Deck Name: Swift Sickness

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Mechanic-Based Combo
Deck Theme: Infect Blitz Kill
Colors: Blue-Green (Simic)

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Description

"Swift Sickness" is a Legacy mechanic-based combo deck that weaponizes the Infect mechanic for lightning-fast kills — often by turn 2. It doesn’t care about your opponent’s life total; it only needs 10 poison counters to win. Every draw is engineered to produce that outcome with brutal efficiency.

The game plan is simple yet deadly: land a Glistener Elf or Blighted Agent, make it unblockable if necessary, and stack up Invigorate, Mutagenic Growth, and other pump spells to push through lethal poison damage in a single strike.

This deck thrives in casual Legacy environments and punishes opponents who aren't prepared to deal with a fragile but explosive combo strategy. When executed correctly, the kill is so fast it feels unfair.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Play Glistener Elf on turn 1 whenever possible.
Follow up with pump spells like Groundswell, Mutagenic Growth, and Invigorate to attempt a turn 2 kill.
Use Opt and Ponder to sculpt your hand toward a winning combination.
Against blockers, use Artful Dodge or Distortion Strike to make your attacker unblockable.

Mid Game:
If the first creature is removed, rebuild with another infect creature and repeat the burst kill attempt.
Play more cautiously vs removal-heavy decks; keep mana open for protection like Vines of Vastwood or Ranger’s Guile.

Late Game:
You rarely go long — if you’re still playing after turn 5, the advantage is slipping.
Flashback Artful Dodge or dig with cantrips for one final strike.

Ideal Opening Hand:
1–2 Lands (preferably 1 Forest + 1 Blue source)
1 Infect creature (Glistener Elf or Blighted Agent)
2–3 pump spells
1 protection or cantrip spell

Mulligan if no creature or too many lands/spells without synergy.

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How the Mechanic Works

Infect + Pump = Death:
Infect creatures deal poison counters instead of regular damage.
Your pump spells massively increase their power for a potential one-hit kill.
Glistener Elf + Invigorate + Mutagenic Growth + Groundswell can deal 10 poison by turn 2.

Unblockable Line:
Blighted Agent or Artful Dodge guarantees the creature gets through.
Once unblockable, the math becomes a puzzle — and you’re holding all the pieces.

Protection Plan:
Vines of Vastwood, Sheltering Word, and Ranger's Guile protect your wincon.
Withstand Death in the sideboard helps fight through wraths and targeted hate.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Removal / Burn:
+3 Sheltering Word (life gain + hexproof)
+3 Mortal's Resolve
+3 Ranger's Guile
⮕ Swap out extra Opt, Ponder, or redundant pump.

Against Control / Bounce:
+3 Withstand Death
+1 Blighted Agent to increase threat density
+1 Vines of Vastwood for more backup

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Skill Level and Playability

"Swift Sickness" is perfect for players who enjoy fast-paced, calculated risk-reward plays. It rewards those who know how to read combat math, bait interaction, and bluff with precision.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Playstyle: Explosive combo through Infect mechanics
Best For: 1v1 Legacy (Casual Competitive)

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Kills fast and decisively when unchallenged.

Mechanic-Based vs Combo Ratio: 70% Mechanic-Based / 30% Combo
Wins through a consistent mechanic (Infect) using a combo kill engine.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Regular turn 2–3 kills. Among the fastest Legacy-legal strategies.

Resilience: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
Vulnerable to interaction-heavy decks without protection in hand.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1v1 Competitive Casual
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Multiplayer (only in duels)
⭐☆☆☆☆ Tournament Legacy (due to high disruption in meta)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Easy to pilot when goldfishing, but punishing if protection is misused.

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Pro Tips for Infect Dominance

Count before committing. Infect math is lethal — but only if you hit 10.

Respect removal. Always leave mana up if you suspect Lightning Bolt or Swords.

Bluffing matters. Holding 2 cards and passing can force mistakes.

Use Opt wisely. It's not just for filtering — it helps you find that one missing piece.

Don’t waste pump. If they block and you can't push lethal, sometimes it's better to wait.

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Quote:
"One scratch is all it takes. The rest is just watching them wither."

Last Update: 17/7/2025