Black in Magic: The Gathering is synonymous with power, at a cost. It's the color of ambition, death, and control. In Commander, where games are long and players have high life totals, black's strengths become even more pronounced. The ability to reanimate powerful creatures, drain life from opponents, and control the board with ruthless efficiency makes black a formidable color choice. This article explores some of the best black cards for Commander, cards that exemplify the color's strengths and offer unique strategies for dominating the table. From powerful removal spells to game-winning creatures, we'll delve into the cards that every black Commander player should consider for their deck. Understanding these cards and how to use them effectively is crucial for mastering the art of black magic in Commander.
Powerful Removal Spells
Black is renowned for its efficient and unconditional removal. In Commander, where threats can come in all shapes and sizes, having access to reliable removal is paramount. Spells like black card *Murder* and *Hero's Downfall* offer instant-speed solutions to problematic creatures and planeswalkers. However, the best black removal spells go beyond simple destruction. *Toxic Deluge* is a board wipe that bypasses indestructible and is often cheaper to cast than Wrath of God effects. *Damnation* is another classic board wipe that is simply black Wrath of God. Cards like these allow you to reset the board and maintain control, even when facing overwhelming odds. The ability to target specific threats or clear the entire board gives black decks a significant advantage in the long game.
Reanimation Powerhouses
One of black's defining characteristics is its ability to bring creatures back from the graveyard. In Commander, where powerful creatures are constantly entering and exiting the battlefield, reanimation spells can be incredibly potent. *Animate Dead*, *Reanimate*, and *Exhume* are cheap and efficient ways to resurrect your own powerful creatures or even steal your opponents' best threats. *Victimize* allows you to reanimate two creatures at once, providing a significant tempo swing. For more explosive plays, consider *Living Death* or *Rise of the Dark Realms*, which can reanimate a large number of creatures and completely change the game. Reanimation strategies not only provide value from your own graveyard but also allow you to capitalize on the creatures your opponents have discarded or sacrificed.
Life Drain and Control
Black excels at draining life from opponents and controlling the flow of the game. Cards like *Exquisite Blood* and *Sanguine Bond* create a powerful combination that can quickly eliminate opponents. *Gray Merchant of Asphodel* is a classic example of a life drain card that scales well in Commander, gaining you life and draining your opponents based on your devotion to black. Control elements in black often involve discarding cards from opponents' hands. *Thoughtseize* and *Duress* can disrupt opponents' plans early in the game, while *Mind Twist* can devastate their hand in the late game. Combining life drain with control elements allows black decks to maintain a strong presence and slowly grind out their opponents.
Card Draw and Advantage
While black isn't typically known for raw card advantage like blue, it compensates with powerful card draw spells that come at a cost. *Phyrexian Arena* is a classic example, providing consistent card draw each turn at the expense of one life. *Dark Confidant* offers similar card draw but can be risky depending on the mana costs of your deck. For more explosive card draw, consider *Graveborn Muse*, which draws you cards based on the number of Zombies you control. *Necropotence* is perhaps the most powerful black card draw spell, allowing you to pay life to draw cards during your end step. Managing your life total is crucial when using these cards, but the card advantage they provide can be game-winning. Consider including powerful removal spells to deal with threats.
Notable Black Commanders
Choosing the right commander is crucial for building a successful black deck. Here are a few notable options:
Gisa and Geralf
This commander allows you to mill yourself and reanimate zombies from your graveyard. They enable a powerful zombie tribal strategy focused on overwhelming your opponents with hordes of undead. Gisa and Geralf's ability to consistently put creatures into your graveyard also synergizes well with reanimation spells. Building a deck around them involves including a mix of zombie creatures, reanimation spells, and cards that benefit from having a full graveyard. Consider cards like *Rooftop Storm* and *Gravecrawler* to maximize the effectiveness of your zombie horde. This allows for consistent reanimation and card advantage, creating a resilient and powerful deck.
Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
Yawgmoth is a powerful aristocrats commander that allows you to sacrifice creatures to draw cards and weaken your opponents' creatures. He excels in decks that generate a lot of tokens or have creatures that can be easily reanimated. His ability to proliferate also makes him a strong choice for decks that utilize -1/-1 counters or other counters. Building a deck around Yawgmoth involves including creatures that generate value when they die, such as *Bloodghast* and *Reassembling Skeleton*. Combine this with sacrifice outlets and payoffs like *Grave Pact* and *Blood Artist* to create a powerful and synergistic deck. Furthermore, yawgmoth synergizes well with life drain effects.
Erebos, God of the Dead
Erebos prevents opponents from gaining life and allows you to pay life to draw cards. He's a strong choice for decks that want to control the life totals of opponents and gain card advantage. He also acts as an indestructible threat that can be difficult for opponents to remove. Building a deck around Erebos involves including cards that punish opponents for gaining life, such as *Tainted Remedy* and *Kambal, Consul of Allocation*. Focus on controlling the board and slowly draining your opponents' life totals while maintaining a steady stream of cards.
Synergistic Combos
Black decks often thrive on synergistic combos that can quickly swing the game in their favor. The *Exquisite Blood* and *Sanguine Bond* combo mentioned earlier is a prime example. Another powerful combo involves *Gravecrawler*, a sacrifice outlet like *Viscera Seer*, and a card like *Phyrexian Altar* to generate infinite mana. This infinite mana can then be used to cast a game-winning spell or activate a powerful ability. Identifying and incorporating these combos into your deck can provide a significant advantage. Furthermore, leveraging reanimation powerhouses to bring back combo pieces can also lead to quick victories.
Mana Ramp and Acceleration
While black isn't traditionally known for mana ramp like green, it has access to several efficient mana acceleration options. *Cabal Coffers* paired with *Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth* can generate a significant amount of mana, especially in mono-black decks. *Crypt Ghast* doubles the mana produced by your Swamps, providing a substantial boost to your mana pool. *Dark Ritual* offers a burst of mana for explosive plays, allowing you to cast powerful spells ahead of schedule. Furthermore, consider cards like *Sol Ring* and *Mana Crypt*, which are staples in Commander and provide colorless mana acceleration. Balancing your mana base with these ramp options is essential for ensuring you can cast your spells consistently throughout the game.
Conclusion
Black is a powerful and versatile color in Commander, offering a unique blend of removal, reanimation, life drain, and control. By understanding the strengths of black and incorporating key cards into your deck, you can dominate the table and achieve victory through cunning and ruthlessness. From efficient removal spells to explosive reanimation strategies, black provides a wealth of options for building a competitive and enjoyable Commander deck. Embrace the power of darkness and unleash the full potential of black magic in your next Commander game. Consider including notable black commanders to enhance your strategy. Don't forget to leverage card draw and advantage mechanisms.
Post a Comment for "Black Magic Masters: Commander's Darkest Dealmakers Revealed"