MBC is a control deck that likes to grind card advantage and creatures (Into fresh meat.). You also don't play any of those fancy blue lands. Just pure, evil incarnate.
How do I build it?
There are a few different routes one could theoretically go to build a MBC deck, as there are currently an abundance of choices in standard. It depends on your metagame and your particular playstyle
Why should I play it?
Control without islands is fun. You can also wreck traditional control decks. In fact, you wreck anything if your maindeck and sideboard are put together correctly. A maindeck full of removal wrecks aggro, and can transform into a control destroyer by siding in a lot of discard spells.
Why should I listen to FuxAlt? He's like, never won anything?!
No good answer to this one. Play swamps
Below is my current deck list for MBC with all of my reasoning for card selections. It has gone through some small amount of testing, and plenty of fishbowl. I will set up a gauntlet for it soon, but I do know it performs very well against Delver.
Vampire Nighthawk is a great control card that looks like an great aggro card. He helps you stabilize very early on, he has evasion, and he can be a removal spell of his own when left on defense.
Bloodline Keeper is the finisher of choice. This guy is insane. In my experience, he either eats removal immediately or kills your opponent. Playing one after another is brutal, and he has synergy with Vampire Nighthawk. He is a card advantage machine, and is always at least a 1-1, usually much more. (Originally I had Vampire Nocturnus here, but I feel he is better suited to an aggro deck, so he was cut completely. He fared poorly in testing.)
Bloodgift Demon is better than I originally thought for this deck. He offers an evasive 4-turn clock and grants you a Phyrexian Arena for as long as he sticks around. I am considering replacing one with a single maindeck Curse of Death's Hold, but I will test more before making a decision.
Duress and Tragic Slip are my 1 drops. Both are fantastic against the meta at the moment, where duress is never dead against delver and Slip is good against almost every deck out there. In games where I am playing second, I will normally board out 1 duress for 1 tragic Slip, for more reactive early disruption.
Sign in Blood is a 4 of, period. Even against aggro. If you run out of removal, what are you going to do with your extra 2-4 life? Maybe have one more frustrating draw step, more times than not.
Perhaps the most interesting choice in my list is Staff of Nin. This card is the nuts. The pinging is relevant as removal (or a sloooow clock). It is especially good when I have Curse of Death's Hold out already. But the draw is really what we need most. We have answers to just about everything, but much of the time we can't find the right ones at the right times. This card helps a lot. Seriously, test it. I would rather cast this than Grave Titan almost all of the time.
Mutilate is better than damnation in mono-black, and great against the field, so it is a 4-of. Always happy to see one in the opening hand. Sorin's Vengeance can win games out of nowhere, and is this decks Corrupt variant. Markov is here to finish the job against aggro, and is a persistent threat to control. Liliana is Liliana. I have found you don't need to have GY cards to get ahead with her. Once you lock the board up, you can turn every card in your hand into a 0-mana discard spell. Karn is good against permanents. And the sideboard is and will be incomplete until the cards are legal and The format shifts.
I omitted Obliterator and Lashwrithe for an important reason: they are not control cards. They are fantastic Mono-Black aggro cards, but I don't think they are what we are looking for here.
This deck can be fast and brutal, with discard and removal clearing the way for a vampire army, or is can be slow and grindy that crushes opponents under raw card advantage. I would love some feedback, and I wanted to share what I thought was the direction we should all be moving.
For reference when building a MBC deck:
Discard Choices:
Duress - It hits noncreature, nonlands cards. Maindeck this if you're playing against a lot of combo and control, otherwise it is a fine sideboard slot.
Despise - This hits creatures and planeswalkers. If you're in an aggro-dominated meta, this is the right choice maindeck. If superfriends is giving you fits, give this a try.
Appetite for Brains - This is a good one to board in against WRR. Hits a card with mana cost 4 or greater. You can grab their Solemn Simulacrum, Huntmaster of the Fells, Primeval Titan...Yeah...If you're seeing a lot of WRR, having Despise main and this as a psuedo-Despise in your sideboard as 1-2 of might not be bad.
Smallpox - Each player sacrifices a creature, sacrifices a land, discards a card, and loses 1 life. Wow. Pretty good for two mana, but I wouldn't invest in a playset as this will set you back more than it will most opponents early on in the game.
Distress - For two mana you can hit any nonland card. For two mana, you can also just draw two cards or kill a threat. I'm not a fan, YMMV.
Mind Rot - Too bad the last half of that doesn't say 'Sludge' instead. As it is, it isn't a half bad card to side in against control to keep their CA in check, or to take the last bit of gas out of fast aggro.
Ravenous Rats - Great card in an aggro-dominated meta. You take some of their gas and put a speed bump in the way. I know. I just said Ravenous Rats was a great card. Sue me.
Sweepers:
Killing Wave - We have better sweepers. This one is just too conditional. If you're feeling brave, go for it.
Ratchet Bomb - Tokens hate seeing this. It also gives you a way to deal with problematic enchantments and artifacts (Looking at you, swords.)
Black Sun's Zenith - More expensive than Mutilate, but it can also come down a turn earlier to wipe a token hoard and it shuffles back in to be seen again later. I suggest a split between this and Mutilate.
Cower in Fear - Three mana instant speed half of an Infest. I don't like it, but if you're playing against a lot of weenie decks, you might consider it. Also consider the fact that a Black Sun's Zenith for 1 does the same and costs the same. You trade the instant speed, but BSZ shuffles back in.
Barter in Blood - Why play this when you could drop a Mutilate instead? Might be alright if you max out on Geth's Verdict and Tribute to Hunger, but you have better options.
Mutilate - One of the best black sweepers ever printed. Period. 3-4 of, or you should consider playing another deck. I personally like 4 of these and 2 Black Sun's Zenith.
Life's Finale - This one may still make its way into a list as a 1-2 of. It is a bit high on the curve, but getting to yank cards from your opponents library is gravy.
Massacre Wurm - A sweeper attached to a win condition. If your entire meta is weenie aggro, you want this guy.
