For many MTG enthusiasts, Aristocrats is one of the most enjoyable strategies the game has to offer. Sadly, despite the archetype’s Commander popularity, Aristocrats have not been very successful in competitive formats. Hopefully, some new cards from The Hobbit can help the Aristocrats stage a comeback in Standard.
Mass Reanimation Victories
The main goal behind Magic Online user iHuman’s 5-0 Standard Orzhov Aristocrats deck is to, eventually, overwhelm your opponent with a massive Raise the Past. This is made possible by combining the newly printed The Sackville-Bagginses with token makers like Lake-Town Lookout and Queen of Dale.
With the help of Umbral Collar Zealot as a sacrifice outlet, The Sackville-Bagginses’ life loss effect can easily end the game with one big Raise the Past. With multiple cards like Greedy Freebooter making Treasures, you can even set up multi-Raise the Past turns.
In order to get to this point, though, you need ways to fuel your graveyard without falling behind on board. To accomplish this, Snarling Gorehound is the absolute all-star, but your other Surveil and Recruit cards also accelerate the process. Even Amalia Benavides Aguirre’s Explore ability offers similar upside when combined with Hinterland Sanctifier’s consistent source of life gain.
On top of filling your graveyard, your Surveil, Recruit, and Explore triggers also make it easier to find Raise the Past itself. To fight off counterspells, Voice of Victory and Deep-Cavern Bat can both act as strong sacrifice fodder, and can create uninteractable openings.
Versatile But Vulnerable
Orzhov Aristocrat’s biggest strength is its strong matchup spread. With access to so many value-generating creatures, this archetype naturally thrives against removal-heavy decks like Dimir Midrange. Even in the face of Day of Black Sun shutting off all death triggers, resolving Raise the Past can put you right back in a winning position.
At the same time, though, having access to so many efficient bodies makes it difficult for Mono-Red Aggro or Boros Dwarves to apply early pressure. Plus, the life gain from Hinterland Sanctifier provides a solid cushion versus opposing burn spells.
Unfortunately, Orzhov Aristocrats is still extremely weak to graveyard hate. Rest in Peace in particular is a beating, shutting off Raise the Past as well as negating all death triggers. Without much in the way of removal, this deck also struggles against fast Mightform Harmonizer Trampling “combo” kills from Mono-Green Landfall.
With these problems in mind, Orzhov Aristocrats still seems a touch below other top tier archetypes, despite recent upgrades. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a fun deck to surprise your friends with at FNM, consider giving Orzhov Aristocrats a shot.
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