@ Nev: Simply for participating in the FNM, we all receive a free booster pack (I chose Theros) and I actually got another Whip of Erebos. Erebos, God of the Dead doesn't seem to be all that expensive either.
Thank you again for all your help! I greatly appreciate it - I'll keep tweakin' the deck based on the cumulative comments and card suggesstions.
Although I had to rely on my current resources (as I did not have many of the cards that were previously suggested to me (Doom Blade, Glare of Heresy, Hero's Downfall, or Pharika's Cure)), my first FNM was stellar! I wanted to begin the post with a big thank you to everyone and all your helpful advice in strengthening the deck-concept that I had. Here is what I ran at the FNM:
The additional removal cards were of great benefit. While only having three Ultimate Prices, they were very useful and worked well with my Orzhov Charm removals - I am definitely going to be seeking out more removal cards. The additional land was also of great benefit. I didn't have one game where I was mana-starved.
My favorite match that I won was against a blue-black mill deck (I never realized how being milled feels like your soul is slowly deteriorating). The other player had literally whittled me down to only two cards left in my library. I already had Whip of Erebos and Sanguine Bond on the field, however, so when I played Debt to the Deathless and swung with all my creatures (x1 Teysa, x1 Blood Baron, and x2 High Priests) I won in a single round. It was pretty epic.
Although I know there hasn't been a lot of love for the card Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts, she was a really great asset, especially with my Whip of Erebos in play. Teysa's Lifelink, Vigilance, Protection from Creatures, and her ability which destroys any creature that does combat damage to me, limited the other player's offensive options considerably (especially against the mono-green and red/white decks I played against). With the wealth of mana I was experiencing, my Crypt Ghasts providing me more Swamps, and consistently utilizing Read the Bones, I was always able to get her out pretty fast even though her mana-cost is high. However, like everyone said, Blood Baron of Vizkopa was tremendous. I was the only player at our FNM with a black/white deck, but there were many, many folks with mono-white, mono-black, or red/white decks, so Blood Baron's Protection from Black and White + Lifelink was monumental.
Also, Read the Bones in conjunction with Underworld Connections and Temple of Silence provided a great card advantage. Although I was spending life willy-nilly, I was gaining it all back with Lifelink and Sanguine Bond, but had the draw-power to always have an advantageous hand.
I'm still going to play around with a deck a bit more, but for the most part, I'm going to stick with what I have. I also appreciate the advice given to change out all of my Enchantment - Aura cards. I never needed them! (Except for Blind Obedience, which always helped me.)
@ Nev: Awesome! Thank you, tremendously, for clarifying how the two synthesize. I had a cursory understanding of it, but now that I have it all laid out simply for me I won't have to mentally rationalize it anymore haha.
I am currently attempting to implement more kill creature spells within the deck (as other users have recommended), but I only have three Ultimate Prices and one Pharika's Cure at the moment. I do, however, have quite a few Executioner's Swings. While it's not an outright "destroy target creature," I do feel that the -5/-5 is enough to get rid of quite a few creatures (not the big-hitters, unfortunately, though). But, of course, for Executioner's Swing to work, target creature had to have dealt damage this turn ... a pretty big caveat I feel.
I should post the reworked deck here in the next couple of minutes.
@Noon3r: I just looked up Xathrid Necromancer. I definitely see the synergy between him and High Priest of Penance. Also, I do have four Cartel Aristocrats - would "sacrificing" another creature count as dealing damage to it (for the High Priest) or as dying (for the Xathrid Necromancer)? I see the potential synergy there as well.
@ukyo rulz: Yeah, I definitely hear ya. I have some Isolated Chapels from Innistrad, but I know those aren't in Standard anymore. However, I do have a plethora of Guildgates. I was lucky to happen upon the two Godless Shrines that I have via boosters; I went online to see if I could hunt down more and I was seeing price ranges of $20 (however, that was for the foil). The normal card is around $8 (I'll see what's over after rent and utilities this February haha). For right now, I'll take your advice and stick to the four Orzhov Guildgates. Also, I'm definitely going to look into more cards to kill creatures since that is the one note I've heard consistently from others.
