Karlov and Soul Sisters by Nuord

Format: Commander

Commander: Karlov of the Ghost Council

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 40

Deck overview

This Orzhov deck leverages Karlov of the Ghost Council to convert cheap, incremental lifegain triggers into rapid commander growth and on-board creature control. Low-cost permanents like Soul Warden, Authority of the Consuls, and Auriok Champion trigger whenever creatures enter the battlefield, placing two +1/+1 counters on Karlov for each instance of lifegain. By Turn 4, Karlov presents a massive combat threat while threatening instant-speed creature exile for {W}{B}. The deck protects its commander using single-mana protection spells and evasion equipment like Brotherhood Regalia. While primary victory relies on sequential commander damage eliminations or Tainted Strike, alternative lines utilize Aetherflux Reservoir, Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose, and Ajani, Strength of the Pride to close games through non-combat drain and asymmetric board wipes.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Aetherflux Reservoir
  • 1 Ajani, Strength of the Pride
  • 1 Akroma's Will
  • 1 Ancient Tomb
  • 1 Anguished Unmaking
  • 1 Apostle's Blessing
  • 1 Ashes of the Abhorrent
  • 1 Auriok Champion
  • 1 Authority of the Consuls
  • 1 Benevolent Offering
  • 1 Black Market Connections
  • 1 Blood Artist
  • 1 Bovine Intervention
  • 1 Brave the Elements
  • 1 Brotherhood Regalia
  • 1 Call the Coppercoats
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Dark Confidant
  • 1 Deathgreeter
  • 1 Enter the Avatar State
  • 1 Fateful Absence
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Forbidden Orchard
  • 1 Generous Gift
  • 1 Genesis Chamber
  • 1 Giver of Runes
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 Gods Willing
  • 1 Hall of Heliod's Generosity
  • 1 Heliod's Intervention
  • 1 Heliod, Sun-Crowned
  • 1 High Market
  • 1 Hopeful Initiate
  • 1 Insatiable Avarice
  • 1 Inventors' Fair
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • 1 Karlov of the Ghost Council
  • 1 Kaya's Guile
  • 1 Key to the City
  • 1 Killing Wave
  • 1 Land Tax
  • 1 Marsh Flats
  • 1 Mother of Runes
  • 1 My Precious // Allure of Power
  • 1 Necropotence
  • 1 Night's Whisper
  • 1 Phyrexian Arena
  • 1 Phyrexian Tower
  • 10 Plains
  • 1 Pristine Talisman
  • 1 Proclamation of Rebirth
  • 1 Ranger of Eos
  • 1 Recruiter of the Guard
  • 1 Retribution of the Ancients
  • 1 Rogue's Passage
  • 1 Scholar of New Horizons
  • 1 Scout for Survivors
  • 1 Shadowspear
  • 1 Shattered Angel
  • 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
  • 1 Sign in Blood
  • 1 Slaughter Specialist
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Soldier of the Pantheon
  • 1 Soul Warden
  • 1 Soul's Attendant
  • 1 Starfield Shepherd
  • 1 Sun Droplet
  • 1 Sunscorch Regent
  • 5 Swamp
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Tainted Field
  • 1 Tainted Strike
  • 1 The Meathook Massacre
  • 1 The One Ring
  • 1 The Ozolith
  • 1 Toxic Deluge
  • 1 Vanishing Verse
  • 1 Vault of Champions
  • 1 Vault of the Archangel
  • 1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • 1 Vizkopa Guildmage
  • 1 Whispersilk Cloak
  • 1 Witch's Clinic
  • 1 Zuko's Conviction