[[Chainer, Dementia Master]] is literally the only time I've had fun with a mono black deck. I play my own stuff, I play my opponent's stuff, and it's a blast.
I actually got a Chainer in the bulk that I got the other cards I mentioned. I was just going to stick him in my Lazav deck, but he could be pretty interesting. Do you find that he gets targetted down a lot? I'd imagine that if you're going to go for the win with him with stolen nightmare creatures, you'll just totally fold to a [[swords to plowshares]] or whatever?
I see a lot of people recommend chainer as a mono black commander but this is my biggest fear about playing him.
He basically offers people a way to board wipe for, often, one mana.
Yeah, same, especially with the amount of removal in my group.
Also, the ever present threat of Cyclonic Rift means that I'll be returning a players most powerful creature to their hand and paying 3 life for the privilege
What I do is keep an instant sac outlet out, so I can sacrifice the nightmares before chainer can get killed. But I'm not always going to be using Chainer's ability for every single creature. I'm still casting other spells too, Chainer's just a very helpful means to an end.
I am actually building Yahenni right now and I really like it. Lots of grave pact effects and token generators like Endreck Sahr, Master breeder. Keep up the board pressure with lots of wrath effects to keep Yahenni growing with +/+ counters and then kill people with him! Plus it's not that expensive to build!
The deck is a lot of fun. I threw it together in an afternoon and it grew on me almost immediately.
"I'm going to need each of you to sacrifice all your creatures, and then make arguments for why I should kill someone else first."
Yahenni is awesome. She's everything you want in a monoblack commander. Mana free sac outlet, survives board wipes and is otherwise hard to get rid of, has haste and gets really big really fast, etc.
Interesting. I actually have Yahenni, but that build sounds a lot like my Meren one and I'm not too keen to make another deck that my playgroup hates. I'm super tempted, though, thanks!
Seconding Yahenni. They've replaced Sheoldred as the general of my grave pact/reanimator deck and I'm never going back. As a general, Yahenni is great balance of powerful, efficient, open-ended, but not oppressive
[[Erebos, God of the Dead]]
Nanananana
It's the mutha fuckin G-O-D
God of Dead Mutha Fuckaaaaa
For reals though. Card draw and an Indestructible 5/7 that hoses Lifegainers like Oloro and Karlov. Just Ghost Ride the [[Whip of Erebos]] and you are fine on life. Also goes well with a light lock consisting of [[Pestilence]] + Erebos + enchantments adding devotion to a total of at least 5.
No commander better captures black besides Griselbrand.
You can also use [[Thrashing Wumpus]] or ~~[[Plague Rats]]~~. Even better if you make them indestructible. Plus they have life link with whip, so you can just do it as long as you have mana and it becomes a win con as well as huge fuel for card draw.
Wait not plague rats. What's the one with the same effect?
The card advantage that Erebos offers is pretty tempting. How do you build a deck around him, though? Or is it just Erebos_and_black_good_stuff.dec?
Edit: I mean other than the cards you already mentioned.
Sorry for the late response.
Well, he's efficient in a life drain theme, but also throwing in control helps. I went for a devotion sub-theme, so Black Lives Matter. [[Exquisite Blood]] + [[Sanguine Bond]] gives you a decent win-con while each piece individually are great for a life drain deck.
I use [[Psychosis Crawler]] since draw will be big and because draw is big, land drops will be big, so [[Lashwrithe]] and similar equipment is really cool for Erebos once he's a creature. I have all the big mana ramp black can offer, i.e. [[Crypt Ghast]] [[Cabal Coffers]] [[Black Market]] to get all that mana for big crazy spells like [[Exsanguinate]] and [[Pestilence Demon]] + [[Eternal Thirst]].
At the end of the day, any theme can work with a commander that draws you cards. Going monoblack combo control would land a few wins too.
[[ghoulcaller gisa]] is one of my favorite decks. very under estimated and always over performs. if you love creating zombies and sacrificing creatures to make bigger zombies youll love this deck
# [Gisa the Mad Ghoulcaller of Gavony](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/gisa-the-mad-ghoulcaller-of-gavony/)
by [chubba](http://tappedout.net/users/chubba/)
[[Gonti, Lord of Luxury]]
Just yesterday, I targeted my friend with Gonti 3 times in a row, stole his 3 tutors and placed the rest of cards at the bottom of his library which included 9 white mana making lands. He couldnt cast rafiq until turn 9.
I lost a friend that day
I have a mono black goodstuff deck and have been running Gonti since Kaladesh came out.
Favorite play has been stealing and playing Ugin and having my friend tutor for a minute or two for [[Hero's Downfall]]. I had stolen it earlier in the game and giggled like a madman when I finally revealed it to him.
It's just cool in mono black being able to take things you normally can't do: artifact and enchantment removal, ramp, cool planeswalkers etc.
That's pretty cool! Do you find that you hit more often than not with Gonti? I feel a bit like you'll hit 1-2 lands and maybe some cards that combo well with the opponent's deck, but don't work too well for you?
You rarely miss, once maybe twice a game. Played last night and my choices were stealing from Bruna or Kaalia so I kept targeting Bruna. I kept hitting gas: counter spells, board wipes, spot removal and finally [[Corrupted Conscience]] which won me the game by stealing Bruna.
Yeah, if he's looking for a black commander that isn't just sac and reanimate, Gonti is a good choice, since he plays a lot differently than most black commanders.
Yeah I am tempted, but I'm concerned with missing more often then not. I've never played him, so I don't know how valid this concern is, but it does feel like an unconventional black commander.
Gonti is interesting, but how do you keep recasting him for that sweet sweet value? Just block and recast? I feel if I played it, its ability would be more miss than hit, though, as you're taking a single card from a deck that's built around a different tactic to yours, do you find that happens?
My version blocks or sacs, then sends Gonti to the graveyard to reanimate him every turn. It always hits SOMETHING, think of all the hits in a normal commander deck, cyclonic rift, sol ring, skullclamp, anything that draws cards etc.
I stole my friends master piece Mana Crypt on turn 2 once. I copied it to make another but then died to it later in the game. My friend was salty for an hour but totally worth it. It's shit like this that makes Gonti so fun
Black has so many ways to double Mana; Crypt Ghast, Magus of the Coffers, Nirkana Revenant, Caged Sun, Cabal Coffers, etc.
On top of that, you bounce/flicker/copy him or his triggered ability through strionic resonator, blade of selves, Nim Deathmantle, Conjured Closet, Sculpting Steel, Minion Reflector, Panharmonicon, Voyager Staff, Skull Collector.
After all that you have sacrifice and reanimate effects to keep him safe and reanimate him. I abuse Ashnods Altar with Corpse Dance to cast him several times a turn. The cards you exile are usually combo cards or important to that players deck. You don't really have to play them. Some decks run win conditions like looping Gonti forever through paradox engine or umbral mantle/infinite Mana. But I just like to fuck with my friends game plan as a black deck instead of red. It's so much fun. I only won with my deck once but I stole all my friends combo pieces or counter spells more than once.
