Deck Name: Necrotic Dominion

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Tribal Aggro-Control
Deck Theme: Zombie Recursion & Sacrifice Engine
Colors: Mono-Black (B)

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Description

"Necrotic Dominion" is a high-power Mono-Black Zombie deck that blends explosive aggression with sacrifice-based control. At its core is a relentless recursion engine powered by Gravecrawler, Carrion Feeder, and Lord of the Undead, enabling an endless loop of undead threats.

With Necroduality, every non-token Zombie you cast multiplies into an overwhelming horde, while Grave Pact turns every sacrifice into a removal chain reaction for your opponents. Yawgmoth, Thran Physician adds a powerful backup plan with card draw and pinpoint removal.

Fueled by Dark Ritual, Entomb, and Reanimate, the deck can produce devastating board states as early as turn 2, making it a true predator in multiplayer and 1v1 games alike.

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How to Play

Early Game:
Use Dark Ritual to power out Gravecrawler, Feeder, or disruption like Thoughtseize early.
Play aggressively with recursive Zombies while setting up your sac outlets.
If you draw Entomb, tutor Gravecrawler or Yawgmoth for setup or control.

Mid-Game:
Land Necroduality to start doubling all non-token Zombies.
Combine Carrion Feeder with Gravecrawler and Grave Pact to clear opponents' boards.
Use Yawgmoth to generate value through sacrifice and draw.

Late Game:
Maintain pressure with recursive loops and zombie buffs from Undead Warchief and Death Baron.
Close the game with board lock and a swarm of 2/2+ tokens.
Against stalling opponents, leverage Castle Locthwain or Unholy Grotto to grind back resources.

Ideal Opening Hand

A strong starting hand includes:
At least 2 lands (preferably one being Swamp or Pathway)
Gravecrawler or Carrion Feeder
One fast-mana source like Dark Ritual
Disruption (e.g., Thoughtseize) or part of the value engine (Lord, Entomb, Necroduality)

Mulligan if you’re missing mana or early pressure. This deck needs to establish presence quickly.

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How the Zombie Engine Works

Infinite Pressure through Recursion:
Gravecrawler returns from the graveyard as long as you control a Zombie.
Carrion Feeder sacrifices and grows, triggering Grave Pact and synergy loops.
Lord of the Undead and Unholy Grotto recycle Zombies again and again.

Token Explosion via Necroduality:
With Necroduality, each non-token Zombie cast becomes two.
Combine with Reanimate to copy powerful Zombies, including enemy ones from their graveyards.

Grave Pact = Board Wipe Machine:
Every sacrifice clears opposing creatures.
You control the battlefield even while trading resources.
This engine punishes board wipes, laughs at removal, and scales brutally in multiplayer tables.

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Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Feed the Swarm clears big creatures or enchantments.
Go for the Throat handles fast threats without sac synergy.

Against Control Decks:
Duress and Thoughtseize strip counterspells and sweepers.
Cavern of Souls (suggested upgrade) helps bypass counter magic.

Against Combo Decks:
Thoughtseize hits critical combo pieces.
Leyline of the Void or Relic of Progenitus slows graveyard-based combos.

Against Graveyard Hate:
Diversify recursion (Grotto, Lord, Reanimate).
Malakir Rebirth protects your engine pieces and gives surprise value.

Against Enchantments / Lock Pieces:
Feed the Swarm and Tormod's Crypt help remove disruptive permanents or reset.

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Skill Level and Playability

"Necrotic Dominion" is ideal for players who enjoy recursive value engines, tribal synergy, and oppressive board states. It rewards careful sequencing and punishes greedy opponents.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Playstyle: Aggro-control with recursive inevitability
Best For: Multiplayer and competitive casual 1v1

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5)
Grinds, swarms, and kills efficiently while handling threats with sac-based control.

Aggro vs Control Ratio: 70% Aggro / 30% Control
Your pressure is constant, but with elements of control via Grave Pact and discard.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Turn 2–3 explosive boards are common with Dark Ritual, Entomb, and Reanimate.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Very difficult to shut down permanently due to recursive engine and redundancy.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Competitive Casual 1v1
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Multiplayer (4+ players)
⭐⭐☆☆☆ Legacy Tournament (without splash or fast combo tech)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Requires smart sequencing of recursion, interaction, and sac outlets to dominate.

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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

Always plan your recursion loop.
Don’t sac Gravecrawler unless you can replay it — map your Zombie count first.

Use Reanimate aggressively.
Reanimate enemy creatures when they hit the graveyard — not just your own.

Keep mana open for Unholy Grotto.
Use it defensively to save combo pieces or fetch critical threats at instant speed.

Grave Pact isn't just defense.
Turn any token or extra Gravecrawler into a targeted edict at instant speed.

Sequence Necroduality correctly.
Avoid playing it too early unless you can follow with a Zombie cast — otherwise it’s a dead enchantment.

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Quote:
"The dead do not rest, nor do they forgive."

Last Update: 23/06/2025