Deckstats Forum
English-language Forums => Deck Reviews => Topic started by: Occultist on June 19, 2016, 05:19:29 am
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I'm really trying to make this deck somewhat competitive, but the tribal investment limits options severely.
Do you have any suggestions, besides dropping the tribal or going 3-color, to make it work more efficiently?
Walker Edict (http://deck.tk/0I6X6e50)
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I was also considering playing U/B Zombies at my local spot. Zombies actually have a lot of ways to play if you think about it:
1) Zombie Tokens: Playing cards such as shamble back (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Shamble+Back) are great ways to do removal on your opponent's graveyard. And with your token you can use it to trigger compelling deterrence (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Compelling+Deterrence).
2) Mill engine: Use creatures such as crow of dark tidings (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Crow+of+Dark+Tidings) and rottenheart ghoul (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Rottenheart+Ghoul) to fill up your own graveyard. You can then use this as a setup for bringing out geralf's masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) or prized amalgam (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Prized+Amalgam) faster.
3) Graveyard shenanigans: Macabre waltz (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Macabre+Waltz) really should be this deck's best friend. You can use it to recover (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Recover) dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dead) zombies and drop cards such as gisa's bidding (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gisa%27s+Bidding) to trigger cards like invasive surgery (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Invasive+Surgery) or pick the brain (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Pick+the+Brain).
Just these three methods are good ways to make your deck more competitive.
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It's just too slow for competitive standard. There are no cheap zombies that pack much of a punch and recursion is just too bloody expensive on both mana and/or cards from your hand...Your only option is to go wide, but your opponent uses just too many threats and disruptive stuff. The only decks U/B Zombies is good against, are the odd planeswalker only decks...:(
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I don't entirely agree with that buddy. Even B/R vamps are hitting hard and B/G delirium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Delirium) is a thing. Spirits in any variation of U/W/B can do great and werewolves are more dangerous (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dangerous) than ever. There's no reason why zombies can't be as dangerous (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dangerous) as most other decks. Speaking of zombies, check out my most recent post I put under the deck request section of the forum. It should be titled "Gifted Youth". These are decks that I'm currently able to make but haven't yet because I myself are contemplating as how to introduce them to a control oriented meta area. Maybe you can give me some ideas and they can inspire you some way.
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Gonna check it for sure...
Edit : I like your decks. The Gisa one looks more to my taste. Creeping dread (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Creeping+Dread) is not a bad idea for Zombie recursion decks...Too bad there are hardly any Madness Zombies...
I also had this question for my deck : Do you thing using the Sibsig Icebreakers (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sibsig+Icebreakers) is better than using Catalog (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catalog)? I'm not sure which one to keep...
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There are plenty of zombies to use
Shamble Back (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Shamble+Back) help fuel westvale abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey)
Rancid Rats (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Rancid+Rats), cheap blocker with deathtouch and skulk if you wish to attack
Opponents getting rid of your creatures to quick use this to that advantage Corpseweft (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Corpseweft)
Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder), hey you sacrifice and I sacrifice, we all sacrifice
Undead Servant (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Undead+Servant) would be interesting to run 4 of
Drunau Corpse Trawler (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Drunau+Corpse+Trawler) Surprise again, adding deathtouch and fuel for abbey
Want more?
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And also @Occultist, i recommend keeping the catalog (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catalog). This way if your opponent is playing madness then they don't get any benefits. When you play catalog (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catalog) then you can search through your own deck and get madness triggers or delirium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Delirium) triggers that way. Playing cards such as rottenheart ghoul (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Rottenheart+Ghoul) can help you reach delirium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Delirium), sanitarium skeleton (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sanitarium+Skeleton) will help with discard effects (i like using it with macabre waltz (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Macabre+Waltz)). Also think of playing zombies like Eldrazi, you gotta keep the pressure on your opponent by ALWAYS having something on the field. FORCE them to use their languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish), grasp of darkness (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Grasp+of+Darkness), ultimate price (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ultimate+Price), ruinous path (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ruinous+Path), to the slaughter (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=To+the+Slaughter), flaying tendrils (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Flaying+Tendrils) on your tokens and not your important creatures. i mention these cards because these were threats I had to deal with consistently against the control decks in my area. Kill spells can be a nuisance but if you make it bad for your opponent to kill your creatures, for example, having rottenheart ghoul (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Rottenheart+Ghoul) with alms of the vein (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Alms+of+the+Vein) in hand will hit them good for 3 life loss. Try keeping that in mind, build the deck how you want to and don't be afraid to mix concepts to get the result you need.