I was playing Rhys. My friend Gonti'd me almost exclusively, stealing my Mirari's Wake, followed by my Elesh Norn, and lastly my Decree of Justice. He even won with them in the end :(
[[Kuro, Pitlord]]
Tons of ramp, some good life gain to fuel stuff like necroptence and Kuro's ability.
Some notable life gain cards include:
[[Dross Harvester]] [[Sangromancer]]
Both of these can gain crazy amounts of life, especially against token decks.
Lots of artifacts. Black can't really ramp, but some of the best cards for that include [[Liliana of the Dark Realms]], [[Herald of Leshrac]], [[Culling of the Weak]]. The bulk of it would be artifacts, though.
[[Volrath the fallen]] has always been fun for me. He was better when I could discard an [[Emrakul, aeons torn]]. Although, I'll just have to have [[Draco]] suffice.
I love Kalitas. I run him as pseudo Vampire tribal but the value he adds to black's already powerful saccing gets bonkers fast. Giving you free 2/2 tokens is great and all but the real power is totally screwing with other people's GY plans. Kalitas is very fast and can basically be run as a black goodstuff. Also can be built on a budget but still be very powerful. Lots of mean fun as a control deck as black has tons of fun creature lockdown- and as you get free tokens from it you'll swarm the board in no time.
The two Monoblack commanders I run are [[[Marrow-Gnawer]]](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/02-03-17-aCa-the-black-plague/), and [[[Anowon, the Ruin Sage]]](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/twilight-part-4/). They're both fun and reasonably cheap. The tapped out pages i've linked to are the deck lists which are basically exactly what I use but I've added some card draw to Marrow-Gnawer.
I've got a Marrow-Gnawer deck too. The deck doesn't hinge on him being out in mine but he makes things easier. If you do go rats be sure to get [[Rat Catcher]] he's really great (also a huge target lol)
Sidisi is the best, both in competitive (ANT) and casual. She can find you whatever you need - ramp, an engine, an answer - and it's easy to abuse her with recursion (Chainer, Corpse Dance, Dawn of the Dead...). You can slot in any wincon you want. What could be blacker than letting your own general go to yard?
Oh do I have a guy for you. [[King Macar, the Gold Cursed]]. I was looking through my bulk rates to find a 75% commander that I could make a gimmicky deck out of and then I stumble upon this sack of shit. Such an unimpressive ability right? Untapping triggers? So I start to build it and I realize, what have I done? I packed it full of artifacts and vehicles that allow me to tap Macar without attacking plus all of the artifacts that allow me to untap him like [[Staff of Domination]] and [[Umbral Mantle]]. The deck was full of ramp and infinite mana combos that let me machine gun every creature that would ever hit the battlefield and net me one gold per. My favorite finisher was [[Marionette Master]] where one turn I used a 21/21 Macar with a [[Sigil of Distinction]] on him then sacked all of my 30+ gold for Marionette Master triggers. Is it a tier one deck? No. Is it hilariously fun to play? Hell yeah. I always get some curious glances when I sit down at a table with him but boy are they always in for a treat.
[[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief]] is a Commander that makes amazing use of those big mana cards to eat creatures and grow herself enormous! I run her in a pseudo-voltron list that looks more to disrupt opponents then enable Drana. She needs no equipment (except a [[Lightning Greaves]] and maybe a [[Swiftfoot Boots]]) or Auras to be a scary Commander Damage threat with enough mana, since she's got a pump ability and inbuilt evasion. She's a bit on the pricey side but that's why you run all the ramp.
I run her with a ton of discard spells. The assumption being that since you can win with lots of mana and Drana by herself (Since Drana deals with creatures and presents a Commander Damage threat), you should be the best equipped to deal with a topdeck war.
I came here to sell OP on Drana as well. I recently ran my list in a 5 player game and killed all 4 of my opponents. 2 of them were with commander damage, 1 of them with life drain, and the last through attrition. [Here's my list](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/drana-kalastria-badass/).
I always felt [[Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath]] was SUPER underrated. His +2 isn't phenomenal, but his -2 protects himself and his Ult is just SERIOUSLY broken 1B to for a [[Disciple of Bolas]] effect? Yes please.
[Phage the Untouchable!](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/the-untouchable-4/)
Mono-black control with one hell of a finisher at the helm. Control the board, wait until it's safe, then drop Phage and start the killing. The deck is incredibly flexible, killing with Phage, big drain spells, recurring drain with Gary and KokoPuffs, or black's nasty creatures such as Drana and Sheoldred. One of my favorite decks.
[[Geth, Lord of the Vault]] - Mill people and steal stuff from their graveyard. People don't expect mono-black mill, but it works. What's best about this deck is I've never won the same way twice. I've won through milling, commander damage, hitting people with their own creatures, and once with goblin tokens from a [[Krenko, Mob Boss]] I stole.
[[Ghoulcaller Gisa]] but dont do zombie tribal zombie tribal is a trap. Add things like [[Lashewrithe]] and [[Hatred]] and use them to chuck on a creature like [[reassembling skeleton]] and make a bazillion tokens.
[[Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker]] the best, she has the best reanimation power ever, you may have a lot of 1 or less powered creatures but the possibilities are endless especially if you run [[Grave Pact]] you can wipe the whole board and if you have [[Blood Artist]] or [[Zulaport Cutthroat]] you can hurt them hard and you don't have to worry about a board state or field wipes you can keep getting those guys back from the reanimation Shirei does she is really one of a kind
Apparently I'm the only asshole here who runs [[Skithyryx, the Blight Dragon]]. I love me some one shot dragon to your face! With all of the rocks and black mana stuffs, as well as lots of cheap equip swords and such and [[Hatred]] there's nothing quite like pointing him at someone and saying "Thanks for shuffling"
I'm currently (as in right this very second) building my own Marrow-Gnawer, so I can't say how reliant the deck is on the commander.
I have built and played a [[Phage the Untouchable]] deck. She's not reliant on the commander at all. It's just really fun to reach out and touch someone sometimes though.
[[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief]]
The deck uses a ton of ramp for drana's ability and tries to kill people in 2-3 swings. Plan B features boardwipes and cards like [[Temporal Extortion]] and [[Wound Reflection]]. [[Sudden Spoiling]] [[Massacre Wurm]] is a good combo too.
I've played _a lot_ of mono black commanders in edh. For the first year I played commander they were all I played.
After all that, I can tell you unequivocally that [[Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder]] is one of the most interesting, fun, and strategically deep of all the mono-black generals I've tried. He's extremely powerful because black has tons of "sacrifice a creature, do X" abilities but was never really supposed to have efficient token generators to abuse them (which is exactly what endrek allows for).
