Overview:

This Orzhov Angel reanimator deck leverages Shilgengar, Sire of Famine to create recursive value engines through Blood token generation and mass reanimation. The strategy focuses on sacrificing Angels for Blood tokens, controlling the board with sacrifice synergies, and recurring high-impact Angelic threats from the graveyard. While capable of explosive reanimation turns, the deck lacks deterministic combos and relies on incremental value accumulation.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck operates in three phases:

1. Early Setup: Use low-cost sacrifice outlets like Braids, Arisen Nightmare and Marionette Apprentice to generate Blood tokens while disrupting opponents. Cards like Stitcher's Supplier and Entomb fill the graveyard with key Angels.
2. Midgame Reanimation: Deploy Shilgengar to convert Blood tokens into mass reanimation (6 tokens = full graveyard revival). Critical mass is achieved through recursive Angels like Karmic Guide and Serra Paragon.
3. Endgame Dominance: Overwhelm with melded Brisela, Voice of Nightmares, Lyra Dawnbringer buffed boards, and Grave Pact-enhanced control. Backup wincons include Archangel of Thune life gain synergies and Akroma's Will alpha strikes.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Require early Blood token generators or graveyard fillers
• Ensure at least 3 lands with B/W access
• Prioritize hands with Urza's Incubator/Starnheim Aspirant for cost reduction

Key Tips:

• Time Shilgengar activations post-wraths for maximum impact
• Use Ghostway/Ephemerate to protect key Angels and reset ETBs
• Sequence Buried Alive to stack Bruna + Gisela + utility Angel
• Leverage Liesa, Forgotten Archangel as recursive engine

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting to board before establishing recursion
• Wasting Blood tokens on small reanimations
• Holding interaction against faster combo decks

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples primary strategy
• No protection for Shilgengar's 6-mana activation

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from early commander removal
• Limited instant-speed interaction for combo disruption

Minor:

• High average CMC mitigated by reanimation

Most Important Cards:

• Buried Alive
• Entomb
• Grave Pact
• Bruna, the Fading Light
• Gisela, the Broken Blade
• Akroma's Will
• Serra Paragon
• Braids, Arisen Nightmare
• Urza's Incubator
• Victimize

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Goldfish potential for T4 reanimation (T1 Entomb → T2 Ritual+Reanimate) of 5CMC+ Angels
• Typical explosive turns occur T6-7 without interaction

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion (7 reanimation effects) but commander-dependent
• Vulnerable to graveyard exile and repeated removal

Consistency: 6/10

• 8 tutors/enablers (Beseech the Mirror, Demonic Counsel, etc.)
• Redundant Angel payoffs but fragile mana base

Interaction: 5/10

• 12 targeted removal/board wipes (S-tier: Toxic Deluge, A-tier: Anguished Unmaking)
• Lacks free counterspells for combo protection

Rating Justification:

The deck demonstrates focused reanimation lines (T6-8 wins) comparable to Optimized Casual (5.0) but lacks the speed/protection of High-Power (6.0). While exceeding precons in synergy, it folds to common graveyard hate and has slower clock than true combo decks. Interaction density aligns with 5.5 tier but commander dependency holds back resilience.

Power level: 5.0-5.5