Zombies

Hobbling Zombie card art

Last time was Goblins; today, I look at mono-black Zombies.

Zombies are death reanimated, so I have been seeking a deck that reflects this concept. On Arena, the options are limited (based on the cards available on that platform). 

Zombies (1)

2 Ayara, First of Locthwain (ELD) 75

4 Cryptbreaker (EMN) 86

4 Death Baron (M19) 90

4 Diregraf Ghoul (M19) 92

4 Gempalm Polluter (LGN) 70

4 Graveyard Marshal (M19) 99

4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel (THB) 99

2 Heartless Act (IKO) 91

4 Lazotep Reaver (WAR) 96

3 Midnight Reaper (GRN) 77

2 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

19 Swamp (IKO) 268

4 Castle Locthwain (ELD) 241

My first iteration has some 'mainstays' (cards you'll see in almost all iterations that follow) like Cryptbreaker and Death Baron:

Cryptbreaker is a must for zombie decks, as it grants the always-valued card drawing ability. Death Baron is a 'zombie lord' (it pumps other zombies) and gives them deathtouch.

This version was focused more on 'devotion to black' than zombies specifically (due to Ayara and Gray Merchant of Asphodel). I wanted something more 'flavorful.' But before I dropped those two cards, I tweaked this design a bit . . .

Zombies (2)

2 Ayara, First of Locthwain (ELD) 75

4 Cryptbreaker (EMN) 86

4 Death Baron (M19) 90

3 Gempalm Polluter (LGN) 70

4 Graveyard Marshal (M19) 99

4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel (THB) 99

3 Midnight Reaper (GRN) 77

3 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

4 Foulmire Knight (ELD) 90

2 Champion of the Perished (MID) 91

4 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

19 Swamp (IKO) 268

4 Castle Locthwain (ELD) 241

I added Champion of the Perished, Foulmire Knight, and Shambling Ghast. Graveyard Marshal also bears mentions a frequent staple in zombie decks.

I still wasn't happy, though.

Zombies (3)

2 Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia (MID) 108

4 Cryptbreaker (EMN) 86

4 Lord of the Accursed (AKR) 114

3 Gempalm Polluter (LGN) 70

4 Graveyard Marshal (M19) 99

4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel (THB) 99

2 Midnight Reaper (GRN) 77

2 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

3 Foulmire Knight (ELD) 90

2 Champion of the Perished (MID) 91

3 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

2 Tainted Adversary (MID) 124

1 Zombie Infestation (JMP) 288

1 Ghoulcaller Gisa (JMP) 236

19 Swamp (IKO) 268

4 Castle Locthwain (ELD) 241

This time, I put in Jadar for 'auto'-zombie generation (and guaranteed zombie death, with the 'decayed' mechanic). But I'll highlight Lord of the Accursed (another zombie lord) and Gempalm Polluter (who was used for its cycling ability).

Zombies (4)

2 Cryptbreaker (EMN) 86

4 Lord of the Accursed (AKR) 114

2 Midnight Reaper (GRN) 77

2 Murderous Rider (ELD) 97

2 Champion of the Perished (MID) 91

4 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

2 Tainted Adversary (MID) 124

3 Deadly Dispute (AFR) 94

1 Ghoulcaller Gisa (JMP) 236

3 Archghoul of Thraben (VOW) 93

4 Headless Rider (VOW) 118

2 Eaten Alive (MID) 99

2 Innocent Blood (JMP) 244

2 Doomed Dissenter (VOW) 106

2 Morbid Opportunist (MID) 113

19 Swamp (IKO) 268

4 Castle Locthwain (ELD) 241

Here, I added Archghoul of Thraben and Headless Rider among other cards. The Former sees a lot of play in the zombie meta. This version focused the most on death, with plenty of cards (the aforementioned cards, Midnight Reaper, Morbid Opportunist, and more) that required sacrifice or provided benefit when a creature of mine died.

