Hi, and a big "wazzzzzup" to anyone who ventured far enogh to find my "article". What I am posting is a deck I recently used at a Friday Night Magic tourney and won first place with. It uses Illusions of Grandeur to gain 20 life, then "Donate" it to the opponent and whent they can no longer pay the cost they lose 20 life. My final match was against a Fires deck with four Wrath of God's (your guess is as good as mine). Needless to say I WAMPED him. Heres the deck and the strategy behind it.

OLDSCHOOL ILLUSIONS

--Lands--

Island x12

Saprazzan Skerry x4

Underground River x4

Salt Marsh x4

--Spells--

Donate x4

Illusions of Grandeur x4 ( duhh )

Counterspell x4

Mana Leak x4

Diabolic Intent x4

Mystical Tutor x4

Dark Ritual x4

--Creatures--

Tradewind Rider x4

Indentured Djinn x4

At first glance this deck seems a little, well...off, but now I will analyze each card for you.

Island(Any Questions ?)

Sapprazzan Skerry ( GIVES YOU MORE MANA! )

Underground river ( u/b painland )

Salt marsh ( "you can choose whatever mana you need")

Donate ( have to have em', without them the deck wouldn't be able to transfer Illusions to your opponent)

Illusions of Granduer ( You gain 20 life, Use donate, in a few turns your opponent loses 20 life, Any Questions?)

Counterspell( duhhhh)

Mana leak ( it's really irritating when you have just enough to play a big creature and.....BOOM!Mana Leak!)

Diabolic Intent(The reason the marshs and rivers are here, helps you search for cards needed to complete the combo)

Mystical Tutor ( Same as Diabolic Intent, great library manipulation, or as some would say "selective drawing")

Dark Ritual ( It makes the deck run MUCH QUICKER, I can't express the value of the card to this deck)

Tradewind Rider( Helps break through big defenses to get the last bits of damage in )

Indentured Djinn ( 4/4 Fatty with Flying for # 3 Mana! To heck with air elemental !)

Well that's the deck, I hope you can give it a try, ( you'll like how it plays )

I'm open for any replies,

raptor@simflex.com