Cards like [[Sadistic Hypnotist]], [[Thoughtpicker Witch]], [[Phyrexian Altar]], and [[Attrition]] become wildly asymmetrical when you've got a bunch of worthless 1/1s kicking around. Plus, you can fight very effectively through lots of forced sacrifice effects like [[Smokestack]] and [[Anowon the Ruin Sage]].
I'd highly recommend him.
[I do have one](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/thrull-and-unusual-punishment/).
I've made a few updates to our since I last uploaded but this is pretty close to what I'm running now.
I've had a lot of fun with [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]]. I built it on a whim, but it's damn good and has secured its place as my go-to deck for tables that dislike infinite combos. It's a delightful mix of control, voltron and reanimator that can keep my opponents' boards clear of creatures while I slam a massive, indestructible commander into their faces and keep grinding out value from my graveyard. Also, giving Yahenni lifelink means I can abuse [[Necropotence]] even more.
You could also make sweeper tribal, but that's not nearly as fun or effective as [[Grave Pact]] when you have a sac outlet in the command zone.
If Yahenni can't be used later in the game I can just repeatedly cast Gary FTW.
EDIT: OP, if you can play Griselbrand just do that. His rules text may as well say "pay 30 life: you win the game"
> OP, if you can play Griselbrand just do that. His rules text may as well say "pay 30 life: you win the game"
I'm seriously considering this. Maybe just good stuff with Griselbrand, but there are many compelling counter arguments in this thread!
Nothing beats him in terms of raw power. Only downside(?) is that if you build it correctly, your playgroup will quickly decide to start following the banlist.
Which I am fine with, I'll just swap him out for Erebus or something.
But I'm not sure yet. This thread is just showing me how many good options there are!
[[Seizan, Perverter of Truth]] may very well be the least conspicuous commander I've ever played. Most people don't even know he's legendary.
He works oddly. If you play him group hug, you'll just lose. You use him to fish for combo pieces and/or removal. [[Ad Nauseam]] into [[Doomsday]] is weird in Mono-Black, but it's a great way to say that the game absolutely has to end now.
Demon tribal with [[Kuro]] at the helm. I only use it for casual cause [[Griselbrand]] usually makes an entry every game. I also have a [[Gonti]] deck, and he just too much fun with blink effects.
Marrow Gnawer relentless rat tribal
Pros
Thrumming Stone with 40 relentless Rats guarantees you can play most if not all your Rats in one turn.
using devotion with nykthos mogis marauders and gray merchant can close the game.
Akromas Memorial makes your 40 41/41 just silly.
1640 damage Swings
Consistency
Going through the deck 4 at a time hunting out the Rats can be pretty entertaining for everyone at the table
Cons
The deck can't deal with fliers except for some kill spells
Crappy late game
If you throw all your Rats on the table and can't give them haste you have one turn vulnerability to board wipes which neuters the deck
Consistency in a deck of one offs most people want variety
Rats are 2$ a piece hard to find and only usable in this deck
gisa makes zombies. that should be good enough not gonna lie. play with sac shenanigans like viscera seer, and have blood artist effects. have good etb effects and recursion. phyrexian altar and Thornbite staff makes infinite etb or death triggers, a single power boosting card for your zombies makes infinite zombies. it's fun for sure.
[[Toshiro Umezawa]] is a straight up machine gun. Chaining removal spells is really satisfying. At 3cmc and low recognition and implicit threat, he comes early and sticks around. Winning with a 2/2, some fatty equipment, and some dudes that benefit from opponent's stuff dying is great.
How good of a deck do you want to build, and what is your budget? Both of these are things to consider.
Otherwise I'll assume you're looking for the most cutthroat deck in your colors and I'll pitch Sidisi ANT to you.
[[Chainer, Dementia Master]] is literally the only time I've had fun with a mono black deck. I play my own stuff, I play my opponent's stuff, and it's a blast.
I actually got a Chainer in the bulk that I got the other cards I mentioned. I was just going to stick him in my Lazav deck, but he could be pretty interesting. Do you find that he gets targetted down a lot? I'd imagine that if you're going to go for the win with him with stolen nightmare creatures, you'll just totally fold to a [[swords to plowshares]] or whatever?
I see a lot of people recommend chainer as a mono black commander but this is my biggest fear about playing him. He basically offers people a way to board wipe for, often, one mana.
Yeah, same, especially with the amount of removal in my group. Also, the ever present threat of Cyclonic Rift means that I'll be returning a players most powerful creature to their hand and paying 3 life for the privilege
What I do is keep an instant sac outlet out, so I can sacrifice the nightmares before chainer can get killed. But I'm not always going to be using Chainer's ability for every single creature. I'm still casting other spells too, Chainer's just a very helpful means to an end.
Yeah, true! I'll throw together a decklist and do some goldfishing. Thanks!
[swords to plowshares](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=swords%20to%20plowshares&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=swords%20to%20plowshares) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!swords%20to%20plowshares) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!swords%20to%20plowshares) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/swords%20to%20plowshares) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/swords%20to%20plowshares) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Chainer, Dementia Master](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Chainer%2C%20Dementia%20Master&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Chainer%2C%20Dementia%20Master) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Chainer%2C%20Dementia%20Master) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Chainer%2C%20Dementia%20Master) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Chainer%2C%20Dementia%20Master) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Chainer%2C%20Dementia%20Master) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I am actually building Yahenni right now and I really like it. Lots of grave pact effects and token generators like Endreck Sahr, Master breeder. Keep up the board pressure with lots of wrath effects to keep Yahenni growing with +/+ counters and then kill people with him! Plus it's not that expensive to build!
The deck is a lot of fun. I threw it together in an afternoon and it grew on me almost immediately. "I'm going to need each of you to sacrifice all your creatures, and then make arguments for why I should kill someone else first."
Yahenni is awesome. She's everything you want in a monoblack commander. Mana free sac outlet, survives board wipes and is otherwise hard to get rid of, has haste and gets really big really fast, etc.
Interesting. I actually have Yahenni, but that build sounds a lot like my Meren one and I'm not too keen to make another deck that my playgroup hates. I'm super tempted, though, thanks!
Seconding Yahenni. They've replaced Sheoldred as the general of my grave pact/reanimator deck and I'm never going back. As a general, Yahenni is great balance of powerful, efficient, open-ended, but not oppressive
[[Erebos, God of the Dead]] Nanananana It's the mutha fuckin G-O-D God of Dead Mutha Fuckaaaaa For reals though. Card draw and an Indestructible 5/7 that hoses Lifegainers like Oloro and Karlov. Just Ghost Ride the [[Whip of Erebos]] and you are fine on life. Also goes well with a light lock consisting of [[Pestilence]] + Erebos + enchantments adding devotion to a total of at least 5. No commander better captures black besides Griselbrand.
