Deck Name: Toxic Touch

Format: Modern
Deck Type: Mechanic-Based Aggro
Deck Theme: Deathtouch–Poison Combat Kill
Colors: Black-Green (Golgari)

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Description

“Toxic Touch” is a Modern Mechanic-Based Aggro deck that wins not by reducing life totals, but by applying lethal poison counters through smart combat sequencing. It weaponizes the deathtouch mechanic alongside Fynn, the Fangbearer to transform even the smallest creature into a game-ending threat.

Backed by evasive attackers like Plague Stinger and finishers like Questing Beast, the deck is fast, deadly, and extremely difficult to block profitably. With just two hits, Fynn can kill outright — and spells like Vines of Vastwood, Scale Up, and Tainted Strike often mean combat is over before your opponent realizes the danger.

Disruption via Thoughtseize, Assassin’s Trophy, and Fatal Push clears the path while Collected Company and Scavenging Ooze add staying power. In both 1v1 and multiplayer settings, Toxic Touch exploits its alternate win condition to bypass lifegain and traditional damage races.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Lead with Fynn or Plague Stinger to start the poison clock.
Use Thoughtseize to clear critical interaction or blockers.
Use Fatal Push or Abrupt Decay to remove early resistance.

Mid-Game:
Push through with Questing Beast or a Scale Up kill.
Use Vines of Vastwood as both protection and pump.
Collected Company can swing the tempo by flooding the board.

Late Game:
Look for a single unblocked attacker to finish the game with Tainted Strike.
Stabilize with Scavenging Ooze for lifegain and graveyard control.
Poison wins don’t require 20 damage — they just need 10 counters.

Ideal Opening Hand:
2 lands (ideally one black, one green)
1 poison-capable creature (Fynn, Plague Stinger)
1 interaction spell (Thoughtseize, Trophy)
1 pump spell or protection (Vines, Scale Up)

Bonus: Collected Company or Tainted Strike as reach

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How the Mechanic-Based Strategy Works

Poison Counters Are the True Clock:
Fynn turns every deathtouch hit into two poison counters. When combined with unblockable or evasive creatures, you only need two clean hits to win.

Combat = Combo:
Unlike traditional aggro, this deck plays like a soft combo strategy — if you build the right creature + pump hand, you can one-shot an opponent.

Explosive But Efficient:
You’re not looking to go wide — you’re looking to go through. Single creatures enhanced by Scale Up or Tainted Strike can end games in seconds.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Plague Engineer punishes go-wide tribal strategies.
Collective Brutality answers burn while offering hand disruption and lifegain.

Against Control Decks:
Thoughtseize and Duress dismantle counterspells and sweepers.
Veil of Summer provides protection from removal and counters.

Against Graveyard Decks:
Leyline of the Void disables recursion and Dredge strategies.
Scavenging Ooze helps with grindy decks while offering incidental lifegain.

Against Combo / Big Mana Decks:
Force of Vigor destroys key artifacts and enchantments at instant speed.
Murderous Rider handles planeswalkers or large threats.

Common Swap Notes:
Remove slower creatures like Chevill or 1x Company vs combo.
Bring in disruption when you’re on the draw or against blue-based decks.
In multiplayer, keep wide threat options to spread poison evenly.

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Skill Level and Playability

“Toxic Touch” is ideal for players who enjoy tempo-based aggression with a twist. The deck rewards those who can read blocks, sequence pump spells for maximum surprise, and time protection spells with precision. Its poison mechanic is non-linear, meaning victory often comes unexpectedly — and efficiently.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Playstyle: Fast-paced, mechanic-driven aggro
Best For: Competitive Casual Modern (1v1 or 3–4 player multiplayer)

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Early evasive threats backed by surprise finishers = fast kills.

Mechanic-Based vs Control Ratio: 70% Mechanic-Based / 30% Disruption
The deck’s core mechanic is poison combat kills, with splash support from targeted discard and removal.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Can win as early as turn 3 with the right sequencing.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Struggles slightly vs sweepers but can recover through Collected Company or Ooze.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1v1 Competitive Casual
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Multiplayer (up to 4 players)
⭐☆☆☆☆ Competitive Modern Events (without tuning)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Accessible, but rewards experienced pilots who play around removal and sequence explosively.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

1. Count poison, not life.
If your opponent is at 6 poison, a single Stinger hit with Scale Up is lethal. Don’t overthink it.
2. Your creatures are disposable, but not replaceable.
Losing a Fynn early hurts — protect it if it means a poison win.
3. Vines of Vastwood is your trap card.
Use it not just as pump, but to protect from removal at critical moments.
4. Never overextend into sweepers.
Two creatures + one protection spell is usually enough pressure.
5. Tainted Strike is a finisher.
Never play it early — it’s a game-ending surprise that should stay hidden until it’s lethal.

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Quote:

“A single scratch can be your last.” – Fynn, the Fangbearer

Last Update: 05/07/2025