<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CBrian+Valeza%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art">Brian Valeza</a></em></p>
<p>The <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/lifegain">Lifegain</a> strategy is one of the most popular archetypes to build around in Commander, and we may have just gotten one of the strongest legends we've ever seen to lead those 99s.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes its way into the format thanks to <em>Reality Fracture's</em> <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/multiverse-reforged">Multiverse Reforged</a> preconstructed deck, and has already been put in the command zone of <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/niv-mizzet-ghost-counsel">more than three thousand decks</a> here on EDHREC.</p>
<p>So join me, <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, as I cover a Bracket 2 deck that truly packs a punch, even on a budget. You can pick up this 99 for about $45, so if you already have this new Niv in your collection, you'll be ready to hit the ground running with a powerful build that doesn't break your bank.</p>
<h2>What Does Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel Bring to the Table?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel"></div></div>
<p>He's big, he's bad, he ate <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/teysa-karlov">Teysa</a>'s granddad: it's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This color-shifted legend is a great throwback to the classic versions of this character, but can still lead to some truly broken turns, just like he always has.</p>
<p>Whenever you gain life, you can pay that much life in order to draw <em>that</em> many cards. That's a wild effect, and it makes a lot of niche spells a whole lot better than they typically are in other decks.</p>
<p>As I filled out this 99, I ensured that your life total will always be ticking up, while you reap the benefits from all those triggers — whether Niv is in play or not.</p>
<p>All of those things working together puts you in a great spot for the moment your commander hits play, so that you're drawing cards right away without much extra effort. So, without further ado, let's get right into what makes this deck tick!</p>
<h2>Lifegain Synergies</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sunscorch Regent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thrull Parasite"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Gaining life for creatures simply entering the battlefield is a key part of the deck, and this legend is the best version of it, since it also drains your opponents when members of your team bite the dust.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sunscorch Regent" href="#" target="_blank">Sunscorch Regent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I love putting the other players at the table in lose-lose situations. When this five-drop and your commander are out, you'll be drawing a card whenever someone else casts a spell, which's the type of raw power that Niv is looking to bring to the party.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thrull Parasite" href="#" target="_blank">Thrull Parasite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Extort basically acts as a one mana draw three in this deck, so deploying cards with that effect early can help set you up for things to begin to snowball when the time is right.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gray Merchant of Asphodel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nighthawk Scavenger"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Debt to the Deathless"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gray Merchant of Asphodel" href="#" target="_blank">Gray Merchant of Asphodel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When it comes to huge life total swing, Gary is the Zombie for the job. If you're in a scenario where you only have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out when this creature hits play, you'll drain the table for four life each, and then draw twelve...</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nighthawk Scavenger" href="#" target="_blank">Nighthawk Scavenger</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Creatures with lifelink are another major part of this deck, since they can attack or block, then fill up your hand once the dust settles. They're great for building a board presence, as well as finding more options as the game goes on.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Debt to the Deathless" href="#" target="_blank">Debt to the Deathless</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's one of the spells that can lead to drawing an obscene number of cards, or it could simply just close out a game. This deck can drain the table turn after turn, which means that life totals may be low enough once this resolves to secure you a win.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Card Advantage</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Haliya, Guided by Light"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scheming Silvertongue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exemplar of Light"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Haliya, Guided by Light" href="#" target="_blank">Haliya, Guided by Light</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This legend from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/eoe"><em>Edge of Eternities</em></a> covers so much ground for this deck. Not only does it gain you more life, but it can also draw cards, keeping you stocked with options in the lead up to Niv's arrival.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scheming Silvertongue" href="#" target="_blank">Scheming Silvertongue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: I'm a massive fan of this creature, since it gives you access to casting <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sign in Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Sign in Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> over and over again as the game goes on, while being a great flying body on the board.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exemplar of Light" href="#" target="_blank">Exemplar of Light</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since there are several ways to gain life on each players turn in this deck, this Angel could become a big threat while drawing multiple cards each turn rotation.