Old School Magic 93/94 - Tribes of Old School - Part 2 - Zombies

Please support me on Patreon, let's get from Camel to Leviathan! / mtg_phil In the new 93/94 Old School Magic series I talk about one of the most unusual classic tribes - Zombies. Thanks to the errata, this tribe is much more populous than one might think. Due to the Grand Creature Type Update in 2007, it was extended from 2 Zombies and 1 Lord to 11 Zombies, which is an unprecedented change.
While many Zombies are overcosted even by 93/94 standards, the abilities that Zombie Master provides create a lot of interesting synergy and unusual board states.

[@deeterful]

The most flavorful swamp maker, Cyclopean Tomb. Cyclopean Mummy is only removed from the game if put into the graveyard from the battlefield. If discarded or milled, it remains in the grave. Khabal Ghoul’s ability will put counter on itself even for creatures that died before it is played, as long as it’s obviously the same turn. So you could cast Wrath of God, then play the Ghoul, and the Ghoul would get the counter for all those that died that turn. Hellfire doesn’t see enough play in mono-black, IMHO.

[@mtgphil42]

You're right about the Tomb, it is a beautiful card - I used it in my monoblack deck and was surprised at how good it is, it's not too slow which had been my initial concern about it. About the Ghoul I never knew, it makes the card a lot better - using it with, say, Pestilence is definitely viable. Hellfire is a pet card of mine - especially since we often have drain life to compensate the life loss.

[@hunterlawson8889]

Waiting for goblins :)

[@mtgphil42]

Yes, Goblins! :) This should definitely be the next video in the series - I have played different kinds of Goblins so I can certainly speak about them.

[@genbu2870]

I am building a mono black zombie list atm. I don't have the money for power or a second color How would you build such a list?

[@mtgphil42]

This depends on what you have and whether you want to have a list focused on flavour or winning :) Of course, for Zombies you will need 4X Zombie Masters, 4X Blood Moon, 4X Dark Ritual, 3X Drain Life. Personally, I like the Evil Presence plan and Nevinyrral's Disk. In my experience, The Fallen were surprisingly good, I'd put 2 or 3. Zombies are generally overcosted, but Murk Dwellers are okay, 2/2 for 2B - Scathe or Headless Horsemen are also fine, you may want to have 3-4. Personally, I wouldn't put any non-Zombies, but Hypnotics and Will o The Wisp can be good. 1X or 2X Howl from Beyond would also benefit. For Card drawing I like 2X Jayemdae and 2X or 3X Jalum in such decks. Sideboard Terror, Gloom and other usual stuff. If you play Atlantic / EC, then Hyms and Pump Knights can't be beat. Of course, the more powerful you want your deck to be, the less Zombies you want to include. :)

[@genbu2870]

@@mtgphil42 awesome. If it's okay with you, I would post my theoretical Deck list under this comment tomorrow. Murk dwellers are a great addition I found a interesting powered list, that I'm rebuilding for budget and mono B

[@mtgphil42]

​@@genbu2870 Sure, I'd like to know what you come up with! I did play a Zombies list, but didn't even take a photo since it was just a bunch of all different Zombies with the Disk and Bad Moon - no removal or utility cards, I'd like to make a more viable Zombie deck in the future.

[@genbu2870]

Finally I get the time to answer you 4x Walking Dead 4x Cyclopean Mummy 4x Zombie Master 4x Dark Rituals 2x Paralyze 1x Sol Ring 3x Evil Presence 4x Sinkhole 4x Hymn 1x Demonic Tutor 4x Bad Moon 2x Nev Disc 1x Jayemdae Tome 1x Mind Twist 1x Drain Life 4x Mishras Factory 1x Urborg 1x Stripmine 14x Swamp That's my try. Perhaps I switch 2 walking Dead for 2 Murk dwellers

[@genbu2870]

My Sideboard for now is 1x Royal Assassin 1x Nettling Imp 1x Tormods Crypt 2x Paralyze 2x Terror 2x Gloom 1x Pestilence 2x Nev Disc 1x Icy Manipulator 1x Drain Life 1x Maze of Ith