{"ops":[{"insert":"The Ghoul, Rad Gunslinger"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"What This Deck Does"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is a mono-black aristocrats and graveyard-combo deck built around repeatedly sacrificing Zombies and Mutants.\nWhenever The Ghoul or another "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"nontoken Zombie or Mutant"},{"insert":" I control dies, I give a player two rad counters. The deck uses creatures that return from the graveyard, sacrifice outlets and mana engines to repeat those deaths until the table is buried in radiation. Several of the same loops can also win immediately through life-loss effects, so I am not completely dependent on waiting for rad counters to process.\nThis is not really a Zombie combat deck. The creatures are ammunition. I want to sacrifice them, recur them and sacrifice them again.\nThe easiest way to remember the deck is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Body → Outlet → Refund → Payoff"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Body:"},{"insert":" Gravecrawler or Putrid Goblin"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Outlet:"},{"insert":" Phyrexian Altar, Carrion Feeder, Viscera Seer or another sacrifice outlet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Refund:"},{"insert":" Mana, Treasure, persist or undying"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Payoff:"},{"insert":" The Ghoul, an aristocrat effect or Altar of Dementia"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once all four jobs are covered, I probably have a winning loop.\nExplaining the Deck to the Table"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"“This is an optimized mono-black sacrifice deck. The Ghoul gives someone two rad counters whenever one of my nontoken Zombies or Mutants dies. I use recursive Zombies and sacrifice outlets to repeat those deaths, then win through enormous rad counts, Blood Artist effects or mill. I am not primarily trying to win through combat.”\nHow Rad Counters Work"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At the beginning of a player’s precombat main phase, that player mills cards equal to their rad count. They lose one life and remove one rad counter for each nonland card milled.\nLands milled this way do not cause life loss and do not remove rad counters, so radiation can linger across multiple turns. The cards are also milled simultaneously rather than one at a time.\nThe important consequence is that rad is usually a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"delayed kill"},{"insert":". An opponent gets to untap, go through upkeep and draw before their rad ability triggers. When possible, I want an aristocrat payoff beside my rad loop so the table dies immediately instead of getting another turn to interact.\nOpening Hand and Mulligans"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A good opening hand normally has:\nTwo or three usable mana sources"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"At least one source of acceleration"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A draw engine, tutor or graveyard setup card"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A cheap creature or sacrifice outlet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"My strongest early cards are "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sol Ring, Mana Vault, Dark Ritual, Culling the Weak, Entomb, Vampiric Tutor, Skullclamp, Necropotence, Gravecrawler"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phyrexian Altar"},{"insert":".\nI should usually mulligan hands that contain:\nCabal Coffers without enough Swamps or Urborg"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Several five- and six-mana cards with no acceleration"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Only removal and no way to develop an engine"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Recursion spells without worthwhile creatures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice outlets with no creatures or card advantage"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I do not need The Ghoul in my opening hand because it is always available from the command zone. I need the pieces that make The Ghoul dangerous.\nEarly Game"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"My first few turns should accomplish at least one of three things:\nDevelop mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Put a useful creature into the graveyard."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Establish card advantage."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Stitcher’s Supplier, Shambling Ghast, Cryptbreaker, Skullclamp, Undead Augur"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Deadly Dispute"},{"insert":" are good setup cards because I do not mind sacrificing their creatures later.\nI should not automatically cast The Ghoul as soon as I have enough mana. The better play is usually to cast it when I already have a creature to sacrifice, an outlet ready or protection available. That guarantees at least one trigger and makes removal less effective.\nMidgame"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"In the middle turns, I am looking for a recursive creature and an outlet.\nMy best recursive body is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gravecrawler"},{"insert":". It can be cast from the graveyard as long as I control another Zombie. The Ghoul itself is a Zombie, as are Carrion Feeder, Warren Soultrader and many other creatures in the deck.\nMy main sacrifice outlets are:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phyrexian Altar:"},{"insert":" Produces any color of mana and completes the cleanest combo."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ashnod’s Altar:"},{"insert":" Produces two colorless mana and generates large amounts of mana in several loops."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Altar of Dementia:"},{"insert":" Turns creature loops into mill."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Carrion Feeder:"},{"insert":" Free outlet that also counts as the Zombie needed for Gravecrawler."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Viscera Seer:"},{"insert":" Free outlet that lets me control the top of my library."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Warren Soultrader:"},{"insert":" Produces Treasure but costs one life each time."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Yawgmoth, Thran Physician:"},{"insert":" Draws cards and controls creatures, but also costs life."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Phyrexian Tower:"},{"insert":" Useful once, but cannot support a repeated loop by itself."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once I have an outlet and a recursive creature, tutors should find whichever piece converts that engine into a win.