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Yeah, I also thought that Catalog (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catalog) is better than Sibsig Icebreakers (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sibsig+Icebreakers) to set up Zombie self-recursion early for Stitchwing Skaab (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Stitchwing+Skaab) or Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece), because, unlike Sibsig Icebreakers (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sibsig+Icebreakers), it doesn't leave you with a stripped hand that Epiphany at the Drownyard (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Epiphany+at+the+Drownyard) alone is unlikely to fill in a timely fashion. Catalog (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catalog) also makes it easier to live the dream with setting up Prized Amalgam (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Prized+Amalgam) s for the Stitchwing Skaab (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Stitchwing+Skaab)'s or Geralf Masterpiece's ability to pay :P
I was thinking of dropping the 4x Sibsig Breakers for 4x Catalog (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catalog) and dropping 2x Epiphany at the drownyard (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Epiphany+at+the+Drownyard) (keep the rest 2x) and adding 2x Corpseweft (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Corpseweft), so that I can quickly generate fatties when they nuke my Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) s or I'm somehow running too low on cards in hand to active self recursion of other zombies. I also has better synergy with Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner). What do you think of those ideas?
Also, is it better to keep Stitchwing Skaab (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Stitchwing+Skaab) s over Ghoulsteed (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ghoulsteed) s? I think it is, because it makes From under the Floorboards (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=From+Under+the+Floorboards) Madness viable before it's too late and it's easier to hard cast from your hand early on. Evasion is also a good thing for a deck that has to impose constant early aggression (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Aggression)...
Thank you for taking the time to work with me here :)
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Reckless Scholar (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reckless+Scholar) isn't a zombie but a free discard outlet that lets you draw a card. I feel madness cards shine best when you don't have to invest mana into getting a discard. I like Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk) or Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) over Sibsig Icebreakers (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sibsig+Icebreakers). Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk) is an unpredictable threat that can trade up or swing hard when needed and Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) can be used to remove an un-targetable/indestructible threat. I would consider Shambling Goblin (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Shambling+Goblin) as a 1 drop zombie because he can trade up with an X/2, messes with combat math when he dies, and a cheap re-animate target for Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead). Maybe Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier) as a tutor effect to find your Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) or Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner).
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I don't like Reckless Scholar (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reckless+Scholar) in this deck, because there aren't that many Madness cards included and he's a fragile outlet for the few times that I will need it. It also works against Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) and Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus) synergy, so no Reckless Scholar (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reckless+Scholar).
Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk) is good in theory, but he needs Evasion to really work and I don't have slots for Evasion in this deck at all. Besides, due to its reputation, EVERYBODY gets rid of Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk), no matter what...It doesn't work that great in the current format, really, unless you build around it.
Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) has shit synergy with Recursion. He needs a shit load of mana to continue dropping him WITH Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) around and besides, the format now is all about going wide (well, mostly) and they usually sac dorks over him...
Shambling Ghoul (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Shambling+Ghoul) s have very little impact overall and are filler material only...
The Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier) seems a good addition, but over what? Maybe trade her for 1x Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece)? She's really nice if you're somewhat set up on the board by the time you cast her, but she's terrible when things are rough (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Rough) and you're losing tempo...I think this deck should be more straightforward in answers...
Edit : I dropped 2x Corpseweft (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Corpseweft) and 2x Stitchwing Skaab (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Stitchwing+Skaab) to put in 4x Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) s for testing...They're a more impactful even when you sac them to themselves...Recuring them costs a ton and leaves fewer creatures on your side - maybe none, but everyone advises in favor of them for this kind of deck...
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I think removing a Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) in place of a Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier) makes the most sense and won't change your draws too much. The worst she can be is a 4/6 wall with deathtouch at best she sets up your finish and pushes you over the edge.
Shambling Goblin (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Shambling+Goblin) doesn't change the game much I agree but he is a sac target for Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) or Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier), he trades up with x/2's by applying his -1/-1 to that creature and a 1 mana re-animate target for Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead). Shambling Ghoul (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Shambling+Ghoul) is too slow coming in tapped.
I don't know if Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) should always be a main board option mainly because of the reasons you already mentioned but I look at him as a 3cmc "Each opponent sacrifices a creature" with the possibility of being a 3/1 creature.
