Ultra Budget Brews - Rankle, Master of Pranks

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/depingo">Anna Steinbauer</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In this article we'll talk about one particularly powerful mono-color combo commander released in <em>Throne of Eldraine</em>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Syr Konrad, the Grim"></div></div>
<p><strong>Whenever another creature dies, or a creature card is put into a graveyard from anywhere other than the battlefield, or a creature card leaves your graveyard, Syr Konrad, the Grim deals 1 damage to each opponent.</strong></p>
<p><strong>(1)(B): Each player puts the top card of their library into their graveyard.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>His triggered ability is so easy to trigger that he can be built around many common themes such as Mill, Aristocrats, and Dredge.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>There are a lot of powerful cards that can be combined with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mindcrank" href="#" target="_blank">Mindcrank</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can keep milling our opponents as long as one of them mills a creature, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morality Shift" href="#" target="_blank">Morality Shift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a straight-up "win the game" button in the right circumstances.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>While his activated ability is not all that exciting, it does a decent job of starting a self-mill chain. It can also be an outlet for infinite mana.</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>Being a five-mana combo piece is a pretty nasty downside, making it hard to do a full combo in a single turn, which also makes him vulnerable to removal.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Syr-Konrad-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-46237" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Syr-Konrad-Sig.png" alt="" width="1061" height="471" /></a></p>
<p>Syr Konrad is quite the powerhouse! Just looking at his signature card list shows Syr Konrad's high combo potential. Many of those cards can be quite explosive in the right circumstances. Aside from that, we see also a trend of Aristocrat effects and self-mill, which completely makes sense.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ashes of the Fallen"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haakon, Stromgald Scourge"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Walking Ballista"></div></div>
<p>It's not a surprise that a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> list is probably relying on some sort of combo, so in order to find a space on the current posted lists, we need to try to find a different type of combo. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashes of the Fallen" href="#" target="_blank">Ashes of the Fallen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is such an interesting niche card, and together with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haakon, Stromgald Scourge" href="#" target="_blank">Haakon, Stromgald Scourge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana, Untouched By Death" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana, Untouched By Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), it lets us make infinite ETB/LTB (enters-the-battlefield and leaves-the-battlefield) triggers on zero-mana 0/0s, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stonecoil Serpent" href="#" target="_blank">Stonecoil Serpent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This combo fits right in with a Syr Konrad deck because of his ability to emulate a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the command zone.</p>
<p>One thing that impresses me about this combo is that, while historically speaking, a deck that runs cheeri0s effects suffers from having a lot of dead cards, this deck can take advantage of them even outside of the combo turn. With plenty of Aristocrat effects, like draw on LTB (<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), or treasure token on LTB <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pitiless Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Pitiless Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can make our zero-drops into a "build your own sorcery" effect.</p>
<p>The biggest hurdle that we have to overcome when playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haakon, Stromgald Scourge" href="#" target="_blank">Haakon, Stromgald Scourge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is that we need to get him into our graveyard first in order to cast him. This might seem like a minor set-back, but in a deck that's already slot-heavy like ours, finding the right balance can prove to be a bit of a challenge. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to set up for the combo, as we can get access to both main combo pieces. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bog Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Bog Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Overeager Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Overeager Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are an interesting way to discard Haakon (if we're unfortunate enough to draw him) and power out our combo in just one card.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Syr Konrad Cheeri0s" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]Syr Konrad, the Grim[/ec]</p>
<p>[Creature]</p>
<p>*Endless One<br />
*Hangarback Walker<br />
*Phyrexian Marauder<br />
*Shifting Wall<br />
*Stonecoil Serpent<br />
*Ugin's Conjurant<br />
*Walking Ballista<br />
*Dusk Legion Zealot<br />
*Reassembling Skeleton<br />
*Rotting Rats<br />
*Yarok's Fenlurker<br />
*Zulaport Cutthroat<br />
*Bog Witch<br />
*Grim Haruspex<br />
*Haakon, Stromgald Scourge<br />
*Midnight Reaper<br />
*Overeager Apprentice<br />
*Plaguecrafter<br />
*Woe Strider<br />
*Yahenni, Undying Partisan<br />
*Crypt Ghast<br />
*Disciple of Bolas<br />
*Erebos, Bleak-Hearted<br />
*Nightmare Shepherd<br />
*Pitiless Plunderer<br />
*Ravenous Chupacabra<br />
*Solemn Simulacrum<br />
*Shriekmaw<br />
*Skirge Familiar<br />
*Harvester of Souls<br />
*Kokusho, the Evening Star</p>
<p>[/Creature]</p>
<p>[Instant]</p>
<p>*Entomb</p>
<p>*Costly Plunder</p>
<p>*Hero's Downfall</p>
<p>[/Instant]</p>
<p>[Sorcery]</p>
<p>*Torment of Hailfire<br />
*Buried Alive</p>
<p>*Fortuitous Find<br />
*Damnation<br />
*Mutilate<br />
*Beacon of Unrest</p>
<p>*Final Parting<br />
*Beseech the Queen<br />
[/Sorcery]</p>
<p>[Enchantment]</p>
<p>*Phyrexian Reclamation<br />
*Dark Prophecy<br />
*Grave Pact<br />
*Greed<br />
*Dictate of Erebos</p>
<p>[/Enchantment]</p>
<p>[Artifact]</p>
<p>*Everflowing Chalice<br />
*Sol Ring</p>
<p>*Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*Ashes of the Fallen<br />
*Charcoal Diamond<br />
*Coldsteel Heart<br />
*Fellwar Stone<br />
*Jet Medallion<br />
*Mind Stone<br />
*Mindcrank<br />
*Commander's Sphere<br />
*Hedron Archive<br />
*Gilded Lotus<br />
[/Artifact]</p>
<p>[Planeswalker]</p>
<p>*Liliana, Untouched By Death</p>
<p>[/Planeswalker][Land]</p>
<p>*Buried Ruin<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Tectonic Edge<br />
*Myriad Landscape<br />
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*Cabal Coffers<br />
*Cabal Stronghold<br />
*29 Swamp</p>
<p>[/Land]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<p>The rest of the deck is the usual mono-black Aristocrat shell that wants to play a grind game until either we're ready to combo out or use one of our secondary win conditions (mostly some poke with our commander or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kokusho, the Evening Star" href="#" target="_blank">Kokusho, the Evening Star</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>). If all else fails we can always try to go for a big <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torment of Hailfire" href="#" target="_blank">Torment of Hailfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Most of our combo pieces are somewhat resilient to hate: Haakon can be cast from the graveyard, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana, Untouched by Death" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana, Untouched by Death</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a planeswalker, and they are both interchangeable. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ashes of the Fallen" href="#" target="_blank">Ashes of the Fallen</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, however, is a one-of-a-kind card that doesn't have the same protection as those pieces and, because of that, it needs some special attention regarding recursion/protection. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beacon of Unrest" href="#" target="_blank">Beacon of Unrest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a flexible way to recover it, while also giving us the option of reanimating a high-priority target; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fortuitous Find" href="#" target="_blank">Fortuitous Find</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide a lot of value when it recovers two cards, although it's mainly there to get back Ashes.</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_22ab7" class="mtgh">
