Deck Name: Epidemic Evolution

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Mechanic-Based Aggro
Deck Theme: Infect & Proliferate Pressure
Colors: Black-Green (Golgari)

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Description

"Epidemic Evolution" is a Legacy mechanic-based aggro deck that transforms even the smallest creature into a lethal, poisoned threat. Combining the Infect mechanic with proliferate synergies and explosive pump spells, it pushes for game-ending damage outside the traditional 20-life system. Once a single poison counter lands, the clock begins ticking — and it doesn't stop.

This deck excels in both 1v1 and fast-paced multiplayer environments. With combat tricks like Invigorate and Scale Up, paired with proliferate engines like Contagion Clasp and Evolution Sage, every turn threatens lethal — whether through combat or gradual corruption.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Lead with Glistener Elf, Plague Stinger, or Blight Mamba to start infecting quickly.
Use Giant Growth, Mutagenic Growth, and Tainted Strike for early kills.
Strip away defenses with Thoughtseize or Duress to clear the path.

Mid-Game:
Drop Ichor Rats to guarantee a poison counter and turn on proliferate lines.
Play Contagion Clasp or Evolution Sage to start multiplying poison counters without attacking.
Use Crop Rotation to find Pendelhaven for combat trades or Sylvan Library to filter draws.

Late Game:
If the opponent stalls combat, shift to proliferate inevitability with Clasp triggers and land drops.
Close out the game with a surprise Triumph of the Hordes from the sideboard or direct poison with Tainted Strike.
Hold up Vines of Vastwood, Blossoming Defense, or Heroic Intervention to protect your alpha strike.

Ideal Opening Hand:
Look for:

2 lands (at least one green)
1 Infect creature (Stinger, Elf, Mamba)
1 pump spell (Giant Growth, Scale Up, Invigorate)
1 piece of disruption or protection (Thoughtseize, Duress, Vines)

Mulligan if no threats or no mana — speed is everything here.

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How the Mechanic Works

Infect:
Your creatures deal damage to players as poison counters. Once an opponent reaches 10 poison counters, they lose — regardless of life.
Damage to creatures is dealt in the form of -1/-1 counters, making combat even more efficient.

Proliferate:
If a player has at least one poison counter, Contagion Clasp, Evolution Sage, and Virulent Wound can multiply it.
This allows you to win even if combat stalls or the board is locked down.

Combat + Proliferate = Victory:
One early strike followed by a few proliferate triggers can end games quickly. Infect doesn't require multiple hits — just a crack in the armor.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Virulent Wound punishes early creatures while advancing your plan.
Necropede trades up and leaves poison behind.
Carrion Call provides instant-speed blockers or surprise attackers.

Against Control Decks:
Veil of Summer protects from counterspells and discard.
Heroic Intervention prevents sweepers from ruining your tempo.
Triumph of the Hordes turns a stalled board into an unexpected win.

Against Combo Decks:
Thoughtseize and Duress hit critical pieces before they go off.
Surgical Extraction removes enablers from the graveyard.
Pithing Needle stops activated abilities (Walking Ballista, Planeswalkers).

Against Artifact/Enchantment Strategies:
Nature’s Claim handles Chalice of the Void, Bridge, or Leyline.
Force of Vigor provides a free answer to multiple problem permanents.

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Skill Level and Playability

"Epidemic Evolution" is perfect for players who enjoy fast-paced pressure with hidden inevitability. While it can win out of nowhere, it rewards tight play, correct sequencing, and the ability to recognize win windows. It’s easy to pick up, but hard to master — and lethal in the right hands.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Playstyle: Infect Aggro with a proliferate inevitability engine
Best For: 1v1 Legacy & fast multiplayer pods

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Kills out of nowhere with a single mistake from the opponent.

Mechanic vs Combat Ratio: 60% Infect Aggro / 40% Proliferate Control
Starts aggressive, finishes methodical.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Capable of winning on turn 2–3, with pressure building nonstop.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
With hand disruption, protection, and proliferate backup, it recovers well after removal.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Legacy Casual / Optimized Multiplayer
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Competitive 1v1 Events
⭐⭐☆☆☆ High-Tier Tournaments (with pilot mastery)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Easy to misplay; rewards sharp sequencing and awareness of board states.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

You don’t need to attack to win.
Once the poison is in, proliferate your way to victory.

Bait before the kill.
Force out removal or countermagic with weaker threats, then strike with your real finisher.

Protect the threat, not the combo.
Sometimes it’s better to protect a Glistener Elf than to save pump spells. Know what your win condition is.

Know your lines.
Count poison counters and damage in advance — you often have lethal and don’t see it.

Never overcommit.
A good Infect player wins by holding back just enough. One card in hand can be worth more than three on the board.

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Quote:
"With one drop of oil, the end begins."

Last Update: 04/06/2025