Orzhov

Can The Last Avatar help our B01 Standard Orzhov Cleric Deck?

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

The record pace at which WOTC releases sets means that we are constantly in preview season. Doing so has eroded the excitement for new sets, especially when you combine this with the proliferation of Universes Beyond sets. Where am I going with this, you ask? Well, previews for Magic’s latest set, The Last Avatar, pretty much went unnoticed here. To the point where none of us here even went to the Pre-Release. We also skipped the usual box purchase.

Having said that, I still took a look to see how I might use the cards in Arena for my decks B01 Standard Orzhov Cleric deck. After the disappointment that Spider-Man was, both as a source of new cleric cards and as a set in general, any clerics in the new set would be a win. Well, there are three new clerics, two of which can be played in Standard and one in Eternal formats.

Let’s take a look. We’re immediately down to only one candidate given that Loyal Fire Sage is not legal in Standard and Fire Sages is a Red card – not exactly a good fit for an Orzhov deck.

We’re down to a simple question: Is there room in my B01 Standard Orzhov Cleric deck for Compassionate Healer?

Here is the current version of my deck:

  • 3 Murder (J25) 467
  • 4 Essence Channeler (BLB) 12
  • 2 Grand Abolisher (BIG) 2
  • 2 Authority of the Consuls (FDN) 137
  • 4 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
  • 3 Rosa, Resolute White Mage (FIN) 555
  • 3 Starscape Cleric (BLB) 116
  • 2 Minwu, White Mage (FIN) 26
  • 3 Aerith Gainsborough (FIN) 4
  • 3 Sheltered by Ghosts (DSK) 30
  • 2 Get Lost (LCI) 14
  • 2 Bitter Triumph (LCI) 91
  • 3 Elegy Acolyte (EOE) 97
  • 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269
  • 2 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244
  • 9 Plains (THB) 250
  • 3 Scoured Barrens (IKO) 254
  • 7 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 1 Valgavoth’s Lair (DSK) 271

Sideboard

  • 1 Sanguine Evangelist (LCI) 34
  • 1 Zoraline, Cosmos Caller (BLB) 242
  • 1 Pest Control (BIG) 22
  • 1 The Witch’s Vanity (WOE) 119
  • 1 Moonrise Cleric (BLB) 226
  • 1 Krumar Initiate (TDM) 84
  • 1 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258
  • 1 Virtue of Persistence (WOE) 115

The simple answer is, yes, there is. I’m going to replace the Starscape Clerics with this card. I’ll lose the flying capability but build lifegain with a scry as a bonus. If things don’t pan out, I can always fall back to Starscape Cleric later.

So, here is the updated version of my deck:

  • 3 Murder (J25) 467
  • 4 Essence Channeler (BLB) 12
  • 2 Grand Abolisher (BIG) 2
  • 2 Authority of the Consuls (FDN) 137
  • 4 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
  • 3 Rosa, Resolute White Mage (FIN) 555
  • 3 Compassionate Healer (TLA) 13
  • 3 Starscape Cleric (BLB) 116
  • 2 Minwu, White Mage (FIN) 26
  • 3 Aerith Gainsborough (FIN) 4
  • 3 Sheltered by Ghosts (DSK) 30
  • 2 Get Lost (LCI) 14
  • 2 Bitter Triumph (LCI) 91
  • 3 Elegy Acolyte (EOE) 97
  • 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269
  • 2 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244
  • 9 Plains (THB) 250
  • 3 Scoured Barrens (IKO) 254
  • 7 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 1 Valgavoth’s Lair (DSK) 271

Looking at Instant and Sorcery spells, nothing really leaped out but I might try one of these below to see if they prove useful. If not, it will be back to the deck above. More to come on how these cards work out.

Let’s hope that Lorwyn Eclipsed brings with it more Clerics as this deck continues to suffer since rotation. But I won’t hold my breath – The original Lorwyn set only had three clerics.

Navigating Card Rotation: B01 Standard Orzhov Clerics After Edge of Eternities

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

Is it me or are new sets coming out faster? I just finished enhancing my B01 Standard Orzhov Cleric Deck with the Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy set cards (granted I was late doing so) and here we are with Edge of Eternities just having come around the corner. Previews and pre-releases have wrapped up so it’s time to take a look at new improvements are possible with the new cards.