<div class="header">
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nightmare Shepherd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Erebos, Bleak-Hearted"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kokusho, the Evening Star"></div></div>
</div>
</div>
<p>We don't really need to rush for the combo for our opening hand; keeping a hand that can build an engine is much safer than trying to force a 2+0,5+0,5 card combo. Keep in mind that a hand with fast mana and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is great since we can rush for a combo finish pretty easily.</p>
<p>For the early game we should aim to play some of our Aristocratic pieces, as they tend to give us a better mid game and they allow us to cash in early our cheeri0s. Needless to say, some pieces naturally have higher priority than others, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are pretty important when comboing (although our commander can act as one), so it's better to play them as late as possible.</p>
<p>By the mid game we should be able to have some small engine going, even if it's something as lackluster as only one <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type effect on the battlefield. This is where we should start actively looking for our combo lines. If we're running a bit low on gas, we can play <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad, the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad, the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just to chip in with some damage; although this might not seem like all that much, that might be the difference between having someone eliminated by a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torment of Hailfire" href="#" target="_blank">Torment of Hailfire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or not.</p>
<p>The late game might be a question of whether we can find our combo pieces in time. Let's be honest, winning a game by grinding out people with ping damage in a non-dedicated deck with plenty of zero-drops is not an effective way to do things. However, they do help us stay health long enough to have a decent chance of finding our combo. Cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Behold the Beyond" href="#" target="_blank">Behold the Beyond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Final Parting" href="#" target="_blank">Final Parting</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are a strong late game critters that can pretty much seal the deal.</p>
<hr />
<div id="mtgh_22ab7" class="mtgh">
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
</div>
<div><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodchief Ascension"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grafted Exoskeleton"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forever Young"></div></div></div>
<p>As I said in my initial analysis on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Syr Konrad. the Grim" href="#" target="_blank">Syr Konrad. the Grim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there are a lot of powerful cards that we can use to fully abuse the power of our commander. Most of these were cut out since we don't really have all that many slots and they aren't as exciting to add. Nonetheless, they can be great additions.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Forever Young" href="#" target="_blank">Forever Young</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects are fun additions because, together with our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects, we have some draw chain (I'd recommend adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maga, Traitor to Mortals" href="#" target="_blank">Maga, Traitor to Mortals</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to add another 0/0 creature).</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Syr Konrad Ashes Combo

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>| Art by <a href="http://www.artofmtg.com/artist/min-yum/">Min Yum</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p>In today's article we'll talk about the deadliest of tutors: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sidisi, Undead Vizier"></div></div>
<p><strong>Exploit</strong></p>
<p><strong>When Sidisi, Undead Vizier exploits a creature, you may search your library for a card, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>Sidisi occupies quite a unique space in the format, since she's basically a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the command zone.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>Having a tutor in the command zone means that we're able to build a deck around any black card in the format.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>Being a Zombie is a huge plus, because it gives the consistency needed for an aggressive tribe.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p>For us to determine what new space to explore with this commander, we have to make sure we aren't trekking down already-traveled pathways with her. Sidisi's EDHREC page shows us the following:</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sidisi-Sig.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-42426" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Sidisi-Sig.png" alt="" width="657" height="326" /></a></p>
<p>The High Synergy list shows how competitive-minded <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tends to be. There are quite a number of rituals to get to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pretty quickly, which will draw them right into a deadly win condition, such as a combo.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p>Having a tutor in the command zone means that we can build around any specific card in the deck. This means we're not building around a commander so much as we're building around a card in the 99, and choosing that specific card will be the most important step of our process. Previous Sidisi builds chose <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ad Nauseam" href="#" target="_blank">Ad Nauseam</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as that card, but we're not here to make the obvious choice.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lich&#039;s Mastery"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun build-around card that's somewhat difficult to actually build around. It needs to be in a lifegain shell, but a lifegain strategy may sometimes just spin its wheels if it isn't able to draw into the build-around cards that reward it. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sidisi, Undead Vizier" href="#" target="_blank">Sidisi, Undead Vizier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> removes some of this pressure because she guarantees our access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Our shell is simple: we're the "big black" control deck. We ramp, kill creatures, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> people to death. As a general rule, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits in this shell as a way to refill our hand and go over the top of our enemies.</p>
<p>There are two main downsides that we need to be careful when playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: the loss-of-life trigger, and the 'when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is removed' trigger.</p>
<p>We have some ways to avoid <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s life-loss trigger. The first is simply removal: destroying creatures before they're able to deal damage is quite effective as a way to protect our life total, and we do have plenty of removal spells in our deck. The second way to avoid the trigger is including "lock" effects, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="No Mercy" href="#" target="_blank">No Mercy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maze of Ith" href="#" target="_blank">Maze of Ith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, because they discourage our opponents from attacking us.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="No Mercy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maze of Ith"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bitter Ordeal"></div></div>
<p>The second trigger is a bit trickier, since it makes us vulnerable to enchantment wipes, especially the ever-present <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Unfortunately, there's little that a nonblue deck can do about spells like that. To play against it, we need to preemptively take those cards out of our opponents' libraries. Effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Praetor&#039;s Grasp" href="#" target="_blank">Praetor&#039;s Grasp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitter Ordeal" href="#" target="_blank">Bitter Ordeal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> pull double duty as both protection for our pieces and as a way to hate out combo decks.</p>