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The reason why I don't like epiphany at the drownyard (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Epiphany+at+the+Drownyard) is because you're letting the opponent choose what you keep. I mean, even if most of your deck is gonna sit in the grave, you don't need him putting your westvale abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey) AND your instant and sorcery spells in the grave at the same time (if that ever came up). I would recommend replacing that with gisa's bidding (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gisa%27s+Bidding), Liliana's indignation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Liliana%27s+Indignation) (since it mills and deals damage), and definitely adding some macabre waltz (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Macabre+Waltz) (cause what's a zombie deck without graveyard recursion).
Also Ever after (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ever+After) might want to be something you consider. It's a high drop but it gets TWO creatures on the field UNTAPPED. Then the card itself goes back into your deck. That is an investment and can set up your prized amalgam (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Prized+Amalgam) plays. Stitched mangler (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Stitched+Mangler) is good for working power plays against the enemy. Also druanu corpse trawler would be good to have since you can give multiple zombies death touch at anytime. This will serve (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Serve) as a deterrent for when your opponent attacks you (give a 2/2 zombie you control death touch), Of if your diregraf colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus) is getting blocked just give it death touch as well. Just some ideas that might help you out.
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Tried to make some more changes...it just gets heavier and Blue works like a splash...I've tried all versions and suggestions over this kind of deck. You can never include enough of them and the deck is just too dependent on 1-2 ideas to make its base work, leaving just too many gaps, besides being too slow for the kind of threats it throws. It's strictly kitchen table Magic for this deck - NOBODY plays it at FNM. Probably gonna drop it as a whole and try to build something totally different, at least until Eldritch Moon arrives... :-\
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Tell you what, I'm going to work on building a U/B Zombie deck as well. I'm going to personally play a version of it myself the next time I go to an FNM Tournament and I'll show you that U/B Zombies is a deck to be feared. This I promise you.
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Hi there.
first of all, i'm not a experimented MTG player, i've been playing since last year, so keep that in mind before you consider what i'm going to say.
I posted a very similar deck some days ago, i brought that deck into a FNM and the main issue of my version (http://deck.tk/4EqA7Eus) was that the mechanic was terribly slow for working and very, VERY mana hungry, but, beside that, some things were really interesting to consider, like:
- You ALWAYS want Stichwing Skaab on your graveyard. 3-1 flying creature for 2 mana was OK, but bringing Amalgam back every single time was interesting.
- Nagging Thoughts (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nagging+Thoughts) and Sinister Concoction (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sinister+Concoction) was a fine way to put zombies (Specially Amalgam and Stichwing Skaab) on my graveyard in my early stage. You don't want them on your hand forever and wait for Liliana's +2 was terribly slow. (Nagging with Liliana +2 was interesting also)
- The early i got Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation) on play, the better Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus) became.
- In my online version i don't have her, but on FNM i tried Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier) over Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) and she was just awesome against something really strong and frequent on my local meta and so hard to manage to my UB before her: Reality Smasher (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reality+Smasher). And against RG Ramp, Vizier stops WorldBreaker, Reality Smasher (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reality+Smasher) and let you find on time your Infinite Obliteration (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Infinite+Obliteration) for Ulamog.
- Nantuko and Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) worked awesome on my opponent's final step, by sacrificing Relentless on Nantuko's ability and returning him to my hand and any zombie to my battlefield with Amalgams together. (I played FNM with 2 nantuko and 2 Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation)).
I win just 1 game, Draw 1 and lose 2 (1-2 on the score), and the main thing to improve to the next FNM is to fill my graveyard quickly, and for that, i will try Sultai (i know you don't want to go 3 colors, but this changes seems to improve my main detected weakness (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Weakness), maybe they will make sense to you too), with this modifications:
- 4 Gather the pack (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gather+the+Pack) over 4 Nagging thoughts (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nagging+Thoughts). (i've been testing this and it rocks. Best scenarios are Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus) 4/4 or 5/5 on turn 3 or Stichwing Skaab + 1 or 2 amalgams on battlefield on turn 3)
- 2 Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation) away for 2 Mindwrack Demon (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Mindwrack+Demon) (yeah, is not a zombie, but helps you to fill your graveyard and is a real threat on your battlefield, mainly because it survives languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish), kills Gideon, survives first Avacyn and with the new strategy, delirium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Delirium) is easy to get)
- I'll use 3 Lilianas instead of 4, and i will go with 1 Kiora. She does exactly what you need on this strategy and she is even able to untap your Stitchwings returned from your graveyard and make them cost only 1 mana.
