Abyssal Persecutor is my newest weapon of choice in racing mana ramp decks. If played on turn three or four and backed up by a Counterspell or two, it can finish the game before they start to do the unfair things they're supposed to do. Also, since blue-black control is getting more popular, more people play Doom Blade as their removal, which makes the black Demon even better. The deck plays twelve cards that can get rid of an unwanted Persecutor and four Preordains that should help you find them, but against some decks, you don't even need them, as eldrazi ramp, for example, has a plan A in attacking with a huge eldrazi monster. Those tend to have annihilator, a perfect sacrifice outlet for a Persecutor that has already fulfilled its duty.
I believe I explained most of the card choices in a typical UB control last time, but let me drop a few lines about some of the cards I didn't mention in my last article. Ratchet Bomb is a very efficient way to stop a quick weenie rush, but also kills a Persecutor (sometimes in a few turns), which is always nice. Mimic Vat is a very interesting card that has been getting more and more attention lately, because you can do some very unfair things with it. Generally, it is a hard to deal with lategame threats that can win the game in a short order once it gets charged. Imprinting any Titan basically means game over, because you get to activate his ability twice in one turn - when he gets into play and when he attacks with haste. What is also quite cool is that imprinted Abyssal Persecutor means that you don't have to worry about finding a way how to destroy him anymore, because he flies over for six damage and then politely leaves the scene, closing the door behind him. And one last big upside - Mimic Vat removes a Vengevine that's about to hit the graveyard, something very important for a blue-black mage.
Speaking of Vengevines, one last card I want to mention is Bojuka Bog. I must say it is one of the most elegant answers to the Vengevine Menace. Black decks don't have access to Journey to Nowhere or Condemn, but having an out is a must and Bojuka Bog does that at almost no cost at all. Just switch some of your basic Swamps for Bogs and you should be fine. Preordain is always there to help.
That's it from me for today. If you're a fan of blue-black control, a deck whose stocks have been on a steady rise recently, I highly suggest trying out Persecutor, because I think he fills many different roles that are needed in the blue-black deck. As always, feel free to express your opinion in the comments and see you next time!