<p>We're playing two types of lifegain cards: constant lifegain and one-shot effects. The one-shot effects are important because they're more explosive, giving us more cards on a short burst of time. They also tend to have some utility stapled into them, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tendrils of Corruption" href="#" target="_blank">Tendrils of Corruption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which also functions as removal, or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can either provide lifegain or be an outright win condition. Meanwhile, the constant effects are great in these deck because they can be played before we cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which makes the curve a whole lot smoother. These effects are varied and most of them trigger upon specific actions, which leads into a lifegain snowball, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflux Reservoir" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflux Reservoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aetherflux Reservoir"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tribute to Hunger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alhammarret&#039;s Archive"></div></div>
<p>Since we're trying to go big and use lots of mana to power explosive turns with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (or even just with Sidisi), ramp is extremely important. Powering out <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be the difference between only casting our commander versus casting her and playing the tutored card. Because of that, we're running some land fetch effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liliana of the Dark Realms" href="#" target="_blank">Liliana of the Dark Realms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thaumatic Compass" href="#" target="_blank">Thaumatic Compass</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These type of cards usually are not all that impressive, but when paired with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or any of the mana-doublers, having the constant land drops is quite good.</p>
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">The Mixture</h2>
<div><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Mastery of the Lich" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></div>
<div>[Commander]Sidisi, Undead Vizier[/Commander]</div>
<div>[Artifact]</div>
<div>*Everflowing Chalice<br />
*Fountain of Renewal<br />
*Sol Ring</div>
<div>*Universal Solvent</div>
<div>*Wayfarer's Bauble<br />
*Azor's Gateway<br />
*Charcoal Diamond<br />
*Fellwar Stone<br />
*Jet Medallion<br />
*Mind Stone<br />
*Thaumatic Compass<br />
*Treasure Map<br />
*Staff of the Death Magus<br />
*Unstable Obelisk<br />
*Aetherflux Reservoir<br />
*Hedron Archive<br />
*Jester's Cap<br />
*Alhammarret's Archive<br />
*Gilded Lotus<br />
*Venser's Journal<br />
*Caged Sun<br />
*The Immortal Sun</div>
<div>[/Artifact]</div>
<div>[Creature]</div>
<div>*Burnished Hart<br />
*Murderous Rider<br />
*Crypt Ghast<br />
*Dread Presence<br />
*Erebos, God of the Dead<br />
*Gray Merchant of Asphodel<br />
*Magus of the Coffers<br />
*Geth, Lord of the Vault<br />
[/Creature]</div>
<div>[Enchantment]</div>
<div>*Retreat to Hagra<br />
*Words of Waste<br />
*No Mercy<br />
*Polluted Bonds<br />
*Curse of Fool's Wisdom<br />
*Lich's Mastery</div>
<div>[/Enchantment]</div>
<div></div>
<div>[Instant]</div>
<div>*Defile<br />
*Go for the Throat<br />
*Crypt Incursion<br />
*Tribute to Hunger<br />
*Tendrils of Corruption</div>
<div>[/Instant]</div>
<div>[Planeswalker]</div>
<div>*Liliana of the Dark Realm</div>
<div>[/Planeswalker]</div>
<div>[Sorcery]</div>
<div>*Battle at the Bridge<br />
*Consume Spirit<br />
*Exsanguinate<br />
*Grim Discovery<br />
*Night's Whisper<br />
*Sign in Blood<br />
*Torment of Hailfire<br />
*Bitter Ordeal<br />
*Praetor's Grasp<br />
*Sadistic Sacrament<br />
*Soul Burn<br />
*Toxic Deluge<br />
*Damnation<br />
*Diabolic Tutor<br />
*Mutilate<br />
*Syphon Mind<br />
*Beseech the Queen<br />
*Corrupt<br />
*Sorin's Vengeance</div>
<div>[/Sorcery]</div>
<div>[Land]</div>
<div>*Cabal Coffers<br />
*Thespian's Stage<br />
*Vesuva<br />
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*Ghost Quarter<br />
*Strip Mine<br />
*Maze of Ith<br />
*Myriad Landscape<br />
*30 Swamp</div>
<div>[/Land]</div>
<div>[/Deck]</div>
<div></p>
<hr />
<p>As I said earlier, the list is the typical 'big mana' shell that is popular amongst mono-black players. We aren't afraid of the late game, and creatures won't stay on the battlefield to harass us for too long. It's worth noting that we can change our win-con suite to better adjust to our individual meta.</p>
<p>Our win conditions are pretty splashy, mana-wise, which means that we need to be in a leading position to authoritatively end the game. However, since most of them can gain us life, we can still play them as a way to refill our hand. After all, an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for X=3 still gives us 9 cards with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Words of Waste"></div></div>
<p>A standout card is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Words of Waste" href="#" target="_blank">Words of Waste</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It doesn't kill our opponents, but it might as well be the final nail in the coffin, because it quickly puts everyone into top deck mode.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hand, ramp is the name of the game. Our commander makes sure that we never flood out too much and that we do have some interaction if we need it. Our early game is basically just us playing our accelerators. We can change our strategy if we find ourselves taking too much damage, but since we have so many lifegain cards we don't need to worry about it.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Charcoal Diamond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Coffers"></div></div>
<p>For the mid-game we need to analyze the most optimal move based on the removal options available to our opponents and evaluate how our commander will fit into that. We want to grab <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lich&#039;s Mastery" href="#" target="_blank">Lich&#039;s Mastery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> right away to get the deck's card advantage train chugging, but if we have another tutor in hand, it might be smarter to find <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Coffers" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Coffers</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> right away or perhaps even a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bitter Ordeal" href="#" target="_blank">Bitter Ordeal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get rid of pesky <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Merciless Eviction" href="#" target="_blank">Merciless Eviction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>s. Alternatively, we might just want to get another lifegain spell to pay off our Lich enchantment once it's in play!</p>
<p>In the late-game, the world is our oyster. If unchecked, we tend to amass a scary board state with a constant flow of new cards, and we're very difficult to kill. However, we should still be cautious about a random enchantment wipe passing through. Once ahead, it's better to play defensively since we're very likely to win if we take our time.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blightsteel Colossus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Necrogen Mists"></div></div>
<p>If going 'big mana' is too hard, we could potentially switch up a few things by investing in some other win conditions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blightsteel Colossus" href="#" target="_blank">Blightsteel Colossus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is quite the behemoth, for instance. Alternatively, we could invest in a combo win condition. We also could play more stax pieces and particularly discard spells to lock our enemies out while we accrue tons of card advantage, making it harder for them to remove our precious enchantment.</p>
<p>That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Did we achieved immortality? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment - Lich Mastery Sidisi

Commander Showdown - Chainer vs Chainer

Conditions Allow - Horobi, Death's Wail

Replacement Commanders - The Fairest of Phyrexian Mana

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://www.sassart.com/">Mike Sass</a>)</h6>
<h1>The Shadow Queen's Army</h1>
<p>At long last, we return to another <em>Forgotten Harvest</em>, where we take a closer look at cards that see play in 300 decks or less on EDHREC, and using them to construct an interesting deck. This week, we're taking a deep dive into the darkness with a mono-black build based around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ayara, First of Locthwain"></div></div>
<p>As you could probably guess from the card, this deck is going to focus heavily on getting black creatures into play and leeching our opponents dry with Ayara's first ability. Additionally, the deck is going to have some ways to get creatures back from the graveyard to make them targets to sacrifice for Ayara's second ability, which draws us cards... which finds us was to get our creatures back... to sacrifice for more cards! This deck will play slowly, constantly pecking away at life totals until we're finally victorious! I also snuck in some great goodies which you can really only play in mono-black.</p>
