Niv by JaegerMoster

Format: Commander

Commander: Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 46

Deck overview

This Orzhov deck is a synergistic lifegain combo-control build commanded by Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel. The primary game plan revolves around leveraging incidental lifegain triggers—such as 'soul sisters' (Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant), Authority of the Consuls, and extort mechanics—to fuel Niv-Mizzet's ability, paying life to draw massive bursts of cards. This substantial card advantage quickly digs toward the deck's primary win condition: an infinite drain loop combining an 'opponent loses life, you gain life' effect (Exquisite Blood, Bloodthirsty Conqueror) with a 'you gain life, opponent loses life' effect (Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose, Sanguine Bond, Marauding Blight-Priest). Defensively, the deck deploys premium single-target exile removal, flexible board sweepers, and soft stax pieces like Blind Obedience to control the tempo of the game. When the combo pieces resolve, any single instance of damage or lifegain immediately drains all three opponents to zero in a single turn.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Ajani Resolute
  • 1 Ajani's Welcome
  • 1 Anguished Unmaking
  • 1 Approach of the Second Sun
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Astarion, the Decadent
  • 1 Authority of the Consuls
  • 1 Basilica Screecher
  • 1 Blind Obedience
  • 1 Blood Artist
  • 1 Bloodthirsty Conqueror
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Chaplain's Blessing
  • 1 Children of Korlis
  • 1 Cleric Class
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Creeping Bloodsucker
  • 1 Damn
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Debt to the Deathless
  • 1 Despark
  • 1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Exquisite Blood
  • 1 Exsanguinate
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Fracture
  • 1 Fumigate
  • 1 Generous Gift
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 Haliya, Guided by Light
  • 1 Indulging Patrician
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • 1 Light of Hope
  • 1 Liliana the Faultless
  • 1 Lunar Convocation
  • 1 Marauding Blight-Priest
  • 1 Mind Stone
  • 1 Moseo, Vein's New Dean
  • 1 Night's Whisper
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Orzhov Basilica
  • 1 Orzhov Signet
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 12 Plains
  • 1 Pristine Talisman
  • 1 Psychosis Crawler
  • 1 Reliquary Tower
  • 1 Restoration Magic
  • 1 Rhox Faithmender
  • 1 Riot Control
  • 1 Sanguine Bond
  • 1 Scoured Barrens
  • 1 Shattered Sanctum
  • 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
  • 1 Shineshadow Snarl
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Sorin of House Markov // Sorin, Ravenous Neonate
  • 1 Soul Warden
  • 1 Soul's Attendant
  • 1 Starscape Cleric
  • 1 Sunscorch Regent
  • 1 Suture Priest
  • 11 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Tainted Field
  • 1 Tainted Sigil
  • 1 Talisman of Hierarchy
  • 1 Temple of Silence
  • 1 The Wind Crystal
  • 1 Thought Vessel
  • 1 Tithe Drinker
  • 1 Vampiric Tutor
  • 1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • 1 Vizkopa Guildmage