@hardKOrr: I'm definitely going to post tomorrow what I've restructured the deck towards after everyone's feedback. I'll also post how the FNM goes as well given everyone's advice and critiques. Thank you for the interest!
There really isn't a good excuse not to run Blood Baron in this deck if you can. It fits the Orzhov flavor perfectly and it's a much better card than Teysa. As a Spike, I'm pretty biased, but there are ways to make decks that fit a theme without sacrificing power.
@ sovietbacon: Oh, I worked in my Blood Baron of Vizkopa. His sinister grin was enough to win me over haha. He's another card that blends theme and mechanics really well for the Orzhov. Given my attachment to the overall package of the Teysa card, however, I have become resistant to the pull that I must sacrifice my own personal enjoyability (which I understand is subjective to each of us) for pure strategic soundness.
Of course, I have not forgotten that I started this thread seeking advice on the soundness of my deck, therefore inviting the comments of others on how best to utilize what I have. I greatly appreciate (and am actively desirous of) hearing the thoughts, opinions, and strategies of the folks that contribute greatly to this forum. It definitely helps me to take a step back, mull over my options, and form a much more objective and clear-headed decision regarding the choices I make pertaining my deck.
@ UA lives: Thank you for the feedback! While I do appreciate the strategic soundness of your advice, I'm ultimately in this to have fun, which for me, entails a deck that sticks to a core theme. This one is tailored, obviously, around Orzhov and I feel Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts is an awesome summation and symbol of that theme.
So I lose an FNM because I kept a card I greatly enjoyed thematically. The experience of playing with my deck will trump the success or failure of it. In the end, I'd much rather have a deck with a cohesive and creative theme than a hodgepodge of cards that synthesize into a deadly defeating-machine (while I do desire effectiveness, I enjoy the flavor Magic has to offer much, much more). I do not desire to become the undisputed champion of my local FNM (would it be nice to win? of course), but the experience of hanging out, playing with friends, and utilizing a deck of my creation is what I'm truly aiming for. Above strategy, this game is less about "winning" and more about social connection and interaction via a shared interest, much like when we get together to watch the Super Bowl with our friends and we end up eating nachos, drinking beer, and socializing while only occasionally glancing at the screen - we're there for the presence of others over the actual event itself; the event may be the causation, but the socializing is the intention.
@ hardKOrr: Thank you for enlightening me on the function of the sideboard. It is something I noticed about my creatures is that between my High Priest of Penances and Crypt Ghasts, nobody rises above a 2/2 save for Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts and Obzedat, Ghost Council, which are both expensive mana-wise and don't usually come out until much later in the game. I definitely see the advantage in having some bigger hitters in the side deck as an effective response.
My main goal is to keep the game going as long as possible until I defeat the other player via lifelink and extort, slowly gaining health while they lose it. I feel that my High Priests alongside Blind Obedience help keep me in the game while I slowly whittle away. It is fun having a big ol' comfy pad of health to spend on cards like Underworld Connections and Read the Bones. I was pretty jazzed about the way a lot of the Orzhov cards interact with Sanguine Bond, so it is my definite end-goal to drain them of their life rather than overwhelming them with creatures (like a mono-green deck) or have them ripping their hair out out of pure frustration (like a mono-blue deck).
(Also, thank you for the validation on the decisions based upon art/style. While I do enjoy strategy, overall I love the theme of the deck and how the mechanics communicate that theme.)
@ Nev: Mmmmm, I love it! I just started my spring semester this year, so I'm in my listening/synthesis mode at the moment. I greatly appreciate the in-depth analysis (it's why I love strategy games). You definitely understood the way I was perceiving Tablet of the Guilds and Divine Favor via Sanguine Bond. Empirically I have had experience with the exact scenario you established, though: I may be gaining 3 - 4 life off my Tablet, using my turn to endow a creature with Divine Favor to reap the benefit of the +3 health, but my friend and his horde of 5/5 Wurms with trample really don't care (or my friend with Lightning Strike and Shock). I'm pretty much just burning cards and delaying the inevitable, especially when I use my Merciless Evictions. They have come in handy from time to time, but mostly just clear the board leaving me with nothing as well and simply delaying my own demise.
