2 x Thought-Knot Seer
1 x Gisela, the Broken Blade
1 x Linvala, the Preserver
1 x Bruna, the Fading Light

2 x Declaration in Stone
3 x Grasp of Darkness
4 x Vessel of Malignity
3 x Whispers of Emrakul
2 x Anguished Unmaking
3 x Murder
4 x Read the Bones
2 x Languish
2 x Planar Outburst
1 x Tamiyo's Journal
1 x Ob Nixilis Reignited
1 x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

3 x Evolving Wilds
4 x Forsaken Sanctuary
2 x Isolated Chapel
2 x Shambling Vent
2 x Drownyard Temple
2 x Geier Reach Sanitarium
6 x Swamp
4 x Plains
1 x Mortuary Mire
1 x Wastes

Liking this black white combo INfamous

Hi, can I get some feedback on a midrange lifegain deck I'm trying to build? It's my favorite decktype (except for Azorius blink, which I'm looking forward to be able to build now) but it's getting stomped competitively. I only just got about a dozen packs from the new expansion so it will get better, but I have all the good cards from the other sets except gatewatch (75% of that though).

1 x Kytheon, Hero of Akros
1 x Vampiric Rites
2 x Serene Steward
1 x Lone Rider
1 x Child of Night
2 x Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
1 x Nimbus Wings
2 x Declaration in Stone
1 x Ondu Rising
1 x Liliana, Heretical Healer
1 x Malikir Familiar
3 x Drana's Emissary
1 x Always Watching
2 x Retreat to Hagra
2 x Anguished Unmaking
1 x Solemn Offering
1 x Liliana, the Last Hope
1 x Gisela, the Broken Blade
1 x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
3 x Bloodfiend Vampire
1 x Tenacity
1 x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1 x Archangel Avacyn
1 x Campaign of Vengeance
1 x Linvala, the Preserver
1 x Sorin, Grim Nemesis
1 x Defiant Bloodlord
7 x Plains
7 x Swamp
2 x Shambling Vent
1 x Westvale Abbey
2 x Isolated Chapel
1 x Foundry of the Councils
1 x Rogue's Passage
1 x Sandstone Bridge
1 x Mortuary Mire
1 x Forsaken Sanctuary


20 Creatures
16 Other
24 Lands

Goal is to get small lifelink creatures on the board early to stall enough for bigger threats to come out, with some creatures getting powered up by the lifegain.

In terms of fixing the deck, I'm thinking of dropping baby Lili now that there's a walker version of her, even though this deck has some sac outlets to flip her. Ondu rising should probably go too, since most creatures already come with lifelink, but Tenacity is one of my most favorite combat tricks and turns the game on it's head usually when you use it after swinging out. I definitely want more Lone Rider's and will stick them in when I get them. Defiant Bloodlord I heard isn't that great and it takes way too long to set up, so I want to drop him too.

The deck used to be a bit more creature heavy so I didn't want to run mass removal but after including some cards from EMN and walkers from other sets I was also thinking of running Tragic Arrogance as a panic wipe... lost a few games where they just ended up setting up better than I did.

I don't have the other half of Brisela yet but will add it when I get it...

Yeah this deck is such garbage. Guess I'll stick to someone else's superfriends. **** this meta.

I've actually run Orzhov Mid-range Lifegain during late SOI, and it was far from terrible. I also think it will perform even better this season seeing how Superfriends got nerfed hard with the exclusion of Sylvan Ranger.

The deck's not THAT bad, but you need to make it more consistent. Cut some of the weaker 1-ofs and replace them with cards that fit the deck. Lower the curve a bit and make the manabase more consistent.

Can you make some specific suggestions? Or just point me to a working deck?

Sure. There's no EMN list on here, but I can suggest some things.

First off, I'd look for alternate sources of life gain. Campaign of Vengeance is too expensive and win-more, Solemn Offering is situational at best, Child of Night and Retreat to Hagra are pretty medium.