Zombies (5)

4 Cryptbreaker (EMN) 86

4 Lord of the Accursed (AKR) 114

2 Champion of the Perished (MID) 91

4 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

3 Tainted Adversary (MID) 124

3 Ghoulcaller Gisa (JMP) 236

3 Archghoul of Thraben (VOW) 93

4 Cemetery Recruitment (JMP) 217

3 Death Baron (M19) 90

3 Fleshbag Marauder (J21) 53

4 Siege Zombie (MID) 121

19 Swamp (IKO) 268

             4 Castle Locthwain (ELD) 241

The final iteration to date included Ghoulcaller Gisa, which is where I'm trending. Her ability, when sacrificing a zombie pumped by the zombie lords, can produce a ton of zombie tokens and ratchet Champion of the Perished up quickly, as well as providing Cryptbreaker with plenty of creatures to tap for card draw. Cemetery Recruitment, Siege Zombie, Tainted Adversary, and Fleshbag Marauder also proved useful. This is probably my favorite zombie deck on Arena.

Other Cards/Ideas

There are lots of zombie cards out there. For cards outside of Arena, we turn to the Internet to give us some ideas. There are, naturally, a bunch of options. Here are select decklists for budget modern mono-black Zombies:

- MTGGoldfish

- TCGPlayer

- TappedOut1

- TappedOut2

- Zombie decks from MTGDecks

-- MTGDecks1

-- MTGDecks2

In many of these, you'll see cards already mentioned (Cryptbreaker, Graveyard Marshal, Death Baron, Lord of the Accursed, Champion of the Perished, Headless Rider, etc.). Some new options unavailable on Arena include:

- Promising Options:

Gravecrawler, Lord of the Undead, Geralf's Messenger, Undead Warchief, Undead Augur, Cemetery Reaper, Carrion Feeder, and Relentless Dead. Gravecrawler, Geralf's Messenger, Undead Augur, and Relentless Dead will be options I try in paper. Zombie lords (Lord of the Undead, Undead Warchief, and Cemetery Reaper) may also get a nod. Carrion Feeder is less useful in my current deck, but is included often in the zombie deck meta.

- Additional Creature Options:

Festering Mummy, Butcher Ghoul, Shepherd of Rot, Mire Triton, Diregraf Ghoul, Stitcher's Supplier,  Putrid Goblin, Sepulcher Ghoul, Plague Belcher, Highborn Ghoul. Many of these have a flavor more aligned with my initial hope for the deck: death. 

- Instants/Sorceries:

Unearth, Ghoulcaller's Chant, Bone Splinters, Village Rites, Fatal Push, Dark Salvation, Zombie Apocalypse, Ghoulish Procession, Geth's Verdict. Most of these are thematically sound and have the graveyard (going to or coming back from) in mind.

I haven't yet found my ideal zombie deck, but some combination of the above cards should get me there.

Goblins

Muxus, Goblin Grandee

Yesterday was Elves; today, I look at mono-red Modern Goblins.

In traditional fantasy, goblins are generally swarming, mischievious mobs of expendable lackeys. Can we make a deck that reflects this?

Goblins (1)

4 Fireblade Charger (ZNR) 139

4 Fissure Wizard (ZNR) 140

4 Grotag Bug-Catcher (ZNR) 142

4 Frost Bite (KHM) 138

4 Battle Cry Goblin (AFR) 132

4 Goblin Javelineer (AFR) 144

3 Goblin Morningstar (AFR) 145

4 Hobgoblin Bandit Lord (AFR) 147

4 Hulking Bugbear (AFR) 149

4 You See a Pair of Goblins (AFR) 170

21 Snow-Covered Mountain (KHM) 283

This first iteration was standard-legal at one point. It was decent for standard but would not cut it in modern. Still, Adventures in the Forgotten Realms gave us two great goblin cards we can build off of: Battle Cry Goblin and Hobgoblin Bandit Lord:

We will return to these shortly. 