With Edge of Eternities also comes rotation. With a number of sets dropping out of Standard, I will lose a number of key cards. The question will be what can we rebuild and how will it affect the effectiveness of the deck. It already was not a Tier 1 deck by a long stretch and I expect that rotation will have a significant impact.

Here is the deck that I’ve been playing in recent days. The cards in red will no longer be valid as of August 1st (or July 29th on Arena). 20 cards in the main deck alone! I don’t have a good feeling about this!

Deck
2 Go for the Throat (BRO) 102
3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
8 Plains (THB) 250
6 Swamp (THB) 252
3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
1 The Fair Basilica (ONE) 252
3 Scoured Barrens (IKO) 254
1 The Dross Pits (ONE) 251
1 Valgavoth’s Lair (DSK) 271
2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
3 Essence Channeler (BLB) 12
3 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
3 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
2 Authority of the Consuls (FDN) 137
3 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269
3 Rosa, Resolute White Mage (FIN) 555
2 Cut Down (DMU) 89
2 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244
2 Minwu, White Mage (FIN) 26
3 Aerith Gainsborough (FIN) 4
2 Sheltered by Ghosts (DSK) 30

Sideboard
1 Grand Abolisher (BIG) 2
1 Skrelv, Defector Mite (ONE) 33
1 Pest Control (BIG) 22
1 Lay Down Arms (BRO) 11
1 The Witch’s Vanity (WOE) 119
1 Starscape Cleric (BLB) 116
1 Krumar Initiate (TDM) 84
1 Sanguine Evangelist (LCI) 34
1 Zoraline, Cosmos Caller (BLB) 242
1 Leyline Binding (DMU) 24
1 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97
1 Virtue of Persistence (WOE) 115
1 Moonrise Cleric (BLB) 226
1 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258
1 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2

Three cards in particular will be tough to replace: Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim, Phyrexian Missionary and Shadow-Rite Priest.

Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim

But before we all declare that all is doom and gloom, let’s see what space-faring Clerics we have in Edge of Eternities. There are six in total and five of those could work in our Orzhov deck. That’s not a bad start.

The first, Alpharael, Dreaming Acolyte, will simply not work because of its Dimir colours. Moving right along.

Alpharael, Stonechosen, could be a pretty potent card but would require more emphasis in the deck on the new Warp mechanic. It is not a cheap card though, costing Colorless 3 pipBlack pipBlack pip. Looking at the other clerics in the set, none use the mechanic so the only way this would trigger is if a nonland permanent left the battlefield this turn. While possible, I think that this may not trigger often enough to be very effective. But with the deck being so depleted, maybe I will try it and see.

Elegy Acolyte might be a better fit. It is cheaper by a one pip and better fits into the current lifelink focus of the deck. In this case, Void provides an additional 2/2 colorless Robot artifact creature token that could then become the nonland permanents needed to trigger Void effects. Maybe I’ll start with this one in the deck and see how it performs. If it does, I could then try out Alpharael, Stonechosen as well. Then again, there are a few cards I had set aside that I might put into the deck first.

I might add a few copies of Lightless Evangel into the deck if only because it is relatively cheap and can help buff up other clerics around it. But the current deck is not built around sacrificing so there may be little value there. I’ll hold off for now and maybe revisit later.

I’ll start with a few copies of Sunstar Chaplain, to help with the depleted ranks of my deck. Buffing cards up is never a bad thing and the additional ability to tap a target artifact or creature by removing a +1/+1 counter could be an interesting strategy. It is a better fit than the previous cards.

The last new Cleric is Umbral Collar Zealot. It is a cheap creature that plays well with a sacrifice strategy. I’m not sure that this something meant for the deck but I may again not have much of a choice. Sacrificing another creature or artifact to surveil does not sound does not sound particularly appealing. Let’s start instead with some older Clerics and again revisit as needed.

Removal has been updated with a few Murder and Get Lost cards. I don’t have much in terms of combat tricks for now but will see if adjustments are needed.

Lastly, I’ve replaced two lands with the new Planet Lands. Not sure how they will really function in the deck but what have I got to lose at this point?

