Guildpact Theme Deck - #1 Code of the Orzhov (Casual)

The Orzhov know how to get what they want—they bleed it out of their victims. Slo-o-owly. While playing the Code of the Orzhov deck, you'll strip away all opposing threats while you gradually, relentlessly pick away at your opponent's life total. There's nothing more satisfying to members of the Orzhov than being in complete control of the suffering inflicted on their enemies.

Your first order of business is to set up your defenses. Once you play Souls of the Faultless or Hissing Miasma, or you grant one of your creatures regeneration with Strands of Undeath, your opponent may find that attacking you just isn't worth it! By using your spells to remove select creatures that threaten your affairs, you'll bring the game to a halt. That's when the bleeding begins.

This deck's route to victory is to chip away at your opponent little by little. How? Attack with your 1/1 flying creatures, such as Belfry Spirit (and its batty friends) and Mourning Thrull. Use Orzhova, the Church of Deals to swing a stalemate into your favor. Let Agent of Masks and Blind Hunter do your dirty work for you. The best part of this plan is that the life you squeeze out of your opponent usually winds up padding your own life total.

The haunt ability lets you use some of your best abilities twice: once in life, and once in death. Belfry Spirit and Blind Hunter, for example, both help you from beyond the grave. If you haunt one of your own creatures, you can sacrifice that creature to Plagued Rusalka or Teysa, Orzhov Scion at an opportune time to get that bonus ability right when you need it! With haunt on your side, the longer the game goes on, the better shape you'll be in.

To take this deck to the next level, add more of the cards you see helping you win games. Pillory of the Sleepless is a perfect example: It stops a creature and it bleeds your opponent. Other Orzhov cards from the Guildpact set can also improve your deck. Orzhov Pontiff can make your deck much more aggressive, while the diabolical Ghost Council of Orzhova provides a nearly unkillable 4/4 body, more ways to sacrifice your creatures, and more opportunities to drain your opponent's life. When you're beating your opponent a point at a time, every point matters.