{"ops":[{"insert":"Toshiro Umezawa. \"Every Blade Cuts Twice\" 🗡️💀🌑"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nHold up mana. Manufacture victims. Kill once. Cast twice. End everything.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Executive Summary"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThis is an optimized bracket 4 mono-black Samurai spellslinger deck. Toshiro turns each opposing creature death into permission to cast an instant from our graveyard, so the deck treats removal spells as reusable weapons and the graveyard as a second, ever-growing hand.\n\nWe build enormous black mana, quietly stock our hand and graveyard, manufacture expendable creatures for opponents, and wait for one death to begin a chain. The deck can win through Professor Onyx + "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chain of Smog"},{"insert":"; giant "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Exsanguinate"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Torment of Hailfire"},{"insert":"; a storm-fueled "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Tendrils of Agony"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Magus of the Coffers + Staff of Domination"},{"insert":", or the occasional deeply disrespectful "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Revel in Riches"},{"insert":".\n\nThis is not generic mono-black goodstuff with a Samurai sitting in the command zone. The defining cards ("},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Forbidden Orchard"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Akroan Horse"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Genesis Chamber"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Dowsing Dagger"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Slaughter Specialist"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Illness in the Ranks"},{"insert":", and the dense instant package) exist because Toshiro is here.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"The Game Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early game:"},{"insert":" Build mana and cards without becoming the table's immediate problem. A strong opening has two or three lands, two reliable black sources, one ramp piece or draw engine, and one useful interaction spell. Do not automatically cast Toshiro on turn three; he wants an opposing creature capable of dying, an instant in the graveyard or heading there, and enough mana to pay for the second casting.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Midgame:"},{"insert":" Deploy Toshiro with purpose, hold mana open, and begin controlling when creatures die. Establish "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Black Market"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Séance Board"},{"insert":"; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Revel in Riches"},{"insert":", a Swamp doubler, or a draw engine. One removal spell should ideally kill a creature, reach the graveyard, and immediately be cast again through Toshiro.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Late game: "},{"insert":"Convert the accumulated mana and cards into a decisive turn. Refill with "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Moonlight Bargain "},{"insert":"or "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Wretched Confluence"},{"insert":", act during an opponent's end step, then untap into a combo, storm sequence, or enormous X-spell.\n\nThe deck is not rewarded for doing the first dramatic thing. It is rewarded for being the player with mana, cards, and a stocked graveyard when the first creature dies.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Every Blade Cuts Twice 🗡️"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nToshiro's basic sequence is beautifully nasty:\n\n1. Cast an instant from hand that kills an opposing creature.\n2. The creature dies and Toshiro triggers.\n3. The instant finishes resolving and reaches the graveyard.\n4. Toshiro's trigger casts that same instant again (or a different instant).\n5. The potential second death can begin another chain using a different instant.\n\n**"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Important:"},{"insert":"** Toshiro does not cast the spell for free. We must still pay its costs, and the instant is exiled after being cast from the graveyard.\n\nOther rules worth remembering:\n\n- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Exile is not death"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Deadly Rollick"},{"insert":" answers almost anything, but it does not trigger Toshiro.\n- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Countering a creature is not death"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Withering Boon"},{"insert":" is valuable, but the creature never reached the battlefield.\n- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Several creatures dying creates several triggers"},{"insert":". Multiplayer edicts and wipes can unlock several different instants.\n- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Do not target the same instant with every trigger"},{"insert":". After the first trigger casts it, the others lose their target.\n- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Toshiro sees a simultaneous wipe"},{"insert":". If he dies alongside opposing creatures, he still triggers for them.\n- "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The trigger is immediate permission"},{"insert":". We cast the instant as the trigger resolves or not at all.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Manufacturing Victims 💀"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nToshiro cannot trust opponents to provide convenient creatures, so we provide the victims ourselves. Sometimes you genuinely run out of normal targets to slay. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Forbidden Orchard"},{"insert":" gives an opponent a 1/1 Spirit whenever it produces mana. With "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Illness in the Ranks"},{"insert":", the Spirit immediately dies, effectively turning a land tap into mana plus a Toshiro trigger.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Slaughter Specialist"},{"insert":" gives every opponent a 1/1 Human. With Illness, all three Humans immediately die, creating three Toshiro triggers and three +1/+1 counters for the Specialist.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Genesis Chamber"},{"insert":" distributes Myr whenever nontoken creatures enter. Opposing Myr become future fuel—or immediate fuel with Illness. Our own Myr die too, so sequence accordingly.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Akroan Horse"},{"insert":" slowly distributes Soldiers around the table. It is theatrical, slightly ridiculous, and exactly the sort of long-game cruelty Toshiro appreciates.