I started playing last year and would really like some pointers. This is an actual deck I own. I have one main strategy, which is a bit risky. My main strategy is to have Throne, Crown and Scepter of Empires in play while in the mean time I gather up black 2/2 zombies with Moan of the Unhallowed, Endless Ranks of the Dead, Cemetery Reaper and Cellar Door. Once i have acquired enough 1/1 white soldier tokens and 2/2 black zombie tokens I will play Xenograft, converting all remaining non-zombie creatures i control into zombies and swelling their numbers and power. Before I attack, assuming my opponent doesn't control a swamp, i shall play Evil Presence and convert one of my opponent's lands into a swamp. And finally I play Zombie Master, which gives all other zombie creatures on the field "swamp walk" and "regenerate." That's my strategy so far. I'd really appreciate any helpul tips or just constructive criticism on your part. Thanks!
1 {Shimmering Grotto}
1 {Buried Ruin}
15 {Swamp}
17 lands
1 {Abattoir Ghoul}
1 {Zombie Master}
1 {Toxic Nim}
1 {Ghoulraiser}
1 {Heartstabber Mosquito}
1 {Rune-Scarred Demon}
1 {Gravedigger}
1 {Hand of Emrakul}
1 {Solemn Simulacrum}
1 {Giant Scorpion}
3 {Warpath Ghoul}
1 {Whispering Specter}
1 {Highborn Ghoul}
1 {Cemetery Reaper}
16 creatures
1 {Curse of Thirst}
1 {Mindcrank}
1 {Quicksilver Amulet}
2 {Curse of Oblivion}
1 {Cellar Door}
1 {Nighthaze}
1 {Crown of Empires}
1 {Evil Presence}
2 {Elixir of Immortality}
2 {Diabolic Tutor}
1 {Hideous Visage}
1 {Unburial Rites}
1 {Xenograft}
1 {Endless Ranks of the Dead}
1 {Scepter of Empires}
1 {Throne of Empires}
1 {Pristine Talisman}
3 {Moan of the Unhallowed}
1 {Isolation Cell}
2 {Bump in the Night}
1 {Shrine of Limitless Power}
27 other spells
Sideboard
1 {Diregraf Ghoul}
1 sideboard cards
Personally, and I'm newer than you I admit, I would have to say you're crunched a bit for land for a deck requiring alot of medium-ish cost cards. Also, I find the curses to be a little unnecessary. You aren't milling, so no {curse of oblivion}, and same for {mind crank} You aren't curse heavy, so {Curse of thirst} also seems weak. Maybe replace with {call to the grave}. Also, toss in some of the zombs that can return the dead ones. For instance replace {grave digger} with an extra {ghoul raiser} so you have equal ability for lower cost. It's ok to have low power/defense in this deck, cause you can relentlessly revive them.
Yeah, i'm pretty crunched up on land, but with quicksilver amulet i can cast the more costly creatures for only 4 mana. I figured i'd use mindcrank to buy me some time. I use the mindcrank to screw up their strategy, it also seems to affect them psychologically. I hate seeing my lands go into graveyard because of some mill deck, i figure the same goes for them. I will make the changes you suggested and try it out. I was actually thinking of replacing gravedigger with another ghoul raiser, but it's the only one i have at the moment.
Cool! Hope my help improves your play a bit. :) I've found that stalling other players doesn't do much since it stalls your own plans, unless you straight up build the deck to crunch them! I like {Norn's annex} with {chancellor of the annex}, mixed with creature denial and tapping abilities.
Quote from: Johng4490 on March 13, 2012, 08:05:18 PM
Cool! Hope my help improves your play a bit. :) I've found that stalling other players doesn't do much since it stalls your own plans, unless you straight up build the deck to crunch them! I like {Norn's annex} with {chancellor of the annex}, mixed with creature denial and tapping abilities.
I must have those cards...