Grand Melee is a particular form of multiplayer magic, which combines elements of duel and multiplayer play into a unique format. There are many different decks that can perform well, and this series will cover a few of them, typically decks that have already won a melee or two.

Decks in this series are not presented as a perfect iteration of their type, but are generally based on the most fitting cards in the designer’s collection. You may well decide to swap out certain cards for better options, or to suit your own budget.

Deck name: Black/White Sky Strike
Cards: 70
Designer: Adrian R

This deck aims to collect points quickly through the use of fast creatures that fly and get big quickly. This deck can attack for 7 in the air on the third turn, putting pressure on players whose decks need a few turns to get moving. The emphasis in this deck is on bacl and white spells, including hybrid spells.

Creatures:
4x Mourning Thrull; 4x Nightsky Mimic; 4x Souls of the Faultless; 4x Blind Hunter; 3x Deathbringer Liege; 2x Divinity of Pride; 3x Evershrike

Instants & Sorcery:
4x Beckon Apparition; 4x Batwing Brume; 4x Mortify; 4x Unmake

Enchantment:
4x Edge of the Divinity; 4x Pillory of the Sleepless

Land:
1x Fetid Heath, 4x Godless Shrine; 8x Plains; 9x Swamp

Tactics:
This deck aims to start the game with a bang. Mourning Thrull or Nightsky Mimic enchanted with Edge of the Divinity allow you to hit hard and fast in the air. In a pinch, you can create a creature for yourself by using Beckon Apparition to remove a card from an opponent’s graveyard, potentially disrupting their own strategy as you do so. The spirit you gain from casting this spell has flying and is balc and white, maning it would be a 4/4 flyer when enchanted with Edge of the Divinity. Not bad!

Early beats are followed up with some mid game removal and defence. If you find yourself under pressure, Souls of the Faultless and Pillory of the Sleepless can tie down defenders and cause life loss in your opponents. Unmake and Mortify can remove key blockers or deal with threats. You may well find yourself using Mortify to destroy enchantments that would otherwise ruin your day, such as a Circle of Protection: Black.

Lands in this deck are in comparatively short supply, so use your free mulligan to ensure your hand has the right threats and two land you’ll need to get started.

At the five mana level your deck is done, finishing with a trio of powerful creatures. Divinity of Pride will continue the flying attacker theme, and giving you the life you need to last out the melee. Deathbringer Liege adds creature kill to every one of your spells. Evershrike comes in useful as a way of fishing your own graveyard for a spent Edge of the Divinity, coming into play as a 7/7 flyer if you play it this way.

Summary: This powerful attacking deck will make everyone pay attention to you, which can be a good or bad thing. It is equipped to deal with most threats, and packs enough lifegain to enable you to go the distance, knocking down your opponents one at a time with air attacks until you are the last player standing.