Removal:
Tragic Slip - Kills unflipped Delver of Secrets, Birds of Paradise, Llanowar Elves, and any other one toughness creature. When you have Morbid, it kills anything relevant in standard for the low cost of
Consume Spirit - Removal that can go to the head if need be. It also gains you some life.
Geth's Verdict - Instant speed and can get around shroud and protection from black, provided that they have no other creatures. At its worst, it is a minor speed bump for the opponent. At its best, you just saved yourself from something gnarly.
Doom Blade - Destroy target nonblack creature. Great removal spell. Whether you play this, Dismember, or Go for the Throat depends on your meta.
Go for the Throat - Destroy target nonartifact creature. Great removal spell. Whether you play this, Dismember, or Doom Blade depends on your meta.
Dismember - For one mana and 4 life, target creature gets -5/-5. For two mana and 2 life, target creature gets -5/-5. For three mana, target creature gets -5/-5. Options. I love them. I also love that this is unconditional. It just kills stuff. Whether you play this, Doom Blade, or Go for the Throat depends on your meta. I personally like a split.
Murder - Three mana. Destroy target creature. We have better things right now, but this may end up getting included.
Tribute to Hunger - Pretty good stuff here. Makes your opponent sacrifice a creature and gains you some life to boot. If you're staring down a lot of aggro decks, considering packing some of these.
Sever the Bloodline - Exile target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature. Suck it, Spirit tokens.
Card Advanatage:
Sign In Blood - For two mana and two life, you get two cards. A fair cost for card advantage.
Tezzeret's Gambit - For three mana and two life, you get two cards and can proliferate. If you have a machine subtheme or play Inkmoth Nexus this might be worth considering.
Disciple of Bolas - At first glance, I wasn't impressed. After winning my first M13 draft on the back of this + Chronomaton I fell in love with it. The bigger your creatures the better this is, so run it with Lashwrithe for maximum power.
Bloodgift Demon - Phyrexian Arena attached to an evasive win condition. I highly recommend him, but you may have other diabolical schemes.
Staff of Nin - A one-sided Howling Mine that pings away at your opponent or their creatures. I love this card, most people think I'm crazy. Until they lose to it.
Griselbrand - RTFC and tell me why you wouldn't run at least one copy of this guy. I think he's an auto 1-2 of, and the best win condition we have available in addition to being a big black draw spell.
Win Conditions:
Consume Spirit - Removal that can go to the head if need be. It also gains you some life. This is a great win condition alongside Liliana of the Dark Realms.
Vampire Nighthawk One of the most effecient three drops ever printed. 2/3 evasive body with Lifelink and Deathtouch. He can single-handedly keep you in the game against aggro. If you put a Lashwrithe on him, he is downright scary.
Lashwrithe - Living weapon that costs as much as Korlash, is as big as Korlash, and turns another creature into Korlash (Minus the regeneration, but, meh.) for the cost of 4 life or two black mana. Amazing.
Phyrexian Obliterator - I nearly had to change my underpants when this guy was spoiled. He is a very fine choice for any black deck.
Bloodline Keeper - Not much to say here. I think there are better options, but if he works for you by all means. It isn't terrible.
Bloodgift Demon - My favorite. Phyrexian Arena attached to a 5/4 evasive body. For five mana. Added bonus - you can force your opponent to draw and lose a life.
Batterskull - 4/4. Vigilance. Lifelink. You can save it from removal and play it again and again. Great choice here.
Staff of Nin - NIN! NIN! NIN I SAY! STAFF OF NIN! It draws cards and pings away. Much better and much worse choices, but I love this card to death for some reason.
Grave Titan - 6 mana. Ten power. Three bodies. It only gets worse with each swing. This has been one of the go-to finishers for a lot of black-based decks during its lifetime in standard. It is, after all, a titan.
Massacre Wurm - One of the best win conditions in an aggro-dominated meta. Big body with an infest attached. Oh, and you nail them for two for each weenie it takes down. Yes, please.
Wurmcoil Engine - One of the best win conditions in an aggro-dominated meta. The lifegain from this guy is great.
Reaper from the Abyss - Titan stats at titan mana. If you're running a lot of removal, this guy effectively doubles it.
Sheoldred, Whispering One - This one is still a very fine choice, even more so if you're playing a lot of creatures. (Or your opponent is.) Diabolic Edict and Zombify on a stick.
Rune-Scarred Demon - A tutor attached to an evasive body. There are both better and worse choices. If you're on a budget he isn't bad.
Griselbrand - Oh my yes. He costs 8 mana, but he is worth every spent. 7/7 Flying, Lifelink with Pay 7 life: Draw 7 cards? WHAT?
Army of the Damned - If they don't sweep the board, you likely win the turn after casting this. It is a bit high on the curve, but things that single-handedly win the game usually are.
Planeswalkers:
Liliana of the Veil - It has everything a black deck loves. Discard, removal, and...well, I don't know what to call that last ability other than ow.
Liliana of the Dark Realms - Card advantage, removal, and massive amounts of mana should you ultimate it. Combine this with Exsanguinate and you've got yourself a win condition.
Sorin Markov - Not bad, not good. If you run it alongside Sorin's Vengeance, you have yourself a two card combo that can win the game.
Karn Liberated - This guy can deal with just about anything, and AFAIK is the only card black has access to in standard to remove enchantments.
Tutors
Praetor's Grasp - If you know they're using something you can make better use of... otherwise keep it in the junk rare binder.
Diabolic Tutor - Slow, sure, but it can find your silver-bullet card in a pinch.
Diabolic Revelation -I'm still not sure what to think of this one. Anyone who has tried it LMK.
Increasing Ambition - It tutors, then when you cast it again it tutors twice. This thing is NOT to be underestimated, as it can find exactly what you need to seal the game and brings a load of card advantage with it.
Rune-Scarred Demon - Evasive, powerful body attached to a tutor. I like this, as it is CA, Tutor, and Win-condition all in one.
Utility
Nihil Spellbomb - It draws you a card and gets rid of a graveyard. Great stuff.
