MTG - U/B Zombie Tribal Standard Deck Tech for Magic: The Gathering!

[@tweaglescout]

built this deck minus one of the three Liliana because I only have two places fourth on Friday at an FNM. love this build.

[@emeryj3843]

*watches Time Spiral video *goes back to subscriptions *Sees new video posted by The Mana Sourceposted three minutes ago "ye!"

[@TheManaSource]

+Emery Animates

[@zanejohnson5155]

Tribal decks are the reason i fell in love with MTG god bless your heart for introducing some tribal decks and talking about how they fit in the meta !!!!

[@arsminecraft]

I would run Crow of Dark tidings, Screeching Skaab and Skaab Goliath with Macabre waltz and corpse churn to fill up our graveyard.

[@alexanderflisgen2864]

Hi Wedge. Nice Idea. I'm trying out a pretty similar decklist right now. Blue for Amalgam and "zombie bounce" are great. Instead of Playing Read the Bones I added At least 2 Ever After and 2 Sidisi. Their Synergy is great. Sidisi is a Zombie triggers Diregraf can be returned to the battlefield with relentless Dead(Tutor for Days) Ever after brings back any of your Creatures, and with them mostly 1 or 2 Amalgams. And of course their zombies(Hey u killed my Liliana, here is here zombie Version Like Gisa and Geralfs Parents) Next Addition Nantuko Husk and Shambling Goblin.1 Mana When it dies -1/-1 to target creature. So heres the sequence turn 1 goblin, turn 2 rdead Attack with Goblin, turn 3 husk Attack with Relentless Dead. (3 Damage si far) turn 4 Sac goblin to husk.(4/4) -1/-1 to a potential blocker. Sac Relentless DeaD (6/6) Pay 1 Black to bring R dead to your hand. Pay another to bring back goblin to the battlefield. Cast relentless dead or bounce spell. Husk could attack for 8/8 or 10/10. Turn 4 at least 13 Points of Damage. In Addition u can use Husk's Sacrifice Option to Trigger Lilianas Flip in reaction of a certain spot removal. Another option Drunau Corpse Trawler. The possebilty to Give any Zombie Death touch is worth playing it at least as a 2 Off. Another Option go for White for at least Ayli, and all this sweet Removals Like Anguished Unmaking Declaration in Stone Tragic Arrogance. You could add a Sorin for lategame Value. Revealing a Ever After could easily end the gameetc. Maybe a Esper Build could be playable the Amalgam could be so good with Ayli. Life Points and Zombies for Days.

[@StetsonOwen]

Gotta love Zombies! Something about them just makes me smile...maybe it's knowing how annoyed my opponents get when they keep coming back from the yard. LOVE zombie tribal.

[@nomak38416]

Made a variation of this deck for my fiance when the set came out. We didn't put in Liliana and focused more on token generation. By turn 4, a prized amalgam with risen executioner gave us a 4/4 and a 5/4. By turn 5, we had two additional 3/3 tokens thanks to the executioners buff. As for a higher cost creature, we noticed that playing Rakshasa Gravecaller has had positive results. Although not a zombie, it can exploit a 2/2 token to generate 2 more of them. OR even exploit relentless dead for 2 2/2 tokens, and then pay one mana to bring back relentless dead.

[@happygilmore511]

+Akrium S Was the Executioner the 5/4? Because it doesn't buff itself

[@nomak38416]

Good point, I forgot about that. Regardless, he still bumps all the tokens.

[@AylashWindstorm]

Vampiric Rites! This deck needs it since it's so vulnerable to declaration in stone and silkwrap. Also, it simply generates huge value when you sacrifice relentless dead, put it into your hand, bring back wathever from the grave. I might even go ahead and say that this enchantment is key to this deck, moreso than Liliana or even Jace itself. You just NEED the rites for this deck to work properly. Also, you're forgotting about Shambling Goblin. It can be one of the easiest things to bring back with the relentless dead and it WILL bring back the amalgams. Remember that the Relentless Dead does not brings back the amalgams just by returning itself to your hand. The amalgam only comes back when something is CAST from the graveyard, or returned from the grave to the FIELD. Hence, the relentless returning to your hand does not bring it back (as you imply on the video).

