Ghost Council of OrzhovaGhost Council of Orzhova | Art by Greg Staples

Greetings and salutations for this second instalment of Branching Out, where I try to find interesting and uncanny brewing ideas outside of the most popular archetypes for each color pair. This time, we're taking a good look at the mighty church of Orzhov, or for friends.

This is a spicy color combination, well known for controlling your opponents' board while slowly and painfully smothering them until their life total is but ashes.

It's also more popular a combination than Boros. Top commanders on the dedicated webpage are as follows:

• Eriette of the Charmed AppleEriette of the Charmed Apple – 18,464 decks, with top themes being Auras (12K!), Enchantress (950) and Lifegain (572).
• Teysa KarlovTeysa Karlov – 14,904 decks, with top themes being Aristocrats (8K), Tokens (1K) and Lifegain (762).
• Liesa, Shroud of DuskLiesa, Shroud of Dusk – 8,917 decks, with top themes being Lifegain (5K), Angels (640) and Hatebears (362).
• Clavileño, First of the BlessedClavileño, First of the Blessed – 8,395 decks, with top themes being Vampires , Lifegain (4K) and Aristocrats (590).
• Brimaz, Blight of OreskosBrimaz, Blight of Oreskos – 7,103 decks, with top themes being Phyrexians (3K), Infect (957) and Tokens (441).

Similarly to last time, there's a discerning pattern here. Aside from Brimaz, which has a very definite orientation, all top commanders lean heavily towards either Lifegain or Aristocrats.

This trend is largely confirmed when looking at the top themes in Orzhov altogether:

• Lifegain – 41,379 decks
• Aristocrats – 21,494 decks
• Auras – 13,805 decks
• Tokens – 9,991 decks
• Sacrifice – 5,486 decks

Once more, Lifegain and Aristocrats are largely in the lead, with Auras taking third place only due to Eriette of the Charmed AppleEriette of the Charmed Apple's popularity (the runner-up, Killian, Ink DuelistKillian, Ink Duelist, accounts for 1,367 decks vs Eriette's 11,980).

With that in mind, let's try finding different routes.

Here are five ideas that will challenge your brewing skills and hopefully raise eyebrows around the table.

MacCready, Lamplight Mayor with Lurrus of the Dream-Den Companion

Let's start with an uncanny combination, accounting for only 17 decks on EDHREC. That's right, if you're looking for something almost no one has brewed before, we've got you covered!

This is basically an aggro deck at heart. Play a bunch of tiny creatures, add a few cheap anthems to the mix, give them skulk with your commander, swing unimpeded, smash faces. Simple.

I find this idea interesting not so much for the core strategy as for the brewing challenge it imposes. Each permanent in your deck must cost two mana or less.

If you really want to push the concept further, try building it with no cards worth more than two mana altogether. While this concept may edge towards Bracket 1, I believe that coupling very agressive colors with an extremely low mana curve could work wonders.

To make this work you'll need:

• An abundance of small creatures – Thankfully, there are a bunch of extremely efficient critters in this range that will suit your plans. You could try leaning towards a pingers route with Lotho, Corrupt ShirriffLotho, Corrupt Shirriff and Corpse KnightCorpse Knight types of cards (although this already leans back to Aristocracy), play Sisters like Soul's AttendantSoul's Attendant (hello Lifegain), or even undertake the Hare ApparentHare Apparent route (but then again, tokens...). If I had to build this, I think I'd choose the cream of the crop from each category, play around 40-45 creatures and see what happens. Oh, and don't forget to add Hunted HorrorHunted Horror!

• Decent card draw –  Since we have black, there's a trove of sacrificial effects that serve our cause. Corrupted ConvictionCorrupted Conviction, Village RitesVillage Rites, Deadly DisputeDeadly Dispute... You could make a solid base only with these kinds of spells. Add in Archivist of OghmaArchivist of Oghma, Esper SentinelEsper Sentinel and SkullclampSkullclamp to the mix, and you're good to go.
• Removal –  If you wish to stick to the two-mana-tops constraint, play a bunch of pinpoint removal. Otherwise, since Lurrus doesn't impose any rules on non-permament cards, knock yourself out!
• Anthems – One- and two-mana creatures are weak, and you need ways to buff them. Think Flowering of the White TreeFlowering of the White Tree, Bad MoonBad Moon, Honor of the PureHonor of the Pure, the new Lumen-Class FrigateLumen-Class Frigate...
• Little to no ramp! – That's right. With such a low curve, you'll probably need little more than four lands to consistently add to your board presence.

You will like this deck if: 

• You enjoy severe building constraints
• You appreciate seeing your opponents wonder how you're going to pull this off
• You like swinging with puny creatures which turn out to be not so puny after all
• You like being a hipster

You won't like this deck if: 

• Being a Jack-of-All-Trades isn't your thing
• You need to carefully ponder what to keep on your board
• You thrive on spectacular wins
• You don't like living on the edge

Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill – Group Hug

Let's keep on track with a theme hardly ever considered in these colors. While Breena the Demagogue stands at 102 Group Hug decks, there are but 61 for Shadrix Silverquill.

