D  E  C  K  B  U  I  L  D  I  N  G

by Christopher Askwith ZOMBIES The little theme deck that did Most theme decks are wimpy. Most are unable to win against any serious-minded deck designed for a tournament. Most don't use cheap zombies, then combine them with Evil Presences, Zombie Masters and Bad Moons to make others suffer. This normally puny theme deck can be used to great effect if such conditions are right. Since almost all of the spells in this deck cost four mana to cast or less, by turn three (or earlier if you get a Dark Ritual in your hand), you are guaranteed to be able to bring something out - and the sooner the better. The first step is mana. Obviously, if this is T2 legal, we're talking pretty simple stuff. Swamps, Everglades, Bottomless Vault, Lake of the Dead, and the like. Also, Dark Rituals are essential to getting zombies out before it's too late. Next, there are the zombies which make up the core of the group. Weatherlight has two zombies which are of great use. They are Bone Dancer and Zombie Scavengers. Next, we'll look through the basic set and the in-print expansions. Gravebane Zombie is great, since it recycles itself. Gangrenous Zombies are okay as well, since you can sacrifice them to do that little bit of extra damage to other players. Legions of Lim-Dul, Lim-Dul's Cohort, and Scathe Zombies must also be included. There is the core of the deck. Then, we have the cards that give these zombies meaning. Zombie Master and Evil Presence and Bad Moon and Nocturnal Raid. We also need cards to eliminate threats and recycle dead creatures, such as Drain Life, Spinning Darkness, Dark Banishing and Terror, along with Bone Harvest. If your opponent has a few dead creatures, you can make them yours with Necromancy. Lastly, to get life and to restrict an opponent's hand, have with you a Fountain of Youth, a Mind Warp or two, and Odyllic Wraiths Lastly, there is the sideboard. Since black has a hard time with enchantments, and the enchantments that will hurt you the most will be white or green, you need Gloom, Deathgrip, Urborg Stalker, Stench of Evil and Dystopia. So, the Zombie Deck will look like this: Lands 14 Swamps 2 Lake of the Dead 2 Everglades 2 Bottomless Vault   Artifacts 2 Fountain of Youth   Black 2 Gravebane Zombies 2 Bone Dancer 2 Zombie Scavengers 2 Gangrenous Zombies 2 Legions of Lim-Dul 2 Lim-Dul's Cohort 2 Scathe Zombies 2 Odyllic Wraith 3 Zombie Master 2 Drain Life 2 Spinning Darkness 2 Bone Harvest 2 Mind Warp 2 Bad Moon 3 Dark Ritual 3 Terror 2 Dark Banishing 2 Nocturnal Raid 3 Evil Presence   Sideboard 3 Gloom 2 Stench of Evil 2 Dystopia 2 Urborg Stalker 3 Deathgrip 3 Kaervek's Hex [ Back to September 1997 Table of Contents ] [ Back to Beyond Dominia ] Magic: the Gathering is a Registered Trademark of Wizards of the Coast