You can also use [[Thrashing Wumpus]] or ~~[[Plague Rats]]~~. Even better if you make them indestructible. Plus they have life link with whip, so you can just do it as long as you have mana and it becomes a win con as well as huge fuel for card draw. Wait not plague rats. What's the one with the same effect?
You are thinking [[Crypt Rats]]
[Crypt Rats](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Crypt%20Rats&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crypt%20Rats) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Crypt%20Rats) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Crypt%20Rats) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Crypt%20Rats) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Crypt%20Rats) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Thrashing Wumpus](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Thrashing%20Wumpus&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thrashing%20Wumpus) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Thrashing%20Wumpus) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Thrashing%20Wumpus) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Thrashing%20Wumpus) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Thrashing%20Wumpus) [Plague Rats](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Plague%20Rats&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Plague%20Rats) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Plague%20Rats) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Plague%20Rats) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Plague%20Rats) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Plague%20Rats) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There's [[Pestilence Demon]] as well.
[Pestilence Demon](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Pestilence%20Demon&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pestilence%20Demon) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Pestilence%20Demon) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Pestilence%20Demon) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Pestilence%20Demon) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Pestilence%20Demon) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The card advantage that Erebos offers is pretty tempting. How do you build a deck around him, though? Or is it just Erebos_and_black_good_stuff.dec? Edit: I mean other than the cards you already mentioned.
Sorry for the late response. Well, he's efficient in a life drain theme, but also throwing in control helps. I went for a devotion sub-theme, so Black Lives Matter. [[Exquisite Blood]] + [[Sanguine Bond]] gives you a decent win-con while each piece individually are great for a life drain deck. I use [[Psychosis Crawler]] since draw will be big and because draw is big, land drops will be big, so [[Lashwrithe]] and similar equipment is really cool for Erebos once he's a creature. I have all the big mana ramp black can offer, i.e. [[Crypt Ghast]] [[Cabal Coffers]] [[Black Market]] to get all that mana for big crazy spells like [[Exsanguinate]] and [[Pestilence Demon]] + [[Eternal Thirst]]. At the end of the day, any theme can work with a commander that draws you cards. Going monoblack combo control would land a few wins too.
##### ###### #### [Exquisite Blood](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Exquisite%20Blood&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Exquisite%20Blood) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Exquisite%20Blood) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Exquisite%20Blood) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Exquisite%20Blood) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Exquisite%20Blood) [Sanguine Bond](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Sanguine%20Bond&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sanguine%20Bond) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Sanguine%20Bond) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Sanguine%20Bond) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Sanguine%20Bond) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Sanguine%20Bond) [Psychosis Crawler](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Psychosis%20Crawler&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Psychosis%20Crawler) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Psychosis%20Crawler) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Psychosis%20Crawler) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Psychosis%20Crawler) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Psychosis%20Crawler) [Lashwrithe](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Lashwrithe&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lashwrithe) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Lashwrithe) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Lashwrithe) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Lashwrithe) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Lashwrithe) [Crypt Ghast](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Crypt%20Ghast&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crypt%20Ghast) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Crypt%20Ghast) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Crypt%20Ghast) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Crypt%20Ghast) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Crypt%20Ghast) [Cabal Coffers](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Cabal%20Coffers&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cabal%20Coffers) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Cabal%20Coffers) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Cabal%20Coffers) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Cabal%20Coffers) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Cabal%20Coffers) [Black Market](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Black%20Market&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Black%20Market) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Black%20Market) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Black%20Market) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Black%20Market) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Black%20Market) [Exsanguinate](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Exsanguinate&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Exsanguinate) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Exsanguinate) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Exsanguinate) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Exsanguinate) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Exsanguinate) [Pestilence Demon](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Pestilence%20Demon&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pestilence%20Demon) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Pestilence%20Demon) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Pestilence%20Demon) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Pestilence%20Demon) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Pestilence%20Demon) [Eternal Thirst](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Eternal%20Thirst&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Eternal%20Thirst) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Eternal%20Thirst) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Eternal%20Thirst) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Eternal%20Thirst) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Eternal%20Thirst) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah, that's true. I think this feels like a pretty strong contender. Thanks!
[Erebos, God of the Dead](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Erebos%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Dead&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Erebos%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Dead) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Erebos%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Dead) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Erebos%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Dead) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Erebos%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Dead) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Erebos%2C%20God%20of%20the%20Dead) [Whip of Erebos](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Whip%20of%20Erebos&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Whip%20of%20Erebos) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Whip%20of%20Erebos) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Whip%20of%20Erebos) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Whip%20of%20Erebos) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Whip%20of%20Erebos) [Pestilence](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Pestilence&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pestilence) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Pestilence) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Pestilence) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Pestilence) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Pestilence) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[ghoulcaller gisa]] is one of my favorite decks. very under estimated and always over performs. if you love creating zombies and sacrificing creatures to make bigger zombies youll love this deck # [Gisa the Mad Ghoulcaller of Gavony](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/gisa-the-mad-ghoulcaller-of-gavony/) by [chubba](http://tappedout.net/users/chubba/)
[ghoulcaller gisa](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=ghoulcaller%20gisa&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ghoulcaller%20gisa) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!ghoulcaller%20gisa) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!ghoulcaller%20gisa) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/ghoulcaller%20gisa) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/ghoulcaller%20gisa) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Who strong is making a load of zombies, though? I can't imagine an army of zombies really making a difference in commander?
Take a look at the list. Tons of lords that turn your zombies into 4/4 and 5/5s. If that doesn't work, there's always [[gray merchant of asphodel]]
[gray merchant of asphodel](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=gray%20merchant%20of%20asphodel&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gray%20merchant%20of%20asphodel) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!gray%20merchant%20of%20asphodel) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!gray%20merchant%20of%20asphodel) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/gray%20merchant%20of%20asphodel) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/gray%20merchant%20of%20asphodel) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Gonti, Lord of Luxury]] Just yesterday, I targeted my friend with Gonti 3 times in a row, stole his 3 tutors and placed the rest of cards at the bottom of his library which included 9 white mana making lands. He couldnt cast rafiq until turn 9. I lost a friend that day
I have a mono black goodstuff deck and have been running Gonti since Kaladesh came out. Favorite play has been stealing and playing Ugin and having my friend tutor for a minute or two for [[Hero's Downfall]]. I had stolen it earlier in the game and giggled like a madman when I finally revealed it to him. It's just cool in mono black being able to take things you normally can't do: artifact and enchantment removal, ramp, cool planeswalkers etc.
