EDH Karlov Life is Life

Commander / EDH Death and Taxes Lifegain Multiplayer Soul Sisters WB (Orzhov)

ruusuv

Creature (29)

• 1x Abzan Falconer
• 1x Angel of Despair
• 1x Angel of Destiny
• 1x Bruna, the Fading Light  ^Meld
• 1x Crested Sunmare
• 1x Gisela, the Broken Blade  ^Meld
• 1x Heliod, Sun-Crowned
• 1x Karmic Guide
• 1x Linvala, Keeper of Silence
• 1x Lyra Dawnbringer
• 1x Mikaeus, the Lunarch
• 1x Mirran Crusader
• 1x Mother of Runes
• 1x Murderous Rider
• 1x Nyx-Fleece Ram
• 1x Obzedat, Ghost Council
• 1x Ranger of Eos
• 1x Resplendent Angel
• 1x Serra Ascendant
• 1x Skyclave Cleric  ^Flip
• 1x Soul Warden
• 1x Soul's Attendant
• 1x Speaker of the Heavens
• 1x Stoneforge Mystic
• 1x Stonehewer Giant
• 1x Sunscourge Champion
• 1x Thalia, Heretic Cathar
• 1x Thalia's Lancers
• 1x Walking Ballista

Planeswalker (6)

• 1x Ajani, Strength of the Pride
• 1x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
• 1x Gideon Blackblade
• 1x Kaya, Ghost Assassin
• 1x Sorin, Solemn Visitor
• 1x Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord

Land (35)

• 1x Barren Moor
• 1x Brightclimb Pathway  ^Flip
• 1x Caves of Koilos
• 1x Command Tower
• 1x Concealed Courtyard
• 1x Eiganjo Castle
• 1x Fetid Heath
• 1x Flagstones of Trokair
• 1x Godless Shrine
• 1x Isolated Chapel
• 1x Kabira Crossroads
• 1x Marsh Flats
• 1x Orzhov Basilica
• 4x Plains
• 1x Radiant Fountain
• 1x Rogue's Passage
• 1x Scoured Barrens
• 1x Scrubland
• 1x Secluded Steppe
• 1x Seraph Sanctuary
• 1x Shambling Vent
• 1x Shizo, Death's Storehouse
• 1x Silent Clearing
• 5x Swamp
• 1x Tainted Field
• 1x Temple of Silence
• 1x Vault of the Archangel
• 1x Wasteland

Enchantment (5)

• 1x Authority of the Consuls
• 1x Blind Obedience
• 1x Dawn of Hope
• 1x Legion's Landing  ^Flip
• 1x Oath of Kaya

Commander (1)

Artifact (11)

• 1x Batterskull
• 1x Fountain of Renewal
• 1x Lightning Greaves
• 1x Pristine Talisman
• 1x Shadowspear
• 1x Sol Ring
• 1x Swiftfoot Boots
• 1x Sword of Light and Shadow
• 1x Sword of War and Peace
• 1x Umezawa's Jitte
• 1x Whip of Erebos

Sorcery (8)

• 1x Cataclysm
• 1x Lingering Souls
• 1x Night's Whisper
• 1x Obzedat's Aid
• 1x Read the Bones
• 1x Steelshaper's Gift
• 1x Tragic Arrogance
• 1x Vindicate

Instant (5)

• 1x Despark
• 1x Kaya's Guile
• 1x Secure the Wastes
• 1x Swords to Plowshares
• 1x Vraska's Contempt

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Maybeboard

Creature (12)

• 1x Basilica Bell-Haunt
• 1x Crested Sunmare
• 1x Heliod, Sun-Crowned
• 1x Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
• 1x Kunoros, Hound of Athreos
• 1x Ranger-Captain of Eos
• 1x Regna, the Redeemer
• 1x Resolute Watchdog
• 1x Sacred Cat
• 1x Shattered Angel
• 1x Sunscorch Regent
• 1x Vona, Butcher of Magan

Sorcery (3)

• 1x Kaya's Wrath
• 1x Open the Armory
• 1x Revival / Revenge

Enchantment (1)

• 1x Arguel's Blood Fast  ^Flip

Planeswalker (1)

• 1x Liliana of the Veil

Land (1)

• 1x Bloodstained Mire

Artifact (1)

• 1x Talisman of Hierarchy

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Karlov of the Ghost Council lifegain aggro/voltron. Early game is all about Karlov and applying pressure. Late game features heavy hitters such as planeswalkers, angels (Brisela, Voice of Nightmares) and smaller creatures equipped to be actual threats.