- Take away Risen executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner) and go with full playset of Stichwing Skaab.
- 2 Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk) over 2 Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation).
- 2 Main Languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish), or 1 main and 2 sideboard. (It seems it hurts you a lot, but the fact is that you have a really nice comeback strategy, and i wasn't able to fill my battlefield better than humans or CoCo's decks. I brought 1 on my SB on FNM and cleaning the field was easier to recover (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Recover) for my than my opponents).
- Take Sinister Concoction (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sinister+Concoction) away and add a third Grasp of Darkness (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Grasp+of+Darkness) and 1 Evolutionary Leap (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Evolutionary+Leap) (relentless dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) with this? Yes, please!).
I'll post my new version soon, maybe it will help you and naturally, any advice would be nice in return :)
See you.
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Tell you what, I'm going to work on building a U/B Zombie deck as well. I'm going to personally play a version of it myself the next time I go to an FNM Tournament and I'll show you that U/B Zombies is a deck to be feared. This I promise you.
I'll be very interested to read about it in detail...
Hi there.
first of all, i'm not a experimented MTG player, i've been playing since last year, so keep that in mind before you consider what i'm going to say.
I posted a very similar deck some days ago, i brought that deck into a FNM and the main issue of my version (http://deck.tk/4EqA7Eus) was that the mechanic was terribly slow for working and very, VERY mana hungry, but, beside that, some things were really interesting to consider, like:
- You ALWAYS want Stichwing Skaab on your graveyard. 3-1 flying creature for 2 mana was OK, but bringing Amalgam back every single time was interesting.
- Nagging Thoughts (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nagging+Thoughts) and Sinister Concoction (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sinister+Concoction) was a fine way to put zombies (Specially Amalgam and Stichwing Skaab) on my graveyard in my early stage. You don't want them on your hand forever and wait for Liliana's +2 was terribly slow. (Nagging with Liliana +2 was interesting also)
- The early i got Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation) on play, the better Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus) became.
- In my online version i don't have her, but on FNM i tried Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier) over Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) and she was just awesome against something really strong and frequent on my local meta and so hard to manage to my UB before her: Reality Smasher (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reality+Smasher). And against RG Ramp, Vizier stops WorldBreaker, Reality Smasher (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reality+Smasher) and let you find on time your Infinite Obliteration (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Infinite+Obliteration) for Ulamog.
- Nantuko and Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) worked awesome on my opponent's final step, by sacrificing Relentless on Nantuko's ability and returning him to my hand and any zombie to my battlefield with Amalgams together. (I played FNM with 2 nantuko and 2 Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation)).
I win just 1 game, Draw 1 and lose 2 (1-2 on the score), and the main thing to improve to the next FNM is to fill my graveyard quickly, and for that, i will try Sultai (i know you don't want to go 3 colors, but this changes seems to improve my main detected weakness (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Weakness), maybe they will make sense to you too), with this modifications:
- 4 Gather the pack (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gather+the+Pack) over 4 Nagging thoughts (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nagging+Thoughts). (i've been testing this and it rocks. Best scenarios are Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus) 4/4 or 5/5 on turn 3 or Stichwing Skaab + 1 or 2 amalgams on battlefield on turn 3)
- 2 Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation) away for 2 Mindwrack Demon (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Mindwrack+Demon) (yeah, is not a zombie, but helps you to fill your graveyard and is a real threat on your battlefield, mainly because it survives languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish), kills Gideon, survives first Avacyn and with the new strategy, delirium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Delirium) is easy to get)
- I'll use 3 Lilianas instead of 4, and i will go with 1 Kiora. She does exactly what you need on this strategy and she is even able to untap your Stitchwings returned from your graveyard and make them cost only 1 mana.
- Take away Risen executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner) and go with full playset of Stichwing Skaab.
- 2 Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk) over 2 Forgotten Creation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Forgotten+Creation).
- 2 Main Languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish), or 1 main and 2 sideboard. (It seems it hurts you a lot, but the fact is that you have a really nice comeback strategy, and i wasn't able to fill my battlefield better than humans or CoCo's decks. I brought 1 on my SB on FNM and cleaning the field was easier to recover (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Recover) for my than my opponents).
- Take Sinister Concoction (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sinister+Concoction) away and add a third Grasp of Darkness (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Grasp+of+Darkness) and 1 Evolutionary Leap (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Evolutionary+Leap) (relentless dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead) with this? Yes, please!).
