Vito, Thorn of the Dusk RoseVito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose | Art by Lie Setiawan

Bracketology

Hello fellow brewer and welcome back to Brew For Your Buck, where we swap out the top 10 most expensive cards in a deck with 10 budget cards that add a unique twist.

If you're not up on your giant, sweeping, format news, Wizards of the Coast released the beta format for the new bracket system for clarifying power levels and simplifying Rule Zero conversations.

Check out this article for more details. I love the bracket system for a number of reasons, one of the big ones being it gives Brew For Your Buck yet another angle to approach budget deckbuilding, which is exactly what we're going to do today.

If you haven't seen one of my "Hot Swap" articles before, this will be similar, in that we are going to build multiple decks in one go. But, instead of designing the budget package around multiple viable commanders, we're going to have multiple packages that you can swap in to play at different power levels.

If that sounds complicated, that's because it is, so we're going to go with a mono-colored commander to keep the rest of the complexity down. So we'll go with the mono-best color:

Vito is a perfect commander for our bracket-swapping deck, since he can be a part of a two card infinite combo with Exquisite BloodExquisite Blood and Bloodthirsty ConquerorBloodthirsty Conqueror, both in the average list already.

Speaking of, that list clocks in at $321.20. Here's the top 10 pricey cards:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Vampiric TutorVampiric Tutor ($42.53)
               2. Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor ($36.10)
               3. Bloodthirsty ConquerorBloodthirsty Conqueror ($31.89)
               4. Bloodletter of AclazotzBloodletter of Aclazotz ($31.75)
               5. Exquisite BloodExquisite Blood ($17.09)
               6. Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir ($13.78)
               7. Alhammarret's ArchiveAlhammarret's Archive ($13.50)
               8. Bloodchief AscensionBloodchief Ascension ($12.20)
               9. Black Market ConnectionsBlack Market Connections ($8.97)
               10. Sorin MarkovSorin Markov ($4.22)

Total Value of Cuts: $212.03

Cabal CoffersCabal Coffers and Cabal StrongholdCabal Stronghold are the two expensive lands to replace, and they'll lead to an additional $27.13 in savings, for a total of $239.16.

Looking at those 12 cards, we have two game-changers and both of the infinite combo cards I mentioned before. So the average list looks like it will fall well into bracket four.

This is perfect! Not only will removing these cards reduce the price of the deck, but makes for a bracket package all on its own. We're also going to remove Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel for now.

Normally it would remain in the list, but since it's a "game changer" it needs to come out, at least for Bracket 2. So now we'll look at two different budget packages, one for each of Bracket 2 and Bracket 3.

Additions

Bracket 2

Bracket 2's described identity is that it should be on the same power level of a precon, so I decided to go with a Vampire-typal focus, since we've had a few of those precons in the past.

There are 19 Vampires in the deck already; low for a typical kindred deck but still serviceable, especially as we add some more. Of course, Vito's ability wants us to focus on a lifegain theme too, so we'll have plenty to add for our Bracket 2 package.

Nirkana RevenantNirkana Revenant ($6.34) pushes the budget limit, but it's just too powerful not to include in a mono-black deck. In a similar vein, (hehe, Vampire pun) Crossway TroublemakersCrossway Troublemakers ($0.15) allows all of your attacks to deal "double damage" with Vito on the battlefield, and force trades if your opponents dare to block.

Captivating VampireCaptivating Vampire ($0.94) is a lord while enabling the theft of opposing commanders, which is one of the best ways to deal with them. We also add Kalastria HighbornKalastria Highborn ($0.87), some removal insurance that can trigger your lifegain payoffs, including Vito.

Bloodline KeeperBloodline Keeper's ($3.67) price dropped with it's reprint in Innistrad Remastered, so now's a good time to pick up one of those for any Vampire deck.

To round out our new Vampires, I've thrown in Sanguine SyphonerSanguine Syphoner, Vampire GourmandVampire Gourmand, and Drana, Liberator of MalakirDrana, Liberator of Malakir, which lean slightly more aggressive to keep up the (blood) pressure on opponents.

Finally, two Vampire support cards: Olivia's WrathOlivia's Wrath is not only what happens when I annoy my wife, but is a great card for any Vampire deck.