I have a Gray Merchant of Asphodel, which I have been pondering implementing given its Devotion and my wealth of black cards, but given your thorough rundown of the building blocks of the strategy, I can definitely find him a place. I have learned much this day. I shall meditate upon this in between classes and work tomorrow.
Although, I am glad you brought up Obzedat, Ghost Council and its interaction with the Whip of Erebos. I specifically put both those cards in my deck because the way I read them I thought they had a fantastic synergy. However, a friend of mine was adamant that they did not (possibly because he was on the receiving end?). Given that he's played longer than I, I deferred to his judgment and experience (I only have the courage to play in garages with acquaintances rather than face the likes of kind strangers in our gaming shop). So, I'm not crazy and they do interact superbly. Thank you!
Hey, Ulquiorra9000. Thank you for the detailed feedback! I greatly appreciate your specificity in what to replace and why. I actually have a Blood Baron of Vizkopa, but felt his abilities were too circumstantial. However, simply with his lifegain and his power/toughness with where it's at, I'll definitely work him in.
My friend has been selling me on Read the Bones, so I'll definitely look into that as well. For only 3 mana that seems like a sweet deal and a great way to increase my draw-power (in conjunction with my x4 Underworld Connections).
I apologize for my naivete here, but being relatively new to Magic, how exactly does the sideboard work? I know that it has to have 15 cards, right? And you switch in between your regular deck and your sideboard, yes?
Anyway, thank you for feedback! I will definitely heed all of your advice.
Hey, Nev. Thank you for the feedback! I initially had Tablet of the Guilds and Divine Favor in there to coincide with the ability provided by Sanguine Bond. However, I definitely see what you're saying and appreciate the constructive feedback - Lands and creature removal.
I can miss Pontiff of Blight, however, I love Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts too much to ever lose her. I like her abilities and love the style and art of the card (my reasons for keeping her are mainly thematic, but the protection from creatures, vigilance, and ability always trips up my friends).
Hey, bote. I am "Just Getting Started" myself on the forums (and am relatively new to Magic as I've played for about six months now), but I hope you don't mind if I exercise my understanding of the game by responding to your post.
It looks like you've crafted a pretty solid, foundational deck here. I particularly enjoy your use of Ethereal Armor given the number of other enchantments you will be playing. A lot of your creatures don't seem to be big-hitters, but with all those enchantments and auras, they'll be endowed with lifelink, trample, and quite a bit of extra power/toughness turning them into big-hitters. I would definitely use Gift of Orzhova given its additions, especially since I don't think you have any natural-flyers. However, rather than keeping it in your sideboard, I think it'd be cool to implement Advent of the Wurm into your deck. My friend utilizes that one to some great effect from time to time (trample is always a bummer when you're the receiver haha).
I guess my question would be what is your overall goal with the deck? What is your perceived strategy to win? Is it buffing up your creatures with enchantments and auras and wailing on the other player?
Anyway, I highly doubt this will be of much help, but it seems like you've thought this deck through. It may just come down to finally testing it out during play on FNM.
Hail, everyone. I accidentally posted this in the wrong forum originally ("Deck Critique"), but another user, TheWetRat, was kind enough to point me in the right direction (thank you!). I've been playing Magic for a bit now and have worked on this Orzhov deck for the past couple of months to play in Standard.
I was just hoping for some feedback, advice, commentary, etc. as I am eager to participate in my local gaming store's weekly FNM. Thank you so much for your time and advice!
(Also, I haven't posted much so far since I have joined, so I hope it is neither rude nor selfish of me seeking feedback before I've offered much advice to the community myself. Another apology concerning my formatting (if it is wonky at all) as well.)
Hello, everyone! I've been playing Magic for a bit now, but have just recently joined the forums (at the behest of my local gaming store). Currently, this is my main deck (Orzhov lifegain) that I have been working on for the past six months. I'm not sure if it is "Standard" or "Legacy" (I'm still learning the definitions of these terms), but we (my pen-and-paper gaming friends) have simply been hunkered down in garages just playing with the cards we have making whatever decks we can. I would really like to jump into the FNM foray sometime soon, though, but I am not sure what's "legal" or what is frowned upon within the community.
