilds - This card is the toolkit card that makes golgari and jund look so good. Deathtouch to get in or use Domri Rade to the fullest, and hexproof to dodge spot removal. The 4/5 body and it's multi-color with black make only a select few cards able to kill it.
Polukranos, World Eater - Too good to pass up, 4cmc 5/5 with limited to no downside.
Sylvan Caryatid - I still like the idea of mana fixing and ramp. This can allow for the light transformation sideboard and helps against aggro decks, since the mainboard is on the weak side with board wipes. One considered card replacement for this is Pack Rat, mostly due to the heavy card advantage gained and possibility of dead cards.
Instants, Sorceries and Enchantments
Dreadbore - I know, I know, Hero's Downfall is in standard. It's also two black to cast and cost's another mana to basically play this at instant speed. Instead of be greedy (already am with other cards), choosing to remove some of the black necessary for the deck was required considering some of the other cards I'm running.
Abrupt Decay - Another golgari and jund staple. This card is great, but at the same time doesn't hit quite everything needed in standard. It's usually better in a format like modern, but two-of is good in this format too.
Ultimate Price - Theros block has given us some wonderfully strong one-color creatures. Just to list a few, Desecration Demon, Stormbreath Dragon, Polukranos, World Eater, Brimaz, King of Orezkos, Master of Waves, and the list goes on. While I might not kill Nightveil Specter with this, I'm not too worried.
Mizzium Mortars - Kills Blood Baron of Vizkopa and Stormbreath Dragon. That's about all it needs to do. Overloaded is nuts too.
Underworld Connections - Great with Courser of Kruphix. Considering if this is too greedy or not currently.
Rakdos's Return - Trying this as a one of with an extra in side. Don't want to go too heavy on this. This can end games.
Thoughtseize - The best discard spell in standard (and a few other formats too!). Pick apart their hand so only the stuff you know you can deal with is left.
Planeswalkers
Domri Rade - This is a two-of, that has big implications of fighting normally. It's +1 is good with Courser of Kruphix, and fighting is usually good when you have a Desecration Demon or Reaper of the Wilds.
Vraska the Unseen - Great removal, protects herself, and can potentially win a game, though really, who am I kidding. She's really there for the 5-drop "Kill this or I get to kill something every 3-4 turns" threat.
Chandra, Pyromaster - Mostly there for the interaction with Courser of Kruphix, or to ping/let things swing in.