<p>In order to maximize the options for cards with small deck counts, I intentionally stayed away from any tribal synergies; however, if you find tribal decks appealing, I would highly recommend settling on either Zombies or Rat theme, as there are plenty more support cards.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Token of My Appreciation</h2>
<p>First, we should talk about the most efficient method for getting creatures into play: generating tokens.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maalfeld Twins"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wakedancer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nested Ghoul"></div></div>
<p>First up in the token-makers category are the pair <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grixis Slavedriver" href="#" target="_blank">Grixis Slavedriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (147 and 102 decks, respectively). It's obvious that we're going to be sacrificing a lot of creatures to Ayara to replenish our hand, so getting some tokens out of it (and some more life from our opponents) is ideal. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> allows us two extra for the price of one, and the Slavedriver can also come back in a pinch using its <em>Unearth</em> ability. Also note that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grixis Slavedriver" href="#" target="_blank">Grixis Slavedriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> triggers on <em>leaving</em> the battlefield, not dying. That can definitely make a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cyclonic Rift" href="#" target="_blank">Cyclonic Rift</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> not as bad!</p>
<p>Speaking of sacrificing creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wakedancer" href="#" target="_blank">Wakedancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can get us an extra body if there's been some of that the turn it hits play. Found in 83 decks, this card is a cheap way to produce a token in black. Given the high mana cost of other black body-makers, she's a welcome addition that won't require a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Charcoal Diamond" href="#" target="_blank">Charcoal Diamond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Jet Medallion" href="#" target="_blank">Jet Medallion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get out early. Plus, triggering upon entering the battlefield also works well when playing against bounce effects.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provides a third flavor of black token production, creating a 2/2 Zombie whenever it takes damage. While this isn't exactly ideal, given the sacrifice theme of this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nested Ghoul" href="#" target="_blank">Nested Ghoul</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is content to hit the bin the old-fashioned way, through combat damage. This should mean it replaces itself, at worst. Maybe it's even a reason to run <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestilence" href="#" target="_blank">Pestilence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-type cards in the deck, to maximize token generation. The Ghoul is currently in 55 decks on EDHREC.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carrion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lab Rats"></div></div>
<p>Creatures aren't the only way black can make tokens. It can instead use a card like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> from <em>Mirage</em>. Played in 177 decks, this card serves as the inspiration for this deck. I've been waiting for a commander to provide <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carrion" href="#" target="_blank">Carrion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> a happy home, and Ayara does just that! Imagine sacrificing your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maalfeld Twins" href="#" target="_blank">Maalfeld Twins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and netting six tokens and a six-point life swing at the table! Being an instant just makes this card even better, and I like it in any black deck that cares about getting creatures into play. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> probably likes it as well!</p>
<p>Back in <em>Stronghold</em>, we saw the original version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Recruit the Worthy" href="#" target="_blank">Recruit the Worthy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's a black card by the name of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lab Rats" href="#" target="_blank">Lab Rats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and it sees play in only 173 decks. This card is a staple for me when I need endless chump-blockers or when I'm going Rat tribal. In this deck, it's a great repeatable way to trigger Ayara and provide her some fodder for card draw turn after turn. This card is a favorite of mine, and I feel like it's not seeing enough play for for its power level. Please consider it so that it winds up in more than 300 decks and I don't get to write about it anymore.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Infernal Genesis"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cellar Door"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breeding Pit"></div></div>
<p>Already, there are several token-making cards that are becoming staples for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague of Vermin" href="#" target="_blank">Plague of Vermin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tombstone Stairwell" href="#" target="_blank">Tombstone Stairwell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. But I think <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (203 decks) is also doing what these cards are doing, and is worth taking a look at. Adding recursion options to your graveyard while (hopefully) making a boatload of Minion tokens that trigger Ayara is exactly what we want! I'm not going to argue that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Plague of Vermin" href="#" target="_blank">Plague of Vermin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> isn't better, because that card is exactly what Ayara is looking for. However, I will say that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Infernal Genesis" href="#" target="_blank">Infernal Genesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> should still make your list.</p>
<p>My love of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cellar Door" href="#" target="_blank">Cellar Door</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is tough to contain. While I prefer it in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grenzo, Dungeon Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Grenzo, Dungeon Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> builds or those containing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reito Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Reito Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, it's also a great option here to either mill yourself or an opponent and have a chance a token that triggers Ayara. It only sees play in 257 decks, but I sincerely believe that number should be over 1,000 given the strength and versatility displayed on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cellar Door" href="#" target="_blank">Cellar Door</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Please keep it on your radar in the future!</p>
<p>Lastly for the token-makers, we have Thrull generator <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeding Pit" href="#" target="_blank">Breeding Pit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While I'm not crazy about the constant cost to keep it on the field, this is about as close as I can find to a second copy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ophiomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Ophiomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the deck, and you all know how I love deck redundancy! Eventually, I'd like to try a Thrull tribal deck, and this card will be an immediate addition to it. For now, though, it just sees play in 187 decks.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Sacrifice Outlets</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malevolent Awakening"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Patriarch"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dross Harvester"></div></div>
<p>Now that we've covered how we're going to make all of Ayara's minions, let's talk about how we can put those minions to work. The name of the game is going to be "sacrifice". Much like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ayara, First of Locthwain" href="#" target="_blank">Ayara, First of Locthwain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s second ability, we want to have ways to turn these tokens into some card advantage. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malevolent Awakening" href="#" target="_blank">Malevolent Awakening</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can provide that by allowing us to trade a creature in play for a creature back in hand. Played in 196 decks, this is one of the staple recursion options I use in my Commander brews. I remember sticking this in decks as a kid when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oversold Cemetery" href="#" target="_blank">Oversold Cemetery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> was too far outside of my budget.</p>