Surgical Extraction - Yes, please. Neuters combo, zombies recursion shenanigans and gets rid of problematic cards following a discard spell.
Druidic Satchel - This reminds me of Scrying Sheets, in a way. There's some good CA to come from this, but I see it working best in a land heavy build.
Mimic Vat - Its like Isochron Scepter, except for creatures. Works best when you put something with an ETB or a LTB ability under here.
I've gathered every useful card I could find. If I missed something, let me know and I'll get it added. (Still a work in progress) (Feel free to steal this and add to it.)
Trading Post - Turn something you don't want into something more useful. Worst case scenario you sacrifice it to itself draw a card.
Memoricide - Like Surgical Extraction, but you don't have to wait for the card to hit the graveyard. Just name it, and they're gone.
Witchbane Orb - Good card against burn decks and anything that wins by pointing a spell at your head (combo).
Curse of Death's Hold - Anything running creatures hates seeing this, especially tokens and Delver. Try it, it works.
I recently updated my MBC deck to make due with the change Innistrad brings, I'd really like some feedback, thanks~! This is my first post and I don't know how to put a deck list on here but you can see my deck here: http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/the-principle-of-evil/
not a fan of the mb surgical extractions or royal assasins. and 3 distress's seems a bit much.
Losing inquistion of kozilek was a big kick in the nuts for us, and i feel like the hand disruption just isn't quite up to par without it. 3 distress and 3 despise just doesn't seem like it will cut it, though where things are at right now, despise will be helpful against all the creature decks.
Mimic Vats in the MB can really keep an opponent down. Sure. Dismemeber my obliterator. Now he gets to come back every turn! Or even better, Grave titan (+2 2/2's that stick around)
Bloodgift demon is a godsend, helping us with our card advantage... Definitely deserves a spot on the updated list.
Overall not bad, but could definitely use some tweaking. I'll put up my list up soon that I'll be testing out.
So I have been in the Mono-Black Control theme for awhile and do pretty well at my FMN's. Alot of our good stuff go away for a few lack luster replacements like Alter's Reap and Maybe the new Bloodgift Demon. Our best new card has got to be Lilianna of the Veil So Im trying my hand at building a deck that can abuse her +1 ability which forces both you and your opponent to discard one card. Here is the deck.
Solemn SimulacrumCould work a bit better in the 4 mana creature spot instead of Obliterator...it's just at the moment i have 4 obliterators and not Solemn's. Tell me what you guys think.
So I have been in the Mono-Black Control theme for awhile and do pretty well at my FMN's. Alot of our good stuff go away for a few lack luster replacements like Alter's Reap and Maybe the new Bloodgift Demon. Our best new card has got to be Lilianna of the Veil So Im trying my hand at building a deck that can abuse her +1 ability which forces both you and your opponent to discard one card. Here is the deck.
Solemn SimulacrumCould work a bit better in the 4 mana creature spot instead of Obliterator...it's just at the moment i have 4 obliterators and not Solemn's. Tell me what you guys think.
I think Vault Skirge needs to leave your deck and Solemn Simulacrum needs to join the party.
I could replace the Vault skirges with Solemn's, but they have always paid for them selves and I was never dissapointed in drawing one...especially with Lashwrith on the field. Anyway what do you guys think of my spell choices? I look at the deck and see lots of 2 and 3 of's should I just start cutting things it get 4 copies of stuff I can really use? what should I get rid of if thats the decision?
I guess this thread is replacing the other thread we already had??
SoullessX, you're running Altar's Reap with only 10 creatures and 8 of them being 4cc or more. Reap is going to be stuck in your hand quite a bit.
Same with muffunz, Reap is going to be stuck in your hand till at least turn 4 most games.
Personally I don't like Reap. I'd just run Phyrexian Rager instead. Or Tezz's Gambit even, it's better than having a Reap in your hand you can't even use.
Personally I think you would get more value out of the Obliterator..if player choses to block he is out permanents. I see how Solemn is good but I just dont' see why everyone is so gaga over him he gives you a land and a card for 4mana and is a 2/2...?
Might have something to do witb the fact that hes a three for one. That puts a land in play to help you ramp up to your game enders. I see no problem with this card.
I might not have a ton of creatures, but ill have enough gas to keep going till i actually need to use alter's reap. Plus if I do have to sac a creature i can just get it back with Unburial Rights. That being said...since I droped vault skirges for solemn's I'm not going to have any creatures on the field untill at least turn 4...do you think my removal and hand disruption can handle it till then?
^ You're not going to like Altar's Reap when you're stuck at 2-3 land (which will happen occasionally if you're only running 24 lands with no card draw) and you have it in your hand but can't play it.
2 Tezzeret's Gambits would be better. It proliferates too so it helps your Liliana, Sorin, and BSZ. I'm not saying Gambit is a great card for mono black, but it's much better in your deck than Altar's Reap, which will always be a dead card before turn 5.
EDIT: Take out the Altar's Reap for another swamp and 2 Gambits, that's my opinion.
Ok I guess i can understand that. I should be making my opponent kill my creatures and not doing it my self anyway. I can get behind the 25th land...originally I started this deck with 25 lands but with my first idea it was an 82 card deck and I could justify cutting a land with the amount of card draw I had at the time. Tezz gambit seems ok 3 mana for 2 cards I can deal with...it's no sign in blood but hey what can ya do....I still think Alter's Reap is ok but without the Vault Skirges to be able to Sac them on turn 2 if i wanted..it does seem a bit slower then a turn 3 tezz gambit. I will be testing them both though but ill test the gambit's first cause they do seem like the best choice for this kind of deck.
So this is my take its not actually mono but it gets close beast within is an allstar the beast is easily dealth with. And i find altar's reap amazing kill a rager or priest to get 2 cards instant speed the carddraw engine is pretty decent allthough i havent used bloodgift demon much yet in testing. I choose for the splash to be able to deal with oblivion ring and birthing pod. Cards that are for me still doubtfull is the priest only got a demon once and played like 15 games. Reaper is a pod hoser thats off the chain sure search for a creature EOT kill one. My pre isd deck contained offcourse nighthawk and gatekeeper thats the only reason i stuck to mono back than because i played lashwrithe but with this much draw and other creatures its win more in my opinion.