I was just hoping for some feedback, advice, commentary, etc. Thank you so much for your time, advice, and words!
(Also, I haven't posted much so far since I have joined, so I hope it is neither rude nor selfish of me seeking feedback before I've offered much advice to the community myself.)
(I particularly enjoy what Sanguine Bond has to offer with my lifelink, extort, and specifically my Debt to the Deathless (which has won me a couple of games single-handedly).)
After many, many years of playing pen and paper roleplaying games, I finally made the leap over to Magic: the Gathering at the behest of my gaming group. It is a decision I do not regret.
It is great to be on the forums and to be within the community now. A future thank you to all for your sage advice.
I don't know how much help I will be, but I have some initial thoughts: I think two Merciless Eviction cards are fine; I only have two in my purely Black & White Orzhov deck and they have both saved my arse quite a few times, but more than two is a tad excessive given their cost. I am a huge fan of High Priest of Penance as his ability, for only being a two-drop, really keeps my friends with aggro decks from going full-swing at me in the early stages of the game (while maintaining usefulness throughout the entirety of the game since your opponent won't want to lose any of their TNLPs). Of course, Obzedat, Ghost Council makes any Orzhov deck.
However, personally, I've never been a huge fan of having more than one particular Legendary creature in my deck since only one can be out on the field at a time (though, I do know the benefits of having multiples in your deck in the event something happens to the first one). But the Orzhov, Ghost Council is a tough cookie to get rid off because they exile themselves at your endstep meaning they cannot be targeted by your opponent during their turn, meaning it is hard to permanently get rid of them. You might be able to better utilize that other card slot for something else.
As of right now, Pack Rat seems a tad superfluous, or that he is not being utilized to his greatest capacity within the scheme of your deck. A friend of mine has a dedicated "Rat Deck," which obviously focuses on rats (in any incarnation), but a majority of his creatures are rats therefore bringing out the real value of Pack Rat which comes out once there are much more rats on the field.
Understandably so you have quite a bit of mana given your three mana requirement, but 26 (to me) seems a tad steep. Rather than drowning your deck in mana, you may want to look at certain cards that allow for more draw-power instead (I am a fan of Underworld Connections for my Orzhov deck, especially since I am gaining so much life). Cards that allow for more draw-power I think will be more useful in this deck rather than taking up so much space (that could you be used for more creatures or such) with mana. Also, since you're striving for a three-mana-dependent deck, rather than having multiples of each type, maybe try and find some cards that count as any color, therefore giving you greater flexibility (cards such as Manalith).
It might be evading me as I don't have all the cards out in front me (and have to resort to clicking one card at a time), but I am not seeing a revolution around any central mechanic. You have some token-generation, some lifegain, some destroy target creatures cards, some good creatures that have great abilities, etc., but I am not seeing a central centerpiece in which all your cards work towards. (For example, my entire Orzhov deck revolves around the lifegain and extort mechanics.) Perhaps you should seek a more unifying theme for your cards? Though, there may be one and I am just not seeing it. All in all, I would definitely recommend finding a way to add some more creatures into your deck, though, since you have six two-drops and two five-drops. I can see how you will hinder your opponent, but now how you will ultimately beat them.
Anyway, I don't know if any of that was helpful. I've played Magic for a bit now, but have just joined these forums. Everyone seems so helpful and appreciative I wanted to join haha. Best of luck!
Thank you again for all your help! I greatly appreciate it - I'll keep tweakin' the deck based on the cumulative comments and card suggesstions.
Creatures (x16):
High Priest of Penance x4
Tithe Drinker x4
Crypt Ghast x4
Blood Baron of Vizkopa x2
Obzedat, Ghost Council x1
Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts x1
Spells (x20):
Blind Obedience x2
Orzhov Charm x3
Ultimate Price x3
Read the Bones x2
Underworld Connections x4
Whip of Erebos x1
Sanguine Bond x2
Debt to the Deathless x2
Merciless Eviction x1
Lands (x24):
Plains x9
Swamp x9
Orzhov Guildgate x2
Godless Shrine x2
Temple of Silence x2
The additional removal cards were of great benefit. While only having three Ultimate Prices, they were very useful and worked well with my Orzhov Charm removals - I am definitely going to be seeking out more removal cards. The additional land was also of great benefit. I didn't have one game where I was mana-starved.