\nPrimary Win Conditions"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Gravecrawler and Phyrexian Altar"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Required:"},{"insert":"\nThe Ghoul"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gravecrawler"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Phyrexian Altar"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Loop:"},{"insert":"\nSacrifice Gravecrawler to Phyrexian Altar for one black mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Ghoul triggers, giving an opponent two rad counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Use the black mana to cast Gravecrawler from the graveyard."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Ghoul counts as the Zombie required to cast Gravecrawler.\nThis produces as many death, cast and rad triggers as I choose. I can distribute the rad triggers among all opponents and give each of them an arbitrarily large rad count.\nWith "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Blood Artist, Zulaport Cutthroat"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bastion of Remembrance"},{"insert":", the deaths also drain the table immediately. With "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bontu’s Monument"},{"insert":", repeatedly casting Gravecrawler drains every opponent and gains life.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Memory phrase:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sacrifice, make black, give rad, recast."},{"insert":"\n2. Gravecrawler and Pitiless Plunderer"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Required:"},{"insert":"\nThe Ghoul"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gravecrawler"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Pitiless Plunderer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A free sacrifice outlet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Loop:"},{"insert":"\nSacrifice Gravecrawler."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Ghoul gives an opponent two rad counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Pitiless Plunderer creates a Treasure."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice the Treasure for black mana."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Gravecrawler from the graveyard."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Carrion Feeder, Viscera Seer, Ashnod’s Altar or Altar of Dementia can serve as the outlet.\nWith Ashnod’s Altar, I also make two colorless mana each time through the loop. With Altar of Dementia, I can mill libraries while generating rad.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Memory phrase:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sacrifice, make Treasure, give rad, recast."},{"insert":"\n3. Gravecrawler and Warren Soultrader"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Required:"},{"insert":"\nThe Ghoul"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gravecrawler"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Warren Soultrader"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blood Artist, Zulaport Cutthroat, Bastion of Remembrance or Bontu’s Monument"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Loop:"},{"insert":"\nPay one life and sacrifice Gravecrawler to Warren Soultrader."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Create a Treasure."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trigger The Ghoul and the life-loss payoff."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice the Treasure for black."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Cast Gravecrawler."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The life gained from the drain effect or Bontu’s Monument offsets Warren Soultrader’s life payment, allowing the loop to continue.\nWithout one of those life-gain effects, this is only a finite loop. I can still perform it several times to generate rad, but I cannot call it infinite.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Memory phrase:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Pay one, make Treasure, gain one, recast."},{"insert":"\n4. Mikaeus and Putrid Goblin"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Required:"},{"insert":"\nThe Ghoul"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mikaeus, the Unhallowed"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Putrid Goblin"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A free sacrifice outlet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mikaeus gives Putrid Goblin undying while Putrid Goblin already has persist.\nWhen Putrid Goblin dies without counters, both abilities trigger. I return it using one of them. After that, persist and undying alternate:\nPutrid Goblin returns with a -1/-1 counter through persist."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice it."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Undying returns it with a +1/+1 counter."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sacrifice it."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Persist returns it with a -1/-1 counter."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Repeat."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Every death triggers The Ghoul.\nCarrion Feeder, Viscera Seer, Phyrexian Altar, Ashnod’s Altar or Altar of Dementia can complete the loop. Blood Artist effects turn it into immediate life loss, while Altar of Dementia mills everyone.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Memory phrase:"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Minus counter, plus counter, repeat."},{"insert":"\n5. Bloodchief Ascension and Mindcrank"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Required:"},{"insert":"\nBloodchief Ascension with three quest counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Mindcrank"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once Bloodchief Ascension is active, an opponent losing life causes Mindcrank to mill them. The milled cards trigger Bloodchief Ascension, causing more life loss, which causes more milling.\nThe loop continues until that opponent is dead or has no library.\nA table-wide trigger from Zulaport Cutthroat, Bastion of Remembrance or Bontu’s Monument can start the process for every opponent. Radiation processing can also start the loop on an individual opponent’s turn.\nBloodchief Ascension is a backup plan rather than my first tutor target. I should only prioritize Mindcrank when Ascension is already active or close to becoming active.\nNon-Infinite Ways to Win"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Feral Ghoul"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Feral Ghoul grows whenever another creature I control dies. I can sacrifice expendable creatures and tokens to make it enormous, then sacrifice Feral Ghoul itself.\nWhen it dies, every opponent receives rad counters equal to its power. Its ability uses its power immediately before it left the battlefield, so its accumulated counters still count.\nThis is one of my best ways to produce a massive rad burst without assembling a full loop.\nScreeching Scorchbeast"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Screeching Scorchbeast gives every player two rad counters when it attacks. More importantly, it can create Zombie Mutant tokens whenever nonland cards are milled.