[@wcbunnellable]

Diregraf captain is a 3 drop and gives all zombies +1/+1, has deathtouch and anytime a zombie dies your opponent loses a life, better replacement for Risen executioner. Gravecrawler is a 1 drop 2/1, you can cast him from the graveyard as long as there is a zombie on the field, that triggers the prized amalgam as well. You can combo that with nantuko husk which gets a +2/+2 for every creature sacrificed this turn. Sac gravecrawlers and prized amalgams and then trigger gravecralwer and amalgam comes with him so your nantuko husk is now a 6/6 with you being able to sac over and over because gravecrawler is unlimited sac and return during your turn. You can also sacrifice all those to buff nantuko husk and diregraf colossus and then summon them right back and a nighthowler is amazing because it is +x/+x for every creature in ALL graveyards!! You can sac for nantuko, diregraf, and nighthowler buff and summon them again right away!! Then graf harvest makes you essentially unstoppable. Other helpful additions such as Gisa and Geralf which allow you to cast zombies to field from the graveyard during your turn everytime, army of the damned which gives you 13 2/2 zombies, curse of the shallow graves which gives you a token everytime you attack your opponent, endless ranks of the dead etc. plenty of great zombie cards out there to make a great deck.

[@brianwise5850]

I prefer adding kalitas as the 4 drop. main deck dresses so you have the option for turn 1 land and duress. remove value early and often. also wouldn't mind seeing blue black control using a similar shell to this. add in more removal and hand/deck attack. remove some creatures, keep Liliana and kalitas as bombs as well as relentless dead and prized amalgam. maybe 2 sweepers, preference towards languish since few things survive a languish.

[@TheMcg197]

I also find having a zuluport cuthroat helps while not a zombie the continuous death of your zombies will continually activate his effect

[@jaredmanley6754]

SLIVERS RULE!!!!!!!! awesome show keep it up. I watch it as often as possible to stay up to date with new cards and strategies. keep it up!!!!

[@revengedealer]

Awesome deck. I have a modern U/B Zombie deck...so much fun. Diagraf Colossus + Grave Crawler = Zombie fun like no other XD

[@TheManaSource]

If you want the deck to be "faster", the best additions are Jace, Vryn's Prodigy and probably Sidisi's Faithful. Not a zombie, but there really aren't any good early zombies right now. Trust me. Your deck is NOT fast.

[@AdamKaiser1]

needs more Gravecrawler

[@SinSaving]

+TheManaSource, please make a b/r vampire deck tech.

[@TheManaSource]

+SinSaving Vampires are next up on the list.

[@nolanhanna1613]

+TheManaSource Sweet "Budget" Legacy Deck Tech Perhaps?

[@thesquirteler4520]

Can we see this in Modern?

[@NecroAsphyxia]

Hey Wedge! You should do an update on this deck since we got some interesting stuff from EMN for our rotting buddies.

[@AVietnameseKid]

Relatively new sub. I'm new to Magic, so these deck techs are really helpful for me. Love the content man :)

[@MrToadpond]

+TheManaSource Hey Wedge will you be updating this deck with the EMN updates?

[@spencernadeau]

Hey Wedge, are you going to do another standard zombie deck tech with new additions like cryptbreaker and the new Liliana? That would be really cool.

[@IntuitionJo]

I guess I can understand why people don't want to see stuff like Jace or Liliana or stuff like that in decks. People don't need to be told that decks with the expensive, popular, busted cards are good. People flock to stuff like budget because it's both accessible and not at all what people see coming.

[@norkb]

dig the video! I love zombies. I just made a G/B Delirium deck that is crushing!!! I'd love to see a decktech that uses this strategy....so I can steal all of your great ideas and doublecrush.

[@Deviantidol]

This was awesome, thank you Wedge.