My favorite match that I won was against a blue-black mill deck (I never realized how being milled feels like your soul is slowly deteriorating). The other player had literally whittled me down to only two cards left in my library. I already had Whip of Erebos and Sanguine Bond on the field, however, so when I played Debt to the Deathless and swung with all my creatures (x1 Teysa, x1 Blood Baron, and x2 High Priests) I won in a single round. It was pretty epic.
Although I know there hasn't been a lot of love for the card Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts, she was a really great asset, especially with my Whip of Erebos in play. Teysa's Lifelink, Vigilance, Protection from Creatures, and her ability which destroys any creature that does combat damage to me, limited the other player's offensive options considerably (especially against the mono-green and red/white decks I played against). With the wealth of mana I was experiencing, my Crypt Ghasts providing me more Swamps, and consistently utilizing Read the Bones, I was always able to get her out pretty fast even though her mana-cost is high. However, like everyone said, Blood Baron of Vizkopa was tremendous. I was the only player at our FNM with a black/white deck, but there were many, many folks with mono-white, mono-black, or red/white decks, so Blood Baron's Protection from Black and White + Lifelink was monumental.
Also, Read the Bones in conjunction with Underworld Connections and Temple of Silence provided a great card advantage. Although I was spending life willy-nilly, I was gaining it all back with Lifelink and Sanguine Bond, but had the draw-power to always have an advantageous hand.
I'm still going to play around with a deck a bit more, but for the most part, I'm going to stick with what I have. I also appreciate the advice given to change out all of my Enchantment - Aura cards. I never needed them! (Except for Blind Obedience, which always helped me.)
I am currently attempting to implement more kill creature spells within the deck (as other users have recommended), but I only have three Ultimate Prices and one Pharika's Cure at the moment. I do, however, have quite a few Executioner's Swings. While it's not an outright "destroy target creature," I do feel that the -5/-5 is enough to get rid of quite a few creatures (not the big-hitters, unfortunately, though). But, of course, for Executioner's Swing to work, target creature had to have dealt damage this turn ... a pretty big caveat I feel.
I should post the reworked deck here in the next couple of minutes.
@ukyo rulz: Yeah, I definitely hear ya. I have some Isolated Chapels from Innistrad, but I know those aren't in Standard anymore. However, I do have a plethora of Guildgates. I was lucky to happen upon the two Godless Shrines that I have via boosters; I went online to see if I could hunt down more and I was seeing price ranges of $20 (however, that was for the foil). The normal card is around $8 (I'll see what's over after rent and utilities this February haha). For right now, I'll take your advice and stick to the four Orzhov Guildgates. Also, I'm definitely going to look into more cards to kill creatures since that is the one note I've heard consistently from others.
@hardKOrr: I'm definitely going to post tomorrow what I've restructured the deck towards after everyone's feedback. I'll also post how the FNM goes as well given everyone's advice and critiques. Thank you for the interest!
@ sovietbacon: Oh, I worked in my Blood Baron of Vizkopa. His sinister grin was enough to win me over haha. He's another card that blends theme and mechanics really well for the Orzhov. Given my attachment to the overall package of the Teysa card, however, I have become resistant to the pull that I must sacrifice my own personal enjoyability (which I understand is subjective to each of us) for pure strategic soundness.
Of course, I have not forgotten that I started this thread seeking advice on the soundness of my deck, therefore inviting the comments of others on how best to utilize what I have. I greatly appreciate (and am actively desirous of) hearing the thoughts, opinions, and strategies of the folks that contribute greatly to this forum. It definitely helps me to take a step back, mull over my options, and form a much more objective and clear-headed decision regarding the choices I make pertaining my deck.