I'll post my new version soon, maybe it will help you and naturally, any advice would be nice in return :)
See you.
You seem to be struggling over making this deck actually work. I'd very much like to see this deck making it into competitive status - FNM will do. Your ideas are also interesting but I can't resolve a deck that makes all of this work, personally. I have to ditch stuff to put something working in and the deck ends (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ends) up lacking again...:(
Please do post if you come up with something that pulls off wins at FNM...(I'm more interested in sticking to just U/B, though)
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@Dave274, Thank you for your support buddy it's really appreciated what you are doing. When you get the deck uploaded on this site I'd also like to take a look at it.
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@GMoto: You're welcome buddy, this is what i'll bring into FNM this week. I'll test it this days and try to fix the best i can before that, but it would be nice to have some opinions first :)
http://deck.tk/4GZz1S2p
@Occultist: Yeah, the lack of a nice 1 drop hurts a lot to this idea, and find and actual improve is difficult. I like this deck idea and i will keep on trying to find a best way to handle it. Meanwhile, check my list above, maybe something good could be gotten of that :)
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I'm still kinda working on this particular deck (see link above).
I'm thinking that following those that cry "U/B Zombies should be flooding with Creatures and you should just use 10 spells and 22 Lands" are speaking out of their...well, you know :P They're probably playing a very different deck and/or colors and have a pretty vague (and wrong idea) about how to implement a somewhat competitive version of U/B Zombies.
I like to use 24 Lands, because you either have to self mill at some point, get over dual color filtering and, most importantly, use some mana intensive recipe by mid to late game. Missing early land drops would also hurt too much to the consistent pressure factor this deck idea relies on...
Yeah, I definitely DON'T think viable U/B Zombies is an aggro deck at all. And Zombies are NOT Goblins...And that being said, you have to support the going wide or recurring or demonizing (or combo) plan to victory, by playing a relevant amount of non-creature spells. So I'm thinking of going the 50-50 route, with a little edge for Creatures.
I was also thinking to try maindecking the Gravepurge (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gravepurge) + Liliana's Indignation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Liliana%27s+Indignation) combo (2+2 ?), which seems a good idea, given you actually don't mind filling up the Graveyard with this deck...
Do you think it's too situational or lacking in a big way to even consider for competitive (FNM)?
I'm also playing a 4x counters in Sideboard. Do you think it would be a good idea to mainboard them, since there is a lot of stinky White removal and Planeswalkers play going on?
I'm currently using 4x Negate (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Negate), because removal (of any color, but mostly White Exile (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Exile) shit) and Planeswalkers are natural enemies to this deck. But I wouldn't mind to shut down an Archangel Avacyn (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Archangel+Avacyn) while still having options against removal...So I was also considering getting rid of 4x Negate (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Negate) s and adding 4x Clash of Wills (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Clash+of+Wills)...The format is pretty curvy atm, so I would be practically countering everything for 2 or 3 mana, which I can somehow afford by the way the deck works...(or not...)
I would appreciate your opinion on the above... :-\
Edit : Scrap (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Scrap) the Indignation thing. I adjusted the whole deck so it can be lower curve and more pressing.
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I recently made changes to include new and convenient EMN stuff and tuned the deck to be somewhat more aggressive. It feels a little strange to me, because I'm not used to such creature counts, but I see that's the general idea going on for the specific deck archetype over the net. And I hear it has worked for similar decks in the past too...
You can check ->here<- (http://deck.tk/0I6X6e50) and share your thoughts.
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I've been trying UB now :), with all the new stuffs from EMN, that is god damn awesome, but i'm trying something that has worked a LOT better than i thought, making really scary my turn four and taking advantage of some i found was annoying at the first sight: overpopulation of 3 cmc.
23 lands (4 sunk, 4 Choked, 2 Geier Reach Sanitarium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geier+Reach+Sanitarium), 1 Westvale Abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey), 11 Swamps and 1 Island (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Island)).
26 creatures:
4 Cryptbreaker (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Cryptbreaker)
4 Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead)
4 Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus)
4 Prized Amalgam (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Prized+Amalgam)
2 Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk)
4 Gisa And Geralf (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gisa+and+Geralf)
4 DISTENDED MINDBENDER (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender)
11 Spells:
4 Compelling deterrence (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Compelling+Deterrence)
3 Liliana, The Last Hope (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Liliana%2C+the+Last+Hope)
2 Dark Salvation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dark+Salvation)
2 Graf Harvest (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Graf+Harvest) (Or 1 Graf Harvest (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Graf+Harvest) and 1 Behind the Scenes (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Behind+the+Scenes), i'm not sure yet).
