Deck Name: Black Plague

Format: Modern
Deck Type: Aggro - Control
Deck Theme: Mono-Black Infect with Equipment and Proliferate Synergy
Colors: Black

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Description

"Black Plague" is a Modern aggro-control deck that spreads death like a true Phyrexian virus. Fueled by infect creatures and disruptive spells, the deck applies early poison counter pressure while eliminating key threats and growing stronger through proliferate mechanics. It offers fast wins, brutal tempo swings, and control tools to keep opponents on the back foot.

This deck thrives in casual and semi-competitive circles, punishing unprepared players with deceptively small creatures that deliver devastating damage via poison counters. It blends aggression, card manipulation, and scaling power to finish games quickly and efficiently.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Deploy Plague Stinger and Ichorclaw Myr to start delivering poison damage.
Use Despise or Duress (sideboard) to strip threats from the opponent’s hand.
Apply early pressure before they can stabilize.

Mid-Game:
Equip your infect creatures with Cranial Plating or Lashwrithe to turn them into lethal threats.
Hand of the Praetors adds poison pressure while synergizing with all infect creatures.
Remove blockers and problem creatures with Dismember and Virulent Wound.

Late Game:
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon becomes your closer with haste and regeneration.
Sword of Truth and Justice protects threats and proliferates poison counters.
Yawgmoth, Thran Physician gives you card advantage and board control through -1/-1 counter synergy.

Ideal Opening Hand:
2 Lands (preferably one being a utility land like Karn's Bastion or Field of Ruin)
1–2 Infect creatures (Plague Stinger, Ichorclaw Myr, or Plague Myr)
1 Removal (Dismember or Virulent Wound)
1 Equipment (Cranial Plating or Lashwrithe)

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How the Deck Works

Apply Infect Pressure:
Start delivering poison counters early. Infect damage doesn’t heal or reset, making every point count.

Support and Strengthen:
Cranial Plating, Lashwrithe, and Hand of the Praetors amplify your threat level significantly.

Control the Board:
Use efficient black removal and discard to clear blockers and slow down the opponent.

Scale Up:
Use Sword of Truth and Justice and Karn’s Bastion to proliferate existing poison and -1/-1 counters for a guaranteed finish.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Bring in Necropede for defensive value.
Use Duress to remove burn spells or fast threats.

Against Control Decks:
Duress and Pithing Needle disrupt planeswalkers and win conditions.

Against Combo Decks:
Discard (Duress), Surgical Extraction, or instant-speed removal (like Sudden Edict in a future version) can break combos apart.

Against Artifact or Graveyard Decks:
Consider future inclusion of Nihil Spellbomb or Feed the Swarm for enchantment hate.

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Skill Level and Playability

"Black Plague" is perfect for players who love direct aggression backed with strategic precision. Its infect strategy forces the opponent to answer threats immediately or lose fast. While the deck is easy to grasp, it rewards deep decision-making on combat math, sequencing, and resource management.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Playstyle: Fast-paced pressure with removal and equipment synergy
Best For: 1v1 Casual, Multiplayer with targeted pressure

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
A single hit with equipment or a timely Skithiryx can end games in a flash.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Potential for Turn 3–4 wins; depends on draws and protection.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Vulnerable to board wipes or exile effects but bounces back with card draw and utility lands.

Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Casual 1v1 (Strong)
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Multiplayer (Good if opponents aren’t packing heavy removal)
⭐☆☆☆☆ Modern Tournaments (Too fair without tech upgrades)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Simple to start, but strong pilots will learn how to bluff, bait removal, and sequence perfectly.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

Know when to go all-in:
Sometimes you win by risking everything on one swing. Know when that moment is.

Don’t waste your pump:
Only boost damage if it guarantees poison counters or forces trades in your favor.

Always track counters carefully:
Poison and -1/-1 counters are your win and control condition – don’t lose count.

Use Karn’s Bastion smartly:
Activate only when it leads to lethal or forces a difficult choice for your opponent.

Yawgmoth is your late-game engine:
Use him for value, removal, and even drawing into your finishers.

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Quote:
"In Phyrexia, survival is a symptom. Infection is the cure."

Last Update: 20/5/25