There’s something charming about a deck that prefers subtlety over sledgehammers. Today, DeckStir spotlights a community favorite: a Chainer, Dementia Master brew that’s less about breaking the game and more about gently bending it, like a necromancer who says please and thank you.
The Commander
Chainer, Dementia Master is the original reanimation enthusiast—think of him as the kindly librarian of lost souls. For the modest investment of three black mana and a couple of life points, Chainer can reanimate any creature from any graveyard, with a minor caveat: the creatures come back with a tether to Chainer himself, and if he leaves the battlefield, his minions go poof. The deck leans into this with plenty of ways to keep Chainer safe, or at least keep the party going after he inevitably takes a trip to the grave himself.
Game Plan
The strategy is simple, delightful, and wonderfully non-threatening: fill graveyards (yours and, with a knowing wink, your opponents’), then use Chainer to resurrect the best of the bunch. With budget-friendly all-stars like Entomb, Buried Alive, and Stitcher's Supplier, loading up on reanimation targets is a breeze.
From there, it’s all about value. Gray Merchant of Asphodel returns again and again, draining life with each encore. Kokusho, the Evening Star makes death into an event worth repeating. And with Cabal Coffers and Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth fueling your mana engine, you’ll have plenty of black mana to keep the rez-fest rolling.
But don’t expect cutthroat combos or oppressive locks here. This deck prefers to win with gentle inevitability, using cards like Recurring Nightmare for value loops, or splashing in a Demonic Tutor for that one perfect missing piece. Removal comes in the form of classics like Damnation and Murder, and a smattering of hand disruption keeps things interesting without overwhelming the table.
Power & Bracket
Why the 0/10 power level and Bracket 1 status? This is a deck that’s here for a good time, not a long time—or at least, not a fast time. No infinite combos, no turn-four wins, and zero intent to oppress the local playgroup. Instead, it’s all about incremental advantage, board presence, and the occasional surprise from someone else’s graveyard. It plays staples, but never abuses them. Solemn Simulacrum? Sure. Phyrexian Arena? Of course. But this is the friendliest possible mono-black graveyard deck, making it a favorite among the community for casual pods and social games.
Should You Build It?
If you love graveyard shenanigans but don’t want to be that player, this Chainer brew is for you. It’s interactive, resilient, and just a touch chaotic—without ever dominating the table unfairly. Plus, it’s a blast when you win with someone else’s best creature. So dust off those graveyard enablers, channel your inner Chainer, and remember: necromancy is best enjoyed in good company.