What I really like about the latter is the fact it requires no activation on your end. Just let it sit on the board and give gifts to players in need, while comfortably pillowforting yourself. Of course, gifts come with a small, tiny, itsy-bitsy taxation of some sort... You can't get anything for nothing, can you?

I see this build as a slow attrition deck. Let the other players do the nasty work for you, let them kill one another, and then swoop in for the win.

Like all Group Hug decks, expect the table to squint and sneer at you the moment you announce your intentions. No one ever believes a do-gooder at an EDH table...

To achieve victory you'll need:

• A slew of stuff giving out gifts, ideally benefitting you in the process – These come in various shapes, mostly in the form of cards, Treasures, and counters. Orzhov AdvokistOrzhov Advokist is a classic among classics, but you could consider Combat CalligrapherCombat Calligrapher, Master of CeremoniesMaster of Ceremonies, Scholarship SponsorScholarship Sponsor, Silverquill LecturerSilverquill Lecturer, and why not some more obscure and forgotten creatures such as Pulsemage AdvocatePulsemage Advocate, Shieldmage AdvocateShieldmage Advocate or Spurnmage AdvocateSpurnmage Advocate.

• Mutual Draw – Secret RendezvousSecret Rendezvous, Your Temple Is Under AttackYour Temple Is Under Attack, Keen DuelistKeen Duelist, Loran of the Third PathLoran of the Third Path, Firemane CommandoFiremane Commando, Mikokoro, Center of the SeaMikokoro, Center of the Sea...
• Ways to protect yourself – Nils, Discipline EnforcerNils, Discipline Enforcer, Baird, Steward of ArgiveBaird, Steward of Argive, Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison, Solitary ConfinementSolitary Confinement, Dawn's TruceDawn's Truce, Kami of False HopeKami of False Hope... Make sure you have the means to be left to your own devices.
• Finishers – All games have to end eventually. Torment of HailfireTorment of Hailfire, Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun, ExsanguinateExsanguinate... Just enough to drive the point through and steal the win.

You will like this deck if: 

• You enjoy feeling like Santa
• You want to be left alone
• You like sneaky wins
• You don't really care if you win or lose

You won't like this deck if: 

• You feel opponents should help themselves instead of relying on other people's generosity
• You have a competitive streak
• You don't enjoy challenging brews
• You hate politics

Drana and LinvalaDrana and Linvala – Stay Still

Feel like a horrible person? Want to spread misery? Say no more.

At the moment, there are 1,142 decks on Drana and Linvala's page, and a lot of the featured cards lean quite heavily towards Stax.

So for once, let's be mean and play around this. And hope for an unlikely win, courtesy of our opponents' stuff.

To pull this off, you'll need:

• Stax pieces – Get all the annoying stuff out there, and make your opponents hate you. Your commander already shuts down all of their activated abilities, you may as well go the extra mile. Thalia, Heretic CatharThalia, Heretic Cathar, Thalia, Guardian of ThrabenThalia, Guardian of Thraben, Aven MindcensorAven Mindcensor, HushbringerHushbringer, Deafening SilenceDeafening Silence, Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher... This is Death & Taxes baby!

• Combos – While you're at it, why not grab some juicy win-cons: Exquisite BloodExquisite Blood or Bloodthirsty ConquerorBloodthirsty Conqueror and Sanguine BondSanguine Bond or Vito, Thorn of the Dusk RoseVito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose will drain your opponents to nil. More vicious, Drana and LinvalaDrana and Linvala / Linvala, Keeper of SilenceLinvala, Keeper of Silence alongside Kormus BellKormus Bell and Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothUrborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth will lock your opponents out of the game.
• Protection pieces – Pillowfort yourself even more and stay out of reach. Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison, Solitary ConfinementSolitary Confinement, Phyrexian UnlifePhyrexian Unlife and SolemnitySolemnity...

I'm not pushing this any further, I'm starting to feel dirty... Just make sure to warn the table about what you're up to, lest you get kicked out of the room with enough salt to turn the Mediterranean into another Dead Sea.

You will like this deck if: 

• You hate people
• You hate the world
• You're into Schadenfreude
• You hate haters

You will not like this deck if: 

• You're a good person
• You're a kind person
• You enjoy see others have fun
• You want everyone to have a good time

Francisco, Fowl MarauderFrancisco, Fowl Marauder & Keleth, Sunmane FamiliarKeleth, Sunmane Familiar – Voltron

After this horrible nightmare, let's go back to something more mundane. Good old combat tricks and commander damage. The beauty of this pair lies in the payoff and the pump both lying in the command zone.

Keleth on turn three after Francisco on turn two will make sure the Bird will get a trigger right away.

Thinking of it, I could also have chosen this pair to accompany Lurrus in the companion zone...