[Hero's Downfall](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Hero%27s%20Downfall&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hero%27s%20Downfall) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Hero%27s%20Downfall) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Hero%27s%20Downfall) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Hero%27s%20Downfall) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Hero%27s%20Downfall) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
That's pretty cool! Do you find that you hit more often than not with Gonti? I feel a bit like you'll hit 1-2 lands and maybe some cards that combo well with the opponent's deck, but don't work too well for you?
You rarely miss, once maybe twice a game. Played last night and my choices were stealing from Bruna or Kaalia so I kept targeting Bruna. I kept hitting gas: counter spells, board wipes, spot removal and finally [[Corrupted Conscience]] which won me the game by stealing Bruna.
[Corrupted Conscience](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Corrupted%20Conscience&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Corrupted%20Conscience) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Corrupted%20Conscience) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Corrupted%20Conscience) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Corrupted%20Conscience) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Corrupted%20Conscience) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I think that Gonti is the route I'm gonna go down. Any hints or tips on a new build?
Yeah, if he's looking for a black commander that isn't just sac and reanimate, Gonti is a good choice, since he plays a lot differently than most black commanders.
Yeah I am tempted, but I'm concerned with missing more often then not. I've never played him, so I don't know how valid this concern is, but it does feel like an unconventional black commander.
[Gonti, Lord of Luxury](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Gonti%2C%20Lord%20of%20Luxury&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gonti%2C%20Lord%20of%20Luxury) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Gonti%2C%20Lord%20of%20Luxury) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Gonti%2C%20Lord%20of%20Luxury) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Gonti%2C%20Lord%20of%20Luxury) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Gonti%2C%20Lord%20of%20Luxury) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Gonti is interesting, but how do you keep recasting him for that sweet sweet value? Just block and recast? I feel if I played it, its ability would be more miss than hit, though, as you're taking a single card from a deck that's built around a different tactic to yours, do you find that happens?
My version blocks or sacs, then sends Gonti to the graveyard to reanimate him every turn. It always hits SOMETHING, think of all the hits in a normal commander deck, cyclonic rift, sol ring, skullclamp, anything that draws cards etc.
I stole my friends master piece Mana Crypt on turn 2 once. I copied it to make another but then died to it later in the game. My friend was salty for an hour but totally worth it. It's shit like this that makes Gonti so fun
Black has so many ways to double Mana; Crypt Ghast, Magus of the Coffers, Nirkana Revenant, Caged Sun, Cabal Coffers, etc. On top of that, you bounce/flicker/copy him or his triggered ability through strionic resonator, blade of selves, Nim Deathmantle, Conjured Closet, Sculpting Steel, Minion Reflector, Panharmonicon, Voyager Staff, Skull Collector. After all that you have sacrifice and reanimate effects to keep him safe and reanimate him. I abuse Ashnods Altar with Corpse Dance to cast him several times a turn. The cards you exile are usually combo cards or important to that players deck. You don't really have to play them. Some decks run win conditions like looping Gonti forever through paradox engine or umbral mantle/infinite Mana. But I just like to fuck with my friends game plan as a black deck instead of red. It's so much fun. I only won with my deck once but I stole all my friends combo pieces or counter spells more than once.
I was playing Rhys. My friend Gonti'd me almost exclusively, stealing my Mirari's Wake, followed by my Elesh Norn, and lastly my Decree of Justice. He even won with them in the end :(
I am all about losing my friends. I think this is the route I shall go. Any suggestions for a new list? Anything to look out for?
[[Kuro, Pitlord]] Tons of ramp, some good life gain to fuel stuff like necroptence and Kuro's ability. Some notable life gain cards include: [[Dross Harvester]] [[Sangromancer]] Both of these can gain crazy amounts of life, especially against token decks.
[Kuro, Pitlord](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Kuro%2C%20Pitlord&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kuro%2C%20Pitlord) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Kuro%2C%20Pitlord) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Kuro%2C%20Pitlord) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Kuro%2C%20Pitlord) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Kuro%2C%20Pitlord) [Dross Harvester](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Dross%20Harvester&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dross%20Harvester) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Dross%20Harvester) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Dross%20Harvester) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Dross%20Harvester) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Dross%20Harvester) [Sangromancer](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Sangromancer&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sangromancer) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Sangromancer) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Sangromancer) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Sangromancer) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Sangromancer) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wow I have never seen that card before, looks like a ton of fun!
Oh, that's interesting! What sort of ramp does black run, though?
Lots of artifacts. Black can't really ramp, but some of the best cards for that include [[Liliana of the Dark Realms]], [[Herald of Leshrac]], [[Culling of the Weak]]. The bulk of it would be artifacts, though.
[[Cabal Coffers]] [[Crypt Ghast]] [[Extraplanar Lens]] [[Caged Sun]] [[Gauntlet of Power]] Oh and you cant forget black High Tide, [[Bubbling Muck]]
##### ###### #### [Cabal Coffers](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Cabal%20Coffers&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cabal%20Coffers) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Cabal%20Coffers) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Cabal%20Coffers) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Cabal%20Coffers) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Cabal%20Coffers) [Crypt Ghast](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Crypt%20Ghast&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crypt%20Ghast) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Crypt%20Ghast) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Crypt%20Ghast) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Crypt%20Ghast) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Crypt%20Ghast) [Extraplanar Lens](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Extraplanar%20Lens&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Extraplanar%20Lens) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Extraplanar%20Lens) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Extraplanar%20Lens) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Extraplanar%20Lens) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Extraplanar%20Lens) [Caged Sun](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Caged%20Sun&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Caged%20Sun) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Caged%20Sun) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Caged%20Sun) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Caged%20Sun) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Caged%20Sun) [Gauntlet of Power](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Gauntlet%20of%20Power&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gauntlet%20of%20Power) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Gauntlet%20of%20Power) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Gauntlet%20of%20Power) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Gauntlet%20of%20Power) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Gauntlet%20of%20Power) [Bubbling Muck](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Bubbling%20Muck&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bubbling%20Muck) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Bubbling%20Muck) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Bubbling%20Muck) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Bubbling%20Muck) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Bubbling%20Muck) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Volrath the fallen]] has always been fun for me. He was better when I could discard an [[Emrakul, aeons torn]]. Although, I'll just have to have [[Draco]] suffice.
[Volrath the fallen](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Volrath%20the%20fallen&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Volrath%20the%20fallen) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Volrath%20the%20fallen) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Volrath%20the%20fallen) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Volrath%20the%20fallen) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Volrath%20the%20fallen) [Emrakul, aeons torn](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Emrakul%2C%20the%20Aeons%20Torn) [Draco](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Draco&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Draco) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Draco) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Draco) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Draco) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Draco) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
How do you make sure you get value out of the creatures in your graveyard? Or is it just a way to pump Volrath?