Meanwhile, Mask of GriselbrandMask of Griselbrand is a fantastic source of card velocity, in addition to granting lifelink for synergy and flying to get through during combat.

All in all, a great Vampire-themed package to swap in for lower powered tables. The total cost of this package is $13.40, with nearly half of that being Nirkana RevenantNirkana Revenant. You can always swap that out for a cheaper Vampire if you're looking to save even more.

Bracket 3

Bracket 3 is more tuned by definition, and is allowed to have up to three game changers plus "late game" two card infinite combos. We've got one game changer already, Bolas's CitadelBolas's Citadel, which by default becomes a part of this package.

We'll also add Aetherflux ReservoirAetherflux Reservoir back into the deck. These two don't go truly infinite without Sensei's Divining TopSensei's Divining Top, but can get pretty darn close. Reservoir also works great with Vito on the field.

Our Bracket 3 package will include some cards to help support using Bolas's Citadel, while also giving us some more powerful support for Vito and friends.

Most of the tutors were removed and won't be coming back in unless we swap to Bracket 4, but fortunately they aren't the only tutors out there. That's right, it's time once again for BFYB star, Mausoleum SecretsMausoleum Secrets ($0.69).

Maus-rets is right at home in a creature heavy, mono-black deck like this one, finding anything we need at instant speed at the low cost of a few creatures in the yard.

We can also add Grim ServantGrim Servant ($0.13) which gets pretty close to its namesake Grim TutorGrim Tutor with all the black pips we'll have on the battlefield. We'll throw in Lively DirgeLively Dirge ($0.44) as a combination recursion/tutor effect we can use to find key Vampires like Twilight ProphetTwilight Prophet or Blood ArtistBlood Artist.

Speaking of Blood ArtistBlood Artist, I'm also going to throw in Forsaken MinerForsaken Miner ($0.32) and Viscera SeerViscera Seer ($0.50). Vito's ability to target opponents means we can commit a LOT of crimes in a short window, triggering Forsaken Miner over and over again.

With Viscera Seer (a Vampire) we can sacrifice it over and over, netting a ton of lifegain triggers, Vito triggers, etc. Viscera Seer conveniently helps with the Bolas's Citadel plan too.

If you really want to go infinite you can throw in Phyrexian AltarPhyrexian Altar, but that's way out of the range for our budget considerations.

Rounding out Bracket 3, Wound ReflectionWound Reflection ($2.17) really amps up the life loss for our opponents, and if played at the right moment, like after a big life-linking swing, can just take out opponents when they least expect it. I also really like Kaervek, the PunisherKaervek, the Punisher ($0.26) in this spot.

Again, Vito allows us to commit so many crimes plus the lifegain from the rest of our deck can offset the cost of casting spells from our graveyard. And finally, Witch of the MoorsWitch of the Moors ($1.11) represents multiple four-for-ones, which can really help keep ahead of your opponents' resources.

Ultimately, the Bracket 3 package gives us a couple of late-game engines to help win the game, adds tutors and support to help get us there, and all for the low cost of $21.63

Wrap Up & Savings

This savings chart is going to look a little different than usual:

It looks like we reach our usual level of savings by downgrading the brackets. The prices between 2 and 3 are not that much different, which I like to think shows how much the generic staples/game changers really inflate the cost of the deck.

Another way to look at this from a savings perspective is that you can spend an extra $20 and get everything you need to get your Bracket 4 deck able to break into two more decks! I like that idea, especially if you enjoy Vito enough that you'd like to play him all the time, regardless of power level.

So what do you think? Do you like or dislike the Bracket packages? Any other ideas for cards specifically for Vito? Let me know in the comments and I'll see you next time when we brew for your buck!

Please note: card prices listed in this article are accurate at the time of writing, but prices can vary over time and between locations.

Brian Cain

Brian played Magic intermittently between 2003 and 2017 when he fully embraced his love for Commander. Finding ways to maximize the value of each piece of cardboard in the deck is one of his favorite things to explore, especially if it involves putting lands in the graveyard! Outside of Magic, Brian works as a consultant in the marine industry, turning his passion for boats and ships into a career.