Deck Name: Aura of Mortality v2

Format: Legacy
Deck Type: Combo-Control
Deck Theme: Recursive Drain Combo – Exquisite Blood + Vito / Sanguine Bond
Colors: White-Black (Orzhov)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description

"Aura of Mortality v2" is a Legacy control deck focused on outlasting and outdraining opponents through relentless life gain synergies and punishing enchantments. Utilizing a flexible toolbox of lifegain triggers, drain effects, and control elements, this deck grinds down opponents slowly before turning on a devastating infinite combo with Exquisite Blood and Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose or Sanguine Bond.

This deck thrives in both 1v1 and multiplayer environments, thanks to scalable damage triggers like Marauding Blight-Priest and support from cards like Painful Quandary, Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, and Rise of the Dark Realms. Whether draining one opponent or all at once, "Aura of Mortality v2" always plays the long game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Play

Early Game:
Start with lifegain engines: Soul Warden, Ajani’s Welcome, and Cleric of Life's Bond.
Control early aggression with Vampire of the Dire Moon and spot removal (Despark, Anguished Unmaking).
Develop a soft board presence while staying above 20 life to trigger your synergy payoffs.

Mid-Game:
Deploy Marauding Blight-Priest, Vito, or Tainted Remedy to begin draining opponents.
Support your board with Painful Quandary or Oath of Kaya to restrict spellcasting.
Planeswalkers (Sorin or Liliana) offer value through recursion or draw.

Late Game:
Execute the combo:
Play Exquisite Blood and follow with Vito or Sanguine Bond.
Any life gain triggers an infinite damage loop.
If disrupted, Rise of the Dark Realms or Sheoldred provides secondary finishers.
Control the field with Ethereal Absolution and drain through incidental lifegain.

Ideal Opening Hand:
2 lands (preferably one white, one black)
1 lifegain enabler (Soul Warden, Ajani’s Welcome)
1 payoff (Cleric of Life’s Bond, Marauding Blight-Priest)
1 removal (Anguished Unmaking, Despark)
Optional: Exquisite Blood or Vito

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How the Combo Works

Step 1: Set Up the Loop
Play Exquisite Blood and resolve either Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose or Sanguine Bond.
Trigger a single point of life gain (Soul Warden, Ajani’s Welcome, etc).

Step 2: Chain Reaction
Life gain triggers Vito/Sanguine Bond, which deals damage.
Damage causes life gain via Exquisite Blood, which deals more damage, and so on.

Step 3: Infinite Damage
Loop continues until all opponents lose.
No combat required. Works even if board is locked.

Failsafes:
If combo is disrupted, fall back to Rise of the Dark Realms, Sheoldred, or passive drain over multiple turns.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sideboard Strategy

Against Aggro Decks:
Timely Reinforcements: Stabilize and gain life.
Fatal Push: Remove fast threats.

Against Control Decks:
Duress / Thoughtseize: Disrupt counterspells or wincons.
Vanishing Verse: Clean removal against key permanents.

Against Combo Decks:
Rest in Peace / Leyline of the Void: Graveyard hate.
Anguished Unmaking: Deal with artifacts/enchantments.

Against Multiplayer Threats:
Revenge of Ravens: Deterrent against wide board attacks.
Underworld Dreams: Multi-opponent punishment on draw.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skill Level and Playability

"Aura of Mortality v2" is ideal for players who enjoy resource manipulation and incremental value. It rewards patience, board reading, and careful sequencing. Pilots should know when to go for the combo or when to grind out the table.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Playstyle: Passive control with lifegain-based combo finish
Best For: Casual 1v1 and Multiplayer pods

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Competitive Profile and Ratings

Power Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Diverse win conditions and hard-to-interact engines make this deck reliable and threatening.

Combo vs Control Ratio: 60% Combo / 40% Control
Functions like a soft prison until combo is assembled.

Speed: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)
Usually combos between turns 6–9. Lifegain engines buy the time.

Resilience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Can recover post-board wipe and functions with or without combo.

Best Format Fit:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Legacy 1v1 (Competitive Casual)
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Multiplayer (4+ players)
⭐☆☆☆☆ Legacy Tournaments (without full optimization)

Complexity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Requires knowledge of stack interactions and proper combo protection.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Play Like a Pro – 5 Tips for Mastering the Deck

Don’t rush the combo.
Make sure you’re protected before going for Exquisite Blood + Vito.

Sequence lifegain properly.
Trigger Soul Warden and Ajani’s Welcome in optimal order for maximum impact.

Know your fallback plans.
Always remember that Sheoldred and Rise of the Dark Realms are standalone wincons.

Control passively.
Use enchantments like Painful Quandary and Tainted Remedy to discourage plays without overcommitting.

Track opponent life totals.
In multiplayer, the combo loop may chain unevenly — watch triggers to ensure optimal kills.

Bonus: Keep combo pieces spread across hand/board/graveyard when possible to dodge targeted hate.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
"In the shadow of mortality, life itself becomes the ultimate weapon."

Last Update: 20/05/25