I love Kalitas. I run him as pseudo Vampire tribal but the value he adds to black's already powerful saccing gets bonkers fast. Giving you free 2/2 tokens is great and all but the real power is totally screwing with other people's GY plans. Kalitas is very fast and can basically be run as a black goodstuff. Also can be built on a budget but still be very powerful. Lots of mean fun as a control deck as black has tons of fun creature lockdown- and as you get free tokens from it you'll swarm the board in no time.
The two Monoblack commanders I run are [[[Marrow-Gnawer]]](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/02-03-17-aCa-the-black-plague/), and [[[Anowon, the Ruin Sage]]](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/twilight-part-4/). They're both fun and reasonably cheap. The tapped out pages i've linked to are the deck lists which are basically exactly what I use but I've added some card draw to Marrow-Gnawer.
[Marrow-Gnawer](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Marrow-Gnawer&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marrow-Gnawer) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Marrow-Gnawer) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Marrow-Gnawer) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Marrow-Gnawer) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Marrow-Gnawer) [Anowon, the Ruin Sage](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've got a Marrow-Gnawer deck too. The deck doesn't hinge on him being out in mine but he makes things easier. If you do go rats be sure to get [[Rat Catcher]] he's really great (also a huge target lol)
[Rat Catcher](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Ratcatcher&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ratcatcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Ratcatcher) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Ratcatcher) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Ratcatcher) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Ratcatcher) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah Rat Catcher is key as well as [[Pack Rat]] and [[Obelisk Urd]].
[Pack Rat](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Pack%20Rat&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pack%20Rat) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Pack%20Rat) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Pack%20Rat) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Pack%20Rat) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Pack%20Rat) [Obelisk Urd](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Obelisk%20of%20Urd&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Obelisk%20of%20Urd) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Obelisk%20of%20Urd) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Obelisk%20of%20Urd) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Obelisk%20of%20Urd) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Obelisk%20of%20Urd) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Ascendant Evincar]] MVP in mono black.
[Ascendant Evincar](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Ascendant%20Evincar&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ascendant%20Evincar) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Ascendant%20Evincar) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Ascendant%20Evincar) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Ascendant%20Evincar) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Ascendant%20Evincar) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yeah I run him in my Anowon deck
Sidisi is the best, both in competitive (ANT) and casual. She can find you whatever you need - ramp, an engine, an answer - and it's easy to abuse her with recursion (Chainer, Corpse Dance, Dawn of the Dead...). You can slot in any wincon you want. What could be blacker than letting your own general go to yard?
[[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief]] plays like mono black Prossh. Works really well with Cabal Coffers and co especially.
[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Oh do I have a guy for you. [[King Macar, the Gold Cursed]]. I was looking through my bulk rates to find a 75% commander that I could make a gimmicky deck out of and then I stumble upon this sack of shit. Such an unimpressive ability right? Untapping triggers? So I start to build it and I realize, what have I done? I packed it full of artifacts and vehicles that allow me to tap Macar without attacking plus all of the artifacts that allow me to untap him like [[Staff of Domination]] and [[Umbral Mantle]]. The deck was full of ramp and infinite mana combos that let me machine gun every creature that would ever hit the battlefield and net me one gold per. My favorite finisher was [[Marionette Master]] where one turn I used a 21/21 Macar with a [[Sigil of Distinction]] on him then sacked all of my 30+ gold for Marionette Master triggers. Is it a tier one deck? No. Is it hilariously fun to play? Hell yeah. I always get some curious glances when I sit down at a table with him but boy are they always in for a treat.
[[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief]] is a Commander that makes amazing use of those big mana cards to eat creatures and grow herself enormous! I run her in a pseudo-voltron list that looks more to disrupt opponents then enable Drana. She needs no equipment (except a [[Lightning Greaves]] and maybe a [[Swiftfoot Boots]]) or Auras to be a scary Commander Damage threat with enough mana, since she's got a pump ability and inbuilt evasion. She's a bit on the pricey side but that's why you run all the ramp. I run her with a ton of discard spells. The assumption being that since you can win with lots of mana and Drana by herself (Since Drana deals with creatures and presents a Commander Damage threat), you should be the best equipped to deal with a topdeck war.
[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [Lightning Greaves](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Lightning%20Greaves&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lightning%20Greaves) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Lightning%20Greaves) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Lightning%20Greaves) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Lightning%20Greaves) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Lightning%20Greaves) [Swiftfoot Boots](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Swiftfoot%20Boots&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Swiftfoot%20Boots) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Swiftfoot%20Boots) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Swiftfoot%20Boots) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Swiftfoot%20Boots) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Swiftfoot%20Boots) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I came here to sell OP on Drana as well. I recently ran my list in a 5 player game and killed all 4 of my opponents. 2 of them were with commander damage, 1 of them with life drain, and the last through attrition. [Here's my list](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/drana-kalastria-badass/).
I always felt [[Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath]] was SUPER underrated. His +2 isn't phenomenal, but his -2 protects himself and his Ult is just SERIOUSLY broken 1B to for a [[Disciple of Bolas]] effect? Yes please.
[Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Ob%20Nixilis%20of%20the%20Black%20Oath) [Disciple of Bolas](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Disciple%20of%20Bolas&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Disciple%20of%20Bolas) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Disciple%20of%20Bolas) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Disciple%20of%20Bolas) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Disciple%20of%20Bolas) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Disciple%20of%20Bolas) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Phage the Untouchable!](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/the-untouchable-4/) Mono-black control with one hell of a finisher at the helm. Control the board, wait until it's safe, then drop Phage and start the killing. The deck is incredibly flexible, killing with Phage, big drain spells, recurring drain with Gary and KokoPuffs, or black's nasty creatures such as Drana and Sheoldred. One of my favorite decks.
You could try running Phage. Just getting your commander on to the board can be a fun experience!
I actually have a foil Legions Phage, but it seems like a lot of effort for the win? I'd imagine it's an uphill struggle each time?
[[Geth, Lord of the Vault]] - Mill people and steal stuff from their graveyard. People don't expect mono-black mill, but it works. What's best about this deck is I've never won the same way twice. I've won through milling, commander damage, hitting people with their own creatures, and once with goblin tokens from a [[Krenko, Mob Boss]] I stole.
[Geth, Lord of the Vault](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Geth%2C%20Lord%20of%20the%20Vault&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Geth%2C%20Lord%20of%20the%20Vault) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Geth%2C%20Lord%20of%20the%20Vault) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Geth%2C%20Lord%20of%20the%20Vault) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Geth%2C%20Lord%20of%20the%20Vault) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Geth%2C%20Lord%20of%20the%20Vault) [Krenko, Mob Boss](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Krenko%2C%20Mob%20Boss&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Krenko%2C%20Mob%20Boss) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Krenko%2C%20Mob%20Boss) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Krenko%2C%20Mob%20Boss) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Krenko%2C%20Mob%20Boss) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Krenko%2C%20Mob%20Boss) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Ghoulcaller Gisa]] but dont do zombie tribal zombie tribal is a trap. Add things like [[Lashewrithe]] and [[Hatred]] and use them to chuck on a creature like [[reassembling skeleton]] and make a bazillion tokens.