Deck

  • 3 Murder (J25) 467
  • 2 Bitter Triumph (LXI) 91
  • 2 Sanguine Savior (MKM) 230
  • 4 Essence Channeler (BLB) 12
  • 2 Grand Abolisher (BIG) 2
  • 2 Authority of the Consuls (FDN) 137
  • 3 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
  • 3 Rosa, Resolute White Mage (FIN) 555
  • 3 Starscape Cleric (BLB) 116
  • 2 Minwu, White Mage (FIN) 26
  • 3 Aerith Gainsborough (FIN) 4
  • 2 Sheltered by Ghosts (DSK) 30
  • 3 Sunstar Chaplain (EOE) 40
  • 2 Get Lost (LCI) 14
  • 8 Plains (THB) 250
  • 6 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 1 Susur Secundi, Void Altar (EOE) 259
  • 1 Adagia, Windswept Bastion (EOE) 250
  • 3 Scoured Barrens (IKO) 254
  • 1 Valgavoth’s Lair (DSK) 271
  • 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269
  • 2 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244

Sideboard

  • 1 Pest Control (BIG) 22
  • 1 The Witch’s Vanity (WOE) 119
  • 1 Starscape Cleric (BLB) 116
  • 1 Krumar Initiate (TDM) 84
  • 1 Sanguine Evangelist (LCI) 34
  • 1 Zoraline, Cosmos Caller (BLB) 242
  • 1 Virtue of Persistence (WOE) 115
  • 1 Moonrise Cleric (BLB) 226
  • 1 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258

More to come on the sideboard once I’ve had a chance to take this first version of the new deck out for a spin and I start to make adjustments.

Enhancing a B01 Standard Orzhov Cleric Deck with Final Fantasy

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

Magic’s latest set, Final Fantasy, has now been out for three weeks. As with every other Standard set, let’s take a look and see what new cards I may be able to add to my typal Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric deck in a bid to finally transform it into a first tier deck. The first Universes Beyond set to be Standard legal brings six new Clerics to the table.

As always, a number of them can be immediately skipped over as they don’t fit into the Orzhov colours. That does not mean that they don’t have potential. Yuna, Hope of Spira, in particular, could fit nicely into a Selesnya enchantments deck.

Back to our deck, we have three Clerics that could fit into the deck. Let’s take a closer look at these.

Aerith Gainsborough certainly could be a good fit. Lifelink helps power some of the other Clerics in the deck. Any tokens it gains can be saved when she dies if I have a legendary creature on the board. Without any protection, I have a feeling that Aerith is simply too vulnerable. And the limited number of legendary creatures means that I may not be able to save those counters to make it worthwhile. I may swap out two Annex Sentries to see how she would fare in its place.

Aerith Gainsborough
Rosa, Resolute White Mage
Minwu, White Mage

Rosa, Resolute White Mage, is another card that seems decent at first glance Giving creatures a +1/+1 counter and lifelink until end of turn fits well into the deck. At a cost of Colorless 3 pipWhite pip, I’m not sure I want to cut Roaming Throne for this card. Then again, it might be time for some experimentation. Let’s try it!

Finally, here is a card that I have been excited about since I first saw it. Minwu, White Mage, is definitely going into the deck so that I can see if she is as good as she seems to be. Right out of the gate, she comes with vigilance and lifelink. So far, so good but whenever I gain life, she allows me to put a +1/+1 counter on each Cleric I control. That could end some games. The only downside is her cost. At Colorless 3 pipWhite pipWhite pip, this is not a cheap card to cast.

Final Fantasy comes with another goodie for Clerics. There are two equipment spells that can turn any creature into a Cleric. While only one fits an Orzhov deck, this is definitely an interesting development. Both White Mage’s Staff and Sage’s Nouliths turn creatures into Clerics while they are equipped. The job select mechanic means that both enter already attached to a Hero Cleric and both have nice upside when they attack.

My first instinct is to not include White Mage’s Staff simply because so many of the other Clerics already have lifelink. But again, this may need to be validated in the lab of gameplay first.

One other change I made to the deck was to remove Fell in favour of Exorcise. Both work at Sorcery speed but the latter gives me more options to target.

Krumar Initiate

One last change: I cut the Krumar Initiates in favour of Authority of the Consuls. It should slow my opponent down a bit and give my Clerics deck a bit more time for the pieces to fall into place and hopefully take control of the game.