So guys opinions if you would/could please.
I gotta tell ya...i don't like the highpriest here...Im thinking your gona sit there with a Rager and the priest and nothing more...wanting another creature. I think Grave Titan will be better than Reaper of the Abyss. Just because he puts out 3 bodies and you already have beast within to deal with pods why do you need a finisher to deal with them also? I am trying Tezzeret's Gambit over Alter's Reap just because I want my opponent to deal with my creatures and I don't wanna kill them my self. You are also running 4 Lilianna of the Veil with nothing to take advantage of her abilities such as Mimic Vat or Unburial Rights. Take a look at the deck Im putting together
It would seem we would like to be doing the same things but you splashed green for beast within and I splashed White so i could flashback Unburial Rights. Im not saying use my deck. it's your creation have fun with it. all I am saying is try to take advantage of the cards you wanna use. Hope that helps.
Control decks tend to be slow for the first couple turns building cards advantage. Thats why I have some hand disruption and Removal. What im thinking is putting in Phyrexian Crusader to help defend me in the early game. Im also thinking Rune-Scarred Demonfor a reanimate target ditch him to lilianna and reanimate dig for somthing good and still have a huge threat out. I played Sorin only for a little bit, and I am never dissapointed when he comes down. I used to say that Sorin is horrible, but his +2 is actually relevent potentially killing off a creature and gaining you some life, but if you don't like him thats alright too
Well I am not playing Sorin just for the life gain. his other 2 abilities are pretty hard to come back from. If we are talking about Finisher's Grave Titan is alot better.
After some testing, I'm definitely not running enough creatures for Alter's Reap. I don't think we SHOULD be running the amount of creatures you'd want with Reap. It just feels clunky :/ Switching them out for Ragers tomorrow, will update with a new list sometime tomorrow after more testing.
I am liking SoFaF as a 1 or 2 of. Throw it on a Vault Skirge and watch it do work. And Typhoid Rats are great in the board, I just swap them with the Skirges against aggro.
@Soullessx - Your deck seems WAY too slow. I'd throw in another Lashwrithe or two, and SOMETHING to keep you alive during the early game. Even other control decks are going to outrun you by a mile. Vault Skirge and Typhoid Rat are good choices. With IoK and Duress gone, we just can't afford to run nothing but fatties. Phyrexian Crusader and Phyrexian Rager are other great choices, one dodges burn/white removal and a house on defense, the other gives you CA with a body.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
EDH WBRKaalia of the VastRBW BChainer, Dementia MasterB Legacy 0Manaless Dredge0 RGoblinsR Standard RBWThe AristocratsWBR
Im toying with the idea of eather a 1 of Rune-Scarred demon or a Sheoldred the whispering one...what do you guys think...Oh! I changed little...
-3 Solemn Simulacrumbecause I already have alot of 4 drops and I would like to reanimate something big.
-2 Sorin Markov Unlike my last MBC deck Sorin doesn't seem to fit here as I thought
You're trying too hard to make the whole reanimate scheme fit with MBC. It's just not going to be competitive :/ Sheoldred can be good, depending on how you use her. Rune-Scarred just isn't that great, Grave Titan is a much better card for the slot. You're also still running way too much big stuff. I'd say drop the Bloodgifts and Rune-Scarred, maybe throw in a Wurmcoil Engine, and throw in 3 or 4 Solemns.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
EDH WBRKaalia of the VastRBW BChainer, Dementia MasterB Legacy 0Manaless Dredge0 RGoblinsR Standard RBWThe AristocratsWBR
You're trying too hard to make the whole reanimate scheme fit with MBC. It's just not going to be competitive :/ Sheoldred can be good, depending on how you use her. Rune-Scarred just isn't that great, Grave Titan is a much better card for the slot. You're also still running way too much big stuff. I'd say drop the Bloodgifts and Rune-Scarred, maybe throw in a Wurmcoil Engine, and throw in 3 or 4 Solemns.
I was trying to take advantage of the discard i have to go through for lilliana. Do you not like the bloodgifts? have you taken them out of your post? if you did could you tell me why? I still haven't tested so im really just musing...
If you don't like Unburial Rights then you probadly don't like Mimic Vat could you tell me why they might be bad? im not the best deck builder in the world so i would like to know what you think.
What do you guys think of this one. I got some early game creatures
This is the reason why MBC looks so depressing in Innistrad. Back in Zendikar block, we had all these fantastic cards like Inquisition of Kozilek, Vampire Nighthawk, Gatekeeper of Malakir, and Sign in Blood. The post-rotation lists are just less powerful watered down versions, and it seems unlikely that they'll be able to square up against the emerging big archetypes.
Nevertheless, I agree with what some people in this thread have already said - Unburial Rites just isn't a card for this deck. It's slow and has an unreliable flashback with only 4 white sources available for the deck. With 2 Titans and a Sheoldred, you're probably better off replacing the Rites with Solemns.
Nevertheless, I agree with what some people in this thread have already said - Unburial Rites just isn't a card for this deck. It's slow and has an unreliable flashback with only 4 white sources available for the deck. With 2 Titans and a Sheoldred, you're probably better off replacing the Rites with Solemns.
Or perhaps running solemns with a plains or 2 to fetch to turn on the flashback cost if your only concern is meeting the flashback cost. The card really is better in a sloarflare/solarpox deck that can more reliably put it in the yard though. Rise from the grave wasn't bad because it didn't have flashback, but because of how much the initial cost was...
Perhaps heartless summoning would be a better fit than the rites for MBC. Doesn't do anything for Obliterator : / but it makes all the available demons shine. Phyrexian arena is a lot more fragile when it's a creature, but at 3 CMC with evasion, it's beast, and diabolic tutor is too slow, but add 1 to the CMC and you get a 5/5 flyer...
