Life Deck by samz

Format: Commander

Commander: Astarion, the Decadent

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 29

Deck overview

This deck is an Orzhov lifegain, control, and life-drain strategy led by Astarion, the Decadent. The primary plan focuses on establishing early lifegain triggers and mana acceleration before deploying Astarion to weaponize massive life-loss and life-gain swings. In the mid-to-late game, the deck leverages asymmetric multipliers such as Bloodletter of Aclazotz and high-impact drain cards like Shard of the Nightbringer, Gray Merchant of Asphodel, and Exsanguinate to eliminate opponents in rapid succession. Big mana generation from Cabal Coffers, Crypt Ghast, and Nirkana Revenant fuels expensive spells and high-toughness reanimation. The deck also possesses a deterministic two-card infinite combo in Aetherflux Reservoir and Exquisite Blood (or Bloodthirsty Conqueror), which converts a life total above 50 into an immediate table kill. Resilient card flow and steady lifegain provide a durable buffer against aggressive strategies.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Aerith Gainsborough
  • 1 Aetherflux Reservoir
  • 1 Alhammarret's Archive
  • 1 Alpharael, Stonechosen
  • 1 Amalia Benavides Aguirre
  • 1 Archangel of Thune
  • 1 Arguel's Blood Fast // Temple of Aclazotz
  • 1 Astarion, the Decadent
  • 1 Authority of the Consuls
  • 1 Avacyn, Angel of Horror
  • 1 Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
  • 1 Bloodletter of Aclazotz
  • 1 Bloodthirsty Conqueror
  • 1 Boon Reflection
  • 1 Brainstealer Dragon
  • 1 Bubbling Muck
  • 1 Buried Ruin
  • 1 Cabal Coffers
  • 1 Cabal Stronghold
  • 1 Caged Sun
  • 1 Cleric Class
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Corpse Dance
  • 1 Cruel Celebrant
  • 1 Crypt Ghast
  • 1 Darksteel Angel
  • 1 Deserted Temple
  • 1 Doctor Strange, Surgeon
  • 1 Duty Beyond Death
  • 1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
  • 1 Elenda's Hierophant
  • 1 Emeritus of Woe // Demonic Tutor
  • 1 Eternity Vessel
  • 1 Exquisite Blood
  • 1 Exsanguinate
  • 1 Font of Agonies
  • 1 Germinate Recruits
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 Imp's Mischief
  • 1 Ivory Tower
  • 1 K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth
  • 1 Karlov of the Ghost Council
  • 1 Lyra, Archangel of Dawn
  • 1 Malakir Rebirth // Malakir Mire
  • 1 Marshland Bloodcaster
  • 1 Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
  • 1 Monumental Henge
  • 1 Nirkana Revenant
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
  • 1 Ob Nixilis, the Ascended
  • 1 Pawn of Ulamog
  • 1 Peer into the Abyss
  • 1 Phyrexian Tower
  • 1 Plague Drone
  • 1 Plague of Vermin
  • 10 Plains
  • 1 Proper Burial
  • 1 Reflecting Pool
  • 1 Resplendent Mentor
  • 1 Rings of Brighthearth
  • 1 Shard of the Nightbringer
  • 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Starving Revenant
  • 1 Strip Mine
  • 10 Swamp
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Tablet of the Guilds
  • 1 The Darkness Crystal
  • 1 The Wind Crystal
  • 1 Thespian's Stage
  • 1 Toxic Deluge
  • 1 Twilight Prophet
  • 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
  • 1 Vault of the Archangel
  • 1 Venser's Journal
  • 1 Verrak, Warped Sengir
  • 1 Vesuva
  • 1 Vilis, Broker of Blood
  • 1 Zombify