ManiacalManiac

Good point Pushkin. Not sure if you've noticed me rant on this subject at one point or another on this site but I simply have a personal hatred for Guildgates. LOL

I agree with the Magma Jet over Lightning Strike, The scry has potential to set up a win condition. Then I think you would get more power out of running Temur Battle Rage (Previously mentioned) in place of Divine Favor. Who needs life if your opponent is dead. Not to mention putting an enchantment on a non hexproof creature is setting yourself up for getting 2 for 1'd without any benefit.

In all honesty I don't think the mill aspect of this is nearly efficient enough. As well if your playing this as a modern deck Treasure Cruise is banned.
Here's a link to my modern mill deck which is very powerful, I understand it's not close to a budget deck but it may give you some ideas.
http://www.mtgvault.com/maniacalmaniac/decks/mlgnnt-mllng/

Like Electrolyze as a 1 or 2 of Lightning Helix as a 4 of then you coul also run 4x Rune Snag instead of Dissolve. and 1 or 2 Spell Pierce.

I'm very confused in the black Boarder comment? Ohhh if this isn't standard then there's a world of cards that could be used.

IMO I think you should drop the Royal Assassin for straight up removal Like Go For the Throat or Ultimate Price. Xathrid Gorgon seems fun but a bit too slow, I'd cut both and add 1 more Titan and a 3rd Splinter Since it's a very strong aspect of the deck. Which brings me to your lands please please drop the guildgates. They're horrible! I'm aware land bases can get out of hand money wise but you can do better cheaply. like check lands (Woodland Cemetery) or at the very least replace them with the duals from Khans that give you a life from coming in tapped.

Torpor Orb for the SB, Soul Sisters life gain deck is killer to this without it.

IMO I think you should -3 Bloodfire Expert and -1 Flying Crane Technique +4 Lightning Strike. -4 Cancel +4 Dissolve. Boros Charm is not standard legal either. If your able to replace the evolving Wilds with actual fetch lans ( not a budget swap I'm afraid) Stoke the Flames works very well with Ascendancy as well.

Self-Inflicted Wound and Anger of Gods would work well in the side board.

It does happen to be a pay to play power game. However it's still possible to make effective decks on a budget.

It does happen to be a pay to play power game. However it's still possible to make effective decks on a budget.

It's not really about the discard, it's about taking away your opponents options to disrupt you only win condition. 36 swamps is way to much and there isn't a more efficient way of controlling your opponent in mono black other then Duress and Thoughtsieze. IMO that is. 4x Go for the Throat couldn't hurt either. 20-22 Swamps is all you need. The tutors are extremely powerful even broken some would say.
Again all this is my opinions and should be taken for that.
Happy Casting! :)

I like the deck. +1
I really like the Melira + Everlasting Torment synergy.
I highly suggest running Guttural Response in the sideboard. As well as Torpor Orb. Spellskite is also very useful to bring in against infect or hexproof enchantment decks.

1 Demonic Tutor, 1 Vampiric Tutor, 4x Entomb, 4x Thoughtsieze, 4x duress that would put you to 22 lands which would be fine IMO. If it's suppose to be Legacy leave the tutors out they're banned.

Is it a casual vintage or legacy?

Wouldn't Purphoros be a better pick then Athreos? Your using them strictly for their enchantment qualities so I don't see Athreos dealing much damage. Reason 1 being you only have 8 creatures that could be returned to your hand. Reason 2 being its your opponents choice and who wants their opponent making the calls.

Yep DedWards is correct, your combo doesn't work. DedWard has also given the best substitute available. Which makes me wonder why I'm still typing anything here since he's stated what I've came here to write. Cio :)

Nice deck, I'm Definitely a johnny combo player so this is great. I've know of all these cards before just didn't put them together. I use Melira or Mikaeus + Woodfall Primus or Puppeteer Clique with Greater Good as a sac outlet in my EDH deck.
Have you thought of adding Essence Warden for another infinite life combo? Champion of Lambholt could also prove to be very useful, better then Blood Bairn but without the sac outlet so not as versatile in this deck.

Blade Splicer, Accorder Paladin, Hero of Oxid Ridge, Hero of Bladehold all seem like they would work well in here. I also think you would go further using Coordinated Assault in place of Rouse the Mob.

Can you tell I hate making cuts. LoL