The Orzhov Syndicate: Phantasmal Extravagance

Commander / EDH Aristocrats Casual Extort Theme/Gimmick Vorthos WB (Orzhov)

EmptyStar

Creature (35)

• 1x Angel of Despair
• 1x Basilica Bell-Haunt
• 1x Belfry Spirit
• 1x Cartel Aristocrat
• 1x Cruel Celebrant
• 1x Crypt Ghast
• 1x Deathpact Angel
• 1x Debtors' Transport
• 1x Forbidding Spirit
• 1x Ghost Council of Orzhova
• 1x High Priest of Penance
• 1x Imperious Oligarch
• 1x Karlov of the Ghost Council
• 1x Keening Apparition
• 1x Knight of the Last Breath
• 1x Merchant of Truth
• 1x Midnight Reaper
• 1x Ministrant of Obligation
• 1x Orzhov Advokist
• 1x Orzhov Euthanist
• 1x Orzhov Pontiff
• 1x Pitiless Pontiff
• 1x Seraph of the Scales
• 1x Sin Collector
• 1x Syndic of Tithes
• 1x Syndicate Guildmage
• 1x Syndicate Messenger
• 1x Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
• 1x Teysa, Orzhov Scion
• 1x The Haunt of Hightower
• 1x Tithe Drinker
• 1x Tomik, Wielder of Law
• 1x Treasury Thrull
• 1x Twilight Panther
• 1x Vizkopa Guildmage

Sorcery (10)

• 1x Bankrupt in Blood
• 1x Call a Surprise Witness
• 1x Council's Judgment
• 1x Covetous Elegy
• 1x Debt to the Deathless
• 1x Gift of Estates
• 1x Kaya's Wrath
• 1x Merciless Eviction
• 1x Revival / Revenge
• 1x Soul Search

Enchantment (8)

• 1x Blind Obedience
• 1x Debtors' Knell
• 1x Ethereal Absolution
• 1x Greed
• 1x Ill-Gotten Inheritance
• 1x One Thousand Lashes
• 1x Pillory of the Sleepless
• 1x Smothering Tithe

Instant (6)

• 1x Afterlife Insurance
• 1x Beckon Apparition
• 1x Final Payment
• 1x Grotesque Demise
• 1x Mortify
• 1x Orzhov Charm

Commander (1)

Land (37)

• 1x Godless Shrine
• 1x Guildmages' Forum
• 1x Orzhov Basilica
• 1x Orzhov Guildgate
• 1x Orzhov Guildgate
• 17x Plains
• 1x Shadowy Backstreet
• 14x Swamp

Artifact (2)

• 1x Orzhov Locket
• 1x Orzhov Signet

Planeswalker (1)

• 1x Kaya, Orzhov Usurper

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“So much wealth. So much splendor. So much temptation to believe the gilded lie.” -Kaya

~

Orzhova, the Church of Deals, promises salvation for a price. It is within these gilded chapels that profit and penance mingle. The Orzhov Syndicate rewards the covetous, and its ranks are filled with racketeers and priests in equal measure. So boundless is the wealth of Orzhov that it has a monopoly on the very afterlife- and those in debt to the guild must pay it off even past death. Their new sovereign, Kaya, doesn't allow past crimes to be buried and enacts swift justice to living and dead alike. For the highest echelon of the Orzhov Syndicate, only wealth is holy.

Those who are particularly shrewd know that the complex heriarchy of the Orzhov runs far deeper than Kaya. Positioned at the fulcrum of the Syndicate is Teysa, who has spent her life being a maven of business and liaising between the living population of Ravnica and an ageless oligarchy of ghosts formerly in control of the guild. With a master of stratagem at its helm and with endless wealth and spirits at its disposal, the Orzhov Syndicate promises to deliver a splendid and sanctified justice of its own.

Bleed them Dry:

1. Slowly accrue resources like life and spirit tokens. Cards with "Extort" (Blind Obedience, Tithe Drinker, etc.) allow you to slowly wear down opponents and gain life, and cards with "Afterlife" (Imperious Oligarch, Knight of the Last Breath, etc.) leave a small parting gift when they die. Teysa Karlov subtly powers them up without raising any alarms for your opponents. By the time your opponents realize you've been playing the long con, it may be too late for them to stop you.

2. Teysa's effect doesn't just help token generation with Afterlife and cards like Requiem Angel- it also allows cards like Archon of Justice and The Haunt of Hightower to make an even bigger impact and allow you to go on the offensive.

3. Capitalize on your resiliency. No one will want (or think in necessary) to touch you. Look to cards like Orzhov Advokist, Forbidding Spirit, and Tithe Taker to help discourage any opposition too. Wait for a big pay off, like someone casting a board wipe with Cruel Celebrant or Blood Artist on the field alongside Teysa.

4. Kaya, Orzhov Usurper is another easy to underestimate threat in the deck. Her effect can sneak up on opponents while simultaneously removing any threats they may have lurking in their graveyard.

5. Some cards in your deck like Blood Host help you sacrifice creatures (this is handy if you want to activate Afterlife and your opponents don't seem to be taking the bait, for example) while gaining benefits at the same time. With all of the weak tokens the deck churns out, you're always sure to have fodder for these sacrifice outlets or cards such as Bankrupt in Blood.

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Part of a series to make Vorthos-inspired decks for the Ravnican decks (on hold).

Innovation: The Izzet League
Infestation: The Golgari Swarm
Repentance: The Orzhov Syndicate
Resentment: The Gruul Clans

Date added	4 years
Last updated	2 months
Legality	This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)	6 - 0 Mythic Rares 23 - 0 Rares 23 - 0 Uncommons 17 - 0 Commons
Cards	100
Avg. CMC	3.52
Tokens	Bat 1/1 B, Cleric 1/1 WB, Clue, Spirit 1/1 W, Spirit 1/1 WB, Treasure
Folders	Guilds of Ravnica EDH