bestinien by ianconvenience

Format: Commander

Commander: Estinien Varlineau

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 36

Deck overview

This Orzhov deck is commanded by Estinien Varlineau, combining low-mana noncreature spells with evasive Dragon beatdown. The early turns prioritize deploying 2-CMC mana rocks and establishing Estinien alongside cheap evasive creatures. Each noncreature spell cast grants Estinien a +1/+1 counter and flying, allowing it to connect safely and trigger substantial card draw in the postcombat main phase. In the midgame, the deck ramps into formidable flying threats such as Sunscorch Regent, Guardian Scalelord, and Ao, the Dawn Sky, utilizing asymmetric board wipes like Crux of Fate and damage multipliers like Sylvia Brightspear to overwhelm opponents in the air. A robust package of instant-speed protection spells—such as Gods Willing and Take Up the Shield—serves double duty by protecting key creatures and triggering Estinien's growth. Efficient Orzhov removal ensures flexible interaction against opposing threats while the deck closes out the game through evasive aerial combat.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Anguished Unmaking
  • 1 Ao, the Dawn Sky
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness
  • 1 Astarion's Thirst
  • 1 Austere Command
  • 1 Authority of the Consuls
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Bone Devourer
  • 1 Cave of the Frost Dragon
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Changeling Outcast
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Courageous Resolve
  • 1 Coveted Jewel
  • 1 Crib Swap
  • 1 Crush Contraband
  • 1 Crux of Fate
  • 1 Crystal Dragon // Rob the Hoard
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Defiant Strike
  • 1 Despark
  • 1 Destroy Evil
  • 1 Dig Site Inventory
  • 1 Dragon's Disciple
  • 1 Dragon's Hoard
  • 1 Dragonstorm Globe
  • 1 Drannith Ruins
  • 1 Estinien Varlineau
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Eye of Nidhogg
  • 1 Fabled Passage
  • 1 Fearsome Awakening
  • 1 Feat of Resistance
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Generous Gift
  • 1 Gods Willing
  • 1 Guardian Scalelord
  • 1 Haven of the Spirit Dragon
  • 1 Icingdeath, Frost Tyrant
  • 1 Ishgard, the Holy See // Faith & Grief
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Junji, the Midnight Sky
  • 1 Monastery Mentor
  • 1 Myriad Landscape
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Oblivion's Hunger
  • 1 Orzhov Cluestone
  • 1 Orzhov Signet
  • 1 Palace Siege
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 1 Phyrexian Arena
  • 10 Plains
  • 1 Purging Stormbrood // Absorb Essence
  • 1 Read the Bones
  • 1 Relic of Legends
  • 1 Resourceful Defense
  • 1 Risky Research
  • 1 Rogue's Passage
  • 1 Scalelord Reckoner
  • 1 Scavenger Regent // Exude Toxin
  • 1 Shattered Sanctum
  • 1 Shineshadow Snarl
  • 1 Sign in Blood
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Sunlit Marsh
  • 1 Sunscorch Regent
  • 9 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Sylvia Brightspear
  • 1 Tainted Field
  • 1 Take Up the Shield
  • 1 Talisman of Hierarchy
  • 1 Thought Vessel
  • 1 Timeless Dragon
  • 1 Unburial Rites
  • 1 Vault of the Archangel
  • 1 Wayfarer's Bauble
  • 1 Witch's Cottage
  • 1 Yosei, the Morning Star
  • 1 Zenos yae Galvus // Shinryu, Transcendent Rival