Life Isn't Fair

Standard* Allies Lifegain WB (Orzhov)

jcofer

Creature (21)

• 3x Bloodbond Vampire
• 2x Drana, Liberator of Malakir
• 4x Drana's Emissary
• 4x Kalastria Healer
• 3x Lantern Scout
• 2x Wingmate Roc
• 3x Zulaport Cutthroat

Planeswalker (6)

• 3x Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
• 3x Sorin, Solemn Visitor

Land (23)

• 3x Ally Encampment
• 4x Caves of Koilos
• 5x Plains
• 3x Scoured Barrens
• 3x Shambling Vent
• 5x Swamp

Enchantment (3)

• 3x Silkwrap

Instant (5)

• 2x Utter End
• 3x Valorous Stance

Sorcery (2)

• 2x March from the Tomb

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Sideboard

Enchantment (3)

• 3x Stasis Snare

Instant (8)

• 3x Celestial Flare
• 3x Ultimate Price
• 2x Utter End

Sorcery (4)

• 2x Ruinous Path
• 2x Transgress the Mind

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The Idea

Leveraging the strength of Orzhov: life-gain/life-loss, this list tries to use Rally triggers to great effect. Pinging for small amounts early sets the stage and makes up for the lack of strong early blockers. Once Zulaport Cutthroat(s) come into play, this deck's soft targets do not look so fragile. We swing with them anyway and dare the opponent to block/board-wipe to their own misfortune. Then, we casually bring them all back and do it again with March from the Tomb , dinging the opponent to much greater effect. Included are highly effective removal spells needed to break the opponent's well-laid plans.

Card Breakdown:

Creatures

• Kalastria Healer : 1/2 Ally. Rally effect pings for 1.

• Zulaport Cutthroat: This Ally makes your opponent think twice before attacking, and punishes them when they do it anyway.

• Lantern Scout : 3/2 Ally that triggers for lifelink.

• Drana's Emissary: Flying. Ally. Pings for one each upkeep.

• Drana, Liberator of Malakir: Flying. First strike. Ally. Makes it rain +1/+1's that buff every other attacker during the second damage phase, if she gets through.

• Bloodbond Vampire : 3/3 Ally that comes out as 4/4, when Kalastria Healer is out. She adds extra value to the lifegain.

• Wingmate Roc: These guys are full of value. The lifegain is nice, too.

Planeswalkers

• Gideon, Ally of Zendikar: Pumps out 2/2 Knight ally tokens to trigger Rally, or can swing for 5, or can give everyone a +1/+1 in the form of an Emblem.

• Sorin, Solemn Visitor: Makes flying tokens, but more importantly, gives persistent +1/+0 and Lifelink to all.

Removal

• Valorous Stance: Instant. Two modes.

• Utter End: Instant. Useful. Good against non-creature threats also.

• Silkwrap : Cheap removal. Slower than the others, but cheap.

Utility

• March from the Tomb : The only thing better than swinging with lifelink everything is getting them all back and triggering all the Rally effects. Try to get Kalastria Healer back, though.

Notable Land

• Shambling Vent: Can swing as a 2/3 with Lifelink, again triggering life-gain.

• Ally Encampment : Uncolored mana, unless casting an Ally. Doubles as tool to bounce an Ally for dodging removal or to trigger any Rally effect.

There you have it. My take on Orzhov life-gain allies. Thank you for reading and feel free to leave your comments below.

Date added	9 years
Last updated	9 years
Legality	This deck is not Standard legal.
Rarity (main - side)	10 - 0 Mythic Rares 17 - 4 Rares 16 - 8 Uncommons 4 - 3 Commons
Cards	60
Avg. CMC	3.16
Tokens	Bird 3/4 W, Emblem Gideon, Ally of Zendikar, Emblem Sorin, Solemn Visitor, Knight Ally 2/2 W, Vampire 2/2 B
Folders	ally, standard, standard fun, ?, ally possible