Karlov by xsam420x

Format: Commander

Commander: Karlov of the Ghost Council

Bracket: 3

Deck overview

Karlov of the Ghost Council leads an Orzhov lifegain deck that turns every life-gain trigger into +1/+1 counters, drain, and card advantage. The primary plan is to deploy early lifegain engines (Soul Warden, Ajani's Welcome), grow Karlov into a removal-and-beatstick threat, and convert life into opponent life loss with Vito, Cliffhaven Vampire, and Marauding Blight-Priest. Secondary paths are the Exquisite Blood + Vito/Cliffhaven loop, Felidar Sovereign/Test of Endurance alt-wincons, and a wide Angel/token swing backed by The Wind Crystal. Heliod, Sun-Crowned is the hidden commander, adding counters and lifelink. Karlov's role is repeatable exile and a large lifelink attacker; the deck can function without him but loses its best removal.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Ad Nauseam
  • 1 Aerith Gainsborough
  • 1 Ajani Steadfast
  • 1 Ajani's Welcome
  • 1 Alhammarret's Archive
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Archangel Elspeth
  • 1 Archangel of Thune
  • 1 Arvad the Cursed
  • 1 Bloodchief's Thirst
  • 1 Bloodthirsty Aerialist
  • 1 Cleric Class
  • 1 Cliffhaven Vampire
  • 1 Command the Dreadhorde
  • 1 Damn
  • 1 Dawn of Hope
  • 1 Eclipsed Steppe
  • 1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Exquisite Blood
  • 1 Felidar Sovereign
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Gilded Lotus
  • 1 Griffin Aerie
  • 1 Heartless Act
  • 1 Heliod, Sun-Crowned
  • 1 Impassioned Orator
  • 1 Indulging Patrician
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Judgment of Alexander
  • 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • 1 Karlov of the Ghost Council
  • 1 Kunoros, Hound of Athreos
  • 1 Legions to Ashes
  • 1 Liesa, Forgotten Archangel
  • 1 Mangara, the Diplomat
  • 1 Marauding Blight-Priest
  • 1 Markov Purifier
  • 1 Minwu, White Mage
  • 1 Moment of Reckoning
  • 1 Moonsilver Spear
  • 1 Moseo, Vein's New Dean
  • 1 Murder
  • 1 Orzhov Signet
  • 1 Phyrexian Arena
  • 13 Plains
  • 1 Qarsi Revenant
  • 1 Resplendent Angel
  • 1 Scheming Silvertongue // Sign in Blood
  • 1 Seraph Sanctuary
  • 1 Shambling Vent
  • 1 Shattered Sanctum
  • 1 Shineshadow Snarl
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Sorin of House Markov // Sorin, Ravenous Neonate
  • 1 Sorin, Solemn Visitor
  • 1 Soul Warden
  • 1 South Wind Avatar
  • 1 Speaker of the Heavens
  • 1 Stroke of Midnight
  • 13 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Tainted Field
  • 1 Test of Endurance
  • 1 The Destined White Mage
  • 1 The Wind Crystal
  • 1 Thran Dynamo
  • 1 Turbulent Moor
  • 1 Tymna the Weaver
  • 1 Underworld Connections
  • 1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • 1 Voice of the Blessed
  • 1 Well of Lost Dreams
  • 1 Whispersilk Cloak
  • 1 Withering Curse