Is mono-black viable. What do we have how we can hold up in the meta.
Modern forum
Posted on March 22, 2015, 10:13 p.m. by _Sinistar_
Mono black has been my favorite color in magic. So I have now thought about making a mono black deck for modern. We do have Lilianna of the Veil I don't need to explain why it's good. We have various beaters that are excellent for example Desecration Demon, Phyrexian Obliterator and etc. Mono black also has an amazing suite of removal and discard. We also have Gary for a finisher.Pretty much mono black can do anything, possibly the most powerfull color in magic. But how can we fit in the modern meta game, do we have enough tools to be at least a tier 2 deck .
selesvyaloverer8 says... #3
play 8-rack. thats tier 1.5-2. heres a link for a primer on mtgsalvation and theres also probably a primer in the modern primer on tappedout.
March 22, 2015 10:58 p.m.
8rack's pretty decent. Discard spells, The Rack, Shrieking Affliction, Ensnaring Bridge, etc. Win.
March 22, 2015 11:13 p.m.
Dalektable says... #5
Yeah, either 8rack or mono black devotion would be my choice.
March 22, 2015 11:21 p.m.
Black's my favorite color too, but I've pretty much given up playing mono-black in Modern. It lacks any sort of enchantment hate, and there's only so much hand disruption can do - definitely not enough to be safe in a format where everyone packs a freaking playset of Leyline of Sanctity on their sideboard.
I still think 8-rack is a powerful archetype, and it'll be my number one choice if I ever go back to playing Modern competitively, but not without a splash of 
or 
to cover its main weaknesses. And I'd probably do the same for any other color - I just don't see any reason to stick to mono nowadays. Even RDW became R/wDW, after all.
March 22, 2015 11:37 p.m.
Kirito_swo says... #7
Im playing mono black devotion with gary demon and obliterator, super fun and give a lot of decks a run for there money
March 22, 2015 11:37 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #8
I'd definitely recommend splashing green for Abrupt Decay. I brewed a Mono-Black Devotion list with a green splash for them a while ago, and I didn't regret it.
March 23, 2015 12:35 a.m.
Black devotion won't be t1, but it has some potential. You can definitely win games with it. Personally, I'd probably splash Green for stuff like Abrupt Decay and Maelstrom Pulse.
March 23, 2015 12:37 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #11
awesomeguy37...which is a far better deck than mono black.
March 23, 2015 4:36 a.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #12
Been playing MBC in modern for over a year now. It's certainly viable but it takes a lot of loosing against real decks to pilot correctly so to say. The strength is in it's versatility and the decks I struggle against the most are 
/x. Basically the same deck with goyfs. Id rank it 1.5. With a Rock deck shell u can essentially handle any threat in the format.
Here's my list. Although my current SB is packing 3x ScOoze. Of Plague & Persecution
March 23, 2015 2:05 p.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #13
JexInfinite I know, but this thread is about MBC like APPLE01DOJ's deck, not the rock, although i would recommend the rock over MBC to anyone with money...
March 23, 2015 2:32 p.m.
Vampire Nighthawk, Korlash, Heir to Blackblade, and definitely Lashwrithe can be outstanding choices in a mono-black devotion build.
March 23, 2015 4:27 p.m.
Also, don't play Desecration Demon. Obliterator and Korlash are far better. And don't forget about Bloodghast as a two drop with good devotion and synergy with Liliana. Also Gatekeeper of Malakir is decent sometimes, at least in the sideboard.
March 23, 2015 4:28 p.m.
Kirito_swo says... #16
I do splash green as well. Most times I hate the splash but against any twin deck im super glad i have abrupt decay
March 23, 2015 4:30 p.m.
OtakulordAndrew says... #18
If you are running mono black I suppose you have access to Thoughtseize, Inquisition of Kozilek, Doom Blade, Hero's Downfall, Murder, Bloodghast, Shadow Alley Denizen, Nantuko Shade, Grey Merchant of Asphodel, Hypnotic Specter, Needle Specter, Nyxathid, Smallpox along with the already mentioned Vampire Nighthawk, Liliana of the Veil, Dark Confidant, Phyrexian Obliterator and The Rack.
March 23, 2015 6:01 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #19
& Abyssal Persecutor which in my opinion is the best mono black wincon. But I mean any deck with Lashwrithe+Inkmoth Nexus that also runs Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth can be a force to wreckon with. I like the 7 seize version of Infect MBC.
