Deck Name: Shadowborn Demons

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Mechanic-Based Combo-Control
Deck Theme: Shadowborn Apostle Engine + Demon Tribal Toolbox
Colors: Mono-Black (B)

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Description

“Shadowborn Demons” is a Mono-Black deck that fuses the mechanic-based power of Shadowborn Apostles with the raw might of Demon tribal finishers. It functions as a combo-control hybrid: the Apostle mechanic provides explosive ways to summon toolbox Demons, while a deep package of discard, sacrifice effects, and reanimation keeps the deck resilient in grindy games.

This hybrid approach makes it both thematic and dangerous. The Apostles act as both fodder and engine, fueling Grave Pact lockdowns and mass recursion spells, while the Demons deliver inevitability. The result is a deck that can play multiple roles in a Legacy multiplayer or casual-competitive environment, switching between aggressive swarms, combo bursts, and slow control value depending on the board state.

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How to Play

Early Game (Turns 1–3):
Play Shadowborn Apostles aggressively to build your board.
Use discard (Inquisition, Thoughtseize) to strip sweepers or exile removal.
Set up sac outlets with Grave Pact to discourage opponents from overextending.

Mid Game (Turns 3–6):
Assemble 6 Apostles and sacrifice them for a Demon (choose toolbox Demon depending on board needs: Griselbrand for draw, Archfiend for board control, Razaketh for tutoring).
Cast Victimize or Immortal Servitude to bring back Apostles and re-fuel the engine.
Establish control via Grave Pact triggers or planeswalker pressure (Ob Nixilis).

Late Game (Turns 6+):
Pivot into inevitability:
Living Death / Rise of the Dark Realms → flip the entire board state.
Griselbrand / Razaketh → draw or tutor to snowball.
Reaper / Archfiend → grind down opponents’ boards.
Protect key Demons with Swiftfoot Boots or Kaya’s Ghostform to ensure they stay online.

Ideal Opening Hand:
A playable opening hand typically contains:
2 Swamps;
2–3 Shadowborn Apostles;
1 disruption spell (Inquisition / Thoughtseize);
1 recursion or a finish piece (Immortal Servitude / Demon).

Mulligan aggressively if you lack Apostles and have no means of interaction.

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How the Combo / Core Lines Work

Primary engine (Apostles → Demon):
Play multiple Shadowborn Apostles across early turns.
When you have the required number, sacrifice Apostles to put a Demon from your library onto the battlefield.
Choose the correct Demon for the position: removal/grind (Reaper from the Abyss), card advantage (Griselbrand / Bloodgift Demon), board control (Archfiend of Depravity), or pressure/recursion (Desecration Demon / Demon of Death’s Gate).

Support & resilience:
Grave Pact / Dictate converts your sacrificial lines into mass removal.
Immortal Servitude / Victimize / Beacon of Unrest / Living Death return Apostles or Demons from the graveyard — your graveyard is a resource.
Razaketh and other tutor-style lines let you fetch the exact answer when you need it.

Endgame paths:
Single Demon finish (overwhelm opponents).
Razaketh lines for immediate answers/draw.
Mass reanimation (Living Death / Rise of the Dark Realms) to flip a losing position into a win.

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Sideboard Strategy

Vs Aggro:
Deathgreeter stabilizes life as Apostles die.
Swiftfoot Boots to keep Demons alive.
Hero’s Downfall for big threats.

Vs Control:
Duress to strip sweepers or counters.
Dictate of Erebos for extra sac-lock.

Vs Combo:
Duress + Hero’s Downfall to disrupt.
Toolbox Demons (Ob Nixilis, Archfiend) punish tutors or swarm boards.

Vs Graveyard decks:
Leyline of the Void shuts recursion down.

Vs Board Wipes:
Immortal Servitude, Victimize, Living Death → convert wipes into comebacks.

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Skill Level and Playability

“Shadowborn Demons” rewards players who enjoy sequencing, toolbox decision-making, and graveyard recursion. It asks you to manage when to commit Apostles, when to hold them back, and which Demon to fetch depending on the table.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Playstyle: Combo-control with tribal toolbox elements
Best For: Multiplayer pods, casual-competitive 1v1

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Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Not Tier 1 Legacy, but threatening in multiplayer/casual competitive groups.

Combo vs Control Ratio: 55% Combo / 45% Control
Leans on Apostle combo lines but with strong grindy control backup.

Speed: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Demon bombs appear around turns 3–6 depending on draw.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Multiple recursion engines and Grave Pact lockdown give staying power.

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
High decision density: sequencing sac/draw/recursion lines requires practice.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Multiplayer pods (high flavor, resilience, explosive plays)
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ Casual Legacy 1v1
⭐☆☆☆☆ Tiered Legacy tournament


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Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips

Don’t sac all Apostles blindly — keep some for rebuilding.

Strip exile effects with discard before committing to Demons.

Use Grave Pact midgame to swing tempo, not just as a late lock.

Master Living Death sequencing: it’s your biggest comeback tool.

Fetch the right Demon for the situation — each one is a silver bullet.

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Quote:
“From the faith of shadows rise the true rulers of the abyss.”

Last Update: 24/09/2025