While going back to the city this morning, an idea sparked in my mind of another take on the build of the Zombies. It is somewhat similar to a list I saw previously on a site wherein, they involved Restoration Angel and Lingering Souls. This time, I’ll just utilize the latter.

Here is the list I formulated:

Maindeck
Lands
4 Isolated Chapel
18 Swamp

Creatures
4 Bloodthrone Vampire
4 Diregraf Ghoul
4 Geralf’s Messenger
4 Gravecrawler
4 Blood Artist

Spells
4 Lingering Souls
2 Tragic Slip
2 Mortarpod
2 Faith’s Reward
1 Sign in Blood
2 Liliana of the Veil
2 Geth’s Verdict
1 Apostle’s Blessing
2 Essence Harvest

The deck’s approach is, well, the usual aggro mode but with a twist. This is to abuse Blood Artist. All you need is three cards, the Artist, the Bloodthrone Vampire as sac outlet and a Gravecrawler. This is usually done as finisher after early damage done by your one drops. Lingering Souls also power up Bloodthrone and can pinch in additional damage through the air.

The deck’s name sake is by using Faith’s Reward as an added support card when the artist combo is set up. It can also protect your critters from board sweep and combat trades which are kind of a surprise for your opponent.

Another trick here is by the use of this card:

If you are thinking what I am thinking, then I guess you know the trick. This is in cases wherein you can’t get in for the final points of damage. This pseudo-Soul Drain just looks awesome with a pumped Bloodthrone Vampire. This is your other option in case the artist is not around for the shenanigan.

Support cards are Mortarpod and Liliana of the Veil, which you can use to discard your Gravecrawler or Souls with.

Here is my initial sideboard:

2 Act of Aggression
1 Cower in Fear
4 Duress
1 Liliana of the Veil
1 Go for the Throat
2 Oblivion Ring
1 Plains
2 Revoke Existence
1 Skinrender

I am thinking that Grafdigger’s Cage is your main problem post board, so I listed the two Revoke Existences to deal with the artifact. I also sided in O-Rings for random Planeswalkers or large creature threats, though my priority to deal with these fatties is via Act of Aggression.

A set of Duress and a third Liliana is for control decks, same routine. A singleton Cower in Fear is against Naya Pod and Dungrove Green which heavily relies on mana dudes to ramp up.

Let me know what you think of the deck. Hit the comment box below.

Until next post!