This is the list im going to be working on i think i will make it have just a splash of green like the other list but instead of beast within i want to use prey upon because of how sick it is with obliterator also the rotation hurts so bad also i think heartless summoning is amazing for us
t1: despise
t2: summoning
t3: bloodgift (hurray early card engine)
t4: either obliterator, titan, masssacre wurm, or wurmcoil whatever floats your boat
Spells x19
Heartless Summoning x3
Liliana of the Veil x3
Despise x4
Prey Upon x4
Black Sun's Zenith x3
Doom Blade, GFtT, or Tezz Gambit x2
i havent yet proxied this up to try it but on paper it looks good to me lol please everyone let me know what you think anything else you would do also i havent thought of a sideboard and i really want to use tribute to hunger but dont know what to take out and lili edicts aswell so i dont really need them but fun.
I'm disturbed with the lack of Inkmoth Nexus in these builds. This is a staple win condition with Lashwrithe on the board! Splashing white for the Unburial Rights is foolish to me if it means you can't run the Nexus.
I like the idea of replacing Sign In Blood with Tezz's Gambit. You still get the 2 cards and you still pay the 2 life...you just have to wait a turn.
I think this deck also needs Wurmcoil Engine. With Bloodgift Demon as a 5 drop and so much removal in the deck already, you can hold off attacks until you gain position to play your big creatures.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Talkin outta turn....That's a paddlin'. Starin' at my sandals....That's a paddlin'. Paddlin' the school canoe....You better believe that's a paddlin'!" --Jasper
nothing to see here
I LIKE CHICKS!
So Long TBGTE
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
What is MBC?
MBC is a control deck that likes to grind card advantage and creatures (Into fresh meat.). You also don't play any of those fancy blue lands. Just pure, evil incarnate.
How do I build it?
There are a few different routes one could theoretically go to build a MBC deck, as there are currently an abundance of choices in standard. It depends on your metagame and your particular playstyle
Why should I play it?
Control without islands is fun. You can also wreck traditional control decks. In fact, you wreck anything if your maindeck and sideboard are put together correctly. A maindeck full of removal wrecks aggro, and can transform into a control destroyer by siding in a lot of discard spells.
Why should I listen to FuxAlt? He's like, never won anything?!
No good answer to this one. Play swamps
Sample Lists:
ViciousBoston
3x Liliana of the Veil
3x Bloodgift Demon
4x Ravenous Rats
4x Vampire Nighthawk
1x Lashwrithe
4x Sign in Blood
4x Despise
3x Mutilate
2x Doom Blade
2x Go for the Throat
2x Geth's Verdict
1x Tribute to Hunger
2x Demonic Rising
21x Swamp
4x Phyrexian Crusader
2x Lashwrithe
3x Duress
2x Surgical Extraction
2x Curse of Death's Hold
1x Sever the Bloodline
1x Mutilate
BluishGreen1.8T
1x Nefarox
1x grave titan
1x wurmcoil
1x griselbrand
4x duress
1x elixer of immortality
2x distress
3x sign in blood
3x pristine talisman
2x druidic satchel
4x mutilate
2x black sun zenith
2x dismember
2x go for the throat
2x increasing ambition
2x curse of deaths hold
1x sorin markov
1x karn
1x karn
3x surgical
2x ratchet bomb
2x phyrexian obliterator
2x doom blade
1x sorins vengeance
1x massacre wurm
2x nihil spellbomb
1x grave titan
PJ I
4 sign in blood
4 duress
4 mutilate
4 vampire nighthawk
3 pristine tailsman
2 go for the throat
2 doom blade
2 black sun's zenith
2 sorin markov
2 lilianna of the veil
2 grave titan
1 batterskull
1 sorin's vengence
1 curse of death's hold
SpreadLikeJerms
MonoBlack Control
By: GeronimusPrime
Type II
Archive: http://magic.tcgplayer.com/db/deck.asp?deck_id=1026352
4 Solemn Simulacrum
3 Sorin Markov
4 Vampire Nighthawk
4 Black Sun's Zenith
2 Duress
2 Go for the Throat
4 Ichor Wellspring
2 Mycosynth Wellspring
4 Pristine Talisman
4 Sorin's Vengeance
1 Spine of Ish Sah
2 Throne of Geth
2 Ghost Quarter
4 Phyrexia's Core
17 Swamp
2 Barter in Blood
3 Curse of Death's Hold
2 Diabolic Revelation
2 Doom Blade
2 Duress
2 Mutilate
2 Tormod's Crypt
DirtyFishhook's MBC
For reference when building a MBC deck:
Discard Choices:
Despise - This hits creatures and planeswalkers. If you're in an aggro-dominated meta, this is the right choice maindeck. If superfriends is giving you fits, give this a try.
Appetite for Brains - This is a good one to board in against WRR. Hits a card with mana cost 4 or greater. You can grab their Solemn Simulacrum, Huntmaster of the Fells, Primeval Titan...Yeah...If you're seeing a lot of WRR, having Despise main and this as a psuedo-Despise in your sideboard as 1-2 of might not be bad.
Smallpox - Each player sacrifices a creature, sacrifices a land, discards a card, and loses 1 life. Wow. Pretty good for two mana, but I wouldn't invest in a playset as this will set you back more than it will most opponents early on in the game.
Distress - For two mana you can hit any nonland card. For two mana, you can also just draw two cards or kill a threat. I'm not a fan, YMMV.
Mind Rot - Too bad the last half of that doesn't say 'Sludge' instead. As it is, it isn't a half bad card to side in against control to keep their CA in check, or to take the last bit of gas out of fast aggro.
Ravenous Rats - Great card in an aggro-dominated meta. You take some of their gas and put a speed bump in the way. I know. I just said Ravenous Rats was a great card. Sue me.
Sweepers:
Killing Wave - We have better sweepers. This one is just too conditional. If you're feeling brave, go for it.
Ratchet Bomb - Tokens hate seeing this. It also gives you a way to deal with problematic enchantments and artifacts (Looking at you, swords.)
Black Sun's Zenith - More expensive than Mutilate, but it can also come down a turn earlier to wipe a token hoard and it shuffles back in to be seen again later. I suggest a split between this and Mutilate.
