Budget Arena: Orzhov Afterlife (Standard, Magic Arena)
by TheAsianAvenger // Feb 06, 2019
I didn't choose the Afterlife, the Afterlife chose me! is all that needs to be said about this week's Budget Arena episode!!
We're using 14 wildcards total between Rares and Mythics not including the cards that were given to us from the tutorial. For example, Mentor of the Meek, Vraska's Contempt, and Isolated Chapel would not count towards our budget!
Gameplan
The gameplan is to really capitalize on the Orzhov guild mechanic. We've got a bunch of threats that leave 1/1 Flying Spirits behind after they die so we aren't as worried about board wipes and other non-exiling effects. On top of that, we have Teysa Karlov to trigger our Afterlife effects twice! Not to mention Ethereal Absolution puts in a ton of work when we're trying to close out the game or hold a lead as it will stop Explore creatures like Jadelight Ranger and so on! We'll also be able to make an army of spirits over time!
We get some really disruptive creatures like Tithe Taker if our opponents are trying to do things on our turn!
Our whole deck is all about value and making our opponent have a ton of exiling effects or twice the amount of removal and board wipes! Also Pitiless Pontiff has been an absolute tank in this deck. It sticks around after board wipes and helps provide us with a sac outlet for our Teysa. It also holds off big threats as it threatens deathtouch much like our guardian angel in Seraph of the Scales!
Conclusion
If you're a devoted Orzhov mage then maybe there's something here for you! Especially in a format where decks on average have about 30+ Rare and Mythic wildcards being used. This is definitely cheap and still fun while being absolutely flavorful! If the budget were not an issue, I would look to maybe splashing red just for Judith the Scourge Diva!
You only live twice when you're Orzhov
-TheAsianAvenger
