Drain and gain by Xensidia

Format: Commander

Commander: Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 46

Deck overview

This Orzhov deck is a combo-control strategy led by Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel. The commander converts every point of lifegain into raw card draw, allowing the deck to dig through its library at high velocity. The early game establishes passive lifegain triggers through creatures like Soul Warden and Authority of the Consuls, supported by steady artifact ramp. Once the commander arrives on Turn 5, incoming card draw quickly uncovers decisive win conditions. The primary victory route is a two-card infinite drain loop pairing Bloodthirsty Conqueror with Sanguine Bond, Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose, or Starscape Cleric. Alternatively, Bolas's Citadel and Aetherflux Reservoir provide an explosive storm finish. The deck maintains control with a deep removal suite capable of exiling any permanent type, reinforced by taxing pieces like Blind Obedience.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Aetherflux Reservoir
  • 1 Alhammarret's Archive
  • 1 Anguished Unmaking
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Authority of the Consuls
  • 1 Black Market Connections
  • 1 Blind Obedience
  • 1 Blood Artist
  • 1 Blood Celebrant
  • 1 Bloodchief Ascension
  • 1 Bloodthirsty Conqueror
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Bolas's Citadel
  • 1 Castle Locthwain
  • 1 Caves of Koilos
  • 1 Cleric Class
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Crypt Ghast
  • 1 Damn
  • 1 Dark Ritual
  • 1 Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
  • 1 Debt to the Deathless
  • 1 Despark
  • 1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
  • 1 Exemplar of Light
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Exsanguinate
  • 1 Feed the Swarm
  • 1 Fellwar Stone
  • 1 Fetid Heath
  • 1 Flawless Maneuver
  • 1 Fumigate
  • 1 Ghostly Prison
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 Haliya, Guided by Light
  • 1 Heliod's Intervention
  • 1 Heliod, Sun-Crowned
  • 1 Imp's Mischief
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Jet Medallion
  • 1 Kambal, Consul of Allocation
  • 1 Karlov of the Ghost Council
  • 1 Liliana the Faultless
  • 1 Marauding Blight-Priest
  • 1 Night's Whisper
  • 1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
  • 1 Path to Exile
  • 1 Pearl Medallion
  • 1 Phyrexian Arena
  • 12 Plains
  • 1 Pontiff of Blight
  • 1 Radiant Fountain
  • 1 Restoration Magic
  • 1 Sanguine Bond
  • 1 Scoured Barrens
  • 1 Sign in Blood
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Sorin of House Markov // Sorin, Ravenous Neonate
  • 1 Soul Warden
  • 1 Soul's Attendant
  • 1 Starscape Cleric
  • 1 Stroke of Midnight
  • 1 Sunscorch Regent
  • 1 Suture Priest
  • 12 Swamp
  • 1 Swiftfoot Boots
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Temple of Silence
  • 1 Tendrils of Agony
  • 1 The Darkness Crystal
  • 1 The Wind Crystal
  • 1 Toxic Deluge
  • 1 Twilight Prophet
  • 1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
  • 1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
  • 1 Whip of Erebos
  • 1 Withering Torment