Cower in Fear - Three mana instant speed half of an Infest. I don't like it, but if you're playing against a lot of weenie decks, you might consider it. Also consider the fact that a Black Sun's Zenith for 1 does the same and costs the same. You trade the instant speed, but BSZ shuffles back in.
Barter in Blood - Why play this when you could drop a Mutilate instead? Might be alright if you max out on Geth's Verdict and Tribute to Hunger, but you have better options.
Mutilate - One of the best black sweepers ever printed. Period. 3-4 of, or you should consider playing another deck. I personally like 4 of these and 2 Black Sun's Zenith.
Life's Finale - This one may still make its way into a list as a 1-2 of. It is a bit high on the curve, but getting to yank cards from your opponents library is gravy.
Massacre Wurm - A sweeper attached to a win condition. If your entire meta is weenie aggro, you want this guy.
Removal:
Consume Spirit - Removal that can go to the head if need be. It also gains you some life.
Geth's Verdict - Instant speed and can get around shroud and protection from black, provided that they have no other creatures. At its worst, it is a minor speed bump for the opponent. At its best, you just saved yourself from something gnarly.
Doom Blade - Destroy target nonblack creature. Great removal spell. Whether you play this, Dismember, or Go for the Throat depends on your meta.
Go for the Throat - Destroy target nonartifact creature. Great removal spell. Whether you play this, Dismember, or Doom Blade depends on your meta.
Dismember - For one mana and 4 life, target creature gets -5/-5. For two mana and 2 life, target creature gets -5/-5. For three mana, target creature gets -5/-5. Options. I love them. I also love that this is unconditional. It just kills stuff. Whether you play this, Doom Blade, or Go for the Throat depends on your meta. I personally like a split.
Murder - Three mana. Destroy target creature. We have better things right now, but this may end up getting included.
Tribute to Hunger - Pretty good stuff here. Makes your opponent sacrifice a creature and gains you some life to boot. If you're staring down a lot of aggro decks, considering packing some of these.
Sever the Bloodline - Exile target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature. Suck it, Spirit tokens.
Card Advanatage:
Tezzeret's Gambit - For three mana and two life, you get two cards and can proliferate. If you have a machine subtheme or play Inkmoth Nexus this might be worth considering.
Disciple of Bolas - At first glance, I wasn't impressed. After winning my first M13 draft on the back of this + Chronomaton I fell in love with it. The bigger your creatures the better this is, so run it with Lashwrithe for maximum power.
Bloodgift Demon - Phyrexian Arena attached to an evasive win condition. I highly recommend him, but you may have other diabolical schemes.
Staff of Nin - A one-sided Howling Mine that pings away at your opponent or their creatures. I love this card, most people think I'm crazy. Until they lose to it.
Griselbrand - RTFC and tell me why you wouldn't run at least one copy of this guy. I think he's an auto 1-2 of, and the best win condition we have available in addition to being a big black draw spell.
Win Conditions:
Consume Spirit - Removal that can go to the head if need be. It also gains you some life. This is a great win condition alongside Liliana of the Dark Realms.
Vampire Nighthawk One of the most effecient three drops ever printed. 2/3 evasive body with Lifelink and Deathtouch. He can single-handedly keep you in the game against aggro. If you put a Lashwrithe on him, he is downright scary.
Lashwrithe - Living weapon that costs as much as Korlash, is as big as Korlash, and turns another creature into Korlash (Minus the regeneration, but, meh.) for the cost of 4 life or two black mana. Amazing.
Phyrexian Obliterator - I nearly had to change my underpants when this guy was spoiled. He is a very fine choice for any black deck.
Bloodline Keeper - Not much to say here. I think there are better options, but if he works for you by all means. It isn't terrible.
Bloodgift Demon - My favorite. Phyrexian Arena attached to a 5/4 evasive body. For five mana. Added bonus - you can force your opponent to draw and lose a life.
Batterskull - 4/4. Vigilance. Lifelink. You can save it from removal and play it again and again. Great choice here.
Staff of Nin - NIN! NIN! NIN I SAY! STAFF OF NIN! It draws cards and pings away. Much better and much worse choices, but I love this card to death for some reason.
Grave Titan - 6 mana. Ten power. Three bodies. It only gets worse with each swing. This has been one of the go-to finishers for a lot of black-based decks during its lifetime in standard. It is, after all, a titan.
Massacre Wurm - One of the best win conditions in an aggro-dominated meta. Big body with an infest attached. Oh, and you nail them for two for each weenie it takes down. Yes, please.
Wurmcoil Engine - One of the best win conditions in an aggro-dominated meta. The lifegain from this guy is great.
Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis - He flies. He hits for 6. He makes your opponent sacrifice a creature.
Reaper from the Abyss - Titan stats at titan mana. If you're running a lot of removal, this guy effectively doubles it.
Sheoldred, Whispering One - This one is still a very fine choice, even more so if you're playing a lot of creatures. (Or your opponent is.) Diabolic Edict and Zombify on a stick.
Rune-Scarred Demon - A tutor attached to an evasive body. There are both better and worse choices. If you're on a budget he isn't bad.
Sorin's Vengeance - Twenty point life swing. Nuff said.
Griselbrand - Oh my yes. He costs 8 mana, but he is worth every spent. 7/7 Flying, Lifelink with Pay 7 life: Draw 7 cards? WHAT?
Army of the Damned - If they don't sweep the board, you likely win the turn after casting this. It is a bit high on the curve, but things that single-handedly win the game usually are.
Planeswalkers:
Liliana of the Dark Realms - Card advantage, removal, and massive amounts of mana should you ultimate it. Combine this with Exsanguinate and you've got yourself a win condition.
Sorin Markov - Not bad, not good. If you run it alongside Sorin's Vengeance, you have yourself a two card combo that can win the game.
Karn Liberated - This guy can deal with just about anything, and AFAIK is the only card black has access to in standard to remove enchantments.
Tutors
Diabolic Tutor - Slow, sure, but it can find your silver-bullet card in a pinch.