\nBecause radiation processes during each player’s turn, Scorchbeast can produce creatures across several turns around the table. Those tokens become sacrifice fodder for Yawgmoth, Bolas’s Citadel, Beseech the Mirror and the Altars.\nThe tokens are Zombies and Mutants, but they are still "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"tokens"},{"insert":", so their deaths do not trigger The Ghoul.\nVault 12: The Necropolis"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vault 12 puts three rad counters on every player, then creates tokens based on the total number of rad counters among everyone still in the game.\nIt is strongest when the table is already irradiated. I should remember that it also gives me rad counters, so I need to watch my own life total and library.\nNuclear Fallout"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Nuclear Fallout is both a board wipe and a rad spell. It is especially effective when I have The Ghoul and several nontoken Zombies or Mutants in play.\nThe creatures die together, but The Ghoul still generates triggers for itself and the applicable creatures that died. I can turn a necessary board wipe into a large burst of radiation.\nGray Merchant and Bolas’s Citadel"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gray Merchant of Asphodel is a straightforward life-total finisher, especially after Mikaeus, Necropotence and other black permanents have built devotion.\nBolas’s Citadel lets me play through the top of the deck and can sacrifice ten nonland permanents to make each opponent lose ten life. Headless Rider and Screeching Scorchbeast can provide enough expendable permanents to make the Citadel ability relevant.\nTutor Priorities"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"My default combo is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Gravecrawler plus Phyrexian Altar"},{"insert":" because it requires the fewest cards beyond my commander.\nUse this guide when deciding what to find:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I have Gravecrawler:"},{"insert":" Find Phyrexian Altar."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I have Phyrexian Altar:"},{"insert":" Find or Entomb Gravecrawler."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I have Gravecrawler and a free outlet:"},{"insert":" Find Pitiless Plunderer."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I have Warren Soultrader and Gravecrawler:"},{"insert":" Find a drain or life-gain payoff."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I have Mikaeus:"},{"insert":" Find Putrid Goblin and an outlet."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I have Putrid Goblin:"},{"insert":" Find Mikaeus and an outlet."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bloodchief Ascension is active:"},{"insert":" Find Mindcrank."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I am not close to winning:"},{"insert":" Find Necropotence, Yawgmoth or Skullclamp rather than forcing a bad combo attempt."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"I expect heavy interaction:"},{"insert":" Find protection or wait until I can present the combo with mana available."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Specific Tutor Notes"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Entomb"},{"insert":" can find any card, but it will usually find Gravecrawler, Putrid Goblin or a creature I intend to reanimate.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Unmarked Grave"},{"insert":" cannot find Mikaeus because Mikaeus is legendary. It can find Gravecrawler, Putrid Goblin, Pitiless Plunderer, Blood Artist or another nonlegendary creature.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Beseech the Mirror"},{"insert":" can cast most of the important combo pieces directly when bargained, including Phyrexian Altar, Gravecrawler, Pitiless Plunderer, Warren Soultrader, Bloodchief Ascension and Mindcrank.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Diabolic Intent"},{"insert":" is especially efficient because sacrificing a Zombie or Mutant can trigger The Ghoul while paying for the tutor.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sidisi, Undead Vizier"},{"insert":" can exploit herself if necessary. Because she is a Zombie, sacrificing her also triggers The Ghoul.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Buried Alive"},{"insert":" should be based on what I already have rather than using the same pile every game. For example:\nWith Mikaeus and an outlet available, get Putrid Goblin plus two recovery targets."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Victimize and an outlet available, get Mikaeus and Putrid Goblin."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With Living Death and a payoff already in play, get Mikaeus, Putrid Goblin and Viscera Seer."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"With a Gravecrawler line developing, get Gravecrawler, Pitiless Plunderer and a backup creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Playing Through Interaction"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck’s greatest weakness is graveyard hate. Effects that exile graveyards or prevent cards from being cast from the graveyard can shut down several primary lines at once.\nI should not put every important creature into the graveyard unless I am ready to use them. Against open mana, it is often better to hold Entomb until the end step before my turn or until I am preparing to combo.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Imp’s Mischief"},{"insert":" can redirect targeted removal and can also redirect a counterspell away from my important spell.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Malakir Rebirth"},{"insert":" can protect The Ghoul or another key creature. With a sacrifice outlet, I can target my creature with Rebirth, sacrifice it deliberately, receive the death trigger and return it to the battlefield.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Lightning Greaves"},{"insert":" gives shroud, not hexproof. I must move it to another creature before I can target the equipped creature with Malakir Rebirth or another spell of my own.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Homeward Path"},{"insert":" is my answer to creature theft. I should avoid using it as an ordinary colorless land when an opponent is representing a theft effect.\nWhen an opponent targets one of my creatures with exile or theft, I can usually sacrifice it in response. That denies them the creature, gives me any applicable death triggers and places the card somewhere my recursion can access.\nRecovery and Longer Games"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck can rebuild well after ordinary removal.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Reanimate"},{"insert":" and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Animate Dead"},{"insert":" return individual combo pieces."