Here is the latest version of my Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric deck:

Deck

  • 2 Go for the Throat (BRO) 102
  • 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
  • 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
  • 2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
  • 3 Essence Channeler (BLB) 12
  • 3 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
  • 3 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
  • 2 Authority of the Consuls (FDN) 137
  • 3 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
  • 2 Rosa, Resolute White Mage (FIN) 555
  • 2 Cut Down (DMU) 89
  • 2 Minwu, White Mage (FIN) 26
  • 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
  • 2 Exorcise (DSK) 8
  • 2 Aerith Gainsborough (FIN) 4
  • 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269
  • 1 The Dross Pits (ONE) 251
  • 1 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244
  • 1 The Fair Basilica (ONE) 252
  • 8 Plains (THB) 250
  • 3 Scoured Barrens (IKO) 254
  • 6 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 2 Valgavoth’s Lair (DSK) 271

Sideboard (or cards I may want to bring back into the deck later)

  • 1 Grand Abolisher (BIG) 2
  • 1 Skrelv, Defector Mite (ONE) 33
  • 1 Pest Control (BIG) 22
  • 1 Lay Down Arms (BRO) 11
  • 1 The Witch’s Vanity (WOE) 119
  • 1 Starscape Cleric (BLB) 116
  • 1 Krumar Initiate (TDM) 84
  • 1 Sanguine Evangelist (LCI) 34
  • 1 Zoraline, Cosmos Caller (BLB) 242
  • 1 Leyline Binding (DMU) 24
  • 1 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97
  • 1 Virtue of Persistence (WOE) 115
  • 1 Moonrise Cleric (BLB) 226
  • 2 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258

Wow and thank you!

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

I launched this site in July 2021 with the intention to post about my Magic TCG adventures with my two sons. There was no in-store play in Canada at the time as we were still dealing with Covid but the boys and I continued to play at home. I have a memory like a sieve and this was my way to start (however late) to document our Magic journey, mostly so that I could at any time I wanted, scroll down memory lane. There was no intention for this site to be more than that. Yet, somehow, traffic slowly grew. And more recently, not so slowly!

Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com

It suddenly jumped early this year with January seeing the highest traffic to date – A nearly 50% jump over the previous best month back in December 2022. I thought that it was a blip but traffic every month since then has either met or topped that 2022 peak. May in particular marked another major jump, exceeding January’s traffic by more than 50%. The growth has been such that 2025 traffic has already exceeded my former best ever entire year and we are not even half way through the year! Wow!

Much of the traffic driving this growth is coming from the Magic TCG: Set Names and Symbols page. I originally put it together to help me remember all the sets but it’s clear that others are finding it useful as well. I will continue to maintain it and backfill the older information to make it even more useful.

Another popular page has been the one about my building a mustelids deck. Who knew? The page bout all the sets makes sense but this one surprised me. I wrote it while Bloomburrow was still in the preview phase. I saw back then that many of these could go into a promising Izzet Prowess deck. I followed it up with one for an Izzet Otter Typal deck for Arena S01 but that one is not getting as much attention. To be fair, the deck needs more than otters!

It is still pretty cool to see that Izzet Prowess is currently one of the decks dominating Standard despite lack of focus on otters. Maybe an otter deck might work better in a different format. Maybe I should try to build a mustelid Brawl deck!

Coruscation Mage
The Infamous Cruelclaw
Stormcatch Mentor

Not catching on with the world is my ongoing journey to create the ultimate Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric deck. Looks like I may be the only one trying to accomplish this feat! But the spotlight may be about to shine on this deck with Final Fantasy about to come out and featuring what might be the best Cleric card in a long time. Look for my usual post about the clerics in the upcoming set for more information – it’s coming soon.

All this to say hi to everyone dropping in and thank you for making this little site a stop on your Internet journey.

Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Deck With Foundations

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

We’re less than a week away from Pre-Release events for Magic’s latest set. Foundations is an interesting that will remain Standard Legal until at least until 2029.

As usual, when a new set comes out, I take a look at what new Clerics are in it to plan for any adjustments to my Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric deck. Whereas Duskmourn only offered three new cards, Foundations brings eight new cards for consideration, three being completely new and five being reprints from previous sets. Seven are playable in an Orzhov deck, with only Vizier of the Menagerie, falling out of immediate consideration being a green card.

Let’s first take a look at the new cards.

Hinterland Sanctifier
Infernal Vessel
Sun-Blessed Healer

Hinterland Sanctifier will fit nicely into decks focused on Lifegain but aside from being a cheap 1/2 at a single , I’m not sure that it is a compelling addition or replacement for Evolved Sleeper in the one mana slot.