Goblins (2)

3 Conspicuous Snoop (M21) 139

3 Tin Street Dodger (RNA) 120

4 Torch Courier (GRN) 119

4 Ember Hauler (M20) 137

2 Goblin Instigator (M19) 142

2 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin (WAR) 137

1 Goblin Trashmaster (ANB) 72

4 Goblin Ringleader (M20) 143

1 Beetleback Chief (JMP) 294

2 Goblin Cratermaker (GRN) 103

3 Goblin Banneret (GRN) 102

1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

1 Krenko, Mob Boss (JMP) 339

1 Goblin Trashmaster (M19) 144

3 Volley Veteran (M19) 168

1 Outnumber (JMP) 354

1 Goblin Chieftain (JMP) 324

21 Mountain (IKO) 271

2 Castle Embereth (ELD) 239

My second take at a Goblin deck was not standard-legal. Leveraging Jumpstart cards, the goal was to amass an army of goblins, get Muxu, Goblin Grandee out, and hope his enter the battlefield ability created an overwhelming board state. Krenko, Mob Boss could help get that army.

Goblins (3)

3 Conspicuous Snoop (M21) 139

3 Tin Street Dodger (RNA) 120

4 Torch Courier (GRN) 119

4 Ember Hauler (M20) 137

3 Icon of Ancestry (M20) 229

2 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin (WAR) 137

2 Legion Warboss (GRN) 109

4 Goblin Ringleader (M20) 143

1 Soul Sear (M21) 160

2 Goblin Cratermaker (GRN) 103

4 Goblin Banneret (GRN) 102

1 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

4 Shock (M19) 156

21 Mountain (IKO) 271

2 Castle Embereth (ELD) 239

My next iteration added Icon of Ancestry and Legion Warboss. I'm not sure why. Well, of course they are to create goblin tokens or search for goblin cards, but I think there are better ways . . .

Goblins (4)

4 Battle Cry Goblin (AFR) 132

4 Skirk Prospector (DAR) 144

4 Conspicuous Snoop (M21) 139

4 Goblin Instigator (M19) 142

3 Goblin Chieftain (JMP) 324

4 Hobgoblin Bandit Lord (AFR) 147

2 Goblin Warchief (DAR) 130

2 Goblin Banneret (GRN) 102

2 You See a Pair of Goblins (AFR) 170

2 Krenko, Mob Boss (JMP) 339

4 Goblin Ringleader (M20) 143

2 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

23 Mountain (ONE) 275

Fourth up, I added Skirk Prospector, whose sacrifice ability can help ramp up to Muxus sooner. Paired with Krenko, this can be a potent combo. Conspicuous Snoop helps get out cards, too.

Goblins (5)

4 Battle Cry Goblin (AFR) 132

4 Skirk Prospector (DAR) 144

4 Conspicuous Snoop (M21) 139

4 Goblin Instigator (M19) 142

3 Goblin Chieftain (JMP) 324

4 Hobgoblin Bandit Lord (AFR) 147

4 Goblin Matron (MH1) 129

4 Goblin Banneret (GRN) 102

2 Rundvelt Hordemaster (DMU) 142

2 Krenko, Mob Boss (JMP) 339

2 Muxus, Goblin Grandee (JMP) 24

23 Mountain (ONE) 275

In this fifth iteration, I dropped Goblin Ringleader and added Goblin Matron for deck searching. I included Rundvelt Hordemaster, too, to see how that would pan out.

Other Cards

Arena doesn't have some 'staple' goblin cards yet, to include Goblin Grenade, or more goblin token options like Krenko's Command, Siege-Gang Commander, and Mogg War Marshal:

Lorwyn has some nice goblin cards, too, to include Boggart Shenanigans and Mudbutton Torchrunner:

In short, I haven't settled on my preferred goblin deck yet. I think iteration 5 above is getting close, but we're not there yet. 

Elves

Leaf-crowned Visionary

February is (apparently) the month of love, and I love tribal decks. So this month, I'll look at iterations of some of my favorites, starting with elves. These will be Modern decks and (largely) with cards available on Arena.

