At the most recent Grand Prix, in Cincinnati, some of the Team ChannelFireball guys decided to play Black Devotion with a couple twists. First, they chose to splash red for some game breakers like Rakdos's Return, Slaughter Games, and Sire of Insanity. The second twist was by far the most interesting, as they chose to eschew Pack Rat completely.
With Mono-Black Devotion playing Bile Blight, Mono-Blue Devotion splashing Detention Sphere, and the WU Control decks having several answers to an army of rats themselves, it's not surprising to see Pack Rat drop off a little bit. However, it's always impressive when a player makes that leap and cuts the sacred cow, as he or she is either going to be considered a genius or a fool.
In this case, it seemed to work out for them. Eric Froehlich put up a solid Top 16 finish (which I'm sure he's less than happy about, but it's a solid finish nonetheless) while teammate David Ochoa finished 40th, presumably with the same decklist.
Consider this a lesson in deck building. A card that used to be the backbone of an archetype can be considered unplayable the next week. Don't be afraid to kill your darlings.
Eric Froehlich's BR Devotion
Other (60)
4
Blood Crypt
4
Mutavault
2
Rakdos Guildgate
12
Swamp
4
Temple of Malice
4
Desecration Demon
1
Erebos, God of the Dead
4
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4
Lifebane Zombie
2
Bile Blight
3
Devour Flesh
1
Dreadbore
4
Hero's Downfall
2
Rakdos's Return
4
Thoughtseize
4
Underworld Connections
1
Whip of Erebos
60 Cards
Sideboard (15)
1
Erebos, God of the Dead
1
Rakdos's Return
3
Doom Blade
2
Drown in Sorrow
3
Duress
3
Pharika's Cure
1
Sire of Insanity
1
Slaughter Games
Colorless (75)
4
Blood Crypt
4
Mutavault
2
Rakdos Guildgate
12
Swamp
4
Temple of Malice
4
Desecration Demon
2
Erebos, God of the Dead
4
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4
Lifebane Zombie
2
Bile Blight
3
Devour Flesh
1
Dreadbore
4
Hero's Downfall
3
Rakdos's Return
4
Thoughtseize
4
Underworld Connections
1
Whip of Erebos
3
Doom Blade
2
Drown in Sorrow
3
Duress
3
Pharika's Cure
1
Sire of Insanity
1
Slaughter Games
75 Cards
Common (75)
4
Blood Crypt
4
Mutavault
2
Rakdos Guildgate
12
Swamp
4
Temple of Malice
4
Desecration Demon
2
Erebos, God of the Dead
4
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
4
Lifebane Zombie
2
Bile Blight
3
Devour Flesh
1
Dreadbore
4
Hero's Downfall
3
Rakdos's Return
4
Thoughtseize
4
Underworld Connections
1
Whip of Erebos
3
Doom Blade
2
Drown in Sorrow
3
Duress
3
Pharika's Cure
1
Sire of Insanity
1
Slaughter Games
75 Cards
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