Who knew that cute little animals could soon become one of my favourite Magic sets? Not only does the set look like it will allow me to build a mustelids deck but it looks at first glance like a great set for Clerics as well. After the disappointment of Outlaws of Thunder Junction (at least as far as Clerics go), this latest set looks to set everything right in the Magic universe once more. Let’s take a closer look!

There are a total of 10 Clerics in Bloomburrow and 13 when you include the Commander sets. And best of all for our Orzhov deck, all of them are in the appropriate colours! Perfect timing considering that the current version of the deck will lose a few staples with set rotation kicking in.

Here is my Orzhov Cleric Typal deck, unchanged in a while. I’ve crossed out the cards that are rotating out:

• 3 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107
• 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
• 2 Valorous Stance (VOW) 42
• 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
• 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
• 2 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
• 4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27
• 2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
• 2 Markov Purifier (VOW) 241
• 2 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
• 2 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
• 2 Sanguine Savior (MKM) 230
• 3 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
• 2 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258
• 2 Annex Sentry (ONE) 2
• 8 Plains (THB) 250
• 6 Swamp (THB) 252
• 2 Scoured Barrens (NEO) 274
• 3 Shattered Sanctum (VOW) 264
• 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire (NEO) 278
• 2 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire (NEO) 268
• 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269

Sideboard:

• 2 Farewell (NEO) 13
• 2 Cut Down (DMU) 89
• 2 Chaplain of Alms (MID) 13
• 1 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
• 1 Intercessor’s Arrest (NEO) 20
• 2 Skrelv, Defector Mite (ONE) 33
• 2 Fateful Absence (MID) 18
• 2 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97

21 cards of the main deck are rotating out! That will leave some big holes to fill. What can we do? There are a few things:

• Swap out the 3 Voice of the Blessed for 3 Essence Channelers.
• Swap 2 Markov Purifiers for 2 Moonrise Clerics.
• The Lunarch Aspirants are a bit trickier to replace. Let’s try 4 Starscape Clerics and see how it goes.
• A less than ideal swap is Go for Throat for Infernal Grasp.
• Shattered Sanctum will be replaced by Concealed Courtyards with an expected loss of some deck speed.
• I have a good feeling about Three Tree City. I’ll start with 3 of them and see if my gut is right on this card.
• Forlorn Flats for Scoured Barrens
• Losing the Takenuma and Eiganjo lands will be felt. Both were very useful lands. I’ll add a Swamp for now for Takenuma, Abandoned Mire.
• There might be room for a Fabled Passage or two as well.
• As for the sideboard, I will just cut the rotating cards and play a few games to see what adjustments will be required.

Here is the new deck:

• 3 Go for the Throat (BRO) 102
• 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
• 2 Valorous Stance (OTC) 88
• 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
• 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
• 2 Essence Channelers (BLB)
• 4 Starscape Cleric (BLB)
• 2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
• 2 Moonrise Clerics (BLB)
• 2 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
• 2 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
• 2 Sanguine Savior (MKM) 230
• 3 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
• 2 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258
• 2 Annex Sentry (ONE) 2
• 8 Plains (THB) 250
• 7 Swamp (THB) 252
• 2 Forlorn Flats (OTC) 258
• 3 Three Tree City (BLB) 264
• 2 Fabled Passage (BLB) 252
• 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269

Sideboard:

• 2 Cut Down (DMU) 89
• 2 Chaplain of Alms (MID) 13
• 1 Essence Channeler (BLB)
• 2 Skrelv, Defector Mite (ONE) 33
• 2 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97

Now to put the deck through its paces and see how it fares!