niv-mizz by JulioMrscl

Format: Commander

Commander: Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel

Bracket: 4

DeckCheck Threat Index: 29

Deck overview

This deck is an Orzhov Aristocrats and Reanimator strategy commanded by Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel. Rather than relying on its expensive 6-mana commander, the deck builds around low-curve recursive creatures, free sacrifice outlets, and life-draining payoffs. Early turns establish mana rocks and hatebears like Drannith Magistrate and Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff. By Turn 5, it forms a steady engine that drains opponents whenever creatures die. The mid-game leverages high-impact permanents such as Bolas's Citadel, Grave Pact, and Smothering Tithe to generate overwhelming card and mana velocity. A primary win condition is the two-card loop between Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward and Animate Dead, which creates infinite Soldier tokens and infinite death triggers alongside any drain piece. While the deck possesses strong creature removal and resilience to board wipes through death triggers, it suffers from a lack of countermagic and vulnerability to graveyard hate.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Abdel Adrian, Gorion's Ward
  • 1 Abigale, Eloquent First-Year
  • 1 Accursed Marauder
  • 1 Animate Dead
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Ash Barrens
  • 1 Ashnod's Altar
  • 1 Avacyn, Angel of Horror
  • 1 Barrensteppe Siege
  • 1 Bastion of Remembrance
  • 1 Bleachbone Verge
  • 1 Blind Obedience
  • 1 Blood Artist
  • 1 Bloodghast
  • 1 Bloodsoaked Champion
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Bolas's Citadel
  • 1 Cabal Coffers
  • 1 Carrion Feeder
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Chthonian Nightmare
  • 1 City of Brass
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Concealed Courtyard
  • 1 Cruel Celebrant
  • 1 Dark Confidant
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Desolate Mire
  • 1 Diabolic Intent
  • 1 Drannith Magistrate
  • 1 Eclipsed Steppe
  • 1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
  • 1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
  • 1 Entomb
  • 1 Erode
  • 1 Esper Sentinel
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Forum of Amity
  • 1 Ghostly Prison
  • 1 Glasswing Grace // Age-Graced Chapel
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 Grave Pact
  • 1 Grave Venerations
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 High Market
  • 1 Hoarding Broodlord
  • 1 Inkshield
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Jailbreak
  • 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • 1 Knight of the White Orchid
  • 1 Life Insurance
  • 1 Lotho, Corrupt Shirriff
  • 1 Lurrus of the Dream-Den
  • 1 Marsh Flats
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Obscura Storefront
  • 1 Orzhov Basilica
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 1 Pawn of Ulamog
  • 1 Plaguecrafter
  • 2 Plains
  • 1 Ranger-Captain of Eos
  • 1 Reanimate
  • 1 Scrubland
  • 1 Secluded Steppe
  • 1 Shadowy Backstreet
  • 1 Shambling Vent
  • 1 Shattered Sanctum
  • 1 Sheoldred // The True Scriptures
  • 1 Silent Clearing
  • 1 Skullclamp
  • 1 Smothering Tithe
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Soul Warden
  • 1 Split Up
  • 1 Starscape Cleric
  • 1 Sunlit Marsh
  • 1 Suture Priest
  • 3 Swamp
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Teferi's Reproach
  • 1 Temple of Silence
  • 1 Terramorphic Expanse
  • 1 Teysa, Orzhov Scion
  • 1 The Queen of Dale
  • 1 Timeline Culler
  • 1 Toxic Deluge
  • 1 Unwanted Remake
  • 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
  • 1 Vault of Champions
  • 1 Viscera Seer
  • 1 Vraan, Executioner Thane
  • 1 War Room
  • 1 Withering Curse
  • 1 Zulaport Cutthroat