Themes:

Angels

Besides Bruna, the Fading Light and Gisela, the Broken Blade there is Angel of Despair, Karmic Guide, even Seraph Sanctuary. Bruna, the Fading Light returning Karmic Guide from the graveyard can lead to fun things and a full battlefield. Linvala, Keeper of Silence acts as hate against various shenanigans from other decks.

Equipment

There's a Stoneforge Mystic package, and also Stonehewer Giant and Steelshaper's Gift for more tutoring. Might add Open the Armory, but would probably need some aura targets for that as well.

Legendary Matters

Thalia's Lancers can get equipment (Umezawa's Jitte), lands (Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth, Eiganjo Castle, Shizo, Death's Storehouse), removal (Oath of Liliana), tokens (Oath of Gideon), lifegain/graveyard action (Whip of Erebos). Or any of the many legendary creatures, obviously.

Lifegain

It wouldn't be Karlov without lifegain. Life is most often gained in small amounts via various lifegain lands, things like Authority of the Consuls, Kambal, Consul of Allocation, Pristine Talisman, lifelink creatures (hello turn 1 Sacred Cat) and the two Soul Sisters (Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant).

Enchantment/Constellation

Underworld Coinsmith works for lifegain and +2/+2 on Karlov. There's also staples like Oblivion Ring and Whip of Erebos to trigger the constellation. Authority of the Consuls and Blind Obedience are there to slow down other players and gain small amounts of life.

Tokens to Go Wide

Lingering Souls, Secure the Wastes, embalming a Sacred Cat and anthem effects (Gideon, Ally of Zendikar) allow the deck to go wide and apply pressure (especially when carrying equipment). They can also protect Karlov from sacrifice effects.

Interactions:

Soul Sisters tech

Ranger of Eos can tutor for Mother of Runes, Serra Ascendant, Walking Ballista, Mikaeus, the Lunarch or either of the soul sisters (Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant). And in a pinch, Sacred Cat.

If there's a Soul Sister in play, Secure the Wastes with Karlov of the Ghost Council can easily become lethal if left unblocked.

Planeswalkers

Oath of Liliana with Kaya, Ghost Assassin can lead to lot of zombies.

Kaya, Ghost Assassin blinking Angel of Despair is good times.

Oath of Gideon and all the planeswalkers work nicely together, especially Sorin and Elspeth.

What this deck isn't

This is an aggro deck with incremental lifegain. That means that there's no combo finish here. Cheesy Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond combos are not included, and neither are game ending threats like Felidar Sovereign or Test of Endurance. We are looking to end the game with Commander damage, and failing that, regular old damage. Fair magic, in a way.

The other commonly seen thing missing is the big mana plan with things like Exsanguinate or Debt to the Deathless (and Cabal Coffers). The end game plan is to grind, true Death and Taxes style.

Date added	8 years
Last updated	4 years
Exclude colors	URG
Legality	This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)	18 - 0 Mythic Rares 44 - 0 Rares 18 - 0 Uncommons 11 - 0 Commons
Cards	100
Avg. CMC	2.95
Tokens	Ajani's Pridemate, Angel 4/4 W, Angel 4/4 W w/ Vigilance, Emblem Gideon, Ally of Zendikar, Emblem Sorin, Solemn Visitor, Horse 5/5 W, Knight Ally 2/2 W, On an Adventure, Phyrexian Germ 0/0 B, Soldier 1/1 W w/ Lifelink, Spirit 1/1 W, Spirit 1/1 WB, Sunscourge Champion 4/4 B, Vampire 1/1 W, Vampire 2/2 B, Warrior 1/1 W
Folders	EDH