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Recursion Pieces</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moseo, Vein&#039;s New Dean"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fiendish Panda"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Witch of the Moors"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moseo, Vein&#039;s New Dean" href="#" target="_blank">Moseo, Vein&#039;s New Dean</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: You're likely going to become the main threat at the table with this deck, so getting key pieces back will be important. Being able to do that over and over again with this Bird can help you keep up with the aggression being thrown your way.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiendish Panda" href="#" target="_blank">Fiendish Panda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature offers up a one-time recursion straight to the battlefield, which could just be enough to help you bounce back from a board wipe or a lot of targeted removal coming your way.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Witch of the Moors" href="#" target="_blank">Witch of the Moors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a must-answer threat for your opponents, because it'll consistently take out their creatures, while retrieving threats that they thought were gone forever. Truly a way to add insult to injury.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Interaction &amp; Protection</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breathe Your Last"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanctify"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parasitic Impetus"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breathe Your Last" href="#" target="_blank">Breathe Your Last</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is a common that'll put in a lot of work for the deck. If you get to destroy a five color creature with this spell, you'll get rid of someone's value piece, while also restocking your hand in the process.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanctify" href="#" target="_blank">Sanctify</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sure, I know that this is a sorcery, but I'll take the lack in speed in return for gaining three life. Two mana to answer a threat, and drawing three cards on your turn is a great trade off.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parasitic Impetus" href="#" target="_blank">Parasitic Impetus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Another way to deal with a problem is to point it in another direction. Slap this Aura on a big stompy creature, and drain its controller turn after turn.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Take Up the Shield"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bofur, Reliable Guardian"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Riot Control"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Take Up the Shield" href="#" target="_blank">Take Up the Shield</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Defending yourself against the rest of the table is going to be important for keeping your game plan moving forward. Two mana to save something while giving it a counter and lifelink is just what this deck is looking for.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bofur, Reliable Guardian" href="#" target="_blank">Bofur, Reliable Guardian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Protecting a value creature while also just being a 1/1 with lifelink is what landed this uncommon legend in the 99. When both the Adventure and creature side of a card work well with a deck, you know you're in a good spot.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Riot Control" href="#" target="_blank">Riot Control</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a spell that can be played proactively or reactively. It could nullify an attack at a pivotal moment in the game, or you can simply cast it just to gain a whole lot of life, restocking your hand to the brim at instant speed.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Mana Ramp</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pristine Talisman"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Orazca Relic"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Life Insurance"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pristine Talisman" href="#" target="_blank">Pristine Talisman</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This is an all-time classic mana rock for this type of strategy. Not only does it ramp you, but it consistently ticks up your life total as the game goes on.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Orazca Relic" href="#" target="_blank">Orazca Relic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a ramp piece I didn't know about until I was making this deck. It's great for pushing your plan forward in the early game, and then it can be cashed in for four new cards when your commander is out.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Life Insurance" href="#" target="_blank">Life Insurance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: As I covered at the start of this article, extort is really great to have around for this deck, gaining you all that life for simply casting spells. What makes this enchantment even better is the fact that you'll be getting those Treasures whenever creatures die, which'll assist with deploying all the spells you've stored up in your hand.</li>
</ul>
<h2>The Full Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel, by Tyler Savesya Bucks" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Amalia Benavides Aguirre
*1 Angel of Vitality
*1 Basilica Screecher
*1 Bofur, Reliable Guardian // Concerted Care
*1 Children of Korlis
*1 Cruel Celebrant
*1 Darkstar Augur
*1 Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
*1 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim
*1 Essence Channeler
*1 Exemplar of Light
*1 Fiendish Panda
*1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
*1 Haliya, Guided by Light
*1 Hinterland Sanctifier
*1 Indulging Patrician
*1 Lifecreed Duo
*1 Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantom
