I have recently noticed some builds of black-blue decks being posted for competition in IBC and Type 2. These decks all have two similar cards: Probe and Undermine. I'm sure I'm not the first person to notice this, but Yawgmoth's Agenda would work well in these decks. It would slant the deck type toward bounce over aggro-control - but with these and certain other cards, it might be worth it.

Disclaimer: Before you read any further, understand that I am not advocating playing U/B or even bounce - merely that if the topic is going to come up, Yawgmoth's Agenda should be mentioned. With that out of the way, let's look at Yawgmoth's Agenda.

In a nutshell, you play only one spell per turn, you may use your graveyard as if it were your hand, and spells going to the graveyard are instead removed from the game. It is also an enchantment costing 3BB.

First off, the advantages: You play your Probes, Undermines, and bounce spells twice. If all four Undermines are in the graveyard, you deal twenty-four damage from countering alone. Rushing River is better if you get your sacced land back, and whatever Probe you discard with Probe comes back eventually.

Disadvantages: One spell per turn, future spells are removed from the game.

Hmm, that's not so bad, it just needs to become more symmetric somehow...

The "one spell per turn" limitation is not so bad as long as your opponent is only casting one spell per turn as well. Use Probe with kicker to empty your opponent's hand, and maybe use Bog Down as well. Recoil also worked well for me. Then, once his hand is empty, counter every spell, preferably with Undermine (typically Undermine does fifteen or so points in the game). I also used Spite/Malice, but I'm sure there is something better. As long as your opponent has no graveyard recursion, your spells being removed from the game is irrelevant (other than that your spells only die twice - refer to the Planeshift novel). As long as you wait until your graveyard is full from Probes and FOF, Yawgmoth's Agenda should be amazing.

The only problems I had with the deck were land counts. This deck really needs land, and three Nightscape Familiars barely cut it. Taplands and lairs just didn't work for me, as I needed lots of mana to pay kickers. I just used my life total to buy time until my opponent's hand was empty, and any response to my single threat resulted in more life loss from Undermine. Here's a SAMPLE decklist for IBC with explanation - once again, this is hardly optimal, but with the deck type being discussed, I thought I'd mention a version with Agenda. Also, if you're playing T2 U/B, the concept should carry over well.

Old_Business (what's next on the Agenda?)

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
4x Salt Marsh (I think these should be swamps or islands)
9x Swamp
11x Islands

EMPLOYEES
3x Nightscape Familiar (lower casting cost, *regenerate*)
3x Vodalian Zombie (early beats, pro green; I threw these in to help Undermine finish the opponent)
3x Stormscape Battlemage (chump + creature destruction)

PRODUCT RECALLS
3x Opt (these are questionable; anyone have a better idea? In T2, Brainstorm would be a no-brainer)
3x Recoil (these help empty the hand and remove threats temporarily)
3x Rushing river (use at end of turn on an opponent to set him up for a kickered Probe)

CORPORATE ESPIONAGE
4x Spite/Malice (these are also questionable, maybe a better counterspell?)
4x Undermine (maybe this should be Microsoft.dec?)

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
4x Fact or Fiction (gotta get the Agenda - plus, filling your graveyard is not bad here)
3x Probe (I always want to cast these with kicker. 4 might be better, but I thought it excessive)

EVIL MASTER PLAN TO CONQUER THE WORLD
3x Yawgmoth's Agenda (Will the real Bill Gates please stand up?)

I think a lot of card choices could be changed, but you can see how the Agenda shapes the deck. I left out Wash Out because it wasn't doing enough for me, but I could easily see replacing Rushing River with it. Just get all creatures off the board (eventually), clear out the hand, then drop Agenda and make them squirm. Your opponent has to drop a blocker or use an answer to stop life loss from your ten-turn clocks - but when they try, your Undermines merely set the clock that much farther ahead.

To reiterate, if you are playing Probe or FOF and Undermines, Yawgmoth's Agenda has a place in your deck. Just a thought...

-Alexander Scott,
proud to be a non-productive member of team AWWAJALOOM

Wait, there's more! I have some personal views to share:

1. Rizzo's analysis of 7th edition was one of the coolest articles I've ever read. I didn't think he could possibly keep that gag up for every card, but he did. Mega-kudos for an original idea, plus the stamina that must have gone into it...
2. I just want something to read. A new idea, a tournament report from someone who doesn't often win, casual strategy, trading experiences, whatever. I'm not looking to criticize, I just want to read something about Magic at the end of a day. Go out there and submit something! Although the more interactive it is, the more I enjoy it.
3. Is there a copyright on The Dojo's method of rating articles? (No -- The Ferrett) I'd kinda like to punch a radio button and rate articles. I'd also like a magical pony, a good-paying job, and a starship . . .
4. To Bill Gates: Please don't sue me, I meant it in good fun. I would never publicly compare you to an evil megalomaniacal planeswalker who uses technology to invade a world, reshape it in his own image, and destroy all who oppose him...