So I lose an FNM because I kept a card I greatly enjoyed thematically. The experience of playing with my deck will trump the success or failure of it. In the end, I'd much rather have a deck with a cohesive and creative theme than a hodgepodge of cards that synthesize into a deadly defeating-machine (while I do desire effectiveness, I enjoy the flavor Magic has to offer much, much more). I do not desire to become the undisputed champion of my local FNM (would it be nice to win? of course), but the experience of hanging out, playing with friends, and utilizing a deck of my creation is what I'm truly aiming for. Above strategy, this game is less about "winning" and more about social connection and interaction via a shared interest, much like when we get together to watch the Super Bowl with our friends and we end up eating nachos, drinking beer, and socializing while only occasionally glancing at the screen - we're there for the presence of others over the actual event itself; the event may be the causation, but the socializing is the intention.
My main goal is to keep the game going as long as possible until I defeat the other player via lifelink and extort, slowly gaining health while they lose it. I feel that my High Priests alongside Blind Obedience help keep me in the game while I slowly whittle away. It is fun having a big ol' comfy pad of health to spend on cards like Underworld Connections and Read the Bones. I was pretty jazzed about the way a lot of the Orzhov cards interact with Sanguine Bond, so it is my definite end-goal to drain them of their life rather than overwhelming them with creatures (like a mono-green deck) or have them ripping their hair out out of pure frustration (like a mono-blue deck).
(Also, thank you for the validation on the decisions based upon art/style. While I do enjoy strategy, overall I love the theme of the deck and how the mechanics communicate that theme.)
@ Nev: Mmmmm, I love it! I just started my spring semester this year, so I'm in my listening/synthesis mode at the moment. I greatly appreciate the in-depth analysis (it's why I love strategy games). You definitely understood the way I was perceiving Tablet of the Guilds and Divine Favor via Sanguine Bond. Empirically I have had experience with the exact scenario you established, though: I may be gaining 3 - 4 life off my Tablet, using my turn to endow a creature with Divine Favor to reap the benefit of the +3 health, but my friend and his horde of 5/5 Wurms with trample really don't care (or my friend with Lightning Strike and Shock). I'm pretty much just burning cards and delaying the inevitable, especially when I use my Merciless Evictions. They have come in handy from time to time, but mostly just clear the board leaving me with nothing as well and simply delaying my own demise.
I have a Gray Merchant of Asphodel, which I have been pondering implementing given its Devotion and my wealth of black cards, but given your thorough rundown of the building blocks of the strategy, I can definitely find him a place. I have learned much this day. I shall meditate upon this in between classes and work tomorrow.
Although, I am glad you brought up Obzedat, Ghost Council and its interaction with the Whip of Erebos. I specifically put both those cards in my deck because the way I read them I thought they had a fantastic synergy. However, a friend of mine was adamant that they did not (possibly because he was on the receiving end?). Given that he's played longer than I, I deferred to his judgment and experience (I only have the courage to play in garages with acquaintances rather than face the likes of kind strangers in our gaming shop). So, I'm not crazy and they do interact superbly. Thank you!
My friend has been selling me on Read the Bones, so I'll definitely look into that as well. For only 3 mana that seems like a sweet deal and a great way to increase my draw-power (in conjunction with my x4 Underworld Connections).
I apologize for my naivete here, but being relatively new to Magic, how exactly does the sideboard work? I know that it has to have 15 cards, right? And you switch in between your regular deck and your sideboard, yes?
Anyway, thank you for feedback! I will definitely heed all of your advice.
I can miss Pontiff of Blight, however, I love Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts too much to ever lose her. I like her abilities and love the style and art of the card (my reasons for keeping her are mainly thematic, but the protection from creatures, vigilance, and ability always trips up my friends).
It looks like you've crafted a pretty solid, foundational deck here. I particularly enjoy your use of Ethereal Armor given the number of other enchantments you will be playing. A lot of your creatures don't seem to be big-hitters, but with all those enchantments and auras, they'll be endowed with lifelink, trample, and quite a bit of extra power/toughness turning them into big-hitters. I would definitely use Gift of Orzhova given its additions, especially since I don't think you have any natural-flyers. However, rather than keeping it in your sideboard, I think it'd be cool to implement Advent of the Wurm into your deck. My friend utilizes that one to some great effect from time to time (trample is always a bummer when you're the receiver haha).
I guess my question would be what is your overall goal with the deck? What is your perceived strategy to win? Is it buffing up your creatures with enchantments and auras and wailing on the other player?