The probably most reliable way to enable Lifegain is by using Kalastria Healer with allies. Definitely add the four of these, as well as two Lantern Scouts.

I dislike Bloodbound Vampire as Lifegain payoff, they just get a bit bigger but can get blanked too easily by either chump-blockers or removal.
In my SOI Version I ran Cliffhaven Vampire instead, but that might not make the cut in EMN.

Also, run a bit more removal. Grasp of Darkness or Murder are very efficient for its cost and 2-color decks can usually cast it reliably. Tragic Arrogance is a card that helps you when behind while leaving your biggest creature alive.

Regarding the manabase, I'd cut most utility lands for additional fixing with Evolving Wilds and Forsaken Sanctuary; Orzhov is pretty colour-hungryy and you want to make sure to be able to cast your spells. The only non-coloured land I'd keep is maybe Westvale Abbey.

That would be some Tips for the deck. I can post my SOI list when I get home.

As promised, here's the list I used during late SOI.

Creatures (22):
3 x Expedition Envoy

3 x Serene Steward
4 x Kalastria Healer
2 x Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim

2 x Lantern Scout
3 x Drana's Emissary

1 x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
3 x Cliffhaven Vampire

1 x Archangel Avacyn

Non-creature spells (14):
2 x Declaration In Stone
3 x Grasp of Darkness

2 x Always Watching
2 x Anguished Unmaking

1 x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar

2 x Tragic Arrogance
1 x Ob Nixilis Reignited

1 x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

Lands (24):
7 x Swamp
7 x Plains
2 x Shamblig Vent
2 x Isolated Chapel
2 x Westvale Abbey
4 x Evolving Wilds


With EMN, I'd change some things (please remember they're untested).
Gisela is a no-brainer addition to the deck and should go over a Cliffhaven Vampire, the other two will have to make space for Thalia, Heretic Cathar
Lone Rider should go in, probably over Expedition Envoy; at which point Kalastria Healer does not have enough support to be great. Blessed Alliance seems like a good card to add over him, another one would be Collective Effort.

I hope I could help a little!

Thank you so much! It's definitely performing better.

So after seeing some of the other Orzhov decks, I put one together that is working ok I think but I would love some input on how to improve it.

Orzhou stuff.

Creature(15)
3x Lone Rider
2x Selfless Spirit
2x Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
3x Drana's Emissary
1x Gisela, the Broken Blade
1x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
1x Archangel Avacyn
1x Linvala, the Preserver
1x Bruna, the Fading Light

Instant(9)
2x Blessed Alliance
3x Grasp of Darkness
2x Murder
2x Anguished Unmaking

Sorcery(6)
2x Declaration in Stone
2x Collective Effort
2x Tragic Arrogance

Enchantment(2)
2x Always Watching

Planeswalker(4)
1x Liliana, the Last Hope
1x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
1x Ob Nixilis Reignited
1x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

Land(24)
2x Shambling Vent
6x Plains
7x Swamp
2x Isolated Chapel
4x Forsaken Sanctuary
3x Evolving Wilds

To view this deck go to: https://www.magicduelshelper.com/deckli ... 8fd63368ac

Created using Magic Duels Helper: http://www.magicduelshelper.com

One card I'd love to include is Thalia, Heretic Cathar but not sure what to cut. Anyway, could use some advice. Thanks.

I realized that I never used Sylvan Rangers in my superfriends..

Been trying this deck out; but with the inclusion of Campaign of Vengeance I decided to change some things up. The ally theme wasn't doing much so I just looked for efficient creatures. Farbog Revenant and Bloodmad Vampire are working well, but deck is a bit slow. Might switch out Murder for Dead Weight or Grasp of Darkness since we have so much unconditional removal in here anyway. Also trying to figure out how many Drana's vs Cliffhaven vs Campaigns I need in here.

