This commander deck began with an attrition theme. The goal was to produce enough tokens as sacrifice fodder to keep the enemy board states clean. It has changed over my revisions to a combo deck with a sub-theme of attrition. Most of the combos focus on the manipulation of death triggers to either gain infinite life, infinite creatures, or deal infinite damage. There are main five death combos with three serving as the primary goal (due to card versatility) and two serving as a backup. They are as follows:
Primary Combo 2 Show
The second combo utilizes
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed +
Puppeteer Clique or
Triskelion + a sac outlet. Because of Mikaeus' ability, any creature that is able to remove +1/+1 counters can die infinitely to a sacrifice outlet. The two creatures with this ability in the deck also have their own added effects, one of which is an instant game win. This combo is our secondary target since it allows some versatility in the creature and sacrifice outlet areas. It also takes priority over the next three combos since it can be lethal without having to add any more cards.
Primary Combo 3 Show
The third infinite death trigger combo is
Karmic Guide +
Reveillark + a sac engine. This combo is one of the most widely known and can also fetch a second 2 power creature for combos/shenanigans. Due to the versatility of the second target, it serves as the final primary combo despite requiring two specific components. A list of notable shenanigans for the second
Reveillark target will be included at the end.
Backup Combo 1 Show
The first backup combo is
Sun Titan +
Fiend Hunter + a sac outlet. This is a combo similar to the
Karmic Guide/
Reveillark combo as it requires two specific pieces but does not offer any versatility of use. However, unlike the
Karmic Guide/
Reveillark, this combo requires additional components for a game win. These pieces should be assembled and utilized only when convenient since
Sun Titan and
Fiend Hunter provide ways preserve Primary Combos through protection, recursion, and/or disruption.
Backup Combo 2 Show
The second backup combo involves
Sun Titan +
Karmic Guide +
Animate Dead + a sac engine. This combo is really just a contingency combo in case all of the previously mentioned combos have been hated out (e.g.
Sadistic Sacrament or
Jester's Cap). It functions similarly to Primary Combo 3 by turning
Sun Titan into the
Reveillark component through the use of
Animate Dead targeting the
Karmic Guide. Again, this combo is almost strictly contingency. There are a lot of components to be targeted and it still requires a fifth card to be lethal.
The next section of combos are variations that can be added to improve the functionality through lessened input, increased output, or just by providing an alternate way to initiate the combo. They are as follows:
Primary Combo 1 Variation Show
The first combo variation significantly improves Primary Combo 1. We're going to add
Teysa, Orzhov Scion,
Pawn of Ulamog or
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed to the equation. By adding Teysa, we have allowed any black creature to be the creature component for combo 1 (with an initial investment of 2 mana). If we add Mikaeus we've allowed any non-human creature to become the creature component. If we have Pawn, we have effectively allowed ANY creature in the entire list to become the creature component for our combo (again, with an initial 2 mana investment). Depending on the creature used with this combo, extra effects can be obtained and are detailed under "Sacrifice Effects List".
Primary Combo 3 Variation Show
The next variation is for Combo 3. In this version we utilize
Teysa, Orzhov Scion as our sacrifice outlet. While it only functions as a Backup for Primary Combo 3 I do not have it listed as such since Teysa is technically included as a “sac outlet”. I wanted to discuss it though since it has a drawback of being unable to function unless there is at least 1 valid target to exile on the battlefield. If
Teysa, Orzhov Scion is unable to choose a target, you cannot resolve the sacrifice ability for the combo. It is also important to note that Teysa acts as the second target for
Reveillark and thus requires an additional card to be lethal. Again, this variation is only as a backup and should be used only if convenient or if you’re out of options.
Universal Combo Variation Show
The “Universal Combo Variation” integrates
Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim and
Pawn of Ulamog into any of the previously mentioned combos. Why bother with a potential five to seven card combo? Because it can provide infinite death triggers, life, creatures, and colorless mana. It has an investment cost of 1 colorless mana (to activate Ayli the first time) but allows you to replace the costless sac outlets with Ayli. This is done by utilizing the eldrazi spawn produced by the Pawn. Infinite life is provided by Ayli's first ability fueled by the eldrazi spawns mana ability, infinite 0/1s are created by
Pawn of Ulamog, and infinite colorless mana can be created if you sacrifice your infinite eldrazi army.
All of the afore mentioned combos are utilized with Blood Artist or Zulaport Cutthroat for an instant win. Utilizing Geralf's Messenger or Triskelion in the death combos also provide an instant win. If you are unable to incorporate one of these creatures there are backup win cons as well. They are as follows:
Backup Win Conditions Show
With all of the combo potential available to you it is nearly impossible to not be able to work towards something. Even if all the combo potential is hated out when getting focused by the table, you still have the following “Sub-theme” strategies available to you. These Sub-themes include token support/creature value, removal, recursion, and life gain. They provide alternate win conditions by keeping the board state clean and eventually getting the game win with your smaller creatures. The game plan for each sub-theme are as follows:
Token Support/Creature Value: Creatures like Hero of Bladehold, Grave Titan, or Angel of Invention make effective use of tokens in or out of combat while Elspeth, Sun's Champion provides extra tokens, removal, and team pumping. Unanswered threats like Serra Ascendant or any of the previously mentioned token creatures have won me many games all by themselves. Any combo can fizzle, so it's always good to have a beat-stick backup plan. Especially if that fizzled combo leaves you with extra tokens and one of these heavy hitters.
