Hit Parade

Mono-Black Goons and Gangsters

Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose by Lie Setiawan

Version One of this deck is perhaps my earliest example of shameless netdecking. I decided sometime in the early 00’s to make a black deck from some of the best cards available at the time. Almost 20 years later, I rebuilt it with more modern cards, leaving behind the vintage frames (and sadly, a couple vintage cards that either WOTC hasn’t reprinted or are way too expensive). With Streets of New Capenna available now, I might have to make a Maestros-themed Version 3.

Creatures (20)

  • 1 Baron Sengir: The Godfather.
  • 2 Ihsan’s Shade: The Dons.
  • 2 Sengir Vampire: The Dons’ lieutenants.
  • 2 Nightmare: The Godfather’s black Cadillacs.
  • 2 Royal Assassin: The Godfather’s elite hitmen.
  • 2 Phyrexian Ghoul: The ‘cowboy’ hit squad.
  • 2 Bone Shredder: The Godfather’s elite torturers.
  • 2 Black Knight: street soldiers.
  • 2 Nekrataal: street soldiers.
  • 2 Hypnotic Specter: Corrupt cops in the pay of the Godfather.
  • 1 Nettling Imp: The corrupt D.A.

Artifacts (3)

  • 2 Icy Manipulator: The fate of snitches and cops.
  • 1 Ring of Gix: A token of the Godfather’s favor, redeemable for one hit.

Enchantments (1)

  • 1 Pestilence: “If I’m goin’ down, I’m takin’ you wit’ me!”

Sorceries (8)

  • 4 Disturbed Burial: “Naw, he didn’t get whacked. We just sent ‘im back t’ Sicily t’ lay low fer awhile.”
  • 4 Demonic Tutor: The Godfather’s dirty lawyers.

Instants (8)

  • 4 Dark Ritual: Dirty deals made in smoke-filled rooms.
  • 4 Dark Banishing: For witnesses and clumsy goons.

Lands (20)

  • 20 Swamp

Hit Parade v2

Creatures (23)

  • 1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • 2 Ihsan’s Shade
  • 2 Nightmare
  • 3 Sengir Vampire
  • 3 Nekrataal
  • 3 Hypnotic Specter
  • 3 Royal Assassin
  • 3 Black Knight
  • 3 Drudge Skeletons

Artifacts (3)

  • 1 Sol Ring (Commander Collection: Black)
  • 1 Icy Manipulator
  • 1 Tormod’s Crypt

Auras (3)

  • 3 Unholy Strength

Sorceries (6)

  • 3 Diabolic Tutor
  • 3 Raise Dead

Instants (6)

  • 3 Dark Banishing
  • 3 Dark Ritual

Lands (24)

  • 24 Swamp

Sideboard

  • 2 Shipwreck Singer (replace the role of the Nettling Imp from the original deck)
  • 1 Watery Grave
  • 3 Waterfront District
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