Mono Black Combo (please, don't feel surprised)

[Kataki_Rulez]

Hokay, so it's been a while since I was here. Anyways, what I really wanted to say is that Suicide (combo) Black just top-eighted at the World Championship. This is my version, which is not better in any way. Please be reminded that the Death Wishes, lack of power, and Lotus Petal, aren't because I'm a bad player, but, unfortunately, I don't HAVE the dollares to fork out for lotuses. In terms of proxying, I am allowed, but prefer not to. A note on my meta is a little bit of everything, except I'm the only one playing TMWA. There is a lot of Flash (w/ Sliver kill), GAT (duh), and although not popular, Stax is still a force to be reckoned with. Here's the list:

Land: (17)
15 Swamp/Black Fetches
1 Cabal Pit
1 Strip Mine


Creatures:
4 Dark Confidant. Yeah, that's it. Rather high amounta creatures, huh?

Disruption: (12)
4 Pact of Negation
4 Duress
4 Cabal Therapy

Accel: (10)
4 Dark Ritual
4 Cabal Ritual
1 Lion's Eye Diamond (Play it with a Yawg Will on the stack)
1 Lotus Petal

Win: (15)
1 Demonic Consultation
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Yawgmoth's Bargain
1 Necropotence
4 Death Wish
1 Memory Jar
3 Night's Whisper
1 Massacre
3 Tendril's of Agony

Board: (15, duh)
4 Leyline of the Void
4 Ill-Gotten Gains
1 Yawgmoth's Will
3 Null Rod
1 Darkblast
1 Massacre
1 Tendril's of Agony

OK, rip it apart, folks.
-Kataki

[Methuselahn]

The fundamental problem is that you prefer to not use proxies when everybody else can and does.   You're putting yourself at an unfair disadvantage when you don't have to.

[Kataki_Rulez]

I know. The problem is that there are also some people who object to proxies and won't let you use them. I will play proxies at tournaments, but this is just a non-powered version to work off. I am completely aware that proxying is there for a good reason.

[LordHomerCat]

Why would you design a list for playing without proxies then?  Why not just build a list with power and then replace the power with swamps or something when you play casual games.

[Methuselahn]

I know. The problem is that there are also some people who object to proxies and won't let you use them. I will play proxies at tournaments, but this is just a non-powered version to work off. I am completely aware that proxying is there for a good reason.

Around our dinner table, we chastise the guy who brings Ritual Storm combo to the casual games.  So, I'm not sure how to help you.


As far as the powered version goes, Moxen not only make the deck faster but are the best spells to generate storm.

I had the pleasure of playing Vincent Forino during the 6th round of Swiss at the Vintage Championships.  I noticed what his brother, Ralph, pointed out during the semi-finals, that the deck is good because it does two things really well.  It digs (nights whisper, bob, bazaar) and assaults the hand with disruption (duress, cabal therapy).  If you are basing your deck off his, I think you will have a hard time without power.

[Lordomor]

Add: Power and Nights whispers for sure. I would suggest maybe blood pet, or other creautres that you can pretty much cast for free (extra spells if nothing else). I really think a splash of blue might help you out a lot, for Walk and Recall if nothing else.

Also, maybe I missed something, but why is there only one Cabal Coffers? If any, why just one? Am I missing any sort of land tutor for it, or is it just the hope that you'll just draw into it every game?

[v4ino]

Hi All,

Gencon was a blast, glad to see there is interest in mono  combo.
Thanks for saving me the time to starting a budget thread. I think a budget version of this deck can really work in a no proxy enviroment such as Brasil or the Philipeans.

Kataki_Rulez,
Pretty good list, I especially like the Pact of Negation - very outside the box however I have to question needing 4 of them. How often are you able to combo off fast enough where you want one in the opening hand (in addition how useful are multiples without FOW or Brainstorms)? Seems like 2 or 3 would be the right number.

I noticed no Sol Ring. The card performs great in the deck, cast it round 1 for a round 2 N. whispers and Confidant! I use to play it over the sapphire I'm running now. You especially need it if your entertaining thoughts of Mem jar and Y. Bargain. Definitely cut a swamp/sack for the sol ring.

Some people have also liked lake of the dead for a budget boost in mana.... worth looking in to (I’ve never tried it). Maybe try 1?

As for mem jar and Y. Bargain - the deck definitely can't support both of them, even 1 may be too much. You will have to expend so many resources to get the Y. bargain that your life and mana will be too low to finish the opponent off. You can wait a round to pop the mem jar however it goes against the principal of which I originally built the deck on... eliminate luck as much as possible and utilize play skill (which is why I hate draw 7’s in combo).

Also, what do have for utility aside from the C. Pit and massacre, if you don't want to add an underground for bounce try one powder keg to nail pesky chalices (I used it in my original build).

Lets see..... Definately add 4th nights whispers (I would play it if I didn't use A. Recall) and think about a 4th tendrils. Let me explain the tendrils, while taking it out of your board will limit D. Wish's ability to get TOA, death wish removes itself from the game so when you fetch Y. Will with it you better be able to find the Tendrils.... having one in the hand is nice. In addition you should be able to TOA storm 4, 5 pretty often if you make your land drops every turn. Only testing will let you know about the 4th TOA.

Let me end with a question, what is your game plan vs. stacks?

Good luck with it and let me know how the testing goes.

Also, maybe I missed something, but why is there only one Cabal Coffers? If any, why just one? Am I missing any sort of land tutor for it, or is it just the hope that you'll just draw into it every game?

Lordomor,
The card is Cabal Pit from Odyssey - it's black's barbarian rings and has performed very well.