MTG Top 10: Black Planeswalkers | Magic: the Gathering | Episode 395

[@NizzahonMagic]

Check out INTOTheAM using my special 10% discount link: www.intotheam.com/nizzahon

[@MultiGameFreaker]

Of note, Liliana of the Last Hope's ultimate isn't bad without zombies, it's an inevitable win con. Because she makes 2 plus your current zombies, on the first end step she makes 2, then next end step adds 4, then adds 6 and so on. Since she was played in grindy black decks like GDS and Jund, this was a legitimate way to win the game as you could grind the game to a halt then ult, which your opponent was never gonna recover from unless you were already incredibly behind.

[@giovannidefazio1918]

I was going to write the same, glad someone else thought the same. I remember when they won the Eldrich Moon Pro tour with the liliana ultimate.

[@karfsma778]

it would add eight the third turn, if you still have the first two.

[@StefanWB]

Three mana planeswalkers are almost always very good, but not many of them have an ultimate that amounts to a "you win the game" button like many of the bigger PWs have. Oko isn't broken because of his ult, neither is Liliana of the Veil. Domri Rade from Gatecrash is close, but he can't defend himself on board like Liliana the Last Hope can. Plus her -2 is more situational, so she really incentivises ticking her up and getting to the ult, which is pretty much unbeatable in a fair matchup.

[@MultiGameFreaker]

@@karfsma778 yeah sorry my math was a bit off, its essentially 2^n where n is the number of turns

[@MultiGameFreaker]

@@StefanWB you're not wrong but he said that the ult was "bad" when thats clearly untrue, as someone else here said it won a pro tour

[@Rancidtunip]

Next list, best colorless Planeswalkers. We gotta see if the silver golum is better than a spirit dragon. Alternatively best grixis so we can see how good or bad all the Nico Bolas are lol.

[@bonidc6732]

There are more than 10 colorless PW?

[@09Dragonite]

I'd rather finish out the mono colors before hopping into the multis tbh. I could see colorless being a fun list at some point, but I don't think there are enough colorless planeswalkers yet for 10. 1. Karn Liberated 2. Ugin, the Spirit Dragon 3. Karn, Scion of Urza 4. Karn, the Great Creator 5. Ugin, the Ineffable And I think that's it right? Those are the only ones I remember off the top of my head at least. I wouldn't be mad about seeing their relative scores though, although I'm pretty sure Ugin Spirit D would take #1 because it has been reprinted so much since its release.

[@alaraplatt8104]

gotta do it in wubrg order

[@enzoperennes563]

The wanderer is white

[@kaseybennett7415]

There aren't 10 colorless Planeswalkers to cover. If I recall correctly there are only 5, but even if I'm forgetting some there's not 10.

[@mikotagayuna8494]

The Liliana and Sorin planeswalkers are great but many of their abilities have become repetitive through the years. I'm more excited with what design space they can come up with using Davriel.

[@TheShinyFeraligatr]

Liliana is actually why they did that. About half a decade back they made a Black Planeswalker design based on swamps, and it wasn't objectively an awful design, but it raised a big stink because they named it "Liliana of the Dark Realms" and a bunch of people were confused with what any of that shit had to do with Liliana, as they were expecting an actual Liliana card.

[@robertlaidlaw4592]

but he does the same thing of discarding cards, plus liliana has a lot of fans lol.

[@TheGloriousLobsterEmperor]

You know, maybe my only problem with Planeswalkers is that it seems like these lists are usually dominated by a single character. I mean 6 of the 10 cards on here are Liliana cards. I get that the Gatewatch is going to get way more representation, but it would certainly feel better if they weren't hogging all of the spots on these lists. But hey, Liliana let me borrow her Chain Veil back when she had it, so I'm using its power to request "Top 10 Vintage Cards (Minus Power 9)"!

[@davidminor4213]

T1 Dark ritual into Lily. Brutal!

[@theblanklogo]

Agreed. I'm finding these planeswalker vids kinda dull. Maybe grouping them by mana cost or something would have been more interesting and provided more variety.