Infernal Vessel is a little more interesting. For Black pip, you get a 2/1 that comes back as a 4/3 Demon Cleric when it dies. With the right other cards on the battlefield, it could be a worthwhile addition. I think I will try it but I’m not sure what to pull out for it. I don’t think it is strong enough to replace either Shadow-Rite Priest or Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim. Maybe I pull Essence Channeler or Phyrexian Missionary but both have proven useful. I’m leaning instead to cutting Moonrise Cleric, a three mana card.

Sun-Blessed Healer is an interesting card. A close look at it and you realize that it is very similar to Phyrexian Missionary. The main difference is that it can bring back any target nonland permanent for a kicker whereas the Missionary can only bring back a creature for Black pip. More flexibility but at a cost of two white pips. In this deck, it really does not make a big difference as it comes down to the mana I have available to work with. My statistics days are far behind me but something tells me that I should stick with Phyrexian Missionary.

Let’s take a look at the reprints.

Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim
Marauding Blight Priest
Nullpriest of Oblivion

Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim is a card I will want to try out. a 2/3 with Deathtouch for Black pip is not bad but the Sacrifice options offer some good options. Gaining a bit of life could trigger a few abilities, eg, another +1/+1 counter on Essence Channeler, or some useful removal, albeit with a difficult condition, namely having 10 more life than my starting total.

Marauding Blight-Priest is a pretty simple card. I think I will try it as an alterative to Moonrise Cleric if that card is not replaced by Infernal Vessel or something else.

Nullpriest of Oblivion is less compelling. It functions like Phyrexian Missionary in that paying its Kicker cost lets you bring back a creature. Except that it comes in with weaker stats and its Kicker is a much heavier price at Black pip compared to Black pip. Maybe I’ll dust it off at the next rotation if I still want the ability to bring creatures back from my graveyard.

One change that I made during Duskmourn that I did not mention before was that I retooled the mana base, taking out the three Three Tree City in favour of The Fair Basilica, The Dross Pits Scoured Barrens, and Valgavoth’s Lair. I may tweak it further with one or more Secluded Courtyards when Foundation comes out.

I’ve also added a few more cards to the Sideboard in the anticipation that I may try this in B03 at some point.

Here is what I will try out (3 Infernal Vessels instead of Moonrise Cleric) when Foundations comes out:

Deck:

  • 3 Infernal Vessel (FDN) 63
  • 2 Go for the Throat (BRO) 102
  • 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
  • 2 Fell (BLB) 95
  • 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
  • 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
  • 2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
  • 3 Essence Channeler (BLB) 12
  • 2 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
  • 3 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
  • 2 Annex Sentry (ONE) 2
  • 3 Preacher of the Schism (LCI) 113
  • 2 Cavern of Souls (LCI) 269
  • 2 Roaming Throne (LCI) 258
  • 2 Metropolis Reformer (MAT) 4
  • 2 Cut Down (DMU) 89
  • 8 Plains (THB) 250
  • 6 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 1 The Dross Pits (ONE) 251
  • 2 Fabled Passage (ELD) 244
  • 1 The Fair Basilica (ONE) 252
  • 1 Forlorn Flats (OTJ) 258
  • 2 Scoured Barrens (NEO) 274
  • 1 Valgavoth’s Lair (DSK) 271

Sideboard:

  • 2 Grand Abolisher (BIG) 2
  • 1 Skrelv, Defector Mite (ONE) 33
  • 1 Pest Control (BIG) 22
  • 2 Lay Down Arms (BRO) 11
  • 1 The Witch’s Vanity (WOE) 119
  • 2 Sanguine Evangelist (LCI) 34
  • 1 Zoraline, Cosmos Caller (BLB) 242
  • 1 Leyline Binding (DMU) 24
  • 2 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97
  • 2 Virtue of Persistence (WOE) 115

Duskmourn Clerics: Worth Adding to Your Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Deck?

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

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
Fanatic of the Harrowing
Resurrected Cultist

Valgavoth’s Faithful is a cheap card at only Black pip for a 1/1. But unlike many such cards, it comes with an activated ability that costs Black pip 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 Black pip, 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

Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Typal in Bloomburrow

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

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.

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

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
Essence Channeler
Starscape Cleric
Moonrise Cleric

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.
Three Tree City
Fabled Passage

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!

Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Typal in Outlaws of Thunder Junction

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

This will be a very short installment in our Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Typal adventure. While with a new set comes the promise of new cards and hopefully a strong deck, this latest set fails to deliver. Why? you ask. Well, simply put, there are no Clerics in Thunder Junction. Nary a one! Not even one! But it still finds room for squirrels? Don’t believe me? Have a look at Scryfall and see for yourself.

