OK, my second attempt at an Orzhov lifegain deck. I'm not sure where this deck stands in the current meta, but it seems like it could be fun to play and I think I will give it a go.
The general idea is to create as many life gain "events" as possible to trigger the Ajani's Pridemate and
Wall of Limbs
. There could certainly be more lifelinkers and lifegain spells included, but I want to use "value" cards to compliment the main engine. Let me break it down for you:
Creatures
Soulmender - Guaranteed lifegain event every turn.
Ajani's Pridemate - Gets stupidly big if you have some Soulmenders and Rams out. Big hitter that can win the game for you. At least creates a big body that your opponent must deal with.
Wall of Limbs
- The equivalent of Pridemate in black. Has the added bonus of blocking well and providing a win condition with it's 7 mana ability if it gets really big.
Nyx-Fleece Ram - A must have in this deck, provides a guaranteed life gain event every turn.
Underworld Coinsmith
- Triggers off Rams, Erebos, Whips and other Coinsmiths for lifegain. Can also use spare mana to drain opponent.
Herald of Torment
- Early flyer that has no downside in this deck, also triggers the Coinsmiths.
Erebos, God of the Dead - Can turn all that spare life into card advantage.
Planeswalkers
Ajani Steadfast - Gives lifelink, vigilance and first strike to a creature which is incredibly useful for creating more no-risk lifegain events. Also keeps your life total high if he ultimates.
Sorin, Solemn Visitor - Lifelink to all creatures? Yes please! Works particularly well if out with Elspeth or Brimaz for token beats and lifegain.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion - A spare win condition basically.
Other Spells
Gods Willing
- Standard white protection spell.
Hero's Downfall - Removal for most things.
Whip of Erebos - Lifegain for all and potential for whipping back a Wingmate Roc.
Divine Favor
- Lifegain and provides protection from
Stoke the Flames
and Anger of the Gods and Lightning Bolt for my guys.
Lands
Not too much to explain here, I've included a couple of Radiant Fountain and Scoured Barrens for some lifegain events.
Sideboard
Bile Blight - Against rabble decks
Ordeal of Heliod - If you want some more lifegain and counters, but don't need to keep your Downfalls in the deck for example.
Return to the Ranks
- Could be useful if your Pridemates and Rams keep getting killed.
Brimaz, King of Oreskos - If you find yourself unable to deal enough damage, bring these in for some early game beats,
Sunbond - Wasn't sure about this one, but could potentially be devastating on a Wall of Limbs, for example.
Utter End - For getting rid of indestructibles, like Sarkin.
Eternal Thirst - Good if you don't need the
Divine Favor
, will provide extra counters and lifegain madness.
Anyway, please let me know what you think!