*1 Marauding Blight-Priest
*1 Moseo, Vein&#039;s New Dean
*1 Nighthawk Scavenger
*1 Sanguine Syphoner
*1 Scheming Silvertongue // Sign in Blood
*1 Starscape Cleric
*1 Sunscorch Regent
*1 Syndic of Tithes
*1 Syndicate Heavy
*1 Thrull Parasite
*1 Tithe Drinker
*1 Troop of Ponies
*1 Vengeful Bloodwitch
*1 Vizkopa Guildmage
*1 Witch of the Moors
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Orazca Relic
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Pristine Talisman
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Thought Vessel
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Battle Menu
*1 Bitter Triumph
*1 Breathe Your Last
*1 Crypt Incursion
*1 Fracture
*1 Revitalize
*1 Riot Control
*1 Take Up the Shield
*1 Union of the Third Path
[/Instants]
[Enchantments]
*1 Case of the Uneaten Feast
*1 Dark Tutelage
*1 Glasswing Grace // Age-Graced Chapel
*1 Life Insurance
*1 Parasitic Impetus
[/Enchantments]
[Sorceries]
*1 Debt to the Deathless
*1 Diresight
*1 Exsanguinate
*1 Kaya&#039;s Wrath
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Sanctify
*1 Sign in Blood
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Adventurer&#039;s Inn
*1 Baxter Building
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Command Tower
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Fisk Tower
*1 Foot Headquarters
*1 Hidden Grotto
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Nomad Stadium
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Promising Vein
*1 Restless Fortress
*1 Scoured Barrens
*1 Shambling Vent
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Temple of Silence
*1 Umbral Expanse
*1 Vault of the Archangel
*9 Swamp
*5 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>A Few More Cards to Consider</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Thought Vessel"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Decanter of Endless Water"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reliquary Tower"></div></div>
<p>As I playtested this deck, I ran into a consistent problem: you're going to have to discard to hand size if Niv sticks around... <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Thought Vessel" href="#" target="_blank">Thought Vessel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> made it into the list, since it's the cheapest option for getting no maximum hand size. However, if you have a little more room in your budget, you should consider adding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Decanter of Endless Water" href="#" target="_blank">Decanter of Endless Water</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reliquary Tower" href="#" target="_blank">Reliquary Tower</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> as well.</p>
<h2>My Final Thoughts on Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel</h2>
<p>So, there you have it, my budget 99 for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, that you can pick up for about $45. Bringing this much card advantage to Orzhov is exactly the type of script flipping I was hoping for from <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fra"><em>Reality Fracture</em></a>! So, now when you have some truly broken turns thanks to this legend, at least it's on theme for the set.</p>
<p>If you're looking to build around another new Echoverse legend, you can find a few of them <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks">here on EDHREC</a>. Also, I'm posting a video every single day on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ThePillowFort">The Pillow Fort</a>, so if you're excited for a new commander, there's a good chance I have a deck for it over there!</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EDHREC-DECK-TECH-12.png

Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel | Orzhov Lifegain on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.magali-villeneuve.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Magali Villeneuve</a></em></p>
<p>There's been a lot of very powerful commanders to hit the format this year, but there's one new legend that stands head and shoulders above the rest. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is from the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/fin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Final Fantasy</em></a> Commander precons, and has risen all the way to the 10th most built commander here on EDHREC. That's very impressive for a card that wasn't even in a main set!</p>
<p>There're so many interesting directions this deck can go in, but all of them lead to draining the table and filling up your hand. So join me <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, as I introduce you to a full budget deck list that you can pick up for under $40.</p>
<h2>The Commander</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a four-mana creature that asks you to do two things: cast noncreature spells with mana value (MV) three or greater, and lower everyone's life totals on each turn.</p>
<p>Since that's a little open ended, I tried to focus this deck on cards that hit on both of those specifications in their own ways. Whether it's by lowering your own life total to ensure you draw more cards, goading your opponents' creatures to assist with driving damage through, or just casting three-MV and up spells for cheaper than you might think.</p>
<p>There's a whole lot of variety this commander brings to the table, so let's take a look at what makes this deck tick.</p>
