A new set means that it’s once again time to see how we might possibly improve our Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric typal deck. Unfortunately, Duskmourn: House of Horrors only brings three new Cleric cards to Standard. Commander players will find an additional five, mostly reprints, in the pre-constructed decks. I guess that clerics are not very welcome on a plane ruled by a demon although Valgavoth might have been more open minded about clerics who worshiped at its feet, especially if they were willing to suffer for him.

Let’s take a closer look at these new Clerics. All three new Standard Clerics are Black cards. There are no Mythics or Rates, only one Uncommon and two Commons.

Valgavoth’s Faithful is a cheap card at only for a 1/1. But unlike many such cards, it comes with an activated ability that costs that could be very useful in bringing back a more expensive card later. But it will either require protection until then or a later play.

Fanatic of the Harrowing is not jumping out at me either. For , you get a 2/2 that forces card discards. It might get you a card back but this is the type of card that is just too situational in my opinion. In the right circumstances, it can be useful but it can also prove to be useless. For example, my opponent could have no cards in hand or I could be forced to discard something that I would rather hang on to. It won’t displace anything in my deck at this cost.

Resurrected Cultist is bit cheaper than Fanatic but offers less for it. A 4/1 is likely destined for a quick death and bringing it back with Delirium only means another quick death. It is again a card that does not offer better value than existing Clerics.

While I may play with all three just to see if I’m wrong, my initial thought is that the deck will remain unchanged for now. If it changes, it may be to bring other cards in. For example, Sanguine Savior has disappointed and is on the chopping block. But I doubt that it will make room for a Duskmourn Cleric.

So, no changes to the current 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