budget karlov

No sideboard found.

The owner of this deck hasn't added a sideboard, they probably should...

This deck utilizes a combination of efficient life gain creatures, enchantments, and artifacts to generate substantial life totals. Cards like Ajani's Pridemate, Serra Ascendant, and Soul Warden reward you for gaining life by growing in power or providing additional benefits. Additionally, cards such as Crested Sunmare and Karlov's Crusader create formidable threats that benefit from life gain.

The deck includes a selection of removal spells like Swords to Plowshares, Mortify, and Oblation to handle problematic creatures and artifacts. Sweeping board wipes like Wrath of God and Kaya's Wrath help you maintain control and reset the battlefield when necessary.

Synergies like Sanguine Bond and Exquisite Blood create powerful life-draining combinations that can swiftly diminish your opponents' life totals. Other cards like Debt to the Deathless and Exsanguinate capitalize on your high life total to drain opponents and potentially secure victory.

Enchantments such as Ghostly Prison and Sphere of Safety provide defense by discouraging attacks from opponents, while Smothering Tithe and Underworld Connections generate additional resources for card advantage and mana ramp.

The deck also includes powerful commander Karlov of the Ghost Council, whose ability to exile creatures or gain life based on the number of counters makes him a potent threat and a source of continuous advantage.

With a mix of life gain, removal, and synergy, this white and black life gain deck aims to dominate the battlefield, outlast opponents, and drain their life totals for victory.

Focus on Early Life Gain: Look for cards like Soul Warden, Soul's Attendant, and Serra Ascendant in your opening hand. These cards allow you to start gaining life early in the game, setting the foundation for your strategy.

Maximize Karlov's Ability: As your commander, Karlov of the Ghost Council is a key piece of your deck. Use his ability to exile creatures and gain life whenever possible. Look for opportunities to remove threats while simultaneously boosting Karlov's power and toughness.

Build Your Life Total: Utilize cards like Ajani's Pridemate, Crested Sunmare, and Karlov's Crusader to capitalize on your life gain. These creatures grow stronger with each life gain trigger, becoming formidable threats that can quickly overwhelm opponents.

Control the Battlefield: Use your removal spells, such as Swords to Plowshares, Mortify, and Oblation, to deal with threats from your opponents. Board wipes like Wrath of God and Kaya's Wrath can help reset the battlefield, giving you an advantage.

Exploit Life Gain Synergies: Cards like Sanguine Bond and Exquisite Blood create powerful combinations that drain opponents' life totals. Look for opportunities to establish these synergies, whether it's through casting a large Debt to the Deathless or triggering Exsanguinate for a substantial amount.

Protect Yourself: Enchantments like Ghostly Prison, Sphere of Safety, and Smothering Tithe help deter opponents from attacking you, providing a defensive shield. Use these cards to slow down aggressive strategies and buy yourself time to build up your life total and board presence.

Card Advantage: Utilize cards like Phyrexian Arena, Underworld Connections, and Dawn of Hope to maintain card advantage throughout the game. Drawing additional cards ensures you have a steady stream of resources to execute your game plan effectively.

Timing and Decision-Making: Pay attention to the state of the game and make strategic decisions based on the current board state and opponents' actions. Assess the threats on the battlefield and prioritize which cards to remove or which life gain synergies to activate at the right moment.

Balance Aggression and Defense: While the deck focuses on life gain, don't forget to be proactive. Balance building up your life total and maintaining a strong board presence with actively pressuring your opponents and strategically attacking.

Adapt to Your Opponents: Keep in mind that different opponents and strategies may require different approaches. Adjust your game plan accordingly, whether it means focusing on defense against aggressive decks or disrupting combo-oriented strategies with well-timed removal.