This commander deck began with an attrition theme. The goal was to produce enough tokens as sacrifice fodder to keep the enemy board states clean. It has changed over my revisions to a combo deck with a sub-theme of attrition. Most of the combos focus on the manipulation of death triggers to either gain infinite life, infinite creatures, or deal infinite damage. There are main five death combos with three serving as the primary goal (due to card versatility) and two serving as a backup. They are as follows:

Primary Combo 1 Show

Primary Combo 2 Show

Primary Combo 3 Show

Backup Combo 1 Show

Backup Combo 2 Show

The next section of combos are variations that can be added to improve the functionality through lessened input, increased output, or just by providing an alternate way to initiate the combo. They are as follows:

Primary Combo 1 Variation Show

Primary Combo 3 Variation Show

Universal Combo Variation Show

All of the afore mentioned combos are utilized with Blood Artist or Zulaport Cutthroat for an instant win. Utilizing Geralf's Messenger or Triskelion in the death combos also provide an instant win. If you are unable to incorporate one of these creatures there are backup win cons as well. They are as follows:

Backup Win Conditions Show

With all of the combo potential available to you it is nearly impossible to not be able to work towards something. Even if all the combo potential is hated out when getting focused by the table, you still have the following “Sub-theme” strategies available to you. These Sub-themes include token support/creature value, removal, recursion, and life gain. They provide alternate win conditions by keeping the board state clean and eventually getting the game win with your smaller creatures. The game plan for each sub-theme are as follows:

Token Support/Creature Value: Creatures like Hero of Bladehold, Grave Titan, or Angel of Invention make effective use of tokens in or out of combat while Elspeth, Sun's Champion provides extra tokens, removal, and team pumping. Unanswered threats like Serra Ascendant or any of the previously mentioned token creatures have won me many games all by themselves. Any combo can fizzle, so it's always good to have a beat-stick backup plan. Especially if that fizzled combo leaves you with extra tokens and one of these heavy hitters.

Removal: Wrath of God effects, Vindicate like removal, and Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim's second ability are all powerful ways to remove obstacles from your path. It's near impossible to answer every threat in a game but you need to be able to answer the ones that count.

Recursion: Since the deck is built around infinite recursion loops, its only natural that the partial combos would function well enough on their own. Even just paying full cost for recurring cards like Grave Titan or Angel of Invention with Nim Deathmantle have lead to large board states and grinding out wins. Just playing the "reanimator" style is potent and well known for its ability to win games.

Life Gain: The life gain strategy used to exist solely for using Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim's second ability or as a byproduct of an infinite combo. However, the creation of Aetherflux Reservoir and Tree of Perdition have turned life gain into a deadly weapon. If you manage to get these three cards on the field together you can kill one opponent and severely cripple another while still maintaining a life point lead! Vizkopa Guildmage can be tossed into the mix for more life total shenanigans!

That does it for my Ayli deck tech. Thanks for your time and please offer any constructive criticism you have. This is my primary commander deck so comments and suggestions will be much appreciated.

Update!!! Ayli has made the ultimate sacrifice and was sold to help pay for my new house and an engagement ring. Thanks everyone for looking at the list and offering advise. I'm sure she'll return one day!

Sacrifice Effect List Show

Considerations Show

Potential Cuts Show

Acquiring Show

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Revision 51 See all

(5 years ago)

Date added 8 years
Last updated 5 years
Legality

This deck is Commander / EDH legal.

Rarity (main - side)

20 - 0 Mythic Rares

42 - 0 Rares

16 - 0 Uncommons

9 - 0 Commons

Cards 100
Avg. CMC 3.41
Tokens Angel 4/4 W, Eldrazi Spawn 0/1 C, Emblem Elspeth, Sun's Champion, Faerie Rogue 1/1 B, Human Cleric 1/1 BW, Servo 1/1 C, Soldier 1/1 W, Spirit 1/1 W, Zombie 2/2 B
Folders EDH, Decks I like!, want, Ayli, ayli cards, Inspiration, EDH, Z-Decks to Monitor, Ayli Commander, Commander/EDH
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