Orzhov

Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Tribal in The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

While I was enjoying some vacation back October, Wizards of the Coast announced some significant product changes, namely the new Play Boosters. It followed that news up with what I consider to be possibly the most significant Universes Beyond announcement, its new collaboration with Marvel. More on those in the near future but today is all about the new Lost Caverns of Ixalan set and what it means for my Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Tribal deck.

Unlike recent sets which contained few clerics (and fewer good ones), the new set comes with 10 Clerics, including two reprints. Best of all, 9 of those are in Orzhov colours. The last is a Blue Cleric. And that’s not all, there are some good cards that will complement the deck well.

Let’s first take a look at the new Clerics:

Confirming how much of a tribal set Lost Caverns of Ixalan is (like the previous Ixalan sets), all of the Clerics are also vampires (except for the blue Didact Echo). As I looked through the cards, it also quickly became obvious that they are more focused on Vampire Tribal than Cleric Tribal.

Acolyte of Aclazotz does not leap out as a must-add to my deck. Mine is not a Sacrifice deck and the benefits of losing a creature to gain one life and have my opponent lose one is just not there.

Clavileño, First of the Blessed would have been a far more interesting card if it targeted Clerics instead of Vampires. This is something for a future Vampires tribal deck rather than something for this deck.

Elenda’s Hierophant is a more interesting card. The deck features enough Lifegain to help buff this creature relatively quickly. It also offers a nice little benefit when it dies. At 4 CMC, it may just be too pricy an inclusion, especially as there is another 4 CMC card that I think is more potent. More on that shortly.

The appeal of Master of Dark Rites is its mana-fixing ability. But it again comes at the cost of sacrificing a creature, something that again does not align with the deck. It may be something that I throw in the deck to see how it fares.

I do like Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle but this is not the deck for him. If only it said Clerics instead of Vampires.

Preacher of the Schism will definitely get a test in my deck. The 2/4 body is robust enough to attack or block and both triggered abilities will be beneficial. The card draw will certainly help as the deck can quickly deplete itself in some situations.

Redemption Choir is not a bad card but I’m not sure what it would replace given especially if I have to also make room for Preacher of the Schism. I’ll not completely rule it out but it might be an experiment at best as I think that there are stronger options.

Sanguine Evangelist does not offer enough deck synergy for me to consider it as an addition to the deck. Pass.

Twilight Prophet was a great card in Rivals of Ixalan and remains one in the right deck. I’m not sure that this is the deck for it but I suspect that I will at least try it and see.

Beyond the Cleric cards, I also want to see if there is room in the deck for Roaming Throne. Its ability “If a triggered ability of another creature you control of the chosen type triggers, it triggers an additional time.” should play nicely in the deck.

The other big addition to the deck is also not a Cleric but a land. Cavern of Souls is back in Standard and is pretty much an auto-include in any tribal deck.

All in all, The Lost Caverns of Ixalan looks to be a great set for Clerics. A good selection of new cards to play with. Here is what the deck looks like now:

  • 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 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97
  • 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

Orzhov Cleric Tribal in Wilds of Eldraine

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

It’s once again time to take a look at how the latest set will help me improve my Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Tribal deck. Wilds of Eldraine has been fully spoiled and Pre-Release weekend is only days away. Unfortunately, this is going to be a short post as this latest set is not Cleric friendly. Even if I expand my search to include the supplementary Wilds of Eldraine Commander Decks and Wilds of Eldraine Enchanting Tales, there are only two Clerics to be found!

Starfield Mystic

Starfield Mystic is a reprint from Core 2020 that will unfortunately not make its way into my Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Tribal deck if only because it is not Standard-legal as it is from the Commander set.

Woodland Acolyte is an Adventure card that will also not be invited into my deck. In this case, the first big reason is that the Adventure requires a Green pip pip, something an Orzhov deck does not offer. Setting aside the adventure for a moment, the creature side of the card is no less uninviting. I’m not going to cut any 3 mana cards for this one.

So, no changes to the deck at this time. It will stay like this until The Lost Caverns of Ixalan hopefully gives us a better slate of clerics:

  • 3 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107
  • 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
  • 2 Fateful Absence (MID) 18
  • 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
  • 9 Plains (THB) 250
  • 7 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
  • 2 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
  • 3 Shattered Sanctum (VOW) 264
  • 4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27
  • 2 Scoured Barrens (NEO) 274
  • 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire (NEO) 278
  • 2 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire (NEO) 268
  • 2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
  • 4 Markov Purifier (VOW) 241
  • 2 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
  • 2 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
  • 2 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97
  • 3 Metropolis Reformer (MAT) 0004
  • 2 Annex Sentry (ONE) 2

Sideboard:

  • 2 Farewell (NEO) 13
  • 1 Cut Down (DMU) 89
  • 2 Chaplain of Alms (MID) 13
  • 1 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
  • 1 Intercessor’s Arrest (NEO) 20

Sadly, Wilds of Eldraine is going to be remembered as a big disappointment for Clerics!

Orzhov Cleric Tribal in MOM: The Aftermath

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

My apologies to anyone who follows my set reviews to see how my Standard B01 Orzhov Cleric Tribal deck evolves when a new set comes out. March of the Machine: The Aftermath came out in May so this is much overdue. On the flip side, part of the reason that I did not rush to post is that there are but two clerics in the set and only one could slot into an Orzhov Cleric Tribal deck.

That sole qualifying cleric is Metropolis Reformer, a 2/3 Angel Cleric with flying and vigilance and gives you hexproof. It additional gains you as much life as it is dealt damage. All for 2 and a W. Not a bomb by any means.