[@Rancidtunip]

Green and white will have some variance, there are 3 fairly common recurring planes walkers in each. (Gideon Eslbeth, and Ajani for white. Garruk, Nissa, and Vivian for grern.) And Chandras tend to be worst of the gate watch, so maybe a Tibalts and a Lukka

[@09Dragonite]

If it helps, the multi colored planeswalker lists should be much more diverse because most of the primary Gatewatch characters rarely get secondary colors. Nissa, Ajani, and Garruk are pretty much the only 3 that have multicolored cards currently, and most of them are relatively low power and shouldn't take much room on any given list (except maybe the Selesnya list because Ajani has like 4ish prints in Selesnya colors I think...)

[@Dreykopff]

@@09Dragonite Teferi.

[@Ridelith]

Nizza, a thing you missed about Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord is how he can be used to put changelings in play, specificaly Morophon. He hasn't racked up any points yet but is being used in some fringe modern sliver combo lists, in wich you run the WUBRG slivers, Cloudshredder Sliver, Morophon and Sorin. With eladamris call and other tutors it is surprisingly consistent in comboing off and getting kills out of no board state.

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

Sorin Markov is my favorite version of Sorin based on artwork alone. He’s had some sweet versions tho like the Japanese WotS Sorin.

[@jamesgratz4771]

Sorin is anime edgelord

[@wasithpol]

For the 5 year that i have watch this channel every year i have a thought in my mind that if only other card game has such a unique channel as this.

[@bladerz1191]

Liliana death's majesty was the first planeswalker i ever opened in a pack. I was quite happy to see her on this list.

[@RBGolbat]

Is it time for “Oops all Liliana”?

[@derbabo8455]

wait its all lilian?? *always has been*

[@Nyxsayeth]

Davriel is my favorite planeswalker just cause I dig his lore and character a lot, so it was cool to see him make the list

[@malign3158]

The awesome author Brandon Sanderson basically created the character in his MTG book Children of the Nameless a while ago. They added an avatar and card sleeve for him on MTG Arena a couple days ago too, he’s the one I use now

[@Nyxsayeth]

@@malign3158 yeah, I'm a huge sanderson fan. Read almost all of his stuff

[@tmbocheeko]

My favorite thing that Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord has done is the absolutely insane Morophon Slivers deck. The deck uses either Sorin or Dregscape Sliver to get a Morophon, the Boundless into play on the cheap, and then play The First Sliver and cascade-combo off for insane value. The deck isn't super amazing but it's so fun.

[@TehSeksyManz]

I've seen it pop off on a stream before. Absolute insanity 😆

[@superbaas8822]

I feel deathrite shaman should have been briefly mentioned with Lili of the Veil, as the shaman into Lili was an absolutely backbreaking combo, and played a little bit in getting the shaman banned in several formats, and bloating veil's score.

[@golgariguy]

I love Dreadhorde General, it's probably my favorite planeswalker. The art is just incredible.

[@risingpheonix7740]

Obligatory "where's Teferi?" joke. Loving the vids though, great fun to explore a lot of mtg!

[@johngleeman8347]

Nice job Ob Nixilis!

[@giovannifranzetti6214]

You’re pretty good! Love this top 10 series, you clearly know your Magic

[@giovannifranzetti6214]

What are your favourite decks to play, I wonder?

[@bensachs1855]

I’m going to be honest, I noticed that shirt right off the bat. Tron mountain sunset is hip af

[@asomelord]

It's obviously not the best black walker, but I think Ob Nixilis Reignited is the perfect walker. He draws, protects himself, and slowly kills your opponent more efficiently than arguably any other planeswalker. I love him and especially his art where he's frolicking on Hedrons

[@davidminor4213]

If he costed one less, he'd be a legit challenger for #1. If he costed two less ..... He'd be around #5 - #7. You can figure out why.

[@matthewbeard7841]

Plus it's not unreasonable to say that you could build a pretty good "Ob Nixilis Tribal" deck in formats like Commander, something you can't say for most other Planeswalkers. Ob Nixilis might be a grumpy, hate filled demon bent on making everyone around him suffer, but his cards sure make for some fun gameplay!

[@benito6036]

The four card binder on the left is out of focus. Can anybody make out what he's got on display there?

[@PadreKlimuszko]

Top left - new guy that makes hamsters(d&d?) Bottom left - crater hellion(urza) bottom right - goblin king(8ed)

[@AidanWR]

Are you planning on doing color pairing planeswalkers, or are there not enough with points to make top tens?

[@fd7003]

I should mention that static abilities on PW´s where introduced in Inistrad waaay befor war of the spark.

