Sunday, November 13, 2005
Death Denial
Type 1.5
Deck Series: From the Graveyard
This is the first in a series that I will be posting here inspired by a deck called Graveyard Shuffle submitted by Ivan Taylor. The deck reminded me of a very similar deck that I had worked on but never uploaded. My version (posted here) has some good concepts, but it never fully coalesced, never found that rhythm that a good deck does, you know what I mean? I intend to take the title of this series both literally and figuratively. I'll start out literally with this graveyard re-animating deck, but move on to other decks that I have started working on, but left for dead when they didn't work out. I will then implore you to take the concepts, make a better deck, and post it in the comments here.
So, about this deck. It has some card synergy that I like. The Nettling Imps work well with the Abu Ja'fars, Sengir Vampires and the first-striking Black Knights. The card-denial compliments the land-denial, and the re-animation compliments all of the above.
What I don't like about it is its weak creature removal, it's slowness (last card added was the Black Knights, those helped a bit), and the fact that it uses too many of the usual suspects. We all know that a first turn Dark Ritual to cast a Hypnotic Spectre is deadly, time to move on and start playing some different cards.
Can anyone help this deck, make it a little less clichéd, or little faster?
You need some kind of draw engine -- Bazaar of Baghdad would work, or if you wanted to splash blue instead of white you could do a Sindbad. BoB is REALLY nice if you work in some extra animation doodads.
For creature removal, try Pestilence + White Knights (WK's optional), or Nevinyrral's disk.
The Nettling Imp + Abu Jafar is a very Control-oriented strategy, but this deck is wanting to be straight Aggro. Unholy Strength / Howl from Beyond / Holy Strength would all greatly speed it up. Remember, it doesn't have to be sustainable, just take em to 0. :)
Suggested changes:
* -4 Abu (too Control'y)
* -3 Nettling Imp (ditto)
* -2 Disrupting Scepter (1 DS + Hip's is more than enough)
* -2 Strip Mine (you need the land drops so you can operate faster)
* +2 Pestilence (mass removal)
* +1 Demonic Tutor (toolbox)
* +2 Bazaar of Baghdad
* +2 White Knight (immune to Pestilence) *OR* +2 Will-o-Wisps (first turn drop, great with an Unholy Strength or 2)
* +4 Unholy Strength (aggro!)
If possible, throw a mox or 4 in there (MPS Magic has no Type 1 Restrictions >:) ) You may also consider some Artifact Creatures like Clay Statue or Triskelion.
You may have to adjust your mana land quantities as well.
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