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Victimize"},{"insert":" trades one expendable creature for two important creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Chthonian Nightmare"},{"insert":" repeatedly converts small creatures into other creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Relentless Dead"},{"insert":" recovers itself and other Zombies."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Zul Ashur"},{"insert":" lets me cast Zombies from the graveyard."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Takenuma"},{"insert":" returns a creature while still functioning as a land."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Witch’s Cottage"},{"insert":" puts a creature back on top of the library."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Living Death"},{"insert":" can rebuild an entire graveyard while clearing the battlefield."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Before casting Living Death, I should compare every graveyard. Bojuka Bog can remove one opponent’s graveyard first and make Living Death considerably more one-sided.\nThe deck can also pivot away from the graveyard. Bloodchief Ascension and Mindcrank, Necropotence, Bolas’s Citadel, Gray Merchant and the large mana from Cabal Coffers give me ways to play through targeted graveyard hate.\nImportant Play Patterns"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do Not Cast The Ghoul Without a Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Ghoul is only three mana, but that does not mean it belongs on the battlefield immediately. I want to cast it when I can sacrifice something that turn, protect it or threaten a combo.\nRad the Player Who Acts Next"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When I only have a few triggers, the next player in turn order will process their radiation first. That is usually the best place to aim finite rad counters.\nThe exception is a graveyard deck. Small amounts of rad may help that player more than they hurt. Against reanimator or graveyard combo, I should either give them enough rad to be genuinely dangerous or target someone else.\nTargeting Myself"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"I can target myself with The Ghoul’s ability to create a Treasure. This can turn a dying Zombie into temporary acceleration and help me finish a combo turn.\nEvery self-target also gives me two rad counters. I should treat this as an emergency ritual, not my normal value plan.\nUse Sacrifice Outlets Defensively"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The sacrifice outlets are not only combo pieces. They can:\nDeny exile and theft"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trigger Skullclamp or Undead Augur"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Grow Feral Ghoul"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Produce mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Scry away bad cards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Stock the graveyard"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Trigger The Ghoul before a board wipe"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Be Careful With Necropotence"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Necropotence exiles cards that I discard. While it is in play, I should not discard Gravecrawler, Putrid Goblin or another recursion target and expect it to remain in my graveyard.\nI should also avoid paying so much life that Warren Soultrader, Yawgmoth, Reanimate or Toxic Deluge become unusable.\nDo Not Draw the Entire Deck Accidentally"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Undead Augur draws a card and costs one life whenever one of my Zombies dies. During a repeated Zombie loop, that trigger is mandatory.\nI need to stop the loop before drawing out unless the game is already ending. The same general warning applies when repeatedly using Skullclamp or Yawgmoth.\nIn-Game Cheat Sheet"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Default win"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Ghoul + Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar"},{"insert":"\nSacrifice Gravecrawler for black, give two rad, recast it and repeat.\nTreasure version"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Ghoul + Gravecrawler + Pitiless Plunderer + free outlet"},{"insert":"\nSacrifice Gravecrawler, create Treasure, give rad, use Treasure to recast.\nSoultrader version"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Ghoul + Gravecrawler + Warren Soultrader + life-gain payoff"},{"insert":"\nPay one life, sacrifice Gravecrawler, create Treasure, gain the life back and recast.\nPersist version"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Ghoul + Mikaeus + Putrid Goblin + free outlet"},{"insert":"\nAlternate persist and undying counters for repeated deaths.\nBackup combo"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Active Bloodchief Ascension + Mindcrank"},{"insert":"\nLife loss causes mill, and mill causes more life loss.\nBest first tutor"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have Gravecrawler: get Phyrexian Altar."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have Phyrexian Altar: get Gravecrawler."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have neither and plenty of cards: get an engine."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have one half of Mikaeus and Putrid Goblin: get the other half."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Have active Bloodchief Ascension: get Mindcrank."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Things to remember"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Token Zombies do not trigger The Ghoul."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Gravecrawler needs another Zombie in play."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Warren Soultrader is not infinite without life gain."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Bloodchief Ascension needs three quest counters."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Rad normally waits until precombat main."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Necropotence exiles discarded cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lightning Greaves prevents me from targeting my own equipped creature."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Unmarked Grave cannot find Mikaeus."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do not let Undead Augur draw the whole library."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Against graveyard hate, pivot to Bloodchief, Citadel or Gray Merchant."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Final Mental Shortcut"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When looking at my hand and battlefield, ask:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What creature am I repeatedly sacrificing?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What is sacrificing it?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How is it coming back or paying for itself?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What effect actually kills the table?"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"When those four questions have answers, the deck is ready to fire.\n"}]}