<p>Another sacrifice option from <em>Odyssey</em> is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cabal Patriarch" href="#" target="_blank">Cabal Patriarch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While expensive to cast, this card provides a sizable body and a repeatable creature removal for a fair cost. The ability to turn creatures in your graveyard into further removal is really what sells it for me. I'm surprised it's only in 44 decks, either as the commander or in the 99.</p>
<p>While not actually a sacrifice outlet, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dross Harvester" href="#" target="_blank">Dross Harvester</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> plays well with those cards that do cause loss of creatures. Despite the four life lost each time around the table, with enchantments like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dictate of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Dictate of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play, you'll be able to get that life back and then some. I think 268 decks is far too few for this underplayed all-star!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Supporting Cards for Mono Black</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sengir Nosferatu"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gravestorm"></div></div>
<p>We have two cards that don't really fit in with the sections above, but are still deserving of some attention. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sengir Nosferatu" href="#" target="_blank">Sengir Nosferatu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a token generator and sacrifice outlet all in one! Played in only 105 decks, this Vampire can transform into a Bat token for 1B, then back into a Vamp for another 1B, allowing for two triggers on Ayara. This ability can be cycled as much as needed with the commander in play, and provides a two-card mana sink to drain down your opponents. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only adds to the fun! Add in the blocking shenanigans which this enables, and you end up with an excellent card to slot into this deck.</p>
<p>Lastly, I've been trying to find a good deck in which to slot <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravestorm" href="#" target="_blank">Gravestorm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the three black pips in its casting cost has made that difficult. Depending on your meta, please consider this enchantment for some ever-present graveyard hate which really turns on once someone's 'yard goes dry. It's especially great after a well-timed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bojuka Bog" href="#" target="_blank">Bojuka Bog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Let's take a gander at this mono-black beast.</p>
<p><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Legion of the Shadow Queen" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards=""></span></div></p>
<p>[Commander]<br />
*1 Ayara, First of Locthwain<br />
[/Commander]</p>
<p>[Creatures]<br />
*1 Deathgreeter<br />
*1 Mortician Beetle<br />
*1 Blood Artist<br />
*1 Zulaport Cutthroat<br />
*1 Dross Harvester<br />
*1 Flesh Carver<br />
*1 Mardu Strike Leader<br />
*1 Midnight Reaper<br />
*1 Ophiomancer<br />
*1 Priest of Gix<br />
*1 Wakedancer<br />
*1 Disciple of Bolas<br />
*1 Falkenrath Noble<br />
*1 Gravedigger<br />
*1 Marsh Flitter<br />
*1 Mindslicer<br />
*1 Mortivore<br />
*1 Sengir Autocrat<br />
*1 Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder<br />
*1 Ghoulcaller Gisa<br />
*1 Krav, the Unredeemed<br />
*1 Nested Ghoul<br />
*1 Ogre Slumlord<br />
*1 Sadistic Hypnotist<br />
*1 Sengir Nosferatu<br />
*1 Cabal Patriarch<br />
*1 Grave Titan<br />
*1 Grixis Slavedriver<br />
*1 Maalfeld Twins<br />
*1 Noosegraf Mob<br />
*1 Skeletal Vampire<br />
[/Creatures]</p>
<p>[Instants]<br />
*1 Go for the Throat<br />
*1 Carrion<br />
[/Instants]</p>
<p>[Sorceries]<br />
*1 Lab Rats<br />
*1 Spark Harvest<br />
*1 Damnation<br />
*1 Plague of Vermin<br />
*1 Decree of Pain<br />
[/Sorceries]</p>
<p>[Artifacts]<br />
*1 Skullclamp<br />
*1 Sol Ring<br />
*1 Charcoal Diamond<br />
*1 Jet Medallion<br />
*1 Nim Deathmantle<br />
*1 Bontu's Monument<br />
*1 Cellar Door<br />
*1 Commander's Sphere<br />
*1 Crawlspace<br />
*1 Gate to the Afterlife<br />
*1 Lashwrithe<br />
*1 Phyrexian Processor<br />
*1 God-Pharaoh's Gift<br />
[/Artifacts]</p>
<p>[Enchantments]<br />
*1 Dreadhorde Invasion<br />
*1 Gravestorm<br />
*1 Malevolent Awakening<br />
*1 Breeding Pit<br />
*1 Grave Pact<br />
*1 Rite of Belzenlok<br />
*1 Tombstone Stairwell<br />
*1 Black Market<br />
*1 Open the Graves<br />
*1 Infernal Genesis<br />
[/Enchantments]</p>
<p>[Planeswalkers]<br />
*1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General<br />
[/Planeswalkers]</p>
<p>[Lands]<br />
*1 Barren Moor<br />
*1 Bojuka Bog<br />
*1 Cabal Coffers<br />
*1 Cabal Stronghold<br />
*1 Castle Locthwain<br />
*1 Crypt of Agadeem<br />
*1 Polluted Mire<br />
*26 Swamp<br />
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth<br />
*1 Westvale Abbey<br />
*1 Witch's Cottage<br />
[/Lands]</p>
<p>[/Deck]</p>

<hr />
<h2>Are You Afraid of the Dark?</h2>
<p>Thanks for digging into all the hyper-underplayed, token-centric options available to black. Any questions, comments, or snide remarks? You know where to leave them below. I'll be around to discuss just how good making this deck tribal can be, alternatives for some of the more expensive cards that made my list, or all the fun I had at the Seattle Lego convention a few weeks ago. Until next time, may your <em>devotion to black</em> remain strong!</p>


Forgotten Harvest - Ayara and Her Minions

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.chasestoneart.com/">Chase Stone</a>)</h6>
<h1>Epic Preparations</h1>
<p>Hello, EDHREC fans! I’m Bernardo Melibeu, and this is <em>Epic Experiment,</em> a series where we throw all common sense aside and experiment with some unusual strategies, changing how we normally build our deck. Is it going to work? Who knows?! We’re making science here. When you’re an Izzet mage, blowing things up is half the fun.</p>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/epic-experiment-living-end-anje/">Last article</a>, we built a deck with one of the most infamous commanders from <em>Commander 2019</em>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anje Falkenrath" href="#" target="_blank">Anje Falkenrath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In this article, let's take on yet another of the most infamous commanders from the set. Yes, I'm talking about the daddy's boy himself, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>!</p>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=470564&amp;type=card" alt="K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Lifelink</strong></p>
<p><strong>For each {B} in a cost, you may pay 2 life rather than pay that mana</strong></p>
<p><strong>Whenever you cast a black spell, put a +1/+1 counter on K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth</strong></p>
<p>Observation 1:</p>
<p>It's easy to see what all the fuss is about; his first ability is extremely powerful, especially in a color as versatile as black.</p>
<p>Observation 2:</p>
<p>There are plenty of powerful spells and effects that have several {B} pips in their costs, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bolas&#039;s Citadel" href="#" target="_blank">Bolas&#039;s Citadel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that we could take advantage of.</p>
<p>Observation 3:</p>
<p>His first and third abilities are really powerful because, as he grows bigger, he gains you more life with the damage he deals, allowing you to cast more black spells using life as a resource, making him bigger... you see where I'm going with this?</p>
<p>Observation 4:</p>
<p>He's best buddies with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vilis, Broker of Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Vilis, Broker of Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Old Formula</h2>
<p><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Krrik.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-39549" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Krrik.png" alt="" width="709" height="368" /></a></p>
<p>The High Synergy section of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s page shows how cutthroat the average list is. With cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tendrils of Agony" href="#" target="_blank">Tendrils of Agony</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aetherflux Reservoir" href="#" target="_blank">Aetherflux Reservoir</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, we can see that this leads into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grapeshot" href="#" target="_blank">stormy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> territory.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Epic Ingredients</h2>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=209049&amp;type=card" alt="Tainted Strike" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=220387&amp;type=card" alt="Skeletal Grimace" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=23043&amp;type=card" alt="Shade's Form" /></p>
