Lifegain a Pyramid Scheme for Draw by therlin

Format: Commander

Commander: Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel

Bracket: 4

DeckCheck Threat Index: 61

Deck overview

This deck is an Orzhov lifegain combo deck commanded by Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel. Its primary strategy accelerates mana through low-cost artifacts and rituals to assemble an instant-speed infinite damage combo using Bloodthirsty Conqueror and Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose. When both permanents are on the battlefield, any life gain or opponent life loss starts a continuous chain of triggers that drains all three opponents to zero life in a single turn. The deck supports this game plan with five unconditional black tutors, ensuring dependable access to required combo pieces by Turn 4. Passive lifegain creatures like Soul Warden, Creeping Bloodsucker, and Kambal, Consul of Allocation trigger the commander's ability to draw extra cards by paying life. Strong asymmetric hate pieces such as Opposition Agent and Sheoldred, the Apocalypse slow down opposing strategies while an extensive suite of low-cost protection spells shields the combo from removal.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Abeyance
  • 1 Aetherflux Reservoir
  • 1 Alhammarret's Archive
  • 1 Ancient Tomb
  • 1 Angel's Grace
  • 1 Approach of the Second Sun
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Archivist of Oghma
  • 1 Arid Mesa
  • 1 Authority of the Consuls
  • 1 Basal Thrull
  • 1 Beseech the Mirror
  • 1 Bilbo's Gambit
  • 1 Bleachbone Verge
  • 1 Blood Artist
  • 1 Blood Pet
  • 1 Bloodchief Ascension
  • 1 Bloodstained Mire
  • 1 Bloodthirsty Conqueror
  • 1 Bontu's Monument
  • 1 Brightclimb Pathway // Grimclimb Pathway
  • 1 Cabal Coffers
  • 1 Cabal Ritual
  • 1 Command Beacon
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Creeping Bloodsucker
  • 1 Cruel Celebrant
  • 1 Culling the Weak
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Dawn's Truce
  • 1 Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
  • 1 Demonic Tutor
  • 1 Diabolic Intent
  • 1 Diamond City
  • 1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire
  • 1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
  • 1 Enlightened Confidant
  • 1 Esper Sentinel
  • 1 Evolving Wilds
  • 1 Felidar Retreat
  • 1 Fix What's Broken
  • 1 Flare of Fortitude
  • 1 Flickering Hound
  • 1 Gemstone Caverns
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 High Market
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Jet Medallion
  • 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • 1 Koth of the Homestead
  • 1 Lightning Greaves
  • 1 Liliana the Faultless
  • 1 Malakir Rebirth // Malakir Mire
  • 1 Marsh Flats
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Nurturing Pixie
  • 1 Obscura Storefront
  • 1 Oketra's Monument
  • 1 Opposition Agent
  • 1 Orcish Bowmasters
  • 1 Ornithopter
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 1 Pearl Medallion
  • 1 Phyrexian Altar
  • 1 Phyrexian Tower
  • 6 Plains
  • 1 Plaza of Heroes
  • 1 Reflecting Pool
  • 1 Reliquary Tower
  • 1 Restoration Magic
  • 1 Scrubland
  • 1 Serra Ascendant
  • 1 Shattered Sanctum
  • 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
  • 1 Smothering Tithe
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Soul Warden
  • 1 Soul's Attendant
  • 1 Strip Mine
  • 6 Swamp
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 The Queen of Dale
  • 1 The Soul Stone
  • 1 The Wind Crystal
  • 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
  • 1 Vampiric Tutor
  • 1 Vault of Champions
  • 1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • 1 Wishclaw Talisman
  • 1 Zulaport Cutthroat