Overview:

This mono-black Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath deck focuses on incremental value through creature sacrifice, demon token generation, and life drain synergies. While lacking infinite combos or fast mana, it aims to control the board and grind opponents out with recurring threats like Gray Merchant of Asphodel and Overseer of the Damned. The deck operates at precon-level speed with moderate interaction and graveyard reliance.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck seeks to establish a board presence with value creatures like Grave Titan, then leverage sacrifice outlets and life drain effects. Key phases:

1. Early Setup: Ramp with artifacts (Sol Ring, Crypt Ghast) and land tutors (Burnished Hart). Use removal like Shriekmaw to control threats.
2. Midgame Engine: Deploy token generators (Ghoulcaller Gisa, Liliana's Reaver) and sac outlets. Activate Ob Nixilis's -2 for flying demons.
3. Endgame: Close with repeated Gray Merchant of Asphodel triggers, Lashwrithe-equipped threats, or demon swarm. Reanimation (Dread Return, Victimize) provides recursion.

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3+ lands including early black sources
• 1-2 ramp pieces (Jet Medallion, Mind Stone)
• Sacrifice payoff or recursive threat Avoid hands without early plays or excessive high-cost cards.

Key Tips:

• Time board wipes (Mutilate, Necromantic Selection) with your recursion
• Prioritize recurring Gray Merchant of Asphodel over generic demons
• Use Swiftfoot Boots to protect key creatures like Crypt Ghast

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending before establishing sac outlets
• Casting high-cost demons without protection
• Wasting single-target removal on non-critical threats

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No graveyard hate protection beyond Bojuka Bog
• Minimal stack interaction (0 counterspells, 2 instant-speed removal)
• Slow clock (avg. goldfish win T10+)

Moderate:

• High average CMC (4.12) with limited cost reduction
• Token generation requires board presence
• Life loss from card draw effects

Minor:

• Basic land-heavy manabase
• Some situational cards (Aether Snap, Raving Dead)

Most Important Cards:

• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Crypt Ghast
• Ghoulcaller Gisa
• Grave Titan
• Butcher of Malakir
• Lashwrithe
• Pontiff of Blight
• Overseer of the Damned
• Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
• Profane Command

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 4/10

• Goldfish win ~T10 via gradual life drain/demon beats. Slow mana development with limited cheating.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion (6 reanimation effects) but vulnerable to graveyard hate. Some creature protection (Swiftfoot Boots).

Consistency: 5/10

• 7 card draw engines but only 3 tutors. Relies on topdecking key pieces.

Interaction: 3/10

• 10 targeted removal spells but no counterspells. Limited stack interaction and slow board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at upgraded precon level (4.0-4.5) due to:

• T10+ goldfish speed matching 4.0 "Casual/Precon" benchmarks
• Moderate synergy exceeding basic combat strategies
• Interaction density (10 spells) below 5.0's expected 15+
  While exceeding typical precon card quality, it lacks the focused wincons and speed of 5.0 decks. The absence of infinite combos and minimal protection against common strategies cement its position in the casual tier.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5