<p>While K'rrik's mana acceleration ability is certainly powerful, his second ability caught my eye because it has all the potential for a potent Voltron commander. With his mana-evasion ability, being able to pay for Auras and combat tricks at a discounted rate is incredibly powerful, especially on a commander with a slightly-higher-than-average casting cost of seven mana (or four mana and six life).</p>
<p>There're three main points that every Voltron deck needs to address to be effective: power, evasion, and protection. The first of these correlates to the faster clock that you as the Voltron player will be on to knock other players out, and usually 7+ power, which will allow three-hit kills, is what we should be shooting for. The second point is pivotal: each combat step is crucial for a Voltron deck because if you're not able to connect with your opponents, you have no chance of winning the game. Finally, by definition, our deck is going to revolve around our commander; if we have to keep casting him over and over again, even with the Phyrexian mana, he'll soon be prohibitively expensive and our win con goes out the window.</p>
<p>If we want to reduce the number of times we need to hit our opponents, why not reduce the amount of damage that we need to do? <em>Infect</em> can most certainly draw the ire of the table, but hopefully you can curry some political favor to avoid immediately becoming the target of the table. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyresis" href="#" target="_blank">Phyresis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is straightforward: K'rrik now has <em>Infect</em>. But why not <em>Infect</em> and a power boost? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grafted Exoskeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Grafted Exoskeleton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives <em>Infect</em> and +2/+2. If K'rrik stays suited up, your opponents are in real trouble.</p>
<p>Whether or not K'rrik has <em>Infect</em>, firebreathing effects like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Midnight Covenant" href="#" target="_blank">Midnight Covenant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shade&#039;s Form" href="#" target="_blank">Shade&#039;s Form</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Kiss" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Kiss</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shade&#039;s Breath" href="#" target="_blank">Shade&#039;s Breath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hatred" href="#" target="_blank">Hatred</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are great for this build since, being in black, they allow us to trade our life for our opponents', but since K'rrik has lifelink, we come out ahead on that exchange.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=429909&amp;type=card" alt="Untamed Hunger" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=121257&amp;type=card" alt="Rime Transfusion" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=446016&amp;type=card" alt="Inner Demon" /></p>
<p>For evasion we have several different options: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inner Demon" href="#" target="_blank">Inner Demon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fun card that can clear the way while also giving our commander flying; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rime Transfusion" href="#" target="_blank">Rime Transfusion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great way to guarantee that we'll never get blocked; and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aphotic Wisps" href="#" target="_blank">Aphotic Wisps</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nighthaze" href="#" target="_blank">Nighthaze</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are interesting additions because they're free cantrips that grow our commander while giving him evasion.</p>
<p>To protect K'rrik, there are plenty of regeneration effects, which can be somewhat risky since they don't protect us from exile removals or the iconic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wrath of God" href="#" target="_blank">Wrath of God</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. We have a few combat tricks that can regenerate our commander, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boon of Erebos" href="#" target="_blank">Boon of Erebos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unnatural Endurance" href="#" target="_blank">Unnatural Endurance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, each of which can be played for free, a very effective method of catching people off guard. Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Unlikely Aid" href="#" target="_blank">Unlikely Aid</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rush of Vitality" href="#" target="_blank">Rush of Vitality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> grant indestructible at instant speed.</p>
<p>For standalone threats, we have a few angles of attack, from directly interacting with life totals with cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Essence Harvest" href="#" target="_blank">Essence Harvest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, to a few other alternative Voltrons, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Erebos, God of the Dead" href="#" target="_blank">Erebos, God of the Dead</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Mixture</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="K’ rrik Voltron" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth
[/Commander]
[Enchantment]
*Demonic Vigor
*Gruesome Deformity
*Molting Snakeskin
*Predator&#039;s Gambit
*Unholy Strength
*Vampiric Link
*Dark Favor
*Dragon Shadow
*Fear
*Midnight Covenant
*Phyresis
*Rime Transfusion
*Scourgemark
*Skeletal Grimace
*Strength of Lunacy
*Phyrexian Arena
*Shade&#039;s Form
*Soul Kiss
*Untamed Hunger
*Vow of Malice
*Feast of the Unicorn
*Greed
*Inner Demon
*Vampiric Embrace
[/Enchantment]
[Artifact]
*Everflowing Chalice
*Sol Ring
*Charcoal Diamond
*Coldsteel Heart
*Fellwar Stone
*Jet Medallion
*Mind Stone
*Prismatic Lens
*Prowler&#039;s Helm
*Thought Vessel
*Trailblazer&#039;s Boots
*Darksteel Plate
*Haunted Cloak
*Sword of Truth and Justice
*Sword of Vengeance
*Grafted Exoskeleton
*Hedron Archive
*Caged Sun
*The Immortal Sun
[/Artifact]
[Instant]
*Aphotic Wisps
*Boon of Erebos
*Tainted Strike
*Unnatural Endurance
*Go for the Throat
*Rush of Vitality
*Shade&#039;s Breath
*Unlikely Aid
*Butcher&#039;s Glee
*Hero&#039;s Downfall
*Hatred
[/Instant]
[Sorcery]
*Nighthaze
*Exsanguinate
*Night&#039;s Whisper
*Sign in Blood
*Dead of Winter
*Essence Harvest
*Toxic Deluge
[/Sorcery]
[Creature]
*Erebos, God of the Dead
*Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
*Vilis, Broker of blood
[/Creature]
[Land]
*Cabal Coffers
*Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*Barren Moor
*Shizo, Death&#039;s Storehouse
*Ghost Quarter
*Tectonic Edge
*Scrying Sheets
*Rogue&#039;s Passage
*Myriad Landscape
*26 Snow-Covered Swamp
[/Land]"></span></div>

<hr />
<p>K'rrik has a few key points that makes him different from other Voltron commanders: he's slow, but because of his mana acceleration ability, he catches up pretty quickly. Given that, he values card draw pretty highly.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=439844&amp;type=card" alt="The Immortal Sun" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=433160&amp;type=card" alt="Sword of Vengeance" /> <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Sword-of-Truth-and-Justice.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-39587" src="https://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Sword-of-Truth-and-Justice.png" alt="" width="224" height="313" /></a></p>
<p>Artifacts are a necessary evil for mono-colored decks; they'll cover our general weakness while contributing to our gameplan, but we need to be careful to maintain a critical amount of black spells. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Immortal Sun" href="#" target="_blank">The Immortal Sun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an all-around killer in this deck, as it basically gives us everything that we can possibly want: a nice influx of cards, a colorless cost reduction so we can play our spells for free, and an anthem for K'rrik and any other creatures we may end up with on the battlefield. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Truth and Justice" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Truth and Justice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a powerhouse; especially with the number of <em>Infect</em> enablers and +1/+1 counters we have, we'll be gaining a lot of value if we have access to a constant <em>Proliferate</em> source.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<p>For our opening hand, mana rocks, a few Auras, and maybe some way to draw cards. We can afford to play mana rocks and draw for a few turns in the early game, but this type of opening needs a follow up, or we might fall behind. Playing Equipment a bit later might be a better idea because they're likely to waste our whole turn, otherwise.</p>