[@NizzahonMagic]

If you are talking about Garruk, he has a triggered ability.

[@davidminor4213]

If 8-rack ever makes a comeback, Davriel could certainly climb a bit higher

[@NizzahonMagic]

But then it would be 12-rack.

[@davidminor4213]

@@NizzahonMagic Yes, there are "12-Rack" that runs Davriel along with Liliana, Waker of the Dead. 3x each essentially would be "14-Rack". Currently, players are cutting an Affliction #4 for a single needle due to usefulness of Urza's Saga. That's technically, "7-Rack". Alas, the name 8-Rack will always stick with some exceptions "12-Rack" "K-Rack" (as in Kroxa). With the absurd costs of current modern, I've been drifting away from Shadow to the more budget friendly 8-rack. Even before MH2, Shadow has been evolving so rapidly that I simply refuse to spend $500+ on non-lands for cards that will likely just look good in my binder in six months. At some point, enough is enough. I guarantee you, "The history of Death's Shadow, Part II" will be your first sequel. Thanks for the quality content as always, friend. Your passion is transparent. Please do Splinter Twin. People need to move on with their lives lol

[@davidminor4213]

@@NizzahonMagic btw, get well soon

[@jdorffer]

I tried to pull a lilly of the veil, never was able to, I'm done trying or wanting it

[@FoxMcCloudV2]

Davriel's nonloyalty ability is a *triggered* ability, not a *static* ability.

[@chrayez]

I guess it would be most correct to say that the War of the Spark planeswalkers all have a non-loyalty ability. But most are static, so I can see where the mistake happened.

[@alaraplatt8104]

i wonder why liliana heretical healer isn't seeing more play. seems pretty efficient for 3 mana

[@NizzahonMagic]

She's too slow outside of Standard for the most part. She just gets bolted and you don't get anything out of it.

[@chrisoliver3642]

Are there any (current) tournaments that would add points to these lists? I haven't paid much attention, my "pro" days are way behind me, but it sounded like WotC basically ditched the competitive circuit.

[@NizzahonMagic]

They haven't ditched it exactly. In 2022 it will change, and the goal of being a "pro player" will be pretty much dead, but there will still be big tournaments that they organize. I will likely need to change my scoring system up some when we get there.

[@elementaleighteight]

So turn 1dark ritual lilly , stonecoil serpent ..go?

[@ikejohnson5494]

I can’t wait for the list on the best sultai planeswalkers

[@NizzahonMagic]

I'm going to do a video on multi-colored ones more broadly.

[@ikejohnson5494]

@@NizzahonMagic yeah that makes sense. And great job again on the video. I like the depth you go into on why cards were played when they were

[@chrisoliver3642]

@@NizzahonMagic I'd think a better way to analyze multicolored PWs is by CMC.

[@crawdaddy1234]

Since her printing, I have been the opinion that Liliana of the Veil is the single most powerful Planeswalker when in a deck that is designed to take advantage of her. While her floor is certainly much lower than JTMS or GAZ, her ceiling is higher than theirs, too.

[@NizzahonMagic]

What about Oko?

[@crawdaddy1234]

@@NizzahonMagic That’s a fair question, but I still say Lily’s ceiling is higher. Oko’s floor is so high, that any deck can USE him. However, you can take advantage of Lily. My Legacy deck was an Abzan Loam deck with Knight of the Reliquary. I was able to actually turn her symmetrical ability into all upside. Additionally, a lot of games would just end of I played Turn 1: Land, Mox Diamond, Hymn to Tourach, Turn 2: Land, Lily Plus, Discard Loam.

[@Dreykopff]

Prof. Onyx didn't make it off all the Sultimatum decks with how low the last few are!?

[@hipp0stratus]

She wasn't released until April and the Strixhaven Top 8 was Historic, so no chance to pick up points yet.

[@elnatanbitensky8314]

I'm going to assume Lolth and professor Onyx are going to gain enough points in the next standard to get into the list. (I thought Onyx was in the Ultimatum deck, so I'm surprised it doesn't have enough points already.)

[@yamael14]

Sorin Markov can deal 30 damage for 3bbb in Commander, also.

[@darkapprentice6673]

I once did 163 dmg to an azorius lifegain.

[@hitmangfx7162]

Teferi is seeing this list and feeling left out.