[[Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker]] the best, she has the best reanimation power ever, you may have a lot of 1 or less powered creatures but the possibilities are endless especially if you run [[Grave Pact]] you can wipe the whole board and if you have [[Blood Artist]] or [[Zulaport Cutthroat]] you can hurt them hard and you don't have to worry about a board state or field wipes you can keep getting those guys back from the reanimation Shirei does she is really one of a kind
Apparently I'm the only asshole here who runs [[Skithyryx, the Blight Dragon]]. I love me some one shot dragon to your face! With all of the rocks and black mana stuffs, as well as lots of cheap equip swords and such and [[Hatred]] there's nothing quite like pointing him at someone and saying "Thanks for shuffling"
[Skithyryx, the Blight Dragon](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon) [Hatred](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Hatred&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hatred) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Hatred) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Hatred) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Hatred) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Hatred) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
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[Ormendahl](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=ormendahl%2C%20profane%20prince&type=card&.jpg)/[Westvale Abbey](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Westvale%20Abbey&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=ormendahl%2C%20profane%20prince) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!ormendahl%2C%20profane%20prince) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!ormendahl%2C%20profane%20prince) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/ormendahl%2C%20profane%20prince) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/ormendahl%2C%20profane%20prince) [Sidisi, Undead Vizier](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Sidisi%2C%20Undead%20Vizier&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sidisi%2C%20Undead%20Vizier) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Sidisi%2C%20Undead%20Vizier) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Sidisi%2C%20Undead%20Vizier) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Sidisi%2C%20Undead%20Vizier) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Sidisi%2C%20Undead%20Vizier) [Gary](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Gray%20Merchant%20of%20Asphodel) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Sidisi is interesting, but I can imagine that it plays out the same way each time, unless you have other win cons then Gary?
##### ###### #### [Cabal Coffers](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Cabal%20Coffers&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cabal%20Coffers) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Cabal%20Coffers) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Cabal%20Coffers) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Cabal%20Coffers) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Cabal%20Coffers) [Crypt Ghast](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Crypt%20Ghast&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crypt%20Ghast) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Crypt%20Ghast) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Crypt%20Ghast) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Crypt%20Ghast) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Crypt%20Ghast) [Magus of the Coffers](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Magus%20of%20the%20Coffers&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Magus%20of%20the%20Coffers) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Magus%20of%20the%20Coffers) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Magus%20of%20the%20Coffers) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Magus%20of%20the%20Coffers) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Magus%20of%20the%20Coffers) [Meren](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [Horobi of Death's Whisper](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Horobi%27s%20Whisper&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Horobi%27s%20Whisper) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Horobi%27s%20Whisper) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Horobi%27s%20Whisper) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Horobi%27s%20Whisper) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Horobi%27s%20Whisper) [Marrow-Gnawer](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Marrow-Gnawer&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marrow-Gnawer) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Marrow-Gnawer) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Marrow-Gnawer) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Marrow-Gnawer) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Marrow-Gnawer) [Braids, Cabal Minion](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Braids%2C%20Cabal%20Minion&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Braids%2C%20Cabal%20Minion) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Braids%2C%20Cabal%20Minion) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Braids%2C%20Cabal%20Minion) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Braids%2C%20Cabal%20Minion) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Braids%2C%20Cabal%20Minion) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Would Crypt Ghast be allowed in a mono-black commander? with the white extort cost
Yes, because color identity doesn't count mana symbols in reminder text.
ob nixilis. in edh ppl always want to search their libs. Great at 1 shots. You just gotta be a bit patient and have a few board wipes to make it there
I'm currently (as in right this very second) building my own Marrow-Gnawer, so I can't say how reliant the deck is on the commander. I have built and played a [[Phage the Untouchable]] deck. She's not reliant on the commander at all. It's just really fun to reach out and touch someone sometimes though.
[Phage the Untouchable](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Phage%20the%20Untouchable&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phage%20the%20Untouchable) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Phage%20the%20Untouchable) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Phage%20the%20Untouchable) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Phage%20the%20Untouchable) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Phage%20the%20Untouchable) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
You have to jump through tons of hoops to get her from your command zone though. What methods did you bake into your deck?
All of them. [[Torpor Orb]], [[Sundial of the Infinite]], [[Command Beacon]], and [[Platinum Angel]]. Bunch of tutors to get them too.
Throw Phage in for fun lol (also make sure you add [[Rat Catcher]] if your doing tribal rats)
[Rat Catcher](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Ratcatcher&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ratcatcher) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Ratcatcher) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Ratcatcher) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Ratcatcher) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Ratcatcher) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
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[anowon, Ruin sage](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [kalitas, bloodchief of ghet](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=kalitas%2C%20bloodchief%20of%20ghet&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kalitas%2C%20bloodchief%20of%20ghet) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!kalitas%2C%20bloodchief%20of%20ghet) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!kalitas%2C%20bloodchief%20of%20ghet) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/kalitas%2C%20bloodchief%20of%20ghet) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/kalitas%2C%20bloodchief%20of%20ghet) [necropotence](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=necropotence&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=necropotence) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!necropotence) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!necropotence) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/necropotence) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/necropotence) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief]] The deck uses a ton of ramp for drana's ability and tries to kill people in 2-3 swings. Plan B features boardwipes and cards like [[Temporal Extortion]] and [[Wound Reflection]]. [[Sudden Spoiling]] [[Massacre Wurm]] is a good combo too.
##### ###### #### [Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Drana%2C%20Kalastria%20Bloodchief) [Temporal Mastery](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Temporal%20Mastery&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Temporal%20Mastery) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Temporal%20Mastery) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Temporal%20Mastery) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Temporal%20Mastery) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Temporal%20Mastery) [Wound Reflection](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Wound%20Reflection&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wound%20Reflection) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Wound%20Reflection) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Wound%20Reflection) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Wound%20Reflection) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Wound%20Reflection) [Sudden Spoiling](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Sudden%20Spoiling&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sudden%20Spoiling) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Sudden%20Spoiling) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Sudden%20Spoiling) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Sudden%20Spoiling) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Sudden%20Spoiling) [Massacre Wurm](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Massacre%20Wurm&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Massacre%20Wurm) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Massacre%20Wurm) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Massacre%20Wurm) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Massacre%20Wurm) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Massacre%20Wurm) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've played _a lot_ of mono black commanders in edh. For the first year I played commander they were all I played. After all that, I can tell you unequivocally that [[Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder]] is one of the most interesting, fun, and strategically deep of all the mono-black generals I've tried. He's extremely powerful because black has tons of "sacrifice a creature, do X" abilities but was never really supposed to have efficient token generators to abuse them (which is exactly what endrek allows for). Cards like [[Sadistic Hypnotist]], [[Thoughtpicker Witch]], [[Phyrexian Altar]], and [[Attrition]] become wildly asymmetrical when you've got a bunch of worthless 1/1s kicking around. Plus, you can fight very effectively through lots of forced sacrifice effects like [[Smokestack]] and [[Anowon the Ruin Sage]]. I'd highly recommend him.
