Lifegain by MarkovGoblin

Format: Commander

Commander: Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 42

Deck overview

This deck is an Orzhov Lifegain Control list piloted by Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel. It combines aristocrats-style life drain, token generation, and reactive removal to control the table and build toward decisive combo finishes. The core engine leverages incidental lifegain from permanents like Soul's Attendant, Blind Obedience, and Pristine Talisman to fuel Niv-Mizzet's ability, converting life into card draw and rapidly digging through the library. The primary win line pairs Niv-Mizzet with Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, creating a looping draw engine that yields massive life and draws the deck into Aetherflux Reservoir for same-turn lethal damage. Backup strategies rely on devotion-based drain with Gray Merchant of Asphodel, big mana from Crypt Ghast into Exsanguinate, or token swarms via Reverent Hoplite. A dense package of spot removal and board protection like Clever Concealment ensures resilient execution across multiplayer tables.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Aetherflux Reservoir
  • 1 Ajani Resolute
  • 1 Angelsong
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Archenemy's Charm
  • 1 Arvad the Cursed
  • 1 Bastion of Remembrance
  • 1 Blind Obedience
  • 1 Bob, Reluctant HYDRA Agent
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Boomerang, Blade Flinger
  • 1 Castle Ardenvale
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Clever Concealment
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Concealed Courtyard
  • 1 Corrupted Conviction
  • 1 Crypt Ghast
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Day of Judgment
  • 1 Deadly Dispute
  • 1 Demonic Tutor
  • 1 Drain Life
  • 1 Duty Beyond Death
  • 1 Edgar, Ancient Bloodlord
  • 1 Emeria, the Sky Ruin
  • 1 Esper Sentinel
  • 1 Evolving Wilds
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Exsanguinate
  • 1 Fight On!
  • 1 Flicker of Fate
  • 1 Flickering Hound
  • 1 Germinate Recruits
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Koth of the Homestead
  • 1 Leonin Elder
  • 1 Light of Hope
  • 1 Lightning Greaves
  • 1 Liliana the Faultless
  • 1 Mind's Eye
  • 1 Multiply by Zero
  • 1 My Precious // Allure of Power
  • 1 Nadier's Nightblade
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Okoye, Dora Milaje Leader
  • 1 Orzhov Basilica
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 1 Petrify
  • 12 Plains
  • 1 Pristine Talisman
  • 1 Radiant Fountain
  • 1 Reverent Hoplite
  • 1 Sanctum Lurker
  • 1 Scoured Barrens
  • 1 Screeching Soulbreaker
  • 1 Severed Strands
  • 1 Sheoldred's Edict
  • 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
  • 1 Silverquill Charm
  • 1 Social Snub
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Soul's Attendant
  • 1 Spirit Link
  • 1 Springjack Shepherd
  • 1 Stone Haven Medic
  • 11 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Talisman of Hierarchy
  • 1 Terminal Criticism
  • 1 Teyo, Diamondblade Mage
  • 1 Thalia, the Survivor
  • 1 Thraben Charm
  • 1 Union of the Third Path
  • 1 Viscera Seer
  • 1 Windbrisk Heights
  • 1 Yahenni, Undying Partisan