<p>For the mid-game we should start becoming the threat. At this point in the game it's important to keep up in cards, but K'rrik's safety should always be our priority. This is the point of the game where that we start killing our opponents; a clean early kill is a good way to disrupt the board since it's one less player you need to have answers for.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=212249&amp;type=card" alt="Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=210235&amp;type=card" alt="Exsanguinate" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=271114&amp;type=card" alt="Essence Harvest" /></p>
<p>The late game can find us in a tough position, since we don't have many haste enablers, and the ones that we do have are equipment and have equip costs attached to them, so we shouldn't count on our commander for a surprise attack. Luckily for us, we have a few other ways to win, like a big <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exsanguinate" href="#" target="_blank">Exsanguinate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or even an armed <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Epic Results</h2>
<p><img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=438664&amp;type=card" alt="Necropotence" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=389639&amp;type=card" alt="Pontiff of Blight" /> <img decoding="async" src="https://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=220088&amp;type=card" alt="Drifting Shade" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Investing on <em>Extort</em> creatures seems like a good addition to the deck; of these, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crypt Ghast" href="#" target="_blank">Crypt Ghast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pontiff of Blight" href="#" target="_blank">Pontiff of Blight</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are some of the more playable ones.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Another fun subtheme that we could consider is Shade tribal. Shades usually have a temporary pump ability, so having some evasive ones, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Drifting Shade" href="#" target="_blank">Drifting Shade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, can help us finish off games with our commander out.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Necropotence" href="#" target="_blank">Necropotence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a card that I deliberately left out of the list; sure, it's great with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth" href="#" target="_blank">K&#039;rrik, Son of Yawgmoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but I don't think that it's a fun card.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">That’s it for this <em>Epic Experiment!</em> What do you think about this list? Did we make daddy Yawgmoth proud? Do you have any questions about the deck? Which cards did you like? Which didn’t you? Was the <em>Epic Experiment</em> a success? Please let me know in the comments below!</p>


Epic Experiment- K'rrik Voltron

Conditions Allow - Tetzimoc, Primal Death

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician" href="#" target="_blank">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://markwintersart.com/">Mark Winters</a>)</h6>
<h1>Commander Horizons</h1>
<p>I know, it's cheeky to call the <em>Modern Horizons </em>set "Commander Horizons" instead, but let's be honest, there are some extremely cool cards coming up in this set that we EDH players should be very excited for! We have returning mechanics, awesome lore characters, and even support for cool tribes.</p>
<p>Today I'm lucky to talk about the very best cards from <em>Modern Horizons. </em>Why are they the very best? Because these are the black cards, and black cards are the best! Let's get digging.</p>
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<h2>Mythics</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Yawgmoth, Thran Physician</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Yawgmoth, Thran Physician"></div></div></p>
<p>Hold on, I am trying to collect my thoughts that do not just jumble together into drool over this card. It's rare to see a card that checks so many boxes. He's powerful, he's a value engine, and he's a Vorthos home-run, right down to the protection from Humans.</p>
<p>As a card in the 99, expect to see him follow a similar trajectory to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yahenni, Undying Partisan" href="#" target="_blank">Yahenni, Undying Partisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Meren of Clan Nel Toth" href="#" target="_blank">Meren of Clan Nel Toth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Teysa Karlov" href="#" target="_blank">Teysa Karlov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are always happy to have additional sacrifice outlets, especially when those sacrifice outselts also help draw cards, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons" href="#" target="_blank">Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> couldn't be happier to see all those -1/-1 counters.</p>
<p>At the helm of the 99, look to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder" href="#" target="_blank">Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and friends for inspiration. Creatures like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ophiomancer" href="#" target="_blank">Ophiomancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pawn of Ulamog" href="#" target="_blank">Pawn of Ulamog</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reassembling Skeleton" href="#" target="_blank">Reassembling Skeleton</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> present excellent choices for sacrifice fodder. Of course, Yawgmoth isn't one to be pigeonholed into a singular strategy. Yawgmoth can turn tokens into card advantage, but with that <em>Proliferate </em>ability, he can also become a home for mono-black superfriends, or a very dastardly <em>Infect </em>commander. I fully expect him and Urza to battle for the #1 spot on the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders#pastmonth">Top Commanders</a> pages for quite some time.</p>
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<h2>Rares</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cabal Therapist</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cabal Therapist"></div></div></p>
<p>One of the first cards previewed for the set, this card is designed more for Modern than Commander, where it's much more realistic to blindly guess cards your opponents have in hand. It's possible Therapist could find a spot in metas who know each other's decks very well, or in some <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Telepathy" href="#" target="_blank">Telepathy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>-inclusive <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sen Triplets" href="#" target="_blank">Sen Triplets</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> builds, but it's not really a card for EDH.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cordial Vampire</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cordial Vampire"></div></div></p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sits as the second most popular commander built in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders#past2years">past two years</a>, and with new cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cordial Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Cordial Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I can only imagine he'll maintain that popularity. Not only will your army get bigger as enemy creatures die, but Vampires have many sacrifices outlets built into their decks, which makes this a very deadly new addition. Consider him also for decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda, the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda, the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yahenni, Undying Partisan" href="#" target="_blank">Yahenni, Undying Partisan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dead of Winter</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dead of Winter"></div></div></p>
<p>Most of us have probably seen snow-covered lands a time or two, especially when someone uses them in conjunction with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Extraplanar Lens" href="#" target="_blank">Extraplanar Lens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to collect value no one else can take advantage of. Well, now snow decks also have a variant of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one that can work in a multicolored deck with lots of snow-covered basic lands.</p>
<p>I want to believe there is a solid snow deck to be made, but the sad truth is that there are only 40 total snow creatures in the game, so there are very few options to run that will withstand your own <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dead of Winter" href="#" target="_blank">Dead of Winter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Regardless, I can still accept this as a cheaper, more splashable <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Endling</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Endling"></div></div></p>