<h2>Key Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<h3>Card Advantage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Curiosity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lunar Convocation"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Transpose"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Curiosity" href="#" target="_blank">Curiosity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If you're planning on building this deck, then grabbing a copy of Curiosity is a must. Enchanting your commander with this ensures that whenever you cast a noncreature spell with MV three or more, you'll draw a card for each opponent Y'shtola deals damage to.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lunar Convocation" href="#" target="_blank">Lunar Convocation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that slipped under the radar for me, but I think it's great for life gain decks. When it comes to being paired with this commander, it puts in so much work: lowering people's life totals, making you tokens, and giving you a way to pay life for cards.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Transpose" href="#" target="_blank">Transpose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This instant is like two spells in one, since you can recast it on your upkeep for free, with it still being considered a three-MV spell on the stack. And drain the table with both your commander and the black Wizard token you made on the first cast.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dark Tutelage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parker Luck"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Keen Duelist"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Tutelage" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Tutelage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Not only does this trigger your commander's drain ability on cast, if you lose four or more life from the card you reveal on your upkeep, you'll draw another card on your end step as well.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parker Luck" href="#" target="_blank">Parker Luck</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though both this enchantment and your commander trigger at the beginning of your end step, you'll get to stack the triggers to have Parker Luck resolve first, which might ensure you can lower someone's life total by four. Plus, you can always target two of your opponents to do this, in order to keep other people's life totals going down.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Keen Duelist" href="#" target="_blank">Keen Duelist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though this card won't trigger Y'shtola's damage effect, it still sets you up to possibly lower your own life total during your turn to draw another card on your end step.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Goad</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parasitic Impetus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Psychic Impetus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Redemption Arc"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Parasitic Impetus" href="#" target="_blank">Parasitic Impetus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Kicking off our goad package for today is another slam dunk in this deck. Not only does it push one of your opponents' creatures into combat but it also drains more life to assist with triggering your commander.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Psychic Impetus" href="#" target="_blank">Psychic Impetus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since Y'shtola can draw you cards on each end step, having something like this enchantment that scries you on another player's turn can assist you with drawing the exact cards you need at that time.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Redemption Arc" href="#" target="_blank">Redemption Arc</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a goad spell that might have flown under your radar, but it's very strong in this list. Turning someone's creature into an indestructible threat, that you always have the answer for, will be sure to pressure the rest of the table while you profit.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nettling Nuisance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Martial Impetus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Eye of Nidhogg"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nettling Nuisance" href="#" target="_blank">Nettling Nuisance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This Faerie is such a funny inclusion in this deck, since you'll be dealing out 4/2's to your opponents. If just one of those Pirates gets through for damage, that's enough life loss to trigger Y'shtola at the end of turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Martial Impetus" href="#" target="_blank">Martial Impetus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Goading one creature is great. However, this Aura also pumps up the rest of the creatures attacking your opponents, which'll help ensure that your foes are taking as much damage as possible.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eye of Nidhogg" href="#" target="_blank">Eye of Nidhogg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Adding flying to a goaded creature is very beneficial for this list, since that evasion makes it a lot easier to get through during combat. Plus, this enchantment will go back to your hand if it happens to go to your graveyard, setting you up to cast it all over again.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Interaction</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lethal Scheme"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aang&#039;s Iceberg"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reverse the Polarity"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lethal Scheme" href="#" target="_blank">Lethal Scheme</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a great piece of targeted removal in this deck, since it'll trigger your commander's drain effect, even if you convoke it out for zero mana. Sniping someone's threat while pumping your board and drawing cards is a strong way to stay interactive in this list.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aang&#039;s Iceberg" href="#" target="_blank">Aang&#039;s Iceberg</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While we've seen a lot of cards like this one in the past, having the opportunity to cast this on your opponent's turn with flash is what makes it great here.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reverse the Polarity" href="#" target="_blank">Reverse the Polarity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Including counter protection in a deck like this is important, but this <em>Doctor Who</em> card adds another cool layer to the deck. You can always make a deal with an opponent to give their whole board unblockable in order to lower a mutual enemy's life total.