I don't know about you, but my main issues with this deck almost always come from mana troubles or, from not keeping up with ramp.
I added a Gift of Estates (besides the usual manarocks and Land Tax) to try to fix this.
Edit: my apologies, it looks like I’ve been complaining about this before (post #297), and forgot about it. Must be it’s really bothering me
I'd like to chime in that, while very effective, this is very frustrating for opponents, and may cause some to sigh the moment they see Ayli as a commander. Use with moderation, it might destroy your welcome at playtables.
Alternatively, you could also threaten to instantly recur the card in your ‘yard the God targets with Phyrexian Reclamation. Your graveyard is your treasure trove, don’t let that insect thing plunder it.
That’s a tough one. How about disabling it, without giving an opportunity to go to the command zone? Like Faith's Fetters (it’s in Kelzam’s list), or Darksteel Mutation?
Peacekeeper did save me once or twice from Craterhoof Behemoth Alpha Strike. Not 100% sure she earned a more permanent slot, but we’ll see.
For now, I’m liking Knight-Captain of Eos a bit more than Wurmcoil Engine. It has similar combo-potential, but scares opponents less, can save me from attacks (or gain political points doing so for another player). And it’s 5 CMC instead of 6.
I tried Elenda for a while in my Reyhan&Ravos +1/+1 counter themed deck. Something dies, Elenda gets a counter, and ‘inherits’ all +1/+1 counters from it (Reyhan). Elenda dies, leaves alot of tiny critters, and Reyhan recuperates the counters.
Ravos can pull her back to hand from graveyard later.
Lately, I’ve been facing alphastriking hordes of hasty trampling threats (Craterhoof and friends). Wraths often prove 1 turn too slow. I’m considering adding a Peacekeeper. Perhaps Moat as well. Or Batwing Brume.
I'm really enthusiastic about Gift of Immortality, though.
When you have free repeatable sac outlet (like an Altar or a Blasting Station) it's so backbreaking for opponents: recurring a Fleshbag Marauderevery turn (not just mine), having compete board control with False Prophet, and that's not even mentioning more (mana) expensive critters like Yosei, the Morning Star or Ashen Rider. Even if it just reanimates something once, it's worth it.
EDIT: I thought I remembered something about the merits of Gift of Immortality. There were quite a few insightful posts on the matter, on the last few pages of BlackJack's Ghost Council Thread (RIP).
By the way: congratulations on the Primer status and the Primer Highlight feature!
We need to play a reactive game. Permanent-based threats will almost inevatably be swiped (think Merciless EvictionAustere Command or False Prophet) around T4. They lose their threats and often also valuable manarocks and repeatable drawpower (like Sylvan Library).
Opponents' vital combopieces (think Food Chain for Prosh for example) we can remove with pinpoint accuracy. Often exiling them.
We're Orzhov. Permanents do not trouble us.
I think it's important with this deck not to take an aggressive stance (even, a thing like putting an Ashnod's Altar into play) unless it's too late for the opponents.
Play report from yesterday: only won one game, (but the other 3 were with different decks - Ayli FTW!)
Gary (Gray Merchant of Asphodel) took the match, jumping in and out of the 'yard wearing his fancy Nim Deathmantle.
Lately, I'm a bit inclined to retire the former head of this deck: Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter. (even though I got a nice Asian one)
It's a superb sac outlet (and he enables some combos, especially with Mikaeus, the Unhallowed). BUT: he does so little (for his huge manacost), especially nothing upon ETB or dying. What do you think?
I added a Gift of Estates (besides the usual manarocks and Land Tax) to try to fix this.
Edit: my apologies, it looks like I’ve been complaining about this before (post #297), and forgot about it. Must be it’s really bothering me
Yosei, the Morning Star + Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim + Gift of Immortality
I'd like to chime in that, while very effective, this is very frustrating for opponents, and may cause some to sigh the moment they see Ayli as a commander. Use with moderation, it might destroy your welcome at playtables.
Alternatively, you could also threaten to instantly recur the card in your ‘yard the God targets with Phyrexian Reclamation. Your graveyard is your treasure trove, don’t let that insect thing plunder it.
Peacekeeper did save me once or twice from Craterhoof Behemoth Alpha Strike. Not 100% sure she earned a more permanent slot, but we’ll see.
For now, I’m liking Knight-Captain of Eos a bit more than Wurmcoil Engine. It has similar combo-potential, but scares opponents less, can save me from attacks (or gain political points doing so for another player). And it’s 5 CMC instead of 6.
Ravos can pull her back to hand from graveyard later.
Agreed. Why, WotC? No BFZ Battlelands, No Bicycle lands, now no Battlebond Duals.
As a dedicated BW commander player, I'm most displeased.
@chopsueyrice: Fleshbag Marauder could function as a recurrable (sort of) sweeper, to pair with Thrilling Encore, perhaps.
When you have free repeatable sac outlet (like an Altar or a Blasting Station) it's so backbreaking for opponents: recurring a Fleshbag Marauder every turn (not just mine), having compete board control with False Prophet, and that's not even mentioning more (mana) expensive critters like Yosei, the Morning Star or Ashen Rider. Even if it just reanimates something once, it's worth it.
EDIT: I thought I remembered something about the merits of Gift of Immortality. There were quite a few insightful posts on the matter, on the last few pages of BlackJack's Ghost Council Thread (RIP).
By the way: congratulations on the Primer status and the Primer Highlight feature!
Opponents' vital combopieces (think Food Chain for Prosh for example) we can remove with pinpoint accuracy. Often exiling them.
We're Orzhov. Permanents do not trouble us.
I think it's important with this deck not to take an aggressive stance (even, a thing like putting an Ashnod's Altar into play) unless it's too late for the opponents.
Gary (Gray Merchant of Asphodel) took the match, jumping in and out of the 'yard wearing his fancy Nim Deathmantle.
Lately, I'm a bit inclined to retire the former head of this deck: Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter. (even though I got a nice Asian one)
It's a superb sac outlet (and he enables some combos, especially with Mikaeus, the Unhallowed). BUT: he does so little (for his huge manacost), especially nothing upon ETB or dying. What do you think?