The thing is, we're leaning heavily on Equipment here. I want this Bird to grow big and hit hard, to dish out 21 commander damage as quick as possible.

To this end, you will require:

• A bunch of ways to boost Francisco – Aside from Keleth, you need ways to grow the Bird. Luminarch AspirantLuminarch Aspirant, Felidar RetreatFelidar Retreat, Blackblade ReforgedBlackblade Reforged, Grafted WargearGrafted Wargear, Bloodforged Battle-AxeBloodforged Battle-Axe, Agent of the Shadow ThievesAgent of the Shadow Thieves, Thran Power SuitThran Power Suit, Spirit MantleSpirit Mantle, Duelist's HeritageDuelist's Heritage (a personal favorite), and why not Tainted StrikeTainted Strike for a kill out of nowhere. At least 20 pieces of cardboard buffing your commander.

• Protection, protection, protection for your commander– I'll say it one more time. Protection. Your win-con is in the command zone, it's precious, it's deadly, and it will be removed. Hyena UmbraHyena Umbra, Dog UmbraDog Umbra, Kaya's GhostformKaya's Ghostform, Dawn CharmDawn Charm, Blacksmith's SkillBlacksmith's Skill, Not Dead After AllNot Dead After All... Make sure your commander can stick around once it hits and gets big.
• And protection for yourself –Yes, this is sort of an all-in build, but safety first. Make sure to pack a couple of fogs like Holy DayHoly Day, Kami of False HopeKami of False Hope, or Mandate of PeaceMandate of Peace to keep out of harm's way.
• Tutors – I'm usually not a huge fan of tutors, but in this case, you need your best stuff, and you need it fast. Steelshaper's GiftSteelshaper's Gift, Open the ArmoryOpen the Armory, Stoneforge MysticStoneforge Mystic, and the like will be your best friends.

You will like this deck if: 

• You enjoy punching faces with your commanders
• You like unusual commanders in the zone
• You think Equipment are not only for Boros players
• You like hearing your opponents say "What, again???"

You will not like this deck if: 

• You don't like timing your plays
• You feel bad about focusing on one player at a time
• You don't like tutors
• You don't like aggro

Selenia, Dark AngelSelenia, Dark Angel – My Life is Worth Nothing

I'd like to finish this article with an old love of mine - one I've had so much fun playing with I had her altered.

Helming only 696 decks, this beautiful dark lady is criminally underplayed. Especially since she has a very specific plan in mind.

You see, Selenia wants you to die. Or get as close to death as possible. You don't play her to attack with her, or to have a pretty flyer.

You play her to drain your vital essence, by repeatedly activating her ability without letting it resolve, paying two life over and over until you're down to one or two.

Then the magic happens. Then your opponents' incredulous stares change into one of horror. Then you start swapping life totals around.

Want to attack me? No problem, I'll just take your life instead.

It's spectacular, it's fun, it's uncanny, it takes work, it's 100% worth it. So much so I can't resist sharing my own version of it.

So. To make fireworks, you'll need:

• Ways to swap life totals – There aren't that many out there, and you'll have to include them all to increase consistency. Axis of MortalityAxis of Mortality, Magus of the MirrorMagus of the Mirror, Profane TransfusionProfane Transfusion, Reverse the SandsReverse the Sands, Soul ConduitSoul Conduit. If you're a millionaire, Mirror UniverseMirror Universe. And to get everyone to the same ground level, Repay in KindRepay in Kind. These are the meat and bones of the deck, the only reason you build this thing.

• Ways to regain life – An interesting rules tidbit: when you swap life with another player, they in fact lose theirs and you gain that much. Tainted SigilTainted Sigil or Children of KorlisChildren of Korlis can therefore bring you back to safer heights and then double your life.
• Driving the point – Astarion, the DecadentAstarion, the Decadent, Wound ReflectionWound Reflection, Bloodletter of AclazotzBloodletter of Aclazotz, these all basically kill on the spot any player unfortunate enough to have his life swapped.
• Alternate win-cons – This is one of the only places you can arguably justify running Near-Death ExperienceNear-Death Experience. Winning with this is simply glorious!
• Life loss and card advantage – Sometimes you'll need alternative ways to drain your life (I see you, Drannith MagistrateDrannith Magistrate). This is when you'll want cards like NecrologiaNecrologia, Infernal ContractInfernal Contract, or Doom WhispererDoom Whisperer.

You will like this deck if: 

• You consider life is a resource
• You like unusual win conditions
• You accept playing risky games
• You want to play obscure cards

You won't like this deck if: 

• You're a conservative player
• You don't like combo-ish wins
• You value your life total
• You don't like grindy games

Conclusion

Another week, another House of Ravnica tackled. I hope very much you enjoyed these ideas, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

What's the most unusual commander you've built in Orzhov? What's your most unusual win-con?

Let me know in the comments below, and I'll see you in two weeks!