March 23, 2015 6:25 p.m.
OtakulordAndrew says... #20
Abyssal Persecutor can be alright but you have to make sure you have a means to remove it like Smallpox so that you can win it's a risky card.
March 23, 2015 6:32 p.m.
Abyssal Persecutor is generally slightly worse than Obliterate because you need another card to win with Persecutor.
March 23, 2015 7:18 p.m.
Don't forget about Vampire Hexmage as a way to fuck with planeswalkers and AEther Vials.
March 23, 2015 7:21 p.m.
jandrobard says... #23
I think you'd have to be very aware of the meta to create an effective deck with the tools available, but it'd be worth it.
March 23, 2015 7:36 p.m.
_Sinistar_ says... #24
I feel like there are two ways to run mono black 8-rack or midrange style with either discard or removal, what you choose will effect how well you preform against certain decks. 8-rack is excellent against midrange decks if you have Ensnaring Bridge and pretty decent against some control and combo decks. However you lose out hyper aggro decks, or decks with good artifact so they can remove your Ensnaring Bridge or they have Leyline. I feel mono black midrange is good against hyper aggro and aggro decks and has some tricks for midrange decks. I do feel like it looses out to control decks. However having a discard suite can help. Overall I feal like 8-rack is a little better.
March 23, 2015 8:19 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #25
Except mono black is filled with all the right cards for it already xD. Liliana of the Veil Damnation Victim of Night Maelstrom Pulse Putrefy Geth's Verdict etc. that's why it's good.
I do agree though most cards that need another card to be good aren't good. ...Miela, Kiki, Gary,Viscera Seer, Bloodghast, SoF+I ...obviously there are some exceptions...
March 23, 2015 10:34 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #26
Btw...
Black decks rank like this in modern...IMO of course... Others feel free to correct me.
Rock... (It is MBC with a green creature base afterall)
MBC (Infect & non Infect)
MBD & Fae
8Rack (this deck sucks even built right Mardu or Jund w/skite)
Not sure where pump Infect or Mono Black Tron line up...
March 23, 2015 10:42 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #27
Suicide Black can hit a crowd infect style if they're not ready for it.
Bob, Death's Shadow, Sangrophage, AEther Vial, Thoughtseize etc.
March 23, 2015 10:44 p.m.
Death's Shadow (whom I affectionately call "Grim Shady") is one hell of a card, but it works much better on B/W/x builds. You know, for Phyrexian Unlife, Silence, Rebuff the Wicked and so on. Which reminds me, I have a budget Death's Shadow deck in Mardu colors (BDSM for short) that pairs it with Messenger's Speed for devastating results. Buuuut that's for another thread.
Mono black Death's Shadow may not be that bad, though. Could use Rite of Consumption, Ritual of the Returned, Tainted Strike...
March 23, 2015 11:15 p.m.
Kirito_swo says... #30
I like desecration demon better because i dont wanna have to worry about killing my own dude, and if they dont deal with demon he gets pretty nasty
March 24, 2015 3:24 a.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #31
U ever play the demon? They sac a token there goes your board presence; something black typically needs to win. (Blah blah 8rack)
Desecration Demon while it shines when it shines it will flat out loose you games when it doesn't. Awesome in multiples though...
March 25, 2015 7:17 p.m.
Kirito_swo says... #32
I run 4, even if they tap it down i typical have a removal spell or another creature.
March 26, 2015 3:59 a.m.
i want Toshiro Umezawa to be a thing.
i want him to be a thing so badly you guys.
May 19, 2015 5:12 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #34
I don't think there is enough creatures in the meta for Toshiro Umezawa to be effective...
May 19, 2015 5:22 p.m.
jandrobard says... #35
As far as necros go, that wasn't terrible.
Toshiro and Desecration Demon would be fun, but it's easy to disrupt. Any solution other that making your opponent discard all their removal?
May 19, 2015 5:23 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #37
Dying Wish attached to Desecration Demon or Fling effects. I think there is a black card that does this.
GlistenerAgent says... #2
Discard spells. Dark Confidant. Liliana of the Veil. Phyrexian Obliterator. Removal spells. A couple of Garys to win the game. Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx. Deck.
March 22, 2015 10:15 p.m.