One of the cards I like best in Into the Inklands is Chernabog. Chernabog is really a card that we haven’t seen the likes of before. First of all (and most noteably) it’s got a huge Ink cost of ten. And while that might not sound great, don’t be turned off too quickly. Chernabog has an ability that makes it considerably easier to play. In this Chernabog deck list and guide, we’re going to look at this cool build for the deck that you can use to gain a lot of lore quickly, with a powerhouse card to help reset the game as you go.

*Updated March 30, 2024, the testing and improving has continued and the deck that you see here today is greatly improved over the previous list.

Chernabog/Amethyst Aggro Deck List

3 Maleficent - Sorceress
4 Maleficent - Biding Her Time
3 Lilo - Making a Wish
4 Simba - Protective Cub
3 Friends on the Other Side
4 Olaf - Friendly Snowman
4 Befuddle
4 Be Our Guest
4 Piglet - Pooh Pirate Captain
3 Chernabog - Evildoer
4 Chernabog's Followers - Creatures of Evil
4 Madam Mim - Snake
4 Merlin - Goat
4 Merlin - Rabbit
4 Madam Mim - Fox
3 Arthur - Wizard's Apprentice
1 The Sorcerer's Spellbook

Chernabog/Amethyst strategy guide

If you’ve played the popular Amber/Amethyst aggro deck from the Rise of the Floodborn season of Lorcana then this deck should be very easy for you to pick up. This deck is likewise focused on an aggressive stance to the game, taking lore quickly early game. Just like that deck, this deck also relies on the popular bounce mechanic with Madam Mim Fox and the Merlins, unlocking a lot of potential to protect characters while also gaining lore.

Unlike that deck, however, this deck has a huge later game potential in the form of Chernabog. As you play through the game with this aggro deck, a lot of your characters are going to wind up in your discard pile, so it’s relatively easy to get Chernabog in to play, assuming you are able to draw him.

Early game characters to play

Chernabog’s Followers – Creature’s of Evil

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Chernabog’s Followers is a great card to start your game off, as the moment you start questing with it you can achieve the dual aim of loading up character cards in your discard and draw extra cards.

Another great option to play in the early game is Maleficent – Biding Her Time. She’s something of a staple in Amethyst aggro decks and the same goes for this deck. Use her to gain an easy two lore, then use her to play Chernabog once she’s in the discard – another character card to lower the cost to play him!

This deck also runs there copies of Lilo. Ideally you would want to start the game with either Lilo or Maleficent in play. However, there are a few decks that you might want to think twice before playing these weak will power characters. In the Amber/Steel matchup, for example, Olaf will be a better pick. His three will power helps him survive most songs thrown his way early game.

Bounce your low cost characters with Madam Mim

Depending on your matchup, bouncing your characters back into your hand can actually be preferable to protecting them with bodyguards. Being in your hand means they can’t be taken out via damage songs. Madam Mim – Snake also gives you a powerful tool to use against your opponent, taking challenges with relative ease.

Meanwhile, Madam Mim – Fox gives you a very helpful attacker. You can use her to take out locations or stronger foes, or bounce her with another Fox to keep the challenging going.

Defend your characters with a bodyguard

Although getting your characters banished helps your end game, preferably your opponent would waste valuable attacks on characters other than your high lore questers, freeing them up to get you closer to winning the race. To that end, this deck list runs four copies of Simba – Protective Cub.

Simba is helpful because you can use him to start protecting vulnerable cards like Maleficent or Lilo right away.

Scale lore quickly with Piglet

Piglet – Pooh Pirate Captain is an excellent two-cost character capable of allowing you to quest for three lore. If you don’t manage to protect your one-cost characters, it might be more advantageous to keep loading up your board for an early quest with Piglet.

Use “Be Our Guest” to search for characters

I’ve tested both Be Our Guest and Friends on the Other Side in this deck as the main draw/search song. However, I prefer Be Our Guest and have found it more useful in my battles. Given this deck is so character handy, you actually get access to a greater range of options when you use Be Our Guest versus only getting the top two cards of your deck with Friends on the Other Side. This can be especially handy when you need to pull a Merlin – Goat to win the game, or a Madam Mim to bound a Merlin Goat to win the game.

While Be Our Guest may come in clutch more often, this deck still runs three copies of Be Our Guest to help keep your hand full.

Chernabog’s ability bolsters Mufasa

If you’ve done a good job getting your characters out there, questing and causing mischief and mayhem in general, chances are pretty good you’re going to have plenty of characters in your discard by the end of the game. Playing Chernabog probably won’t be a huge deal in this deck build. And once you play him, you get a refresh on all the characters that are in your discard, giving you the chance to play them all over again.

Last but certainly not least we have the powerful song card: The Bare Necessities. Despite being a relatively low cost card, you’ll want to play this card later on, preferably before your opponent can use something like Grab Your Sword to wipe out your board and erase your advantage, or in order to counter Be Prepared once you’ve managed to play your Chernabog.

It’s an extremely helpful card later on but if you get it in your opening hand I mulligan it away.

How much does the Chernabog/Amethyst Aggro deck cost to build?

This deck should only run you around $97 if you were to buy it from scratch. However, assuming you have a bunch of Lorcana cards around already, it should be much cheaper than that, making this deck pretty affordable for such a powerhouse and fun deck.

Mulligan tips

Given this is an aggro deck, you’ll be looking to come out the gate strong, meaning a Maleficent – Biding Her Time or Lilo is critical in your opening hand. It’s also nice to see a Simba as well, and then one of your cost three characters or another strong quester like Pinnochio. Apart from that, I tend to hold onto a Madam Mim – Snake just in case the matchup makes her more helpful than a Simba. Both of these cards are critical to this deck strategy so it’s nice to know I’m guaranteed to have them around when the time comes to play them.

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