Here's the thing: 10 creatures with cmc 3 means 10 chances of getting a Distended Mindbender (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender) on turn 4 for 4 cmc (Emerge Cost is 5BB), and taking away 2 cards of your choice from your opponent's hand and put a 5/5 body after that is just awesome.
The deck has got a nice curve now and compelling deterrence (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Compelling+Deterrence) has become a real thing, considering Ormendahl, Emerge, Demonic Pact (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Demonic+Pact), Meld and PW's.
I'm not sure yet about the enchantments, because Graf Harvest (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Graf+Harvest) makes your zombies an unstoppable army, but Behind the Scenes (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Behind+the+Scenes) under certain circumstances makes your army unblockable and i've found a little trick there, not that easy to play but well, you decide: If Behind the Scenes (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Behind+the+Scenes) is in play, you may give Liliana's +1 to YOUR OWN Nantuko Husk (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Nantuko+Husk), turning it into a 0/1 creature WITH SKULK, because of the enchantment. Well, the rest is self explanatory :).
I'm still working on my sideboard. Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) works fine, Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder) works better for me from the sideboard, given the amount of token decks around, negate (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Negate) is a must, at least 2 of them, so is Infinite Obliteration (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Infinite+Obliteration) (2). I have one Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier) too, considering she stops Reality Smasher (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reality+Smasher) and WorldBreaker just fine and let me find Obliteration quickly and even 2 Languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish), considering that your comeback is way more efficient than CoCo decks, but well, i can't figure how the meta will change, so this is an open debate.
I'd really love some feedback on this idea. Maybe some of them could work for you too. Distended Mindbender (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender) is a thing, you'll see :)
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Though it may be true that Zombies are not Goblins, it does work in your favor that the new Eldritch Moon set has released some aggressive zombies. Also the support cards are really good. For example, Gavony unhallowed (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gavony+Unhallowed) combo with indulgent aristocrat (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Indulgent+Aristocrat) makes for a good sac engine. Especially if you add haunted dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) to the mix. Sure you'll be discarding cards but you'll get two fresh new bodies to drop and it'll fill up your grave for Liliana's Elite (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Liliana%27s+Elite) (a personal favorite of mine). Also heavy straight from the deck mill can be brutal sometimes so maybe having Macabre waltz (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Macabre+Waltz) (because you can discard ANYTHING) and cemetery recruitment (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Cemetery+Recruitment) are valuable choices. Just some thoughts, if you're going to be playing the graveyard try and use it to its fullest, almost as if it's a second hand.
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I've got third on FNM and won a local tournament on thursday with the same people :). Finally i'm getting closer to a competitive zombie brew. I check this video during the week ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3YvBkpzPEs )and took some ideas to improve my own, particulary trying Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) over Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) and the results were nice.
This was my deck: 24 lands (4 sunken hollow (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sunken+Hollow), 4 choked estuary (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Choked+Estuary), 11 swamp (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Swamp), 1 island (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Island), 2 geier reach sanitarium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geier+Reach+Sanitarium), 2 westvale abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey))
Creatures: 28
4 Cryptbreaker (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Cryptbreaker)
4 Relentless Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Relentless+Dead)
2 Wharf Infiltrator (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Wharf+Infiltrator)
3 Diregraf Colossus (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Diregraf+Colossus)
4 Prized Amalgam (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Prized+Amalgam)
4 Distended Mindbender (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender)
4 Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead).
2 Gisa and Geralf (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gisa+and+Geralf)
1 Paria Voldaren (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Paria+Voldaren) (not really as a creature, but it still counts).
Spells: 8
4 Sinister Concoction (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sinister+Concoction)
2 Dark Salvation (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dark+Salvation)
2 Liliana, The Last Hope (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Liliana%2C+the+Last+Hope)
SB:
2 Dragonlord Silumgar (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dragonlord+Silumgar)
3 Negate (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Negate)
2 Languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish)
2 Fleshbag Marauder (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Fleshbag+Marauder)
2 Ultimate Price (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ultimate+Price)
2 Compelling Deterrence (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Compelling+Deterrence).
2 Infinite Obliteration (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Infinite+Obliteration).
With Cryptbreaker (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Cryptbreaker), Wharf infiltrator (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Wharf+Infiltrator), Geier Reach Sanitarium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geier+Reach+Sanitarium) and Concoction i've 12 discard outlets to drop Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) and Amalgams to the GY.