3x Serene Steward
2x Child of Night
2x Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
2x Declaration in Stone

3x Farbog Revenant
2x Drana's Emissary
2x Always Watching
2x Murder
2x Anguished Unmaking
2x Angelic Purge

1x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
3x Bloodbond Vampire
2x Cliffhaven Vampire
1x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar

1x Archangel Avacyn
3x Campaign of Vengeance
1x Tragic Arrogance
1x Ob Nixilis Reignited

1x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

9x Plains
9x Swamp
2x Shambling Vent
2x Isolated Chapel
2x Forsaken Sanctuary

This is an Orzhov mid-range life gain/life drain deck that i've been piloting with great success. Kaladesh has added a few good cards (Kambal, Angel of Invention, Essence Extraction) that I think make this deck viable. I wouldn't say its quite Tier 1, but it's definitely competitive, synergistic, and extremely fun Hope you enjoy.

Creatures (27):
3x Lone Rider
4x Child of Night
2x Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
3x Pious Evangel // Wayward Disciple
2x Kambal, Consul of Allocation
3x Drana's Emissary
1x Gisela, the Broken Blade
1x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
3x Bloodbond Vampire
3x Cliffhaven Vampire
1x Angel of Invention
1x Noxious Gearhulk

Instants (5):
3x Essence Extraction
2x Anguished Unmaking

Sorceries (2):
2x Declaration in Stone

Enchantments (2):
2x Campaign of Vengeance

Planeswalkers (1):
1x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

Land (24):
8x Plains
8x Swamp
2x Shambling Vent
2x Isolated Chapel
4x Evolving Wilds

Considerations:

Retreat to Hagra: I haven't tested with this card yet, but it seems like it would work well. I might take out Campaign of Vengeance and replace it with Hagra for testing. Its one mana cheaper, gives your land drops some utility, and has synergy with Lone Rider, Bloodbond, & Cliffhaven Vampire.

Farbog Revenant: Comes with skulk and lifelink which is handy, buts its a 3 drop for a 1/3 It could work in theory but to make room for it you would have to remove either Pious Evangel or Bloodbond Vampire, and their almost too good in the deck to remove. Someone care to test this card for me?

Kalastria Healer: Best life gainer and life drainer in the meta. Issue: only activates with ally's. There's a fair amount of ally creatures in the deck already (11) but it just doesn't seem like enough to warrant him in the deck. However, I am considering testing him in the place of Pious Evangel, but then the deck would be at 62 cards. Angel of Invention and Noxious Gearhulk on the chopping block?? Possibly Ayli?

Solemn Offering: With the amount of enchantments and artifacts now being played in the meta, this card seems like a must have. Gives 4 life, transforms Lone Rider, and activates both Bloodbond and Cliffhaven Vampires. Issue: its too often a dead card in a hand and deck that wants to move fast. Some testing may be needed. For now, I just can't imagine a space for it.

Creatures (27):
3 x Lone Rider
4 x Child of Night
2 x Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
3 x Pious Evangel
2 x Kambal, Consul of Allocation
3 x Drana's Emissary
1 x Gisela, the Broken Blade
1 x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
3 x Bloodbond Vampire
3 x Cliffhaven Vampire
1 x Angel of Invention
1 x Noxious Gearhulk

Instants (5):
3 x Essence Extraction
2 x Anguished Unmaking

Sorceries (2):
2 x Declaration in Stone

Enchantments (2):
2 x Campaign of Vengeance

Planeswalkers (1):
1 x Sorin, Grim Nemesis

Land (24):
8 x Plains
8 x Swamp
2 x Shambling Vent
2 x Isolated Chapel
4 x Evolving Wilds


You're welcome.