[@alejand194]

Could you do a non-budget werewolves deck? i really like the deck and i need the best tips in cards and strategy. Thanks allot

[@Umiderp]

Thoughts on Pale Rider of Trostad? While it is a Spirit, it's hard to pass up a two mana 3/3 that let's you discard a card when it enters the battlefield (essentially a two mana 3/3 with no downside for this deck)

[@chessmaster1569]

I firmly believe that you should try a modern form take on this with all the other zombies. *cough* gravecrawler *cough*

[@TheRealHanzan]

it excist. Dredgevine

[@brycecarlson9088]

Cough cough diregraf captain

[@jvolk2349]

I feel like two Gerald Masterpiece could do some work in this deck. Maybe some Sea Gate Wreckage to help with card draw. I feel like this a deck where you try your hardest never to have cards in hand.

[@froggore52]

I play almost this exact deck, only I have Nantuko Husk in there instead of Stitchwing Skaab. Husk's sac ability makes him great with Relentless Dead. Husk + Relentless + Prized Amalgam make this deck a zombie reanimating machine.

[@Galildoughty]

Woa, 100k subs, congrats

[@Zoeila]

in my opinion voracious null is amazing in this deck. so is nantuko husk. for early game the deathtouch skulk rats are nice. if you want to dip more into blue theres a 2/3 zombie drake scrapskin drake.

[@TheMcg197]

I find that Natuko husk is great in this type as the effect isnt really a problem for you especially when you use it on relentless dead with amalgams and another zombie in your graveyard Returned reveler is also pretty good if you want a cheap cost to block with as his effect hurts the opponents more than it will you

[@adamazmy6055]

Also a firm believer in Languishes the board zombies never die

[@guyver6622]

Corpse churn, Mindwrack Demon, From under the Floorboards are good in this Deck

[@torbjrnhaaland7508]

Do you think Rakshasa Gravecaller cooed do good in this deck? He is not a zombie, but you can use lilana to get him from the graveyard and sacrifice a zombie and use Relentless dead to get back the Zombie

[@laxrulz7]

From under the Floorboards seems really good here

[@bryancua3190]

any updates on this since emn has been fully spoiled?

[@michaelreichard3270]

delirium question: If a creature can flip into a plainswalker, does it count as creature in your graveyard or a plainswalker? Does it matter what it was when it died?

[@IPCuba]

i play with the deck a bit different and i think if more effective than this one with 4 maindeck Shambling Goblin (that kills any aggressive strategy, and turns prized amalgam/relentless dead so great). 4 to the slaughter instead of ruinous path and compelling deterrence. and no costy zombies unless 2 risen executioner and 2 wesvale abbey for fun

[@jaxxis2910]

Seems like a pretty legit budget deck. Wish I hadn't traded away my Lily's last week.

[@Jordares]

my standard deck is zombies. love it, I typically get to the top table, my deck doesn't run forgotten or lilliana tho. Lilly is too pricy for me. however I do run 4 shamble backs in case I'm facing white or black and 4 racid rats. cheap zombie, great attacker and blocker with that death touch. I've had people waste a kill spell on a rat because of the death touch or just not hit me at all. giving me time to ramp. plus I run tamiyos journal for the card fixings and some erdwals to get that tutor train going.

[@happygilmore511]

+Jordares How competitive is your meta? Do you play against the pro tour decks or 3-color midrange stuff?

[@Jordares]

+happygilmore511 I just play fnm at my local shop. but a lot of the players at my shop do play top tier decks and it holds its own. I do have 2 scatter the winds and 3 negates in case of biting rain or languish which is my ultimate weakness and often times come on top. Garalfs masterpiece is a godsend and in my opinion tops stitchwing.

[@burnedelite765]

I run a zombie deck with alot buffing each other. There are 3 different zombies that's give other zombies +1/+1 so 12 creatures that give each other boosts, plus 4 for gravecrawlers that cast from the graveyard every turn that'll be big due to buffs and the prized zombie is laughably good and cheesy

[@mattforbes7833]

That virulent plague card is ridiculous it would stop my friends mass token spawning decks in their tracks. I didnt know it existed totes wants.

