CALL OF BLOOD

The vampire houses of Zendikar are yours to command when you play the "Call of Blood" deck. Use spells and abilities that gain life alongside creatures that grow more powerful whenever you gain life, enabling you to outlive your opponent's offensive and overcome his or her defenses.

Early in the game, you can gain life using creatures like Stone Haven Medic and Drana's Emissary. Serene Steward and Bloodbond Vampire use this life gain to create massive threats. Your extra life and other creatures should neutralize smaller attackers, while Malakir Familiar and Nirkana Assassin can handle larger threats thanks to the deathtouch ability.

While those creatures defend the ground, use your creatures with flying to soar to victory. If your opponents are able to hold off your fliers, and neither Serene Steward nor Bloodbond Vampire can break through their blockers, you've still got backup plans. Defiant Bloodlord turns your life gain into your opponent's life loss, and Felidar Sovereign can win the game outright if you have 40 or more life.

The Battle for Zendikar set includes several potential additions to the " Call of Blood" deck. You can halt the advance of a small army with Rising Miasma, potentially clearing the board. Shambling Vent offers you a source of white and black mana that doubles as a creature with lifelink. The legendary Drana, Liberator of Malakir is a powerful vampire that adds a +1/+1 counter to each of your creatures after spilling opposing blood.