Am I the only one sitting at 61 cards here?
-1 Child of Night

@Winningteam No you're right I posted a 61 card decklist. At the time I couldn't decide what to remove so I just left it at 61. After a bit of testing though I've made the following changes:

-3 Pious Evangel
-1 Angel of Invention
-1 Noxious Gearhulk
-2 Campaign of Vengeance

+4 Kalastria Healer
+3 Retreat to Hagra

It seems to run smoother with Hagra over Vengeance. Kalastria healer is great but only half the creatures are Ally's, but unlike Pious Evangel he pings for one while also netting a life which is better than just gaining 1 life, even though Pious works with all the creatures in the deck.

You play a dangerous game my friend. Enchantments? T_T

4x Sacred Cat
3x Vampiric Rites
3x Fatal Push
4x Anointer Priest
3x Hidden Stockpile
2x Declaration in Stone
2x Oath of Gideon
2x Anguish Unmaking
2x Anointed Procession
2x Retreat to Emeria
1x Cast Out
1x Gideon Ally of Zendikar
2x Planar Outburst
1x Lilliana, Death's Majesty
3x Start to Finish
1x Sorin Grim Nemesis
6x Plains
5x Swamp
2x Shambling Vent
2x Westvale Abbey
3x Aether Hub
4x Evolving Wilds
2x Forsaken Sanctuary

If you like long games, this deck is really funny. Idea is to get Anointed Procession out, and generate lot of tokens and life, and finish opponent with one big blow or with ormendhal. It is bit problematic because we have only 2 copies, but Hidden stockpiles Retreat to emeria and other token creating cards let you survive, and you can dig for Anointed processions with Vampiric Rites and hidden stockpiles. There is not lot of removals, but it is enough because in most cases you just need to take care about flyers, and token will chump on ground. Once when opponent commit to much to board, you can sweep board with Planar outburst(fumigate would be much better for this, and I would like at least one more copy). Once you have Anointed procession on board, you can embalm anointed priests and generate lot of life and tokens each turn, that you even do not need to block anymore. I was able to generate hundreds of life per turn, but 10-20 is enough most the time.

With lot of enchantments this deck is obviously vulnerable to Tragic Arrogance, other sweepers not doing much, if you have hidden stockpiles on board. Fatal Push is very effective in this deck becuase you always can cast it with revolt and gain double value from trigger. Retreat to Emeria, is kinda replacement for additional Gideon's not available and it produces tokens too. One land drop can pump whole team, and with evolving wilds you won jackpot, and can easily kill opponent in one turn with few tokens available.

I'm thinking about possible changes I would made in certain mathcups, but since we do not have sideboard, you can experiment yourself. Cards I would consider are: 1x Ayli, eternal Pilgrim for late game(triggers stockpiles, exiles). Campaign of Venegance, would be great sideboard against fog decks. Kalitas of course, I'm looking for place in deck now, it creates tokens, and exiles creatures, and gain life so it is perfect for this deck. Against heavy creatures decks some more sweepers could be handy, and also fragmentize could be sideboard against vehicles. Against other token decks I would maybe add few Trueheart Duelists.

Unfortunately we did not get HOD, but I can only imagine how this would work with eternalize.

Here is few images:

Hi,
Nice and fun deck, you need some patience though, waiting for rounds of life gain (time for a coffee...). I tested it by replacing Aether hubs with dual B/W, and 1 Fatal push + Fast out by 2 Campaign of Vengeance. Apart from Anointed Procession, I think Hidden Stockpile is a key card.
I could achieve some numbers in life gain and damage :

Just turn on auto resolution for games with that deck Otherwise, match would last for hours

You are right, Hidden stockpile, and Vampiric rites are deck engine with anoited procession. I tried several pay off cards for tokens and life, and must say there is a lot of payoff cards that could be used as finishers. Cliffheaven Vampire is great in 2HG, little weaker in 1Vs1. Also tried Ayli, and it is very good in such deck. It would be really good deck if we have sideboard, because engine is good, but alternate payoffs are good against certain archetypes, but bad against others, and we can't have them all in deck.