[@KaienDono0o]

I am lacking almost 10 cars in this Deck.. (2x Execution, 1x Relentless 1x Liliana, 2x Prized, and 1x Ruinous, adn few more un commons) not sure if i should still go for the deck or not.. this is my first deck to create tho. what i have to replace is (2x Kalitas, 4x from under the floor boards)

[@The_skeleton_king]

I made a similar deck but with 3 diregraf colossus (didn't work out as 3) 1 fleshbag (anything more felt like too much) no Liliana (didn't workout too well ) 4 risen execution (works out great) no stitchwing scab no forgotten creation and 1 geralfs masterpiece (works great) 2 kalitas (works great with relentless dead and 2 stone forge masterwork works great with the colossus..still tweaking though went 3-1 on game day so not bad

[@muddguy3728]

I would like to see your build of zadawolf

[@jakobefoss]

What is your opinion on swapping out the 3 Blighted Fens for 3 Westvale Abbeys? I don't think that getting to 5 creatures would be too difficult and it is an alternate win condition in a board stall. At the very least you can just make tokens when you have nothing else to do with your mana. I know it's great sacrifice Blighted Fen to kill their biggest creature but in my experience playing with it that almost never happens, especially in the tokens match-up.

[@SlateSteel]

I really want to play U/B zombies! The only problem is that i think that the deck is very sub optimal without Jace as he is the best and cheapest (mana wise) discard outlet. Another problem is that (as you mentioned) Relentless Dead has seen 0 play and it's still a decently expensive creature, I'd rather not drop money on a playset if I don't think the card or deck is even worth just playing it for fun. Other than that, I think that Sinister concoction has a home here as a cheap removal spell/discard outlet/random mill a zombie maybe. Another card I'd like to see play here is Cruel Revival and even though he isn't a zombie, Despoiler of Souls just works really welll with Prized Almalgam/discard outlets/graveyard shennanigans and is another decent 2 drop.

[@XxDKxXDeathknight]

you know u could replace forgotten creation with drunau corpsetrawler instead caus if ur using amalgim may aswell make more tokens

[@JmannXIII43]

nantuko husk seems like it could be bonkers in this deck with all the graveyard recursion.

[@johnpineda9373]

So what should i do with "From under the Floorboards"?

[@simonrichter5713]

I have a low, LOW price budget (like $45 at MOST) and I pulled a scarab god recently, so obviously, I want to build a zombie u/b deck. So if you can make a vid about it, or I can get a list, that would be awesome. I don't care if its graveyard, sacrifice, spam, etc. Just a deck that would work well from $0-$45

[@khalidmubarak3879]

Its a nice deck, im still hoping for a vampire madness deck build, its such a fun deck and very versatile. Ive drafted it a few times and has done so many fun things

[@mtgkids498]

Yeah

[@2121Sloth]

How many Liliana's do you suggest we take in this deck

[@matthewmccafferty8745]

Fleshbag is good because if they have like 1 creature out you can sacrifice Fleshbag to itself and they have to sac a creature.

[@jool5523]

Are there any upgrades Kaladesh, Aether Revolt, Eldritch Moon, Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, or M15 can offer for my Frontier zombies deck?

[@dustynhitchcock5459]

I'm playing a Pptq on the 21st what's a good deck I can play to catch my opponents of guard?

[@primalchaotix3715]

I switched grasp of darkness for heroes downfall, and I was thinking of taking 1 Lilliana and both fleshbag marauder for either 2 ashiok or 2 sidisi and 1 sorin Markov I know they are pretty high mana accept ashiok but I think their better, idk...I would like better running only 2 Lilliana and I don't really like fleshbag much :/ what do you guys think?

[@marsmiihen6377]

I wanna be this guy's friend

[@thomashearne4275]

Hey, I'm building a zombies deck but have the new Liliana so...any suggestions?

