Subject: Balthor Theme Deck - Extended

Hello,

I've attached a fun theme deck using Balthor the Defiled. Included is a brief synopsis of how the deck works as well as a card by card breakdown. This deck is by no means a tournament deck, but its fun, follows a theme, has a definite way to win, and would be great for casual play. Please feel free to post. Thanks.

Lord Balthor Theme Deck

2 Nantuko Husk
4 Terror
2 Cruel Bargain
2 Rats' Feast
2 Fatal Blow
1 Fire Diamond
3 Balthor the Defiled
4 Withered Wretch
2 Carrion Feeder
2 Severed Legion
2 Lake of the Dead
1 Mindstorm Crown
2 Undead Gladiator
1 Pit Trap
2 Rabid Rats
4 Ravenous Rats
4 Festering Goblin
20 Swamp

Once a Dwarf King (see Odyssey novels), Balthor is back from the grave and looking for revenge. He's not back alone though; he's bringing his new graveyard friends with him. Every creature in the deck is either a zombie or a rat to help keep the back from the grave theme. In the early game, lay down as many creatures as you can. Once the game starts to stalemate, you can start sacking creatures to make your Husks or Carrion Feeder more powerful. Terror away any creature threats. When you have the mana base built up, bring in Lord Balthor. Use his ability to bring your creatures back from the grave. Some of the creatures have fun graveyard effects when they go to or come back from the graveyard. If your opponents running red or black, Rat's Feast and Withered Wretch can help make sure they don't bring back their creatures as well. For late game card advantage, Mindstorm Crown can help. Or if you're really desperate, strike a Cruel Bargain with Balthor to gain card advantage,

Individual Card Explanations:

Balthor and his possessions-

Balthor the Defiled - Protagonist of the deck. Strategically, don't think of him as a 2/2 creature for four mana, think of him as "Return all creatures from your graveyard to play" for seven mana.

Fire Diamond - One of his few treasures buried with him from his past life. Provides some mana acceleration, but included more for flavor.

Mindstorm Crown - When he was living, Balthor was a legend. He now wears his crown in a mockery of his past. Because the majority of your cards are cheap to cast, late game this can help fill up your empty hand.

Pit Trap - Anyone coming to visit Bathors gravesite will be surprised to see what he's done with the place.

Non-Creature Spells

Terror - Creature removal.

Fatal Strike - More creature removal, especially useful for regenerating creatures or black/artifact creatures.

Rats Feast - Balthor doesn't keep all those rats around for no reason. He sends in the rodents to make sure he doesn't bring back his opponents creatures.

Cruel Bargain - Gain card advantage at a high price.

Creature Spells

Nantuko Husk - Sacrifice your creatures to pump the Husk up for major damage. Especially useful when you know Balthor is on his way.

Withered Wretch - A 2/2 for two mana, as well as the ability to keep your opponents creatures from coming back.

Carrion Feeder - Same as Nantuko Husk.

Severed Legion - 2/2 creatures meant to punish opponents playing black.

Rabid Rats - Rats make made great crypt companions for Balthor. They serve him now by providing some -1/-1 tech.

Ravenous Rats - More crypt companions who provide a nice discard effect when brought back into play.

Festering Goblins - Their -1/-1 tech just begs for them to be sacrificed.

Undead Gladiator - Undead companions who can bring themselves back without Balthors help.

Lands

Lake of the Dead - Mana acceleration and undead swimming pool all in one.

Swamp - goes without explanation

Submitted by: Chad Green
Email: chadandjody@yahoo.com