Removal: Wrath of God effects, Vindicate like removal, and Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim's second ability are all powerful ways to remove obstacles from your path. It's near impossible to answer every threat in a game but you need to be able to answer the ones that count.
Recursion: Since the deck is built around infinite recursion loops, its only natural that the partial combos would function well enough on their own. Even just paying full cost for recurring cards like Grave Titan or Angel of Invention with Nim Deathmantle have lead to large board states and grinding out wins. Just playing the "reanimator" style is potent and well known for its ability to win games.
Life Gain: The life gain strategy used to exist solely for using Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim's second ability or as a byproduct of an infinite combo. However, the creation of Aetherflux Reservoir and Tree of Perdition have turned life gain into a deadly weapon. If you manage to get these three cards on the field together you can kill one opponent and severely cripple another while still maintaining a life point lead! Vizkopa Guildmage can be tossed into the mix for more life total shenanigans!
That does it for my Ayli deck tech. Thanks for your time and please offer any constructive criticism you have. This is my primary commander deck so comments and suggestions will be much appreciated.
Update!!! Ayli has made the ultimate sacrifice and was sold to help pay for my new house and an engagement ring. Thanks everyone for looking at the list and offering advise. I'm sure she'll return one day!
Sacrifice Effect List Show
Potential Sacrifice Engine Effects Show
Infinite Sacrificed Creature Effects Show
Teysa Combo Creatures Show
Mikaeus Combo Creatures Show
Reveillark Combo Creatures Show
Considerations Show
No current considerations. Looking forward to Commander 2017!
Potential Cuts Show
Everything is functioning well.
Edit History Show
1/5/2016:
Exquisite Blood,
Sanguine Bond,
Venser's Journal, and
Consuming Vapors were swapped for
Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter,
Ophiomancer,
Vampiric Rites, and
Ob Nixilis Reignited
1/20/2016: Ob Nixilis Reignited was swapped for Twilight Shepherd
1/22/2016: Vampiric Rites, Dark Prophecy, Martial Coup, Smothering Abomination, Phyrexian Reclamation, Necrotic Sliver, Suture Priest, and a Plains for Increasing Ambition, Necropotence, Wrath of God, Puppeteer Clique, Phyrexian Altar, Hero of Bladehold, Soul's Attendant, Windbrisk Heights
2/7/2016: Black Market for Sorin, Solemn Visitor
2/20/2016: Smokestack for Priest of Gix
3/28/2016: Nether Traitor, Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder, Hero's Downfall, a Swamp and a Plains for Beacon of Unrest, Sun Titan, Anguished Unmaking, Westvale Abbey
, and Mistveil Plains
4/8/2016: Ogre Slumlord, Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter, and Sorin, Solemn Visitor for Hanweir Militia Captain
, Archangel of Thune, and Merciless Eviction
4/21/2016: Twilight Shepherd for Sorin, Grim Nemesis
5/20/2016: Sorin, Grim Nemesis for Liliana, Heretical Healer
5/27/2016: Solemn Simulacrum and Bloodgift Demon for Fiend Hunter and Banisher Priest
6/22/2016: Tainted Field for Scoured Barrens
6/28/2016: Diabolic Intent, Divinity of Pride, Storm Herd, Phyrexian Altar, Priest of Gix, and Archangel of Thune for Vampiric Tutor, Mikaeus, the Unhallowed, Sifter of Skulls, Spawning Pit, Pawn of Ulamog, and Mind Stone
7/23/2016: Baneslayer Angel, Requiem Angel, and Vampiric Tutor for Hallowed Spiritkeeper, Geralf's Messenger, and Enlightened Tutor
8/23/2016: Debtors' Knell for Animate Dead
9/30/2016: Wurmcoil Engine and Mind Stone for Angel of Invention and Aetherflux Reservoir
10/21/2016: Banisher Priest and Sengir Autocrat for Angel of Despair and Triskelion
11/29/2016: 2x Plains and 1x Swamp for Concealed Courtyard, Esper Panorama, and Orzhov Basilica
12/25/2016: 1x Swamp, Forsaken Sanctuary, and Scoured Barrens for Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth, Ghost Quarter, and Scrubland
12/27/2016: Hanweir Militia Captain
for Tree of Perdition
1/7/2017: Angel of Despair and Liliana, Heretical Healer
for Athreos, God of Passage and Solemn Simulacrum
1/23/2017: Soul Warden and Soul's Attendant for Walking Ballista and Yahenni, Undying Partisan
2/28/2017: Martyr's Bond for Liliana Vess
4/20/2017: Ophiomancer for Erebos, God of the Dead
4/25/2017: Enlightened Tutor and Athreos, God of Passage for Vampiric Tutor and Necromancy
5/31/2017: Walking Ballista, Sifter of Skulls, Esper Panorama, Bitter Ordeal, and Spawning Pit for Diabolic Intent, Dark Prophecy, Altar of Dementia, Cabal Coffers, and Phyrexian Tower
6/9/2017: Utter End, Marsh Flitter, and Liliana Vess for Swords to Plowshares, Agent of Erebos, and Sadistic Hypnotist
8/18/2017: Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet, Yahenni, Undying Partisan, Grave Pact, and Dictate of Erebos for Cliffhaven Vampire, Vizkopa Guildmage, Sanguine Bond and Exquisite Blood