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Karlov, the Chaotic Dissonance (Retired)

Commander / EDH Lifegain Theme/Gimmick WB (Orzhov)

TehGrief


Maybeboard


Debt to the Deathless

Karlov of the Ghost Council allows for some interesting combinations involving life gain.

Use the chaos of field triggers to push your opponent into a corner in which every one of their choices causes a field trigger which will either help you, or hinder them.

There are no patterns to follow, complete chaos.

Punish their every thought.

Life, Conferred or Pilfered

Many of the more simple cards will trigger life-gain every upkeep; this will continue to keep Karlov stocked with counters every turn, allowing for instant removal if necessary. Remember, Karlov only requires six counters to activate his ability. Upkeep life-gain triggers are as follows;

For your upkeep:

For your Opponents upkeep:

Each of these are going to trigger (x2)+1/+1 counters for Karlov.

Clever combos are more than often triggered with Entering the Battlefield effects. Karlov, of course, enjoys always getting as many counters as possible.

As your spells are cast (Extort)

Whenever you play a land (Landfall)

Whenever you play an enchantment (Constellation)

Whenever you play a Creature

The main strategy of the deck, again, is to force your opponent into a corner in which almost any action they take will force a trigger that will either help you or hinder them.

Stolen Life - Direct and Target Life Steal:

Creatures being Destroyed:

Whenever a card enters an opponents graveyard:

Activated Abilities:

The main cog in this machine is of course Karlov of the Ghost Council. Gaining life allows Karlov to remove pesky creatures who dare oppose you.

My favourite combo to use in the deck is Karlov of the Ghost Council + Sunbond ; it is unreal how powerful Karlov can get.

Even if a single life is gained, Karlov will gain THREE counters.

You'll want to tutor Sunbond as soon as possible for the most effective Karlovian Removal Madness.

Alongside this, you want to rule out opponents gaining any life using Erebos, God of the Dead.

Another quick tip for Karlov; If you're able to remove all the creatures posing a threat (or if there never was one) Karlov himself can be an effective creature to swing with. Never miss an opportunity for lethal or "Commander" damage if you ever get the chance.

Death, Coerced or Embraced

Various effects will be triggered when cards or other abilities enter the battlefield. Learn to take advantage of all of these in order to secure victory.

Thought you missed a couple damage triggers? Fear not... any action your opponent takes will more than likely be stinging them...

Forced...

Upon death...

Upon Enlightenment... (card draw)

When Provoked... (triggers when creatures attack you)

When Empowered... (Triggered during life gain)

  • Cliffhaven Vampire (This is a very special combo... since the play style of the deck revolves around plenty of life gain)

When Wasteful... (Card enters graveyard)

When Desired... (activated abilities)

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92% Casual

Competitive

Revision 33 See all

(5 years ago)

Date added 8 years
Last updated 5 years
Exclude colors URG
Splash colors WB
Key combos
Legality

This deck is Commander / EDH legal.

Rarity (main - side)

4 - 0 Mythic Rares

18 - 0 Rares

32 - 0 Uncommons

19 - 0 Commons

Cards 100
Avg. CMC 3.03
Tokens Monarch Emblem
Folders Commander/EDH, general, Awesome Decks, Commander
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