varygoode I totally agree, but before the lucky pull I was trying to keep it at least slightly wallet friendly ha. I've found the +1 ability to work pretty well when you have a pridemate getting big. The first strike and vigilance are nice, and the lifeline is an obvious asset as well.

I playtested this deck a few times and discovered that it definitely needs another Abzan Charm . This is mainly because of the lack of draw in the deck but the card is also great for getting rid of threats like gods etc.

Upvoted! I second the Feat of Resistance suggestion. Keeping Ajani's Pridemate alive (or unblockable) seems super important and Feat plays nice with Hardened Scales and Abzan Falconer too!

The decklist is running 8 out of possible 12 lifegainlands. Is it not worth adding in the extra lifegain (via playing lands) because of the direct synergy with wall of limbs and pridemate? Or will it make the deck too slow?

Also it would be really cool with some game-feedback. What worked, what didnt. Particular matchups that flunked or just worked out perfectly. Would love that :)

So I tried my hand at an almost-budget version of this and was wondering if you could give it a lookover: Count on Life.

I ran your deck at Game Day and didn't do incredibly well, but still did okay. I rather enjoyed one game where I got to sac a Wall of Limbs to have my opponent lose 22 life, though!

I put together a deck earlier this week, and then I find out there's one VERY close to mine on here already. Looks like great minds think alike! Mine's not nearly as budget as yours, but I like it. Check it out, if you have a moment:

Abzan Budget-ish Lifegain/Counters

I recently started playing and I was glad that Lifegain decks are a thing. I almost got all cards in your decklist (first I want to play with your build then think about personal changes) but one question. Where would you put Banishing Light (I have 3) in main deck? I thought about taking out Despise.

grabczas I would agree with that. Despise is one of the weaker cards in the mainboard. I wish Duress was still standard...

How about swapping Despise with Feat of Resistance for more protection?

I would really hate it if I already assembled a bunch of huge creature and it got wiped out easily

Sunbond + Illusions of Grandeur = :)

(obviously I'm not suggesting it)

Thank you very much for the great build. I'm trying to build a budget deck for my little brother to help him get into the game, and he's professed that Abzan is his favorite clan. Definitely building this for him as a Christmas present. Thanks again!

Would like to see the same deck but more competitive using expensive lands,Courser of Kruphix and maybe Ajani.

yes. yes it is. also, SO MANY FOLDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Out of curiousity, what would you take out to put in 1 or 2 Ajani Steadfast?

I built this deck with a couple of edits 'n stuff and it runs great! Have you seen Retribution of the Ancients? I've been running it and if Pridemate and pals gets buffed up enough it's fantastic removal.

Perhaps try tormented hero, without him (and even with, to be honest) there is (almost) no heroic so I feel that 7 pro instants is a bit excessive

theoretically, if people see this deck and use it a lot, the card prices will go up and it won't be standard anymore. just a random thought.

DERPLINGSUPREME actually that has happened. The deck price used to be $20ish, and is now 28.91. So something is happening

This is an Amazingly awesome deck ..i was gonna ask what would you edit in the deck now that Fate reforged is out? my build is very similar to this but i had some great cards to abuse in fate reforged like lightform and Valorous stance

Awesome deck. What do you think about Daghatar the Adamant for this deck?

Hey, love the deck. Have you considered Lightform? It has the benefit of both lifelink and flying. It triggers prowess on Seeker of the Way and can morph into a lucky Ajani's Pridemate.

I think that lifeform and Valorous Stance will be added in. Any other suggestions and/or what I should take out for them?

Soul of Theros is actually only 4$ right now. you could put him in the sideboard for longer games.

Read the Bones is honestly a great card, and more splashable than Sign in Blood.

Staff of the Sun Magus seems a good idea since most of your cards are white.