Competitive Mono-Black

[b_1e1_n]

I remember when monoblack used to be played all the time, but I have yet to see a good monoblck deck posted here.  Most people who play monoblack these days are people who can't afford power, splashing blue is now a way of life for almost anything, but with so much combo running, not to mention 4 Mana Drain 4 FoW with everyother deck, why not?
Spheres of Resistance also have good symmetry with discard (sinkholes, tourachs, cheap creatures), and I think a deck running 4 of these could easily be competitive.

creatures
4 Nantuko Shade
4 Capnomancy
4 Phyrexian Negator

These are probably the fastest creatures for black.  I didn't run Phyrexian War Beast because I think 12 creatures + 3 Mishra's Factory is enough.  I also didn't run specters because they're too slow to be in this deck.

disruption
4 Hymn to Tourach
4 Duress
4 Sinkhole
4 Sphere of Resistance
3 Null Rod
1 Mind Twist

The usual stuff.  Spheres work very nicely in this deck, the great thing about this deck is how much symmetry it has, which I think will make it just as competitive as anything else in the right metagame (lots of control, not as much sligh)

gimmicks
4 Dark Ritual
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Yawgmoth's Will

land
8 Swamp
4 Polluted Delta
4 Wasteland
3 Mishra's Factory
1 Strip Mine
1 Mox Jet
1 Black Lotus

8 Swamp is low but 4 deltas makes it like 12, so far this has in most cases been enough although I have had to mulligan in the past more than with most decks.  I can't think of what to take out for swamps, maybe mishra's just to avoid getting wastelanded, but in a metagame where that isn't a problem mishra's give the deck a real boost.  So for tournament play I will probably -3 Mishra's +3 Swamp.

sideboard
4 Powder Keg
4 Withered Witch
3 Dissipate
3 Masticore
1 Null Rod

Anything I'm forgetting?

[cssamerican]

I voted Definitely No, because the environment is full of good Aggro. Good Aggro means Suicide Black is not a good choice, and I would say the future is not to bright for this archetype. The reason being is there has been a lot of good Aggro decks lately that are good against control that are not nearly as vulnerable to other Aggro decks as Suicide is. And until this changes Suicide Black is a weak choice as a deck to run in most metagames.

[Enigma]

I dont know i think the reason it's fading out of exsistence; besides, the increase of aggro in the metagame; is because the deck hasn't really seen huge improvements since the release of nantuko shade.  For it to come back i think they would have to print a card that would take it to the next level. So far i haven't seen one.

[DEA]

the deck in it's current incarnation would have a hard time
for my version i used the masknought combo as well
it doesn't have synergy with null rod (which i took out)
i also use skittering skirges (good trick with masks to keep them in play)
you would be able to neuter most control and outrace aggro, buying time with the smaller creatures until your naughts resolves (and nailing hate along the way with discard and mesmeric fiends)
combo and aggro-control are still problematic matchups, as are workshop decks which just rape you

basically, it's a metagame deck with potential

[xrizzo]

Black is a great anti control color - but it is weak against aggro...  

There is always a healthy component of dumb aggro, but now moreso than in recent past.  There are also smart aggro decks, some with regenerating creatures, and that will not work well if you run Negator.

In my opinion, black has really been relegated to the 4th best color.  (behind of course blue and brown, and at the moment behind green)  Duress is the only unrestricted truely great card it has to offer, and Duress is weak against aggro.

To base a deck around black in a tournament would be a foolish decision at the moment.

[kakeboy07]

youre still trolling???

4 Capnomancy

Yes capnomancy

put a 0/2 flying Cap token into play... i love that one...

You have yet to see a good monoblack deck... well thats because its hard to run all black these days. The META, as you described it, doesnt exist.

in fact even powerful black decks like spoils mask, have had a hard time in the current meta.

Black does ok, but its going to be extremely hard to beat any kind of good aggro with the deck youre proposing. Good Aggro is prevalent in the current meta... when its not and control is rampid... we'll give you a call... along with your flying hat tokens..

please bring some more discussion next time you post a deck... (and polls get really old)

I like reading this site... mostly because theres lots of good decks posted.. there has been good black decks posted, but not recently, because its tough for black to thrive in the current meta.

Once again, id look into tog, and save the time youve taken to write your last two decklists.

Tog can be tuned to be an aggro or aggro controlish deck ... in fact check out the main forum for Hulk Smash decks... i think theyd accomplish everything that the last 2 decks you posted are supposed to do...

only much better... and with a much greater win %age....

thanks for your time


joel

[kuwv]

I voted no because I belive that it has a weak compliment of 1cc spells that work with nantuko shade

As for mono-black not being able to handle aggro...

Theres always will-o'-the wisp, festering goblin(lol), cursed scroll, duathi slayer + other shadow, poder keg, chalice of the void(although I think the mana curves have gotten alot better) and infest. But there is a lack of artifact hate so...

[defector]

I ran suicide.  I had everything for it but the lotus.  I splashed white and green at different stages of developement.  All failed.  It's best match ups are fully powered blue based control, its worst is againt elephant tokens.  Its best match ups result in 50% success, worst mathc up mean you lose every time.  I think the age of mono anything being successfull is over, maybe mono blue, but doubtful even about that.
defector