Overview:

This Orzhov Angel/Vampire aristocrats deck leverages Shilgengar, Sire of Famine's Blood token generation and mass reanimation ability. The strategy focuses on sacrificing Angels for explosive Blood token production, then using Shilgengar's activated ability to recur creatures as Vampires. Secondary wincons include lifegain-powered Angel token armies and incremental value through sacrifice/reanimation loops.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Early Setup (T1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Mox Diamond, Jet Medallion), lifegain enablers (Soul Warden, Elas il-Kor), and key Angels (Giada, Font of Hope, Youthful Valkyrie).
2. Midgame Engine (T5-7): Sacrifice high-toughness Angels to Shilgengar to create 6+ Blood tokens in a single turn. Use Blood Fountain/Glass-Cast Heart for additional Blood generation and recursion.
3. Endgame Payoffs: Activate Shilgengar's mass reanimation (ideally recurring Valkyrie Harbinger + Resplendent Angel + Elenda, the Dusk Rose), supported by anthem effects like Akroma, Vision of Ixidor and True Conviction.

Key Synergies:

• Liesa, Shroud of Dusk punishes opponents while enabling lifegain triggers
• Athreos, Shroud-Veiled provides persistent recursion for key Angels
• Glass-Cast Heart converts Vampire attacks into Blood tokens and lifegain

Mulligan Priorities:

1. Ensure 3 lands with B/W sources
2. Include at least 1 early creature (Soul Warden) or ramp
3. Prioritize Angel tutors (Starnheim Aspirant, Demonic Tutor) in slower metas

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) completely shuts down primary strategy
• Lacks instant-speed answers to enchantments/artifacts

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes (only Brought Back as protection)
• Heavy reliance on commander (3+ removals cripple the deck)

Minor:

• Limited card draw outside The One Ring

Most Important Cards:

• Athreos, Shroud-Veiled
• Elenda, the Dusk Rose
• Resplendent Angel
• Demonic Tutor
• Imperial Seal
• The One Ring
• Blood Fountain
• Giada, Font of Hope
• Valkyrie Harbinger
• True Conviction

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Earliest win T6-7 through optimal Shilgengar activation
• High-cost Angels (avg CMC 4.3) slow early pressure

Resilience: 4/10

• Multiple recursion sources (Athreos, Brought Back)
• Folds to graveyard hate or repeated commander removal

Consistency: 6/10

• 7 tutors (including Demonic Tutor, Imperial Seal)
• Redundant lifegain/Angel payoffs

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Swords, Path)
• Lacks counterspells and mass artifact/enchantment removal

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Focused Casual" (4.5) and "Optimized Casual" (5.0) on the rubric. While it has strong synergies and tutoring, the reliance on a 5-mana commander with setup requirements prevents faster wins. The lack of infinite combos and vulnerability to common hate cards cap its power below high-tier casual decks.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0