The History of Death's Shadow Decks | MTG Deck History #13

[@jordancourtney9142]

I find it fascinating that a card with a single piece of rules text became an entire deck archetype,

[@atomicstbernard]

Living End?

[@suna7511]

@@atomicstbernard LMAO

[@asdffjsdjasd]

The wild thing about Death's Shadow is that all the pieces were there for years. It wasn't the printing of any particular new card that made it good, it was just someone (Sam Black?) figuring out how to build the deck.

[@SirZapdos]

One significant piece about Comebackkid's Modern Death Shadow deck from 2020 is that it also got to use Lurrus as a companion. As a creature, Lurrus is kind of a nonbo with Death's Shadow due to its lifelink, but the ability to rebuy a Death's Shadow or another creature or even at worst a Mishra's Bauble more than makes up for it. Plus it's a free 8th card.

[@mikotagayuna8494]

I like how Death's Shadow was designed. Its potency is not immediately apparent, has good flavor and requires skilled deckbuilding to unleash its potential.

[@davidminor4213]

Been waiting for this

[@mordy1075]

Oh? You a fan of Death Shadows?

[@davidminor4213]

@@mordy1075 to be fair, Shadow is always evolving and I can see it being the first ever part II in the history decks in a couple years

[@666Metalbassist]

Sam's mana base is insane lol. only five actual lands that get you mana. That is all in on what you're doing.

[@afikolami]

This brings back memories of me scouring through my jank piles after the card price spike. Found 5 copies and manage to sell them off for 15-18 bucks each.

[@TheyCallHimPogo]

This series was a great idea. I enjoy these a lot. Thank you for all you do to entertain and educate us!!

[@dyne313]

I remember picking up a playset of Death's Shadow when it was first printed. I knew I wanted to make a deck out of it.

[@DDFreddi]

Grixis shadow with kiln fiend and stubborn denial will forever be my favorite.

[@brianhelmick1105]

Great vid as usualy. I am curious why an honorable mention of death's shadow being a part of the OG ad nauseam decks combo kill wasn't mentioned. The deck resulted in a rules change regarding life totals and death's shadows growth. Effectively killing the win con and death's shadows early relevance.

[@TransparentEclipse]

Put twin in a poll by itself. I just wanna see how it could possibly lose 😂

[@chazzer5968]

No one would vote, obviously.

[@davidminor4213]

Even I would have voted for twin.

[@PhoenicopterusR]

The options should be Twin, Twin, and no video. Bet Twin still won't win.

[@Rumpsore]

So you voted AGAIINST the bird deck?

[@gpgp9198]

Still a big fan of Grixis DS for Modern.

[@colheitasombria7612]

I believe the Historic Death Shadow is kept at bay because a bolt land mana base would cost 8 to 12 mythics depending if it's rakdos or grixis DS

[@NizzahonMagic]

That isn't really a hurdle that would affect the deck at the highest level of competition. It has more to do with a lack of fetch lands and a lack of a critical mass of good cards to pay life for.

[@Arethusa01]

Nizzahon, there are two #10 in the series. Kind of a big deal since this one is supposed to be #13 in the series.

[@mikechurchill1071]

Now that dress down has been printed kn MH2 and lurrus is around you just make you shadow a 13/13 outta no where and you don’t even gotta be at 1-2 life to do this we can now stay around 8-10 and still have a huge game outta no where and it even draws a card!!! Grixis dress down is super powerful right now one of the best decks

[@golgariguy]

Love this series

[@JavierMartinez-sy1qp]

Love this video , im a grixis shadow player and did enjoy the history so much even i alrready know It 😙🤩

[@christianmiller4422]

From meme to dream

[@Based_Goddd]

Almost 66.6k just before Halloween

[@QuayDawgg]

Do Merfolk Next!!!

[@zacharydixon9432]

Best Deaths Shadow is Varolz Death Shadow. Grisly Salvage him or put him into the grave via Lotleth Troll turn 2. Cast Varolz turn 3. If by now you have a mana dork (i.e Ignoble Hierach) then there it is. Pumped up, 15/14 lotleth Troll trample turn 3. It's an ideal scenario but it can happen.

[@davidminor4213]

When Once upon a time was legal: T1: fetch shock overgrown tomb, cycle street wraith, free cast OUAT (51 card library), bauble. Now with a land, creature, instant and artifact in the graveyard, tap tomb for green and cast Traverse with delirium. On turn 1

[@zacharydixon9432]

@@davidminor4213 that sounds busted. I'm sold. On a side note the versatility of Deaths Shadow is honestly impressive given the eccentricity of its combo.

[@davidminor4213]

@@zacharydixon9432 the versatility of Shadow is why this will be the first sequel in the history of series in 2 or 3 years. Btw, when people say "run it in EDH and see how it works for ya" I show them Varolz

[@zacharydixon9432]

@@davidminor4213 Varolz is such an underdog man. The combo might be a bit janky for modern but there's such a distinctive element of surprise when the wombo combo is dropped. The nervous confusion when I turn 1 cast and pitch Death's Shadow is always fun. Then comes the panic turn 3 with Varolz lmao

[@davidminor4213]

@@zacharydixon9432 is varolz historic legal?

[@elischrader8882]

One of these days you'll have to do splinter twins. Right? :)

[@alaraplatt8104]

would Wall of Shards work as tech against death's shadow decks?

[@chrisoliver3642]

Most of these decks have an alternate win condition, so you'd just be keeping your opponent alive long enough to find everything they need. You'd be better off with some kind of instant-speed life gain-- or just some exile removal.

[@PhoenicopterusR]

@@chrisoliver3642 imagine the look on someone's face blocking a death's shadow with an alms beast. It'd never happen but I'd love to see it.

[@Uma_and_friends]

The "Modern" day

[@joebaumgart1146]

For people who are too stupid to win and kind of just accept it. Before you say I'm wrong, I have a Storm Deck that can beat you on my first turn. I play a bunch of eggs including Black Lotus and send out Tendrills of Agony to wipe you out before you have a chance to play.

[@JalebJay]

Give us Twin already!

[@EpicCrossovers]

Very uninspiring builds. What about doing something cooler like Ad nauseum with death shadow then give it infect and swing for lethal

[@NizzahonMagic]

What you are describing seems even less inspired, since it would be far too slow and all in on a single strategy. Whether you think these are "inspired" they are the best versions of Death's Shadow if you want to actually win.