<p>The end of a cycle! From <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Morphling" href="#" target="_blank">Morphling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Torchling" href="#" target="_blank">Torchling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thornling" href="#" target="_blank">Thornling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brightling" href="#" target="_blank">Brightling</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> we can rejoice at the tying up of loose threads. This is a solid battering ram against other creatures. With deathtouch and menace, it will be extremely difficult for your enemies to interact with this creature favorably in combat. Add in the <em>Undying </em>and it's even more of a nuisance. Unlike several others in this cycle, Endling isn't just a Shapeshifter, but has a second creature type: Zombie. As such, this may see play in some classic Zombie tribal decks like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gisa and Geralf" href="#" target="_blank">Gisa and Geralf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as an efficient beater and an especially irksome blocker.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Force of Despair</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Force of Despair"></div></div></p>
<p>Speaking of cycles, the black part of the “Force of” cycle is a doozy. The timing restrictions make it a worse rate than a traditional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hero&#039;s Downfall" href="#" target="_blank">Hero&#039;s Downfall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which can kill a creature regardless of when it entered the battlefield, but this is certainly an efficient answer to combos like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker" href="#" target="_blank">Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> + <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pestermite" href="#" target="_blank">Pestermite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a huge influx of tokens. Look out, bursty token decks! Otherwise, though, this is a niche meta call if you're often up against aggressive decks that summon tons of creatures in one turn, but black has many other removal spells that will occupy this slot and be more effective in the majority of traditional games.</p>
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<h2>Everything Else</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Ninjas</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Throatseeker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Azra Smokeshaper"></div></div></p>
<p>The community has been hungry for more Ninja cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow" href="#" target="_blank">Yuriko, the Tiger&#039;s Shadow</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decks, and <em>Modern Horizons </em>has delivered! Yuriko is very aggressive, often not able to leave blockers behind, which means she can be targeted pretty easily. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throatseeker" href="#" target="_blank">Throatseeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> helps mitigate some of that life loss, a welcome addition. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Azra Smokeshaper" href="#" target="_blank">Azra Smokeshaper</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a tricky card that helps protect Yuriko in the combat phase. Yuriko has climbed up to the #3 most-built Dimir commander slot, and with the help of these great new Ninjas, I won't be surprised if she eventually sneaks all the way up to #1.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Zombies</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Undead Augur"></div></div></p>
<p>With a tribe as deep and potent as Zombies, there's always a risk that the tribe is already overcrowded and any new cards won't be able to fight their way into decks. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Undead Augur" href="#" target="_blank">Undead Augur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which is basically <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Prophecy" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Prophecy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on legs, is potentially amazing but also potentially dangerous. Zombies are always hungry for card advantage, which could easily push this over the top, but lack of control over this ability makes me think there are better options for Zombies.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Goblins</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sling-Gang Lieutenant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Warteye Witch"></div></div></p>
<p>Whenever I see “Goblin” on the type line, I become very interested. Most Goblin synergies wind up in red, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grenzo, Dungeon Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Grenzo, Dungeon Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wort, Boggart Auntie" href="#" target="_blank">Wort, Boggart Auntie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have well-known followings. Grenzo in particular probably represents the best synergies; Grenzo loves to sacrifice creatures, then put them on the bottom of his deck from the graveyard with things like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reito Lantern" href="#" target="_blank">Reito Lantern</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and cheat them right back into play with his bottom-of-the-library ability. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Warteye Witch" href="#" target="_blank">Warteye Witch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works amazingly well here too, since she can help scry fun new targets to the bottom of the deck for Grenzo!</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Shapeshifters</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Graveshifter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Changeling Outcast"></div></div></p>
<p>The Shapeshifters of this set pique my interest more than usual. This set has Goblins, Ninjas, Zombies, Vampires, and then some. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Changeling Outcast" href="#" target="_blank">Changeling Outcast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> work amazingly well to enable <em>Ninjutsu </em>and to trigger Yuriko, a welcome addition. There are probably better options for recursion in black, but it's not impossible that a few tribes would enjoy a tribal <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gravedigger" href="#" target="_blank">Gravedigger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to recur their fallen soldiers, like sacrifice-happy Vampires or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inalla, Archmage Ritualist" href="#" target="_blank">Inalla, Archmage Ritualist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ETB-triggering Wizards.</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Spells</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Defile"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mind Rake"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Return from Extinction"></div></div></p>
<p>Of the remaining spells, the three above strike me as the most interesting in EDH. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Defile" href="#" target="_blank">Defile</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has already gotten attention in Pauper, but a single-target version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mutilate" href="#" target="_blank">Mutilate</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for one black mana at instant speed seems great for most mono-black decks, possibly as a supplement or a replacement for the occasional <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tragic Slip" href="#" target="_blank">Tragic Slip</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mind Rake" href="#" target="_blank">Mind Rake</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s <em>Overload </em>ability is fun in a deck primed to abuse it, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nath of the Gilt-Leaf" href="#" target="_blank">Nath of the Gilt-Leaf</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, though it's notable that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Delirium Skeins" href="#" target="_blank">Delirium Skeins</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> only shows up on about 600 total decks on EDHREC. Finally, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Return from Extinction" href="#" target="_blank">Return from Extinction</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a decent recursion spell in tribal decks thanks to its low mana cost, possibly budging out any decks still playing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aphetto Dredging" href="#" target="_blank">Aphetto Dredging</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. For these three cards, I predict the order of popularity, from highest to lowest, is the same order the cards are displayed above.</p>
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<h2>The Night is Darkest Just Before the Dawn</h2>
<p>What are your favorite black cards from <em>Modern Horizons</em>? What cards are you putting into your decks? Are there any spicy cards I missed above? What cards are on your radar? Let me know in the comments below!</p>


mono black