The question now is, does it fit into the deck? If so, what comes out? For the same mana cost, I see two options: Annex Sentry or Yotian Medic. I think the latter makes more sense to cut. The two have the same Power and Toughness so that does not play into my decision. While the Annex Sentry is not a great card, its removal is a more potent ability than lifelink. Easy decision in the end. Besides I have three Yotian Medics in the deck and only two Annex Sentries.

On a note unrelated to this latest set, one additional change I have made is replace the 2 Valorous Stances with 2 Fateful Absences.

Here is what the updated deck looks like:

  • 3 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107
  • 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
  • 2 Fateful Absence (MID) 18
  • 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
  • 9 Plains (THB) 250
  • 7 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
  • 2 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
  • 3 Shattered Sanctum (VOW) 264
  • 4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27
  • 2 Scoured Barrens (NEO) 274
  • 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire (NEO) 278
  • 2 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire (NEO) 268
  • 2 Loran’s Escape (BRO) 14
  • 4 Markov Purifier (VOW) 241
  • 2 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
  • 2 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
  • 2 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97
  • 3 Metropolis Reformer (MAT) 0004
  • 2 Annex Sentry (ONE) 2

Sideboard:

  • 2 Farewell (NEO) 13
  • 1 Cut Down (DMU) 89
  • 2 Chaplain of Alms (MID) 13
  • 1 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
  • 1 Intercessor’s Arrest (NEO) 20

Changes:

  • In: 3 Metropolis Reformer (MAT) 0004
  • Out: 3 Yotian Medic (BRO) 33
  • Out: 2 Valorous Stance (VOW) 42
  • In: 2 Fateful Absence (MID) 18

Let’s see how this new deck does!

As always, feel free to drop us a comment with your thoughts and suggestions for this deck.

A look at the Clerics in The Brothers’ War

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

If you follow this blog, you know that I have enjoyed playing Orzhov Clerics for some time. Unfortunately, rotation was not kind to my clerics with many potent cards falling out of Standard. There weren’t many strong additions in Dominaria United and the latest iteration of Orzhov Clerics is definitely not a potent deck.

With the release of The Brothers’ War set came hope that new more powerful clerics would help improve this deck. Unfortunately, there are only three new clerics: Airlift Chaplain, Yotian Medic and Evangel of Synthesis. The last one is a Dimir cleric so is immediately out. The other two are simply not that great.

There are some interesting Prototype creatures, like the Steel Seraph or the Phyrexian Fleshgorger, that could slide into the deck to give it some heft but we’re moving away from the deck being cleric tribal.

At this point, I will make two substitutions in the deck:

  • Replace the four Inspiring Overseers with four Yotian Medic to leverage its lifegain capabilities and blocking (thanks to that 4 toughness)
  • Replace the two Boon of Safety with two Loran’s Escape

Here is what the new deck looks like:

Deck

  • 3 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107
  • 2 Anointed Peacekeeper (DMU) 2
  • 1 March of Otherworldly Light (NEO) 28
  • 2 Valorous Stance (VOW) 42
  • 3 Evolved Sleeper (DMU) 93
  • 9 Plains (THB) 250
  • 7 Swamp (THB) 252
  • 3 Shadow-Rite Priest (DMU) 106
  • 2 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
  • 3 Shattered Sanctum (VOW) 264
  • 4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27
  • 2 Scoured Barrens (NEO) 274
  • 1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire (NEO) 278
  • 2 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire (NEO) 268
  • 4 Yotian Medic (BRO)
  • 4 Markov Purifier (VOW) 241
  • 2 Loran’s escape (BRO)
  • 2 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198
  • 3 Phyrexian Missionary (DMU) 27
  • 2 Liliana of the Veil (DMU) 97

Sideboard

  • 2 Farewell (NEO) 13
  • 1 Cut Down (DMU) 89
  • 2 Chaplain of Alms (MID) 13
  • 1 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44
  • 1 Intercessor’s Arrest (NEO) 20

I don’t think that these changes will turn this deck into a tier one contender but let’s see if it makes it a little more powerful at least.

New Clerics and Giants in Streets of New Capenna

/ Jerome / Leave a comment

Much as I did when the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set was fully revealed, I eagerly took a look at what new clerics and giants might potentially make their way into my BO1 Orzhov Clerics and Izzet Giants decks.

First, the bad news. Sadly but not unexpected, there are no new giants. Hopefully we will see some when we land in Dominaria but the life expectancy of this deck is getting shorter by the day!

On a slightly more positive note, New Capenna offers up a single new cleric (one of the new Commander cards). Inspiring Overseer is a common Angel Cleric who comes with Flying and gains you 1 life and draws you a card when it enters the battlefield.

Will it fit into my Orzhov Clerics deck? Probably not but I’ll give it a whirl if and when I can figure out what card to but to make way for it. My first impression is that it’s an underwhelming card that will not offer enough to earn its way into the deck.

As far as other cards go, my first pass through them did not reveal anything that caught my attention immediately.

On the Izzet side, there might be a few interesting supporting options. Undercover Operative might be one of those. For example, another Calamity Bearer on the board might be enough to push enough damage through to wrap up the game. Unlike Giant’s Grasp, it does not require a Giant to be on the battlefield and does not see the creature return to my opponent should my enchanted giant die. And the shield counter is a nice little extra.

As far as lands go, there is nothing that will necessarily help these decks specifically although I will likely pick up some of the new Triomes for some of my physical card decks. I’ll also keep an eye out for Luxior, Giada’s Gift, the new equipment that can attach to planeswalkers.

In the end, it appears that my Selesnya enchantments deck might see more changes than these two. I’ll need to take a look!