[Primer/Deck] Pox

[S_Jake]

So here's my list

Purely Discard:
2x cabal therapy
4x Hymn to Tourach
4x thoughtseize
2x unmask
4x wrench mind

Utility:
4x night's whisper

Win Conditions:
4x The Rack
4x shrieking affliction

Creature removal:
4x Innocent Blood
2x Smallpox

Lock Pieces:
4x liliana of the veil
3x ensnaring bridge

Mana Base:
2x bojuka bog
16x Swamp
1x verdant catacombs

And my Sideboard:
2x engineered plague
2x perish
4x pithing needle
3x planar void
2x ratchet bomb
1x tormod's crypt
1x zuran orb

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

I plan on playing a tournament at my local shop here in a week or two, I'll try and remember to write up a report. any suggestions i'd be welcome to hear.

I'm not the sort to tell people where they should post, but at the same time I feel compelled to point out that this isn't really a Pox deck as it doesn't contain the cards that define the Pox archetype. What you have created is a straightforward discard deck. I think it is okay, but I think there is definitely room for improvement, for instance:

- Cabal Therapy is a great card, however your deck doesn't make the most of it because you lack sac outlets to flash it back. Maybe you could replace it with Inquisition of Kozilek (or possibly add a playset of Gitaxian Probe to improve it).
- I'm not keen on Unmask as you're 'two-for-one-ing' yourself, even though it's free. Personally, I'd rather add a playset of Dark Ritual as it opens up the possibility of some degenerate turn 1 plays (e.g. Swamp, Dark Ritual, Thoughtseize/Inquisition, Hymn) that don't result in card disadvantage for you.
- Note that you may no longer need the Night's Whispers to refuel your hand if you lose the Unmasks!
- I'm also not particularly keen on Wrench Mind as you're giving your opponent the choice what to discard, so you may get an artifact you don't care about (e.g. a Sensei's Diving Top when there's already one in play), two dead cards (e.g. Stifle, which is dead against your current list) or if you were playing against me, I may happily discard my Nether Spirit!
- You could probably run Mind Twist as a one or two of (essentially as Hymns 5 and 6), which can make use of spare Dark Rituals. I'd suggest using it to empty an opponents hand after playing your other discard, as what you don't want to do is load it up with two Dark Rits on turn 1 only to get it Forced.
- 8 Rack effects is probably a bit many, so I think you can probably shave a Shrieking Affliction or two (The Rack is the better card as the damage can be redirected to Planeswalkers). My best friend plays five in his discard Pox deck and that is usually more than enough.
- I think you're a little light on board control, so maybe a couple (2-3) Toxic Deluge can be added to support the bridges. This would mean less work for Lili and also less danger for her if someone is rude enough to Ancient Grudge your Bridge!
- I'm not sure the two Smallpox add much to your current list.
- I wouldn't bother with fetches in this list, unless you're running Tops and need the shuffles. If you do decide to run Tops, then I'd suggest two Tops and six fetches. However, you may find that they slow your deck down because you're using your mana to top instead of doing something more proactive! They are good, but tend to work best in control decks for this reason.
- 19 lands looks correct to me.
- Given that you're not using your graveyard, Planar Void is better for you than Leyline. Most of your board choices look reasonable, though I think you should fit another E Plague in there (possibly two) and I'd dump the Perishes: Toxic Deluge is far more versatile.

I hope you find my feedback constructive and good luck at the tournament! :)