[PDH] Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker (EDH / Commander)

This deck is for the Pauper Commander format. Learn more here: Pauper EDH Primer on TappedOut + MTG Wiki - Pauper Commander + /r/PauperEDH

This build is just to get the deck in playable shape. There's PLENTY to play around with here. I'd love to add the deathtouch package in. Consider if you will, how powerful the following is: effectively indestructible + vigilance + deathtouch creatures in Pauper. Swing with impunity, it doesn't matter if they die. They either hit your opponents or kill whatever blocks them, if they survive you sacrifice them for value anyway so they reappear untapped on your board. If only there were room in the list...

I HATE the lack of protection in mono-black for super-cool commanders. My deck has had a CMC as low as 2.25, but Shirei is FIVE. If it dies once, SEVEN mana? And all I have are a few regeneration effects? That doesn't save me from exile or auras. What sucks the most is that I HAVE a good option... almost.

I can use a Feign Death effect in response to any removal then sacrifice the creature to dodge removal attempts (and even trigger death benefits)... BUT, assuming my opponent is trying to remove Shirei at the end of a turn after I sacrifice my creatures, that means Shirei's ability doesn't activate, and I lose all my fodder creatures.

Fuck.

Considering how integral Shirei is to my game plan, I have to settle for this. It's a mitigating factor in how good Shirei is, but hey, at least I have access to that cheap, powerful black protection synergy... even if Shirei's ability is a powerful non-bo with it. I will keep the best of the regeneration effects for this reason. If possible, I'll try to use those first.

(I'm legally obligated to point out that in this deck, Bushmeat Poacher + Unhallowed Phalanx = 13 life per turn. OMFG.)

Second disclaimer: My playgroup plays with Abundance in the command zone starting on round 4, so that's a reason I could skimp out on lands while I test this deck out. Plus the CMC is miniscule.