Sinister concoction (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sinister+Concoction) is able to do almost everything you need, letting me discard key GY pieces, mill for one and can be played far spell queller (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Spell+Queller)'s radar on turn 1 or 2. So, Dromoka's command (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Dromoka%27s+Command)? if you ask for enchantment sac and creature fighting, i respond to you destroying your creature first. If you don't, i'll wait until your Queller catch (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Catch) my SB languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish) or until you drop new Thalia (this shit hurts, i couldn't responde soon and she made me play tapped for a long time, and that was the key to Bant Company didn't let me take his 2 lives away and won me that match, 1-0 final score and begging for the time limit to the referee on g2, just after me cleaning the board and returning my threats, taking him to 6 lives and having lethal with 2 amalgams, haunted dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) and spirit token just waiting for my next turn, against a single defender selfless spirit (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Selfless+Spirit)... but i run out of time u.u).
WW was an easy match. 2-0. Liliana just destroys that, and i always was more efficient than WW to fill my board. G1 was i little difficult, but i stabilize when i was on 12 lives, and G2 was easier, lowering my curve without Mindbenders and including fleshbag, ultimate price (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Ultimate+Price) and Deterrence. The Spirit Token from Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) as an instant untapped blocker was the key for G1, against Gryffs Boon.
2-0 over Sultai Control. Distended Mindbender (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender) and returning threats with Liliana and Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead)+Amalgam after languish (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Languish) were the key on this. Same with Paria Voldaren (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Paria+Voldaren), taking his few creatures away by sacrificing my tokens.
2-0 over a UB clues, but in this case, the first match, my opponent was kinda new on magic and his deck wasn't finished, so it doesn't count i guess.
I hope this helps, maybe other zombie lovers may found improvements on this. By now, i'm trying to get 2 Lilianas to replace Wharfs, but i'm not sure about that yet. Bye!
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Nice work there, Dave274! I don't know whether it's just your store, but you seem to be giving them a run for their money, alright :)
I'm trying to stick to my original Zombie driven idea and just made made some adjustments to suit up the mainboard against U/W critters. But the Distended Mindbender (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender) has almost sold me after your posts - haha :D
You can have a look ->here<- (http://deckstats.net/decks/4700/484334-walker-edict) and drop some thoughts...
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AHAhahahaha there's always that chance where your deck is doing great just because no one sees it coming, i'm counting with this isn't that case. I'm just arriving from a local tournament and got third, losing 2-1 and winning 2-0, 2-0 :), so maybe my deck consistancy is a real thing :D
I checked at your deck, i like it a lot, it seems more like a tempo deck than mine, so, considering that, maybe i would suggest two things:
Play 4 advanced stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) instead of 2, maybe cutting one Gisa and Geralf (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gisa+and+Geralf), or 2 compelling deterrence (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Compelling+Deterrence). Why? cause you have 8 ways to throw them into the GY (cryptbreaker (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Cryptbreaker) and collective brutality (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Collective+Brutality)) and i've noticed that they are a real thing when you cast them from your GY, specially when you discard amalgams to take them back, and sounds very possible on turn 3, considering a collective brutality (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Collective+Brutality) or a token from cryptbreaker (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Cryptbreaker) on turn 2.
And if you're considering distended mindbender (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Distended+Mindbender), maybe you may check on elder deep-fiend (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Elder+Deep-Fiend) instead, maybe 2 of them somehow, which you may cast on your turn 4 by sacrificing amalgam, diregraf or a returned stitchwing. This gets even better when you cast it on your opponent's upkeep with flash (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Flash) and tapping all his lands. That's just annoying, full tempo and seems to come along with your idea.
Thanks for your comment and GL with your brew too :D
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I was thinking over the idea for 4x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing), but I think the deck gets flawed if I use even fewer Spells. MAYBE, I should cut down the 2x Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner) for 2x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) more, but I like the butcher in this deck too :P So, keep 2x Advanced and 2x Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner), as it is, or drop the lords and make it 4x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) total? Now that I think of it, wouldn't it be better to make it 2x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) and 2x Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece)? They're same cmc and can be cast with the same ease with 3x Gisa and Geralf (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Gisa+and+Geralf), afterall...