I’ll take a look at other cards that could slot into the deck to work alongside the clerics. Maybe I should look at the new Saddle mechanic. Can you imagine the fear when a Cleric mounted on a Bounding Felidar, a Bridled Bighorn or a Caustic Bronco comes riding at their opponent?

More seriously, I think I may look at the new Commit a Crime mechanic and see what options there might be.

For now, here is my unchanged Orzhov Cleric Typal deck:

  • 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

Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Typal in Murders at Karlov Manor

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

Welcome to the latest installment in our Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Typal adventure. A new set means the potential for new Cleric cards for my deck and changes to our deck. Or not. The new set is not as generous with Clerics as Lost Caverns of Ixalan was. No luck finding 10 new clerics; there are only five clerics to be found in Murders at Karlov Manor. Two of them are reprints: Twilight Prophet and Vizier of Many Faces.

Without further ado, here are the Clerics of Murder at Karlov Manor:

Taking a closer look at which might be a good fit for our Orzhov deck, we can immediately eliminate Vizier of Many Faces, a Blue Cleric.

Agency Coroner is an expensive card more suited for Sacrifice decks than ours. A 3/6 with no other upside is not worth it. Pass.

Sanguine Savior, a Common that costs Black pip has more potential. Disguise gives us a bit of flexibility with what is essentially a simple 2/1 with flying and lifelink. If the game gives us a bit of time, we can have it enter as a Mysterious Creature and reveal it later, potentially giving us another lifelinker for a turn. It is susceptible to removal unfortunately. It’s still worth giving it a try.

Twilight Prophet is a card that first appeared in Rivals of Ixalan. With the city’s blessing, it fits nicely into our lifelink engine and can also ping our opponent. All before it swoops in for hopefully a bit more damage. Unfortunately, it is also very susceptible to removal.

Unyielding Gatekeeper is another Cleric capable of Disguise. Revealing its true identity allows you to exile a creature. If it’s one of yours, you get to blink it. Otherwise, your opponent gets a 2/2 white and blue Detective creature token in exchange for their exiled card. This might be worth trying if we take out a removal spell but the slower speed suggests it would not be a good move.

For now, I’m going to slot in a couple of Sanguine Saviors, replacing two Liliana of the Veil. Here is the updated deck.

  • 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

When I slept on Preacher of the Schism

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

This is not a new tale but an oft-told one that bears regular reminders. If only to myself. Let me set the stage.

For whatever reason, I’ve been enjoying building and playing with a Clerics typal deck for some time. With every new set, I take a close look at what new cards I can use in the deck. The last update to my standard B01 Clerics Typal deck came with the release of Caverns of Ixalan late last year. Among the cards that I added to the deck were Roaming Throne and Preacher of the Schism.

I pulled the former as my promo during pre-release and immediately recognized its value (the card’s value has borne that out as well – one of the few times I got it right). And I knew immediately that it was headed into my Clerics deck. I was not quite as sure about Preacher of the Schism. The 2/4 body is a decent stat for Black pip, I wasn’t quite as sure about the overall card. I liked it, thought it would fit well, and added it to my deck, knowing that I could always pull it later if my gut instinct turned out to be wrong.

Well, I added it to my Arena deck but procrastinated on getting it for my physical deck. I suspect that at this point you know where this is going. I just never saw what was coming. With Standard being re-emphasized by Wizards and a certain Rakdos deck doing well recently, the card has started to rise in price.

A few months back, it was going for around CA$1.00 to CA$1.50. As of late January, it now sells for between CA$4.00 and CA$6.00. And that’s when you can find it. It has been consistently sold out at my favourite LGSs for weeks now. If it does suddenly appear available, it tends to be the foil versions, a version I try to avoid.

I still want the card for my deck. If anything, playing with it as confirmed that it deserves a spot in the deck. So, now I’m left to see when I can buy it. As I wait, I’m left with a dilemma: Do I get it at the new higher price or do I wait for it to come down? The upcoming Murders at Karlov Manor set could help dry up demand for it and drive the price back down. Then again, it might also drive it up further [Mental note here to go check the new set now that it has been fully spoiled]. I fully expect it will drop in price when the set rotates out of Standard but then I won’t need it anymore anyways.

Let’s hope I learned my lesson this time. But knowing myself, I may be re-reading this post in the future…