Anyway, I highly doubt this will be of much help, but it seems like you've thought this deck through. It may just come down to finally testing it out during play on FNM.
I was just hoping for some feedback, advice, commentary, etc. as I am eager to participate in my local gaming store's weekly FNM. Thank you so much for your time and advice!
(Also, I haven't posted much so far since I have joined, so I hope it is neither rude nor selfish of me seeking feedback before I've offered much advice to the community myself. Another apology concerning my formatting (if it is wonky at all) as well.)
Creatures [x15]:
x4 High Priest of Penance
x2 Tithe Drinker
x2 Vizkopa Guildmage
x4 Crypt Ghast
x1 Pontiff of Blight
x1 Obzedat, Ghost Council
x1 Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
Spells [x22]:
x2 Blind Obedience
x3 Orzhov Charm
x3 Divine Favor
x4 Underworld Connections
x3 Gift of Orzhova
x2 Sanguine Bond
x2 Debt to the Deathless
x2 Merciless Eviction
x1 Whip of Erebos
Artifacts [x1]:
x1 Tablet of the Guilds
Land [x22]:
x9 Swamp
x9 Plains
x2 Godless Shrine
x2 Temple of Silence
(I particularly enjoy what Sanguine Bond has to offer with my lifelink, extort, and specifically my Debt to the Deathless. The High Priest of Penance and Blind Obedience keeps my friend's mono-green deck from rushing me early on.)
I was just hoping for some feedback, advice, commentary, etc. Thank you so much for your time, advice, and words!
(Also, I haven't posted much so far since I have joined, so I hope it is neither rude nor selfish of me seeking feedback before I've offered much advice to the community myself.)
(I particularly enjoy what Sanguine Bond has to offer with my lifelink, extort, and specifically my Debt to the Deathless (which has won me a couple of games single-handedly).)
It is great to be on the forums and to be within the community now. A future thank you to all for your sage advice.
Cheers!
However, personally, I've never been a huge fan of having more than one particular Legendary creature in my deck since only one can be out on the field at a time (though, I do know the benefits of having multiples in your deck in the event something happens to the first one). But the Orzhov, Ghost Council is a tough cookie to get rid off because they exile themselves at your endstep meaning they cannot be targeted by your opponent during their turn, meaning it is hard to permanently get rid of them. You might be able to better utilize that other card slot for something else.
As of right now, Pack Rat seems a tad superfluous, or that he is not being utilized to his greatest capacity within the scheme of your deck. A friend of mine has a dedicated "Rat Deck," which obviously focuses on rats (in any incarnation), but a majority of his creatures are rats therefore bringing out the real value of Pack Rat which comes out once there are much more rats on the field.
Understandably so you have quite a bit of mana given your three mana requirement, but 26 (to me) seems a tad steep. Rather than drowning your deck in mana, you may want to look at certain cards that allow for more draw-power instead (I am a fan of Underworld Connections for my Orzhov deck, especially since I am gaining so much life). Cards that allow for more draw-power I think will be more useful in this deck rather than taking up so much space (that could you be used for more creatures or such) with mana. Also, since you're striving for a three-mana-dependent deck, rather than having multiples of each type, maybe try and find some cards that count as any color, therefore giving you greater flexibility (cards such as Manalith).
It might be evading me as I don't have all the cards out in front me (and have to resort to clicking one card at a time), but I am not seeing a revolution around any central mechanic. You have some token-generation, some lifegain, some destroy target creatures cards, some good creatures that have great abilities, etc., but I am not seeing a central centerpiece in which all your cards work towards. (For example, my entire Orzhov deck revolves around the lifegain and extort mechanics.) Perhaps you should seek a more unifying theme for your cards? Though, there may be one and I am just not seeing it. All in all, I would definitely recommend finding a way to add some more creatures into your deck, though, since you have six two-drops and two five-drops. I can see how you will hinder your opponent, but now how you will ultimately beat them.
Anyway, I don't know if any of that was helpful. I've played Magic for a bit now, but have just joined these forums. Everyone seems so helpful and appreciative I wanted to join haha. Best of luck!