Diabolic Revelation -I'm still not sure what to think of this one. Anyone who has tried it LMK.
Increasing Ambition - It tutors, then when you cast it again it tutors twice. This thing is NOT to be underestimated, as it can find exactly what you need to seal the game and brings a load of card advantage with it.
Rune-Scarred Demon - Evasive, powerful body attached to a tutor. I like this, as it is CA, Tutor, and Win-condition all in one.
Utility
Nihil Spellbomb - It draws you a card and gets rid of a graveyard. Great stuff.
Surgical Extraction - Yes, please. Neuters combo, zombies recursion shenanigans and gets rid of problematic cards following a discard spell.
Druidic Satchel - This reminds me of Scrying Sheets, in a way. There's some good CA to come from this, but I see it working best in a land heavy build.
Mimic Vat - Its like Isochron Scepter, except for creatures. Works best when you put something with an ETB or a LTB ability under here.
I've gathered every useful card I could find. If I missed something, let me know and I'll get it added. (Still a work in progress) (Feel free to steal this and add to it.)
Trading Post - Turn something you don't want into something more useful. Worst case scenario you sacrifice it to itself draw a card.
Memoricide - Like Surgical Extraction, but you don't have to wait for the card to hit the graveyard. Just name it, and they're gone.
Witchbane Orb - Good card against burn decks and anything that wins by pointing a spell at your head (combo).
Curse of Death's Hold - Anything running creatures hates seeing this, especially tokens and Delver. Try it, it works.
▲
▲ ▲
Losing inquistion of kozilek was a big kick in the nuts for us, and i feel like the hand disruption just isn't quite up to par without it. 3 distress and 3 despise just doesn't seem like it will cut it, though where things are at right now, despise will be helpful against all the creature decks.
Mimic Vats in the MB can really keep an opponent down. Sure. Dismemeber my obliterator. Now he gets to come back every turn! Or even better, Grave titan (+2 2/2's that stick around)
Bloodgift demon is a godsend, helping us with our card advantage... Definitely deserves a spot on the updated list.
Overall not bad, but could definitely use some tweaking. I'll put up my list up soon that I'll be testing out.
20 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 12
3 Vault Skirge
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
2 Sorin Markov
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Mimic Vat
3 Unburial Rights
3 Alter’s reap
2 Lashwirthe
Solemn SimulacrumCould work a bit better in the 4 mana creature spot instead of Obliterator...it's just at the moment i have 4 obliterators and not Solemn's. Tell me what you guys think.
I think Vault Skirge needs to leave your deck and Solemn Simulacrum needs to join the party.
20 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 12
3 Vault Skirge
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
2 Sorin Markov
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Mimic Vat
3 Unburial Rights
3 Alter’s reap
2 Lashwirthe
I could replace the Vault skirges with Solemn's, but they have always paid for them selves and I was never dissapointed in drawing one...especially with Lashwrith on the field. Anyway what do you guys think of my spell choices? I look at the deck and see lots of 2 and 3 of's should I just start cutting things it get 4 copies of stuff I can really use? what should I get rid of if thats the decision?
4x Vault Skirge
4x Phyrexian Crusader
3x Sad Robot
3x Phyrexian Obliterator
1x Skittles, the Blight Dragon
2x Bloodgift Demon
Spells (14)
2x Doom Blade
2x Go for the Throat
1x Dismember
2x Smallpox
2x Despise
1x Distress
4x Alter's Reap
3x Lashwrithe
1x Sword of Feast and Famine
Planeswalkers (3)
3x Liliana of the Veil
Lands (23)
4x Inkmoth Nexus
19x Swamp
3x Surgical Extraction
2x Distress
1x Despise
3x Deathmark
4x Typhoid Rats
1x Sad Robot
1x Skittles, the Blight Dragon
This is what I'm currently running. Haven't gotten to do any serious testing yet, will be later today hopefully.
EDH
WBRKaalia of the VastRBW
BChainer, Dementia MasterB
Legacy
0Manaless Dredge0
RGoblinsR
Standard
RBWThe AristocratsWBR
SoullessX, you're running Altar's Reap with only 10 creatures and 8 of them being 4cc or more. Reap is going to be stuck in your hand quite a bit.
Same with muffunz, Reap is going to be stuck in your hand till at least turn 4 most games.
Personally I don't like Reap. I'd just run Phyrexian Rager instead. Or Tezz's Gambit even, it's better than having a Reap in your hand you can't even use.
Might have something to do witb the fact that hes a three for one. That puts a land in play to help you ramp up to your game enders. I see no problem with this card.
20 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 11
3 Solemn Simulacrum
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
2 Sorin Markov
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Mimic Vat
3 Unburial Rights
3 Alter’s reap
2 Lashwirthe
I might not have a ton of creatures, but ill have enough gas to keep going till i actually need to use alter's reap. Plus if I do have to sac a creature i can just get it back with Unburial Rights. That being said...since I droped vault skirges for solemn's I'm not going to have any creatures on the field untill at least turn 4...do you think my removal and hand disruption can handle it till then?
2 Tezzeret's Gambits would be better. It proliferates too so it helps your Liliana, Sorin, and BSZ. I'm not saying Gambit is a great card for mono black, but it's much better in your deck than Altar's Reap, which will always be a dead card before turn 5.
EDIT: Take out the Altar's Reap for another swamp and 2 Gambits, that's my opinion.
21 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 11
3 Solemn Simulacrum
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
2 Sorin Markov
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Mimic Vat
3 Unburial Rights
2 Tezzeret's Gambit
2 Lashwrithe
I gotta tell ya...i don't like the highpriest here...Im thinking your gona sit there with a Rager and the priest and nothing more...wanting another creature. I think Grave Titan will be better than Reaper of the Abyss. Just because he puts out 3 bodies and you already have beast within to deal with pods why do you need a finisher to deal with them also? I am trying Tezzeret's Gambit over Alter's Reap just because I want my opponent to deal with my creatures and I don't wanna kill them my self. You are also running 4 Lilianna of the Veil with nothing to take advantage of her abilities such as Mimic Vat or Unburial Rights. Take a look at the deck Im putting together
21 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 11
3 Solemn Simulacrum
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
2 Sorin Markov
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Mimic Vat
3 Unburial Rights
2 Tezzeret's Gambit
2 Lashwirthe
It would seem we would like to be doing the same things but you splashed green for beast within and I splashed White so i could flashback Unburial Rights. Im not saying use my deck. it's your creation have fun with it. all I am saying is try to take advantage of the cards you wanna use. Hope that helps.