[@Hundo_Mo]

Ive got a feeling that in time Lolth from AFR is going to get higher on this list.

[@SisypheanSeas13]

Sorin Markov vs. EDH life gain/extort decks

[@tomfoolery5680]

Hey Nizza, just curious, but are you a fan of Whatifalthist? I know history is your bread and butter and in addition to yours I really enjoy a lot of his content. Hope you're well!

[@TheTrueFool]

Haven't watched the video, but I'm guessing there's going to be five Liliana cards on here.

[@mantissaPuc]

Liliana the last hope, do not need a "zombie deck", her emblem will create 2 zombies when you have none (and snowballs from that point)

[@rohat185]

The new Liliana is nice too

[@bobboberson6664]

Dang man, I didn't know you were that size. I'm 6'8 370 ex powerlifter

[@Teebs1996]

I hope eventually Lolth can join this list.

[@MageSkeleton]

i'm honestly surprised that the lilianna that can allow you to search for a swamp, and then could give you an emblem for your swamps to give 2 black upon tapping them didn't even make the list. And i will say there were 2 cards i disagree with but the stats are the stats.

[@davidminor4213]

You're talking about Liliana of the dark realms. I'm not surprised at all tbh. She's a perfect example of an EDH only staple.

[@dyne313]

Damn, the fact that the tee's fit bigger guys makes me want to buy more than anything else you could have said.

[@tomfoolery5680]

I'm 6'5" and really like how their shirts fit. I have 5 or 6.

[@RaynmanPlays]

Me: "So it's mostly Teferi, right?"

[@TheMrTatero]

Glad someone got to this joke before me

[@Liliana_the_ghost_cat]

F ck why didn't i think of this? Nice one :3!

[@09Dragonite]

You haven't really ever played MtG until you've died to Sorin Markov putting you to 10 on turn 6 and then being hit for 10 exactly by Sorin's Vengeance as the follow up play on turn 7

[@oldmcdonald3013]

Here's mtg arena code for Lilliana planes walker deck. 5TN-Q1Qa-GE7. Thought I'd leave this somewhere of use.

[@groovemedium]

Yeah, I figured this list would be 1/2 Liliana, and I was right.

[@notgood38]

whoa nizzahon is a 6'3" chad

[@fatpad00]

LotV: "only 35 points in standard" That alone would put it at #4 lol

[@EpicCrossovers]

Honorable mention: Koth and Teferi

[@sleepy31111]

❤️

[@jordonnicoli6093]

Vampire commander deck for Sorin Zombies commander deck for Liliana

[@yamael14]

Gotta do two colors PW after these.

[@davidminor4213]

Kinda want top 10 non-Lily black PWs

[@meatrace]

#1 Teferi

[@crazyvikingboy2856]

Number 1: Teferi

[@M0stlyH3lpful]

Lol ohhh boy this is going to be fun with that title and a lack of teferi

[@alexandercrumulent271]

hmmmm.... Five Liliana's.

[@alexandercrumulent271]

Six... one off.

[@PokeBattlerJaze]

It’s liliana of the veil, like this one couldn’t be any easier Edit: I mean yeah?

[@davidminor4213]

Lily TLH for #2 calling it now

[@PokeBattlerJaze]

@@davidminor4213 nice call

[@davidminor4213]

@@PokeBattlerJaze seriously, the day will come when she is #1

[@Igor369]

Ahh glorious first lilliana art back before black was not purplified.

[@bwilson774]

Ye I can identify with a title like that.

[@ps2pieman]

You forgot about teferi bro

[@yamael14]

Ob-nixilis > LotV

[@ps2pieman]

Number one: Obamna-I mean teferi

[@justinreschke3642]

Black Planeswalkers Matters

[@cristiancea85]

The awkward movement of your hands is so distracting

[@MrPringleson]

You cant just go around ranking black people lol.

[@wavesofbabies]

Teferi not #1? Terrible list.

[@MakiMaki.]

Hm, at this point the ratio of advertisements and actual content is about as bad as traditional TV, so I might just as well watch that instead.

[@SirZapdos]

Except KZbin is free and traditional TV costs money

[@ROYBGP]

3 minutes is a long time to get into the actual video bro.

[@alaraplatt8104]

it was 2 and a half minutes, which isnt that long considering that timespan contained the intro to the video, an explanation of how the cards are ranked, and an ad