The Darkest Timeline

Format: Commander

Commander: Avacyn, Angel of Horror

Bracket: 4

DeckCheck Threat Index: 52

Deck overview

This mono-black aristocrats and big-mana deck controls the game through sacrifice-based attrition before closing with explosive life-drain finishers. Commanded by Avacyn, Angel of Horror, the list does not rely on its 8-mana commander to execute its early turns, functioning instead as a highly consistent and self-contained engine. By pairing dense early acceleration and rituals with mana doublers like Cabal Coffers, Crypt Ghast, and Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, the deck rapidly generates large mana reserves. Efficient card-draw engines like Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, Skullclamp, and Braids, Arisen Nightmare sustain card flow while Grave Pact and The Darkness Crystal steadily dismantle opposing creature strategies. The deck reliably wins on turns 5 to 6 by casting a massive Torment of Hailfire, Exsanguinate, or recurring Gray Merchant of Asphodel. With robust reanimation, redundant sacrifice outlets, and multiple unconditional tutors, the deck demonstrates exceptional resilience against interaction.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Ashnod's Altar
  • 1 Attrition
  • 1 Avacyn, Angel of Horror
  • 1 Ayara, First of Locthwain
  • 1 Basal Sliver
  • 1 Beseech the Mirror
  • 1 Blasphemous Edict
  • 1 Blood Artist
  • 1 Blood Pet
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Braids, Arisen Nightmare
  • 1 Bubbling Muck
  • 1 Cabal Coffers
  • 1 Cabal Ritual
  • 1 Cabal Stronghold
  • 1 Canoptek Tomb Sentinel
  • 1 Chthonian Nightmare
  • 1 Command Beacon
  • 1 Crypt Ghast
  • 1 Culling the Weak
  • 1 Damnation
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Diabolic Intent
  • 1 Dimir House Guard
  • 1 Disciple of Bolas
  • 1 Emeritus of Woe // Demonic Tutor
  • 1 Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder
  • 1 Expedition Map
  • 1 Exsanguinate
  • 1 Fell Stinger
  • 1 Flare of Malice
  • 1 Fleshwrither
  • 1 Grave Pact
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 Grim Haruspex
  • 1 Grim Servant
  • 1 Imp's Mischief
  • 1 Jet Medallion
  • 1 Kaya's Ghostform
  • 1 Lightning Greaves
  • 1 Liliana, Dreadhorde General
  • 1 Nirkana Revenant
  • 1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
  • 1 Pawn of Ulamog
  • 1 Phyrexian Tower
  • 1 Priest of Forgotten Gods
  • 1 Rain of Filth
  • 1 Razaketh, the Foulblooded
  • 1 Rottenmouth Viper
  • 1 Ruthless Technomancer
  • 1 Sacrifice
  • 1 Saw in Half
  • 1 Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER // Sephiroth, One-Winged Angel
  • 1 Sidisi, Undead Vizier
  • 1 Skullclamp
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Soldevi Adnate
  • 1 Susur Secundi, Void Altar
  • 26 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 The Darkness Crystal
  • 1 The Meathook Massacre
  • 1 The Sibsig Ceremony
  • 1 The Soul Stone
  • 1 Torment of Hailfire
  • 1 Toxic Deluge
  • 1 Twilight Diviner
  • 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
  • 1 Urza's Cave
  • 1 Urza's Saga
  • 1 Warren Soultrader
  • 1 Withering Torment
  • 1 Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
  • 1 Zulaport Cutthroat