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Killing Wave"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vanquish the Horde"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Killing Wave" href="#" target="_blank">Killing Wave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this might not be the most typical form of a board wipe, this spell has some very interesting synergies with your commander. Making your opponents pay life to keep their creatures puts you in a spot where drawing a card at the end of turn is almost a sure thing.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vanquish the Horde" href="#" target="_blank">Vanquish the Horde</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Yes, this card will remove Y'shtola off the board, but it'll still trigger her drain ability one last time, even if only end up paying two mana for it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Ramp</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lyse Hext"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stormscape Familiar"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Alisaie Leveilleur"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lyse Hext" href="#" target="_blank">Lyse Hext</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Lowering the cost of your spells in this deck is huge, since even though you're paying less than three mana for a spell, it'll still trigger your commander's drain effect.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stormscape Familiar" href="#" target="_blank">Stormscape Familiar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Bringing this Bird out as early as turn two ensures that you'll be casting your commander on turn three, and then possibly chain two three-mana spells together the turn after that.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alisaie Leveilleur" href="#" target="_blank">Alisaie Leveilleur</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though this creature only lowers the second spell you cast each turn, it'll assist with chaining spells together as the game goes on.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bender&#039;s Waterskin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gilded Lotus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Coveted Jewel"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bender&#039;s Waterskin" href="#" target="_blank">Bender&#039;s Waterskin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a new card that works wonders in this deck. Since you'll be looking to cast some noncreature spells on your opponents' turns, having a mana source that untaps on each upkeep will be a huge help with your game plan.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gilded Lotus" href="#" target="_blank">Gilded Lotus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This mana rock might have fallen off in popularity, but it puts in a lot of work for this deck. Casting it will trigger your commander and set you up to cast a three MV noncreature spell to ping the table again.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coveted Jewel" href="#" target="_blank">Coveted Jewel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Not only does this card do everything I mentioned in the last entry, but it also incentivizes your opponents to send their creatures into combat, which helps with lowering people's life totals down by at least four each turn.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Y'shtola, Night's Blessed Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed - EDHREC Budget Deck" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Y&#039;shtola, Night&#039;s Blessed
[/Commander]
[Enchantments]
*1 Aang&#039;s Iceberg
*1 Curiosity
*1 Dark Tutelage
*1 Eye of Nidhogg
*1 Imprisoned in the Moon
*1 Lunar Convocation
*1 Martial Impetus
*1 Parasitic Impetus
*1 Parker Luck
*1 Psychic Impetus
*1 Redemption Arc
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Alisaie Leveilleur
*1 Boggart Trawler // Boggart Bog
*1 Doom Whisperer
*1 Keen Duelist
*1 Krile Baldesion
*1 Lyse Hext
*1 Murderous Rider // Swift End
*1 Nettling Nuisance
*1 Papalymo Totolymo
*1 Stenn, Paranoid Partisan
*1 Stormscape Familiar
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Bitter Triumph
*1 Emergency Eject
*1 Frantic Search
*1 Immortal Obligation
*1 Lethal Scheme
*1 Mortify
*1 Reverse the Polarity
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Transpose
*1 Unwind
*1 Void Rend
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Ambition&#039;s Cost
*1 Ancient Craving
*1 Cornered by Black Mages
*1 Damnable Pact
*1 Decode Transmissions
*1 Diresight
*1 Exsanguinate
*1 Killing Wave
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Pointed Discussion
*1 Risky Shortcut
*1 Stargaze
*1 Vanquish the Horde
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bender&#039;s Waterskin
*1 Black Mage&#039;s Rod
*1 Commander&#039;s Sphere
*1 Coveted Jewel
*1 Dancer&#039;s Chakrams
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Gilded Lotus
*1 Reaper&#039;s Scythe
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Dominance
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Progress
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Well of Lost Dreams
[/Artifacts]
[Lands]
*1 Adarkar Wastes
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Choked Estuary
*1 Command Tower
*1 Contaminated Landscape
*1 Darkwater Catacombs
*1 Desolate Mire
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Fetid Pools
*1 Glacial Fortress
*1 Horizon of Progress
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Prairie Stream
*1 Restless Fortress
*1 Shineshadow Snarl
*1 Sunken Hollow
*1 Tainted Field
*1 Tainted Isle
*1 Underground River
*1 Island
*2 Plains
*13 Swamp
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>There you have it, one of the most popular commanders from this year, built on a budget. I hope that this helped inspire you to build around this great legend, and try out a whole new way to play a <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/spellslinger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spellslinger</a> deck.</p>
<p>If you're interested in even more budget deck techs around the best commanders from this year, you can find them over on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thepillowfort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pillow Fort</a>, or right here on <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks">EDHREC</a>.</p>


drain

Niv-Mizzet, Ghost Counsel | Orzhov Lifegain on a Budget

Lower Life Totals on a Budget With Y'shtola, Night's Blessed in Commander