Rune-Scarred Demonfor a reanimate target ditch him to lilianna and reanimate dig for somthing good and still have a huge threat out. I played Sorin only for a little bit, and I am never dissapointed when he comes down. I used to say that Sorin is horrible, but his +2 is actually relevent potentially killing off a creature and gaining you some life, but if you don't like him thats alright too
I am liking SoFaF as a 1 or 2 of. Throw it on a Vault Skirge and watch it do work. And Typhoid Rats are great in the board, I just swap them with the Skirges against aggro.
@Soullessx - Your deck seems WAY too slow. I'd throw in another Lashwrithe or two, and SOMETHING to keep you alive during the early game. Even other control decks are going to outrun you by a mile. Vault Skirge and Typhoid Rat are good choices. With IoK and Duress gone, we just can't afford to run nothing but fatties. Phyrexian Crusader and Phyrexian Rager are other great choices, one dodges burn/white removal and a house on defense, the other gives you CA with a body.
EDH
WBRKaalia of the VastRBW
BChainer, Dementia MasterB
Legacy
0Manaless Dredge0
RGoblinsR
Standard
RBWThe AristocratsWBR
21 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 11
3 Vault Skirge
3 Phyrexian Obliterator
3 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
1 Wurmcoil Engine
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Mimic Vat
3 Unburial Rights
3 Tezzeret's Gambit
2 Lashwirthe
Im toying with the idea of eather a 1 of Rune-Scarred demon or a Sheoldred the whispering one...what do you guys think...Oh! I changed little...
-3 Solemn Simulacrumbecause I already have alot of 4 drops and I would like to reanimate something big.
-2 Sorin Markov Unlike my last MBC deck Sorin doesn't seem to fit here as I thought
+3 Vault Skirge To help me Survive the first few turns...plus hes pretty good with a Lash
+1 Tezzeret's Gambit Card draw is good and since we have no more sign in blood...i guess this is the next best choice
+1 Reanimate Creature eather Rune-Scarred Demon or Sheoldred, The Whispering One.
Tell me what your guys think
EDH
WBRKaalia of the VastRBW
BChainer, Dementia MasterB
Legacy
0Manaless Dredge0
RGoblinsR
Standard
RBWThe AristocratsWBR
I was trying to take advantage of the discard i have to go through for lilliana. Do you not like the bloodgifts? have you taken them out of your post? if you did could you tell me why? I still haven't tested so im really just musing...
If you don't like Unburial Rights then you probadly don't like Mimic Vat could you tell me why they might be bad? im not the best deck builder in the world so i would like to know what you think.
20 Swamp
4 Isolated Chapel
Creatures- 13
4 Vault Skirge
4 Phyrexian Crusader
2 Bloodgift Demon
2 Grave Titan
1 Sheoldred, Whispering One
2 Distress
3 Despise
2 Go for the Throat
2 Doom Blade
1 Black Sun’s Zenith
3 Liliana of the Veil
2 Unburial Rights
4 Tezzeret's Gambit
4 Lashwirthe
What do you guys think of this one. I got some early game creatures
Doublepost merged and warned.
-Sene
This is the reason why MBC looks so depressing in Innistrad. Back in Zendikar block, we had all these fantastic cards like Inquisition of Kozilek, Vampire Nighthawk, Gatekeeper of Malakir, and Sign in Blood. The post-rotation lists are just less powerful watered down versions, and it seems unlikely that they'll be able to square up against the emerging big archetypes.
Nevertheless, I agree with what some people in this thread have already said - Unburial Rites just isn't a card for this deck. It's slow and has an unreliable flashback with only 4 white sources available for the deck. With 2 Titans and a Sheoldred, you're probably better off replacing the Rites with Solemns.
Or perhaps running solemns with a plains or 2 to fetch to turn on the flashback cost if your only concern is meeting the flashback cost. The card really is better in a sloarflare/solarpox deck that can more reliably put it in the yard though. Rise from the grave wasn't bad because it didn't have flashback, but because of how much the initial cost was...
Perhaps heartless summoning would be a better fit than the rites for MBC. Doesn't do anything for Obliterator : / but it makes all the available demons shine. Phyrexian arena is a lot more fragile when it's a creature, but at 3 CMC with evasion, it's beast, and diabolic tutor is too slow, but add 1 to the CMC and you get a 5/5 flyer...
t1: despise
t2: summoning
t3: bloodgift (hurray early card engine)
t4: either obliterator, titan, masssacre wurm, or wurmcoil whatever floats your boat
Land x24
Swamp x20
Woodland Cemetary x4
Creature x17
Reassembling Skeleton x4
Phyrexian Obliterator x4
Solemn Simulacrum x2
Bloodgift Demon x3
Grave Titan x2
Massacre Wurm or Wurmcoil Engine x2
Spells x19
Heartless Summoning x3
Liliana of the Veil x3
Despise x4
Prey Upon x4
Black Sun's Zenith x3
Doom Blade, GFtT, or Tezz Gambit x2
i havent yet proxied this up to try it but on paper it looks good to me lol please everyone let me know what you think anything else you would do also i havent thought of a sideboard and i really want to use tribute to hunger but dont know what to take out and lili edicts aswell so i dont really need them but fun.
I like the idea of replacing Sign In Blood with Tezz's Gambit. You still get the 2 cards and you still pay the 2 life...you just have to wait a turn.
I think this deck also needs Wurmcoil Engine. With Bloodgift Demon as a 5 drop and so much removal in the deck already, you can hold off attacks until you gain position to play your big creatures.