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The main issue with Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) is taking three cards from your hand to return. Yes, you may get a 7/7 flier and that sounds god damn good on paper, but I tested the four of the main returning threats and, in terms of impact on the table/winning matches, I would arrange them like this:
Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) -> Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) -> Stitchwing Skaab (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Stitchwing+Skaab) -> Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece).
1B+2cards -> 2U+2cards -> 1U+2cards -> 3U+3cards
Haunted dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) give me 2 bodies, one of them flier and untapped for blocking. That's just crazy.
Adv stitchwing is a nice flier body, which does great against PW, but 3 cmc didn't offer me the versatility that I need on turn 4 and 5.
Skaab is great, i really like it, but in a stage where hangarback walker (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Hangarback+Walker) is still common, dying against a thopter hurts.
Geralf's Masterpiece (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geralf%27s+Masterpiece) is a solid end game piece, and I think it should be treated like that, bringing maybe one of it, but it doesn't offer the constant recursion that the others do.
I think the choice will depend on the deck's aim, and for me, Haunted Dead (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Haunted+Dead) is what I need for sure, but not every zombie deck may be wanting the same I guess :)
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I'll have to agree to your assessment and probably gonna drop the Risen Executioners and make it 4x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing). I believe it curves really good and is more realistic to self-recur. Along with the multiple gy feeders, even from as soon as turn 2, it really makes sense and serves the tempo character of the deck. And I really wanted to make the fatty zombie lord work, but 4 mana, which can be more when Geralf and Gisa isn't around, hurts and it won't even block :( So...Geralf, probably, wins :P
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Yeah, maybe. But well, is getting harder to choose among such good options. I've one Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner), and the more I think of it the more I suspect it might play an interesting role against Bant Company, considering the most of that deck's creatures are x/3 and the matches i've lost against that deck were so tight, making new Thalia the key to stop the rush of zombies who weren't capable of trade one for one against reflector mage (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Reflector+Mage), advocate, blocking spell queller (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Spell+Queller), displacer, transformed duskwatch or lambholt pacifist (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Lambholt+Pacifist). I think i will make space for it, in my SB at least, and try again.
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Hmm... So, maybe I should keep the current deck list as it is, then... :-\ But now that I think of it...if you exclude (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Exclude) the ideal scenario where you manage to somehow set a board against U/W Spirit/Humans and THEN dropping the RIsen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner) - which is not gonna happen much, just using the 4x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) for early gy fill and Prized Amalgams, while being able to self recur fairly easy is just better. Hell, the Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner) can't deal with Thalia by himself, even when you manage to drop him early, which can be tough with his ability. And he can't even block... Whereas a single Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing)...even by turn 3...can thrash her single handed and without support. Damn... 4x Advanced Stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) does look sweeter and sweeter! :P
How about 1-2 Geier Reach Sanitarium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geier+Reach+Sanitarium), btw? In place of Blighted Fen (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Blighted+Fen) or a Westvale Abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey)?
Edit : Making more changes. Current version ->here<- (http://deckstats.net/decks/4700/484334-walker-edict).
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I like Geier Reach Sanitarium (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Geier+Reach+Sanitarium) a lot. In fact, i play 2 of them and 2 Westvale abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey) :). I don't know if i'd took blighted fen (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Blighted+Fen) away, that sounds like a solid way to fight emrakul or another huge threats, maybe playing just 2 Westvale and a blighted fen (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Blighted+Fen) instead 3 WA.
Uhm, is a good point that one. Not being able to trade against Thalia is a problem, that has been the element who has turned the tide in my matches against Bant. I guess 4 advanced stitchwing (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Advanced+Stitchwing) sounds just sweet, 3/4 flier who returns again and again couldn't be a bad choice never!
And i've just seen this match on the pro tour. Please, delite yourself *-*!!! I knew Voldaren Pariah (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Voldaren+Pariah) will be a sweet addition to zombies instead of Vamps! (from 27:42 min).
https://youtu.be/pDg-RVUuXrQ?t=27m47s
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I agree. Coming up with more refinement : 3x Westvale Abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey) and 2x Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner) ---> 2x Westvale Abbey (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Westvale+Abbey), 1x Blighted Fen (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Blighted+Fen), 1x Risen Executioner (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Risen+Executioner), 1x Sidisi, Undead Vizier (http://cards.deckstats.net/magiccard.php?lng=en&card=Sidisi%2C+Undead+Vizier).
Full list ->here (http://deckstats.net/decks/4700/484334-walker-edict)<-
Update : 01-09-2016 / Looking more on the Control side...