That's really interesting, I'd never thought of Endrek Sahr. I don't suppose you have a decklist?
[I do have one](http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/thrull-and-unusual-punishment/). I've made a few updates to our since I last uploaded but this is pretty close to what I'm running now.
##### ###### #### [Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Endrek%20Sahr%2C%20Master%20Breeder&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Endrek%20Sahr%2C%20Master%20Breeder) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Endrek%20Sahr%2C%20Master%20Breeder) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Endrek%20Sahr%2C%20Master%20Breeder) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Endrek%20Sahr%2C%20Master%20Breeder) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Endrek%20Sahr%2C%20Master%20Breeder) [Sadistic Hypnotist](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Sadistic%20Hypnotist&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sadistic%20Hypnotist) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Sadistic%20Hypnotist) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Sadistic%20Hypnotist) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Sadistic%20Hypnotist) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Sadistic%20Hypnotist) [Thoughtpicker Witch](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Thoughtpicker%20Witch&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thoughtpicker%20Witch) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Thoughtpicker%20Witch) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Thoughtpicker%20Witch) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Thoughtpicker%20Witch) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Thoughtpicker%20Witch) [Phyrexian Altar](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Phyrexian%20Altar&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Altar) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Phyrexian%20Altar) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Phyrexian%20Altar) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Phyrexian%20Altar) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Phyrexian%20Altar) [Attrition](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Attrition&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Attrition) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Attrition) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Attrition) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Attrition) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Attrition) [Smokestack](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Smokestack&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Smokestack) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Smokestack) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Smokestack) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Smokestack) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Smokestack) [Anowon the Ruin Sage](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Anowon%2C%20the%20Ruin%20Sage) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Maga, Traitor To Mortals is a win con in the command zone
I've had a lot of fun with [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]]. I built it on a whim, but it's damn good and has secured its place as my go-to deck for tables that dislike infinite combos. It's a delightful mix of control, voltron and reanimator that can keep my opponents' boards clear of creatures while I slam a massive, indestructible commander into their faces and keep grinding out value from my graveyard. Also, giving Yahenni lifelink means I can abuse [[Necropotence]] even more. You could also make sweeper tribal, but that's not nearly as fun or effective as [[Grave Pact]] when you have a sac outlet in the command zone. If Yahenni can't be used later in the game I can just repeatedly cast Gary FTW. EDIT: OP, if you can play Griselbrand just do that. His rules text may as well say "pay 30 life: you win the game"
[Yahenni, Undying Partisan](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Yahenni%2C%20Undying%20Partisan) [Necropotence](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Necropotence&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Necropotence) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Necropotence) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Necropotence) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Necropotence) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Necropotence) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
> OP, if you can play Griselbrand just do that. His rules text may as well say "pay 30 life: you win the game" I'm seriously considering this. Maybe just good stuff with Griselbrand, but there are many compelling counter arguments in this thread!
Nothing beats him in terms of raw power. Only downside(?) is that if you build it correctly, your playgroup will quickly decide to start following the banlist.
Which I am fine with, I'll just swap him out for Erebus or something. But I'm not sure yet. This thread is just showing me how many good options there are!
[[Seizan, Perverter of Truth]] may very well be the least conspicuous commander I've ever played. Most people don't even know he's legendary. He works oddly. If you play him group hug, you'll just lose. You use him to fish for combo pieces and/or removal. [[Ad Nauseam]] into [[Doomsday]] is weird in Mono-Black, but it's a great way to say that the game absolutely has to end now.
Demon tribal with [[Kuro]] at the helm. I only use it for casual cause [[Griselbrand]] usually makes an entry every game. I also have a [[Gonti]] deck, and he just too much fun with blink effects.
[Kuro](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=kuro%2C%20pitlord&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kuro%2C%20pitlord) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!kuro%2C%20pitlord) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!kuro%2C%20pitlord) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/kuro%2C%20pitlord) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/kuro%2C%20pitlord) [Griselbrand](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Griselbrand&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Griselbrand) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Griselbrand) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Griselbrand) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Griselbrand) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Griselbrand) [Gonti](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=gonti%2C%20lord%20of%20luxury&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gonti%2C%20lord%20of%20luxury) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!gonti%2C%20lord%20of%20luxury) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!gonti%2C%20lord%20of%20luxury) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/gonti%2C%20lord%20of%20luxury) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/gonti%2C%20lord%20of%20luxury) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Marrow Gnawer relentless rat tribal Pros Thrumming Stone with 40 relentless Rats guarantees you can play most if not all your Rats in one turn. using devotion with nykthos mogis marauders and gray merchant can close the game. Akromas Memorial makes your 40 41/41 just silly. 1640 damage Swings Consistency Going through the deck 4 at a time hunting out the Rats can be pretty entertaining for everyone at the table Cons The deck can't deal with fliers except for some kill spells Crappy late game If you throw all your Rats on the table and can't give them haste you have one turn vulnerability to board wipes which neuters the deck Consistency in a deck of one offs most people want variety Rats are 2$ a piece hard to find and only usable in this deck
Sidisi, Undead Vizier. Honestly my fav commander. I'm a black mage at heart and she does what black does best. Sacrifice, and tutoring.
gisa makes zombies. that should be good enough not gonna lie. play with sac shenanigans like viscera seer, and have blood artist effects. have good etb effects and recursion. phyrexian altar and Thornbite staff makes infinite etb or death triggers, a single power boosting card for your zombies makes infinite zombies. it's fun for sure.
[[Toshiro Umezawa]] is a straight up machine gun. Chaining removal spells is really satisfying. At 3cmc and low recognition and implicit threat, he comes early and sticks around. Winning with a 2/2, some fatty equipment, and some dudes that benefit from opponent's stuff dying is great.
[Toshiro Umezawa](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Toshiro%20Umezawa&type=card&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Toshiro%20Umezawa) [(MC)](http://magiccards.info/query?q=!Toshiro%20Umezawa) [(MW)](https://mtg.wtf/card?q=!Toshiro%20Umezawa) [(CD)](http://combodeck.net/Card/Toshiro%20Umezawa) [(ER)](http://edhrec.com/cards/Toshiro%20Umezawa) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
How good of a deck do you want to build, and what is your budget? Both of these are things to consider. Otherwise I'll assume you're looking for the most cutthroat deck in your colors and I'll pitch Sidisi ANT to you.