Overview:

This Orzhov lifegain/drain deck leverages Sorin of House Markov's extort and transformation mechanics to fuel a strategy centered around incremental life gain triggering token generation, opponent life loss, and value recursion. The deck aims to win through layered life-drain synergies (Sanguine Bond, Cliffhaven Vampire, Wound Reflection), token swarms from Griffin Aerie/Angelic Accord, and late-game bombs like Bolas's Citadel or Debt to the Deathless. Sorin serves as an early extort engine and late-game recursion/control tool via his transformed planeswalker side. While not strictly commander-dependent, the deck has strong synergy with Sorin's lifegain requirements and vampire tribal elements.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy life-gain engines (Soul Warden, Daxos, Blessed by the Sun, Elas il-Kor) and value pieces (Phyrexian Arena, Welcoming Vampire). Use Sorin's extort ability to pressure opponents while building board presence.
2. Midgame Triggers (Turns 5-7): Activate life-drain multipliers (Vizkopa Guildmage, Marauding Blight-Priest) and token generators (The Book of Exalted Deeds, Angelic Accord). Transform Sorin using consistent life gain from creatures entering/dying.
3. Late Game Closure (Turns 8+): Deploy finishers like Debt to the Deathless, Sorin's Vengeance, or Wound Reflection. Use Sorin's -6 ability to steal key creatures and Kambal, Profiteering Mayor to amplify token-based drain.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with at least 2 lands (including WB sources)
• Prioritize 1-2 early lifegain creatures (Soul Warden, Basilica Screecher)
• Look for payoff cards (Cliffhaven Vampire, Griffin Aerie) or draw engines (Welcoming Vampire, Dawn of Hope)
• Avoid hands lacking both lifegain triggers and payoff cards

Key Tips:

• Time Rhox Faithmender with mass life gain spells for exponential gains
• Use Tainted Sigil as a surprise finisher after a life-loss turn
• Karn's Bastion can proliferate Sorin's loyalty counters or +1/+1 counters from Elenda's Hierophant
• Vilis, Broker of Blood turns life payments into card advantage when combined with K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Minimal stack interaction (only Mana Tithe and Despark) leaves combos unchecked
• Heavy reliance on 2-3 CMC creatures makes the deck vulnerable to Cursed Totem/Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite

Moderate

• Enchantment-based wincons (Sanguine Bond, Angelic Accord) fold to targeted removal
• Slow mana base (10+ tapped lands) delays critical turns

Minor

• Limited graveyard recursion outside Sorin's abilities
• Token strategies struggle against Soul Warden-style lifegain opponents

Most Important Cards:

• Sanguine Bond (Life-drain multiplier)
• Bolas's Citadel (Unchecked value engine)
• Wound Reflection (Game-ending amplifier)
• Debt to the Deathless (Primary X-spell finisher)
• Rhox Faithmender (Life gain doubler)
• Vizkopa Guildmage (Flexible life manipulation)
• Kambal, Profiteering Mayor (Token/drain synergy)
• The Book of Exalted Deeds (Angel generation + alt wincon)
• Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (Dual-trigger engine)
• Well of Lost Dreams (Card draw scaling with life gain)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Capable of threatening wins by T8-10 through incremental drain, but lacks fast combos or explosive mana.

Resilience: 6/10

• Redundant lifegain triggers provide consistency, but key enchantments remain vulnerable. Some recursion via Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord.

Consistency: 7/10

• High density of lifegain triggers (20+ sources) and multiple overlapping payoffs ensure steady pressure.

Interaction: 4/10

• Limited to spot removal (7 targeted spells) and no counterspells beyond Mana Tithe. Struggles against resolved board states.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused casual play with T8-10 win potential through synergistic lifegain/drain, but its slow mana and lack of interaction cap its power. While more consistent than precons, it lacks the speed or protection of optimized builds.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0