All In Torper Orb (Mono-Black)

[swarm187]

The premise for this deck idea is centered in a traditional Suicide Black shell. I have always felt an affinity to that type of strategy, with heavy hand disruption and a sprinkling of bombs to get there.
Where this particular deck differs from the Suicide decks of old is with the inclusion of a Torpor Orb package. When Torpor Orb was spoiled, I immediately began to think of the possible applications in Legacy. Whereas Torpor Orb is relatively tame in a format like Standard, basically hosing the Titans' CIP abilities, its applications in Legacy are much more powerful. I say this based solely on the difference in power between the current creatures in Standard and the larger, more potent, creature pool that Legacy has.

I have also felt for a long time that Mono-Black decks were missing a clear threat to finish games. Sadly, cards like Tombstalker just don't have the power to get there in the current Legacy format, especially since everyone has access to cards like Dismember. So, I put together a list that keeps the early disruptive power of older MBC-style decks, coupled with the Suicide Black feel of going balls out in a race to zero life. Here's the list, with some comments afterwards:

All-In Torpor Orb
4x Dark Confidant
3x Hunted Horror
4x Phyrexian Dreadnought
2x Phyrexian Obliterator

4x Thoughtseize
3x Inquisition of Kozilek
4x Hymn to Tourach
4x Dark Ritual
2x Go For The Throat
3x Dismember

4x Torpor Orb

4x Marsh Flats
2x Bojuka Bog
2x Wasteland
15x Swamp


Sideboard:
3x Engineered Plague
3x Diabolic Edict
3x Perish
3x Phyrexian Revoker
3x Extirpate



As far as curve goes, it doesn't get much more streamlined than this. You have exactly 2 cards (Obliterators) in your entire deck that cost more than 2. While this makes for some explosive starts, especially with Dark Ritual, it also means this deck is extremely vulnerable to Mental Misstep. As a matter of fact, that card is downright crippling to this build...I won't dance around that. The beauty of this deck is that it has hand disruption to pick off counterspells like MM, or even absorb them, and enough gas to stick something huge on the board.

The sideboard is very crude right now, and it will probably be changing soon to deal with all of the graveyard-reliant decks that are popping up. I'm assuming some number of Leylines will have to added, most likely dropping the number of Diabolic Edicts available for Progenitus and Emrakul hate.
There are so many ways to build a sideboard for a deck like this, I am having trouble pinning down a strategy that makes the most sense. I could even see splashing a second color for alternate win conditions in games 2 and 3...it really is a daunting task to find 15 cards that cover this deck's weaknesses adequately enough to make it relevant all the way through each match.


Look, I'm not trying to build a Tier 1 house here. I think we can all acknowledge that Mental Misstep has changed the way we have to look at the first three turns of any Legacy brew we make. But, I can see the merits in this deck, and it fits into that Zoo-esque play style of just laying down threats that overwhelm your opponent early. I feel like having beaters with Trample is a huge advantage in Legacy, as chump blocking is worthless to your opponents in the early game.


Please let me know what you think of the build, and by all means, leave some card suggestions for the maindeck and sideboard. This deck will be a pet project for me in the coming weeks, so the entire list is fluid at this point.
I would like to have a Mono-Black deck that can be played at a Legacy tournament without embarrassment. I think this shell has the ability to do exciting stuff that no one expects, but more importantly, I think this deck is a ton of fun to play. Thanks in advance for your comments.

[HdH_Cthulhu]

Sorry to tell you but Torpor Orb sux. Its ok, it's your pet/casual deck.
The problem with the list are the win conditions. If everything goes right then you cheat in a somewhat big guy. There are other decks that can do that way better...

[kusumoto]

I think you might run into a lot of instances where you have guys but no orb.

Have you seen Illusionary Mask? It can act somewhat like orb 5-8. It's expensive (monetary expensive), but without any tutors/draw or much for other good beaters/wincons you may need it.

[Ryoku]

Since the deck has such a low curve, I feel that you'd be better off not playing Dark Rituals. It might make the deck lose a bit of its explosiveness, but it would also improve consistency.

[thorin_the_king]

I'd consider adding Sundial of the Infinite as it acts like torpor orb 5-8. not as a 4 of but it will give you another option to cheat dreadnought and hunted horrors aswell as protect them of targeted removal as you will end the turn in response to their swords to plowshares and alike.

another crazy idea is ading this land arena if you keep playing obliterators. this way, you can let the tokens of the horrors enter play and let them fight with your obliterators :).

I'll do some testing with this and post results.

[from Cairo]

another crazy idea is ading this land arena if you keep playing obliterators. this way, you can let the tokens of the horrors enter play and let them fight with your obliterators :).

two 3/3 green Centaur creature tokens with protection from black

Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its power to the other.

Nonbo

[Koby]

I'm not sure how you understand that this is a nonbo.

Step 1 - Activate Arena targeting Obliterator and Centaur token.
Step 2 - Obliterator deals 5 damage to Centaur, and Centaur deals 3 damage to Obliterator.
Step 3 - Centaur prevents 5 damage from Obliterator, Obliterator triggers on damage dealt from your opponent's source.
Step 4 - Your opponent sacrificed 3 permanents.

100% Certified Combo!

[from Cairo]

I stand corrected.