"Pick a word, from three to five letters long. Build a deck about that word, using only cards beginning with one of the word's letters. (So, if my word is WATER, I can only use cards whose title begins with W, A, T, E, or R.) Basic lands CAN still be used. (So I could still use Islands.) All the letters in your must be represented in your deck, and the deck you build has to have something to do with the word you chose."
Dear Noel deCordova,
Regarding your article "Feed Forward II":
Let me start off by saying that I find your column to be the most entertaining read on the Magic website. I've been a follower for some time of "From the Lab" and your writing style is unique (putting it lightly), but always interesting. Keep up the great work.
I am emailing you with my decklist for the recent challenge that you introduced to your readers, and I have to say, the name challenge was what I voted for. :) A very fun and wacky way to build a deck, but most importantly very flavorful. So I wracked my brain first for a word worthy of an entire deck, and this is what my mind jumped to.
C R Y P T
The word itself just gives me chills, bringing with it terrible images of death and decomposition, of terror and things hidden in the dark. It makes me think of being locked in blackness, with rapidly diminishing torches and something breathing down my neck. As you might imagine, this offers a lot of opportunity for some exciting deckbuilding, absolutely dripping with flavor. (muahahahahaa...)
Here is the decklist that I came up with, and then I will provide a short explanation as to why I picked the cards that I did.
You explore down into the depths of the crypt, searching for a fabled treasure buried deep within. What defilements and monstrosities lurk in the blackness?
I went with mainly a zombie tribe for the creature selection. Cemetery Reaper functions as the lord of the deck but also as a likely crypt keeper. Phyrexian Crusader is included as a problematic threat for an inexpensive three mana. Plus, I always loved the juxtaposition of the name of that creature. I get very different images from the words ‘crusader’ and ‘Phyrexia’, and the pairing of the two together makes for an interesting title. Rotting Rats provide a way for me to fill up graveyards to provide for the graveyard play theme, and can be reoccurred with unearth (ringing the crypt theme bell again, along with also being a zombie!). Corpse Harvester comes in as a mid-game zombie, and can tap to sac a creature to get a little card advantage, searching out both an extra land and whatever creature might suit my purpose. Phyrexian Obliterator and Phage can serve those purposes! Care to be opening up a decrepit tomb only to find yourself facing the maw of a terrifying Obliterator? The art says it all. My attention always pricks up when I read a card that says a player loses the game. What raw power, to simply end it there!
I can imagine delving into a tomb and feeling panic trace up my spine, constricting my better judgments and nudging me closer to madness. That’s where Thoughtseize comes in, as one of the most powerful discard spells ever printed (in my opinion) and helping to fuel our graveyard play or remove a troublesome non-creature threat. Call to the Grave acts as one of my main methods for control, and fits right in with a zombie deck. Of course, what would a black CRYPT theme be without mindless abominations rising from their disturbed graves to attack their masters? See: Rise from the Grave! Not to mention, any creature brought back rises as a zombie, successfully ringing the theme bell and protecting it from a potential Call to the Grave (Phyrexian Obliterator, now a zombie horror!). Reanimate also functions similarly for much cheaper, but costs life like Thoughtseize and Phyrexian Arena do. The Phyrexian Arena is the prize of the trek through the crypt, deep in the catacombs, providing immense power in exchange for bodily sacrifice.
The removal in this deck serves to try and lighten this self-inflicted punishment and revitalize us with the life of our enemies. Tendrils of Corruption eats creatures and gets stronger over time, as does a bomb like Corrupt with the added option of targeting an opponent directly. Consume Spirit adds versatility, and has potential to become huge when combined with the power of the only non-basic land, Cabal Coffers. I chose not to include Crypt of Agadeem, even though it fits in ever so snugly to the theme, because I felt there would be a lack of black creatures in our graveyard what with Cemetery Reaper, exiled Rotting Rats, and graveyard recursion.
I think that about covers it. I thoroughly enjoyed creating this deck, and I thank you for your time reading it. I hope you enjoyed it, it was fun putting effort into something like this. I look forward to reading your article!
Sincerely,
Bloodsquall