I have previously posted about elves here. I have since continued to tweak my Elf tribal deck as new cards are released or I find flaws in my approach. My elf deck names are 'elf yourself'; here are the first two iterations:

Elf Yourself (1)

1 Allosaurus Shepherd (JMP) 28

3 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168

3 Wildborn Preserver (ELD) 182

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

3 Elvish Clancaller (M19) 179

3 Marwyn, the Nurturer (DAR) 172

2 Beast Whisperer (GRN) 123

2 Wildheart Invoker (JMP) 444

3 Elvish Visionary (ORI) 175

3 Elvish Archdruid (JMP) 391

4 Imperious Perfect (LRW) 220

2 Rabid Bite (M19) 195

2 Broken Wings (ZNR) 181

3 Elvish Warmaster (KHM) 167

22 Forest (SLD) 108

Elf Yourself (2)

3 Allosaurus Shepherd (JMP) 28

3 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

3 Elvish Clancaller (M19) 179

3 Marwyn, the Nurturer (DAR) 172

2 Beast Whisperer (GRN) 123

2 Wildheart Invoker (JMP) 444

3 Elvish Visionary (ORI) 175

3 Elvish Archdruid (JMP) 391

4 Imperious Perfect (LRW) 220

2 Rabid Bite (M19) 195

2 Broken Wings (ZNR) 181

4 Elvish Warmaster (KHM) 167

22 Forest (SLD) 108

These two are pretty similar and previously discussed, so I won't belabor them here. The goal is to get a ton of elves on the board quickly and pump them up for maximum damage. These are aggro decks with plenty of card draw and low-cost spells, and they seem to work pretty well. But in Magic, more possibilities are always out there . . .

Elf Yourself (3)

3 Allosaurus Shepherd (JMP) 28

3 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

4 Elvish Clancaller (M19) 179

4 Beast Whisperer (GRN) 123

2 Wildheart Invoker (JMP) 444

4 Elvish Visionary (ORI) 175

3 Elvish Archdruid (JMP) 391

4 Imperious Perfect (LRW) 220

2 Rabid Bite (M19) 195

2 Broken Wings (ZNR) 181

4 Elvish Warmaster (KHM) 167

21 Forest (SLD) 108

In the third iteration, I dropped Marwyn, the Nurturer, to speed things up a bit and focus more on 'going wide' vs. pumping one single creature. In her place, I added an Elvish Clancaller and 2 Beast Whisperers. That worked . . . sometimes 'too' well, in that multiple Beast Whisperers on the battlefield sometimes made me draw cards too quickly. I was drawing more cards than I could play. Plus, Those four-cost cards (Beast and Wildheart Invoker) could be harder to see action. I could make some modifications, and Dominaria United gave me some cards to do it. I also wanted to make this deck more 'budget,' so those Allosaurus Shepherds had to go.

Elf Yourself (4)

4 Llanowar Stalker (DMU) 171

4 Llanowar Elves (DAR) 168

4 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

4 Elvish Clancaller (M19) 179

4 Might of the Masses (M20) 182

4 Elvish Visionary (ORI) 175

3 Elvish Archdruid (JMP) 391

4 Imperious Perfect (LRW) 220

2 Broken Wings (ZNR) 181

4 Elvish Warmaster (KHM) 167

2 Leaf-Crowned Visionary (DMU) 167

21 Forest (SLD) 108

Here is my latest iteration. I dropped all 4-cost spells and added Llanowar Stalker and Leaf-Crowned Visionary:

I prefer Leaf-Crowned Visionary to Beast Whisperer for two reasons:

1) it is cheaper

2) the card drawing ability is optional. It does cost {G} to activate, but that is generally not a problem.

Llanowar Stalker is a nice 1-drop that can get big fast if you're pumping out multiple elves per turn.

My final change was to drop Rabid Bite and add Might of the Masses. This instant enables me to pump an unblocked creature for the killing stroke. (This is superior to Marwyn, who can get big, but is a static target.)

If I were to make more changes, I might add 2 more Leaf-Crowned Visionaries (and remove 2 Might of the Masses). But that aside, I'm pretty happy with this.