It is still innovation era for me as I discover unexplored versions of the various decks in the Standard format. One main reason is that I will become a regular contributor for the Standard deck discussions on the Pinoy Planeswalker site. The other is that the Ravnica guilds have offered somewhat endless possibilities of color combinations, whether it’s just two or three or more.

Today’s discussion will be on the Orzhov colors, Black and White. The archetype is based on a popular deck in the current meta, which is Naya Humans. I present to you, the Dark Humanity.

Dark Humans by Mark Ian Alloso
Standard

Lands
2 Orzhov Guildgate
4 Isolated Chapel
6 Plains
3 Cavern of Souls
4 Swamp
4 Godless Shrine

Creatures
4 Champion of the Parish
4 Cartel Aristocrat
4 Doomed Traveler
2 Fiend Hunter
2 Frontline Medic
4 Knight of Infamy
3 Restoration Angel
4 Sin Collector
2 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Spells
2 Lingering Souls
3 Orzhov Charm
1 Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
2 Tragic Slip

Its core components somewhat describe the deck as the Aristocrats without Red. The new inclusions considered it to fit to just on Humans strategy.

The deck’s goal is not only on beating down opponents with a fatty parish champion. It also has disruptions as well in the forms of Thalia (taxes spell) & Sin Collector (exiles relevant removals like Supreme Verdict). As for combat tricks, our options are Restoration Angel and battalion with Frontline Medic.

I considered Angel of Jubilation as its four drop and flying anthem, but she would shut off Cartel Aristocrat’s ability. So Lord Sorin was preferred.

The usual removals of these colors, Tragic Slip & Orzhov Charm were also added, with Fiend Hunter support in case mana complications with Thalia happen.

Knight of Infamy trumps Boros Reckoner and exalts your one-drops for added damage.

Our sideboard options include additional Thalia, Obzedat, Ghost Council, Rest in Peace, perhaps Nevermore, and usual discard spells Duress and Appetite for Brains.

To conclude, the deck archetype is obviously considered of a subpar level but its potential