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Dowsing Dagger"},{"insert":" gives an opponent two Plants, creating targets while offering a route to "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Lost Vale"},{"insert":" and three mana per tap. The Plants are 0/2, so Illness alone will not kill them.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Sedgemoor Witch"},{"insert":" creates Pests whenever we cast or copy an instant or sorcery. They block, cushion our life total, and interact magnificently with "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chain of Smog"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Illness in the Ranks"},{"insert":" is the glue. It turns opposing 1/1 tokens into immediate deaths, but it also kills our Pests and Myr. Sometimes that is desirable; sometimes we want the army. Deploy it deliberately.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"The Graveyard Is a Second Hand 🌑"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Blood Pact"},{"insert":" is the clean early option: instant-speed cards that Toshiro can cast again.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Moonlight Bargain"},{"insert":" sees five cards at instant speed. The best cards go to hand at the cost of life; useful instants can intentionally enter the graveyard for Toshiro. Five mana is substantial, but it becomes excellent once our mana engines mature.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Wretched Confluence"},{"insert":" is draw, removal, and recursion in the same slot. It can draw three, return three creatures, give one creature -6/-6, kill several small creatures, or combine those jobs.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Morbid Opportunist"},{"insert":" converts deaths into cards across the turn cycle. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Dread Presence"},{"insert":" turns Swamp entries into draw or targeted damage; with "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Urborg"},{"insert":", nearly every land can trigger it.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Necropotence"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Necrologia"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Ad Nauseam"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"The One Ring"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Bolas's Citadel"},{"insert":" are the dangerous books. They generate an obscene number of cards, but our life total is also being spent by free spells, "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Moonlight Bargain"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Imp's Mischief"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Black Market Connections"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Kaervek"},{"insert":". Draw enough to establish inevitability—not enough to die heroically to a 2/2.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Mana Is Stored Violence 🖤"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Dark Ritual"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Cabal Ritual"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Bubbling Muck"},{"insert":" create explosive turns. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Jet Medallion"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Primal Amulet"},{"insert":" make repeated spells cheaper; once the Amulet transforms, "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Primal Wellspring"},{"insert":" can copy an instant or sorcery, including an X-spell with the same chosen X.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Cabal Coffers"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Cabal Stronghold"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Crypt Ghast"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Magus of the Coffers"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Nirkana Revenant"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Nykthos"},{"insert":" turn the nineteen-Swamp foundation into absurd mana. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Urborg"},{"insert":" makes the utility lands count as Swamps for "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Coffers and Magus"},{"insert":", while "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Stronghold"},{"insert":" still rewards the actual basics.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Black Market"},{"insert":" is deliberately retained. Its mana arrives only during our precombat main phase, so it cannot finance end-step interaction. Instead, it stores an entire turn cycle of deaths for one overwhelming main phase.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Séance Board"},{"insert":" receives one soul counter at each end step in which a creature died—not one per creature. Across a full turn cycle it can grow into a remarkable instant-and-sorcery mana engine.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Revel in Riches"},{"insert":" turns opposing deaths into Treasures and threatens to win with ten at our upkeep. Even when the alternate win never occurs, those Treasures finance the next chain.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combo: Magus + Staff: "},{"insert":"with "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Magus of the Coffers"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Staff of Domination"},{"insert":", and at least seven Swamps:\n\n1. Pay two and tap Magus to add at least seven black mana.\n2. Pay three and tap Staff to untap Magus.\n3. Pay one to untap Staff.\n4. Each loop nets at least one black mana.\n\nThis produces infinite black mana. Staff then draws the remaining library, gains arbitrary life, and taps opposing creatures. Find "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Exsanguinate"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Torment"},{"insert":" and finish the job.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"The Accomplices 🥷"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Kaervek, the Punisher"},{"insert":" is Toshiro's dangerous colleague. Whenever we commit a crime, Kaervek exiles a targeted black card from our graveyard, copies it, and lets us cast the copy immediately for its normal costs plus two life.\n\nToshiro accesses instants after opposing creatures die. Kaervek accesses *any* black card after we target an opponent, something they control, or a card in their graveyard. A targeted kill spell can therefore recover "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Demonic Tutor"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Damnation"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chain of Smog"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Bolas's Citadel"},{"insert":", or "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Professor Onyx"},{"insert":" at instant speed. Effects that merely say “each opponent” do not target and do not commit crimes.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Kokusho, the Evening Star"},{"insert":" discourages attacks and repairs our life total. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Grim Return"},{"insert":" can bring it back after death, while "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Thrilling Encore"},{"insert":" can return it alongside everyone else's creatures.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Bloodletter of Aclazotz"},{"insert":" doubles opposing life loss during our turn. It amplifies P"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"rofessor Onyx"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Kokusho"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Tendrils"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Exsanguinate"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Torment"},{"insert":", allowing apparently modest finishers to become lethal.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Deaths Become Spells"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe removal suite is not a stack of interchangeable "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Doom Blades"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Efficient kills:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Defile"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Dismember"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Tragic Slip"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Malicious Affliction"},{"insert":". Once Morbid is active, Affliction copies itself and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Tragic Slip"},{"insert":" becomes -13/-13.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Free emergencies:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Snuff Out"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Deadly Rollick"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Force of Despair"},{"insert":" let us interact while preserving mana for the graveyard chain.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Multiplayer edicts:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Liliana's Triumph"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Sheoldred's Edict"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Soul Shatter"},{"insert":" can each kill one creature from every opponent. Each death creates its own Toshiro trigger. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Professor Onyx"},{"insert":" also counts as a "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Liliana"},{"insert":" planeswalker for the bonus on "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Liliana's Triumph"},{"insert":".\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Specialized tools:"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Withering Torment"},{"insert":" answers enchantments; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Withering Boon"},{"insert":" counters creatures; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Nowhere to Run"},{"insert":" strips hexproof and ward; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Sudden Spoiling"},{"insert":" turns an army into abilityless 0/2s; "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Damnation"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Toxic Deluge"},{"insert":" reset boards that cannot be solved one victim at a time.\n\nUse the cheapest answer that preserves the most future options. Generating elegant value is secondary to not dying.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Winning"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Professor Onyx + Chain of Smog: "},{"insert":"Cast "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chain"},{"insert":" targeting ourselves. When it resolves, discard two cards and copy it, again targeting ourselves. Repeat indefinitely. Every copy triggers "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Professor Onyx"},{"insert":", draining each opponent for two and gaining two life.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sedgemoor Witch + Chain of Smog:"},{"insert":" Every copy creates another Pest. Without Illness, this creates an arbitrarily large army for the following turn. With Illness, each Pest immediately dies and gains one life, creating arbitrary life. This is not automatically a table kill, but it creates magnificent inevitability.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Giant Mana:"},{"insert":" Turn Coffers, Magus, Black Market, Séance Board, rituals, or Staff into a lethal **Exsanguinate** or **Torment of Hailfire**. Exsanguinate also repairs all the life we spent reaching this point.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tendrils of Agony:"},{"insert":" Instants cast through Toshiro are actually cast, so they increase storm. Rituals, cheap interaction, free spells, and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Citadel"},{"insert":" chains build the count. "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Bloodletter"},{"insert":" doubles "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Tendrils"},{"insert":"' life loss during our turn.\n\nCopies produced by Chain of Smog or Primal Wellspring were not cast and therefore do not themselves increase storm.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thrilling Encore:"},{"insert":" After a large combat or board wipe, Encore returns under our control every creature card put into a graveyard from the battlefield that turn. What appeared to be a reset becomes a hostile acquisition.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Revel in Riches: "},{"insert":"Ten Treasures at upkeep wins. More commonly, Revel attracts attention while the graveyard and actual win conditions continue developing.\n\nWhat **Every Blade Cuts Twice** Is Not"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Not creatureless draw-go."},{"insert":" We hold up mana, but we proactively develop engines, distribute targets, and engineer deaths.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Not mono-black goodstuff."},{"insert":" The victim-manufacturing package and reusable instants are the deck's actual identity.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Not a pure combo deck."},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Onyx"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Chain"},{"insert":" provide a deterministic finish, but giant mana, storm, recursion, and "},{"attributes":{"underline":true},"insert":"Revel"},{"insert":" give us different endings.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Not cEDH."},{"insert":" The list is powerful and optimized, but it intentionally retains slower identity pieces and battlefield interaction. It wants a fierce game of Commander, not the shortest possible proof that mono-black can win.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"underline":true,"bold":true},"insert":"In One Sentence"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nA patient Samurai fills the battlefield with victims, waits for one creature to fall, and draws the same blade from the graveyard until nobody else is left standing\n"}]}