On yesterday’s Wednesday Night Magic, I decided to pilot a deck that was featured in Adam Yurchick’s recent article on the Devotion mechanic. This is a version of Mono Black control deck that capitalize on Black Devotion spells, specifically Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Here is the reference list by Ashton Johnson:

Maindeck
1 Abhorrent Overlord
4 Desecration Demon
4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4 Lifebane Zombie
2 Shadowborn Demon

4 Corrupt
4 Doom Blade
2 Hero’s Downfall
2 Read the Bones
1 Rescue from the Underworld
3 Thoughtseize
2 Underworld Connections
2 Whip of Erebos

2 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
23 Swamp

Sideboard
2 Devour Flesh
3 Erebos, God of the Dead
2 Gift of Orzhova
2 Hero’s Downfall
3 Pack Rat
1 Rescue from the Underworld
1 Thoughtseize
1 Ultimate Price

Since we didn’t have Thoughtseize to utilize at the moment, I decided to trade in with Nightveil Spectre and add additional spot removals and card drawers. The only major issue I’ve noticed is the lack of mass removal spells in which I would have wanted Mutilate to fill in. Ratchet Bomb is an option but is too slow against two casting cost critters.

Abhorrent Overlord fits well in the deck and I played two of it. I think twice of using Shadowborn Demon as it usually just die on your upkeep. Rescue from the Underworld is also a tricky spell to add in the deck, unless it has more creatures to use for the additional casting cost.

I also lack Erebos in the sideboard so a third Underworld Connections somewhat did the trick. I’d really wanted to play this as a complete version though.

My record at the tournament was 2-2, if played I could have made it 3-1. It was a subpar version but nonetheless it was very fun to play. The Devotion effects in the deck were just insane. I think you’d just have to stop early aggression and the deck’s good to go.

*image source from Imgur.com/r/all/rzy8CJv.