Hey guys, I've created an abzan "grind" deck. I wouldn't call it aristocrats, as I don't play Nantuko Husk and the games are a bit similar to origins golgari with lots of removal, some tutoring, a lot of draw and stalling till you peck the opponent to death. Any tips and comments appreciated, it probably needs some some optimization, but does quite well so far.

4 x Blisterpod
2 x Hanweir Militia Captain
3 x Carrier Thrall
3 x Duskwatch Recruiter
2 x Declaration in Stone
2 x Bygone Bishop
1 x Liliana, Heretical Healer
1 x Nissa, Vastwood Seer
3 x Scion Summoner
2 x Anguished Unmaking
4 x Angelic Purge
1 x Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
1 x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
2 x Smothering Abomination
2 x From Beyond
1 x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 x Ob Nixilis Reignited
1 x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

4 x Plains
4 x Swamp
4 x Forest
2 x Westvale Abbey
2 x Woodland Cemetery
2 x Isolated Chapel
2 x Sunpetal Grove
4 x Evolving Wilds


The small creatures are hard to wipe and replace themselves, you can rebuild quickly with the bishops and recruiters and for everything big, you have your removal. The only big threat would be Plated Crusher but so far I didn't have to face it :-)

I would try Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim in the deck. Seems like it would be really good

I second that. Not sure if Ob Nix/Sorin are really needed here. Try -1 Ob Nix, -1 Sorin, +2 Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim. Better synergy, lower curve.

I did play Ayli, but cut him in the end. Sorin and Ob are great, act both as wincons and removal.

I might try cutting From Beyond for Ayli.

Wait, I didn't even see that, you were playing the 4 mana enchant just as a token generator? Yea...Ayli please.

From Beyond is not just a token Generator, as it finds Smothering Abomination.
Seconding Ayli as well. Any thoughts about Vile Redeemer btw? Seems like he is good in a deck like this.

You don't rely that much on Smothering Abomination in this deck, as you have Bygone Bishop.

I did want to try Vile Redeemer but:
1) I'm playing a lot of tokens
2) Requires Wastes or a token

With so few eldrazi I feel that retreat to emeria might be better at making tokens than from beyond, it can provide a chump when you play it and you have some token generators to put the second mode to use.

How bout 2 Tireless Tracker and/or a 1 of Tamiyo's journal (now that's grinding) ? In a grindy deck like this, Tamiyo ends up getting whatever you need eventually. Together with Bishop it seems likely that you will often just get to Diabolic Tutor at opponent's endstep the turn after you drop journal.

My mardu walkers/grindcontrol deck uses the journal too as inevitability, but I generally fetch a rolling thunder or a chandra

Needs more Evo Leap. All these creatures that want to get sacked, yet no purposeful way to do si.