[@occasj]

Maybe rb vampires next? or modern humans? I personally favor my naya human deck that's mostly from the last time we visited innistrad

[@ashtonhornbeck3896]

Hey. This may seem like a slightly odd deck tech idea, but how about a Maze's End deck? (A deck with Maze's End as the win condition.) Not even sure if it would be viable or even possible, but I would love to see one of those.

[@ashtonhornbeck3896]

+Pivotguy199235 When I got this reply, there was a loud "Fus Ro Dah!!!" into my ears. Ow...

[@dillonzupp]

Definitely should make a new one after Eldritch Moon releases

[@macmccloud8171]

Does from under the floorboards have a place?

[@jazzhill7069]

now that Eldritch moon is out are you going to do a new zombie deck tech ?

[@lordofbears9463]

will you be doing a revamp of the deck when the new stuff for eldrich moon?

[@adamazmy6055]

i Had slight variation to this deck and i went 4-1 at my FMN but i add red so i can handle bant company

[@arvonlewis534]

Can you do an updated zombies to include Eldritch moon cards?

[@BioRose671]

+TheManaSource Would it be possible if you could do a modern landfall deck? I'm trying my best to do something with landfall, but alas I'm not doing so well, maybe you could whip something up.

[@caustichyena5906]

What about screeching skaab?

[@TheSebastian16]

can u make a deck with mono r dragons with balefiredragon

[@wfo121]

UW Spirits with Dragonlord Ojutai!

[@TheEidelstedt]

Jo can you update this deck ? I think there are a lot cards from eldritsch moon which could be put in this deck like cryptbreaker :) . Want to play UB Zombies in local Magic tournaments and would be cool if you update it :) greetz

[@bradcollier9588]

Please do merfolk. I really want to see if merfolk can become a competitive modern deck

[@rubenrelvamoniz]

innistrad is awakening the necromancer in me...I need to playtest this...

[@juliocarrasco8144]

great deck!! and the sideborad how would it be?

[@Zendrig]

I would've thought Kalitas was an auto-include. Also: Compelling Deterrence.

[@mcsmileycorp]

What about using walking corpse in the deck?

[@AngerTerr]

+Smileycorp why play a vanilla 2/2 over something miles better than it?

[@mcsmileycorp]

yeah

[@nicholasgreen3490]

Aw just realized it's Friday the 13th, totally missed a chance to make a deck tech on Triskaidekaphobia

[@mtgkids498]

Aw

[@frozenyetti289]

hey wedge! what is the ideal hand for this deck?

[@heithrobinson5955]

no nantuko husk?

[@leeroyjenkins552]

why not run natuko husk?

[@Genderkaiser]

If it was me I'd be running Screeching Skaab to get the synergies online a little bit earlier Nice deck though :)

[@landonmcgarry2151]

Awesome Deck Tech WEDGE!!!!!!

[@martinros591]

Do a mono white modern human for your casual tribbal series!

[@rowanw.1088]

Woot woot! innistrad zombies! I want a new grimgrin!

[@sk8rwhezel]

Why no From Under the Floorboards? You have plenty of ways to trigger it's madness cost.

[@andy4an]

+Cassandra Renee you need 6 mana on top of whatever cost your discard outlet costs to get better than the base spell. then the zombies come into play tapped. its pretty good in limited, but it's really not that great in constructed. what would you take out?

[@sk8rwhezel]

Yea that seems fair. Although I don't think this deck has enough top end to ensure a win.

[@andy4an]

it does seem weak...maybe it'll get a boost in Eldritch Moon

[@zeparunzefari3691]

are the prices how much the card costs, our the price of the deck?

[@andy4an]

it looks really fun...but shitty. does it have any good matchups against tier 1 decks?

[@hectorrivera7452]

Can you use both of Relentless Dead's abilities at the same time?

[@zackmaycroft9948]

Hector Rivera I believe so

[@MrPatwag]

Nice 3 jops 2:15

[@itsjustgregtv]

No Liliana?

[@planeswalkerdestroyerwilli1636]

can u do a modern version of blue black zombies plz im trying to build one and i would love to see a sample

[@90spepe]

+Planeswalker Destroyer William V. watch rogue deck builder. he has done a deck like that. pretty good.

[@agentinprogress1372]

+The mana source. love your deck profiles but can you do the exact similar deck with out origin cards because they are getting rotated very shortly. Many thanks. Keep up the great work :)

[@PlaneswalkerProject]

Two U/B decks Wedge? Me gusta. :D

[@90spepe]

+The Planeswalker Project he has gone full evil! XD

[@PlaneswalkerProject]

+peponcio herrera Brains...they've taken...braaaaaaainssssss

[@SeraphimKnight]

I don't know wedge, no 1-drop and only a playset of 2-drop zombies feels way below critical mass for a good strategy... Kalitas and Jace make this deck better but still I feel it's not enough.

[@TheManaSource]

+SeraphimKnight I did what I could with what was available :/

[@SeraphimKnight]

+TheManaSource My point really. Eldritch Moon might change that but before then I'm not up for any sort of zombie strategy in standard really.

[@jadawhitt9030]

I made a more control based bu zombie deck I want to share4 geralf's masterpiece4 Shambling goblin4 Prized amalgam2 erobos's titan2 stitched mangler 3 liliana ' indignation2 grasp of darkness4 nagging thoughts2 negate2 broken concentration2 shamble back1 epiphany at the drownyard2 sinister concoction1 ruinous path 2 choked estuary4 sunken hollow4 skyline cascade9 swamp5 island The idea is to keep enough tapped, dead, or countered to get to turn 4 and bring out a masterpiece or two. When using shamble back, if you target your opponents graveyard, erobos' titan returns to your hand. Indignation, nagging thoughts, and others feed your graveyard while producing decent effects. Epiphany at the drownyard I was running 3 but dropped it to 1 because it's fun to make them guess which cards you need in hand or otherwise and it doesn't work out as often as you'd think, still fun though. Sinister concoction can work with shamble back for a turn 2 zombie, you'll gain a life, and destroy their creature in the process. There are plenty of one and two drops to go around spell wise, but the creatures are just all around b.a.m.f.'s. Shambling goblin is there for the sake of killing off 1-2 small possibly aggro creatures and he makes an excellent blocker. I'm building this token generating deck Friday when relentless dead arrives in the mail, I think you guys could do a much better job of it.

[@jamaigar]

sounds cool ^^ is it working? Where did you test it?

[@professorxavier7894]

Hey wedge. Love your videos. I would like to see casual zombie tribal. If you could that would be great. I liked your casual illusions deck teck.

[@tytjjh]

Are you going to do a 100k milestone video? :)

[@thomassullivan9999]

Hi wedge. I have a quick question. I just got into standard and I was wondering what kind of deck Nahiri would fit into. I have some copies of her laying around and I want to build around her. Thanks a bunch. ♥♥♥

[@piplup6124]

i'd suggest something like R/W/B eldrazi. you have access to dec in stone, some decent burn, and plenty of survival in case nahiri doesn't go off as planned. popping her off and hitting them in the face with an ulamog, then playing it that same turn(scion ramp) its a great feeling

[@thomassullivan9999]

+Pixelmation 7.0 Thanks, I'll give it a try and see how it goes.

[@southcheesecake]

needs languish since it helps against aggro and your zombies comeback from the grave

[@spoopyboi1882]

you should do a U/W Spirits tribal

[@TheManaSource]

+Ashley Trammell I'll add it to the list!

[@spoopyboi1882]

TheManaSource sweet. I would offer my list, but its not standard

[@lessipov]

Why no polluted delta?

[@Gulyus]

+lessipov Fetches are no longer legal in standard?

[@xZuunes]

No 100.000 viewers celebration video Wedge? What is this?

[@TheManaSource]

+xZuunes Right after we hit it, I got an ear infection and bronchitis. I'm working on something ;)

[@xZuunes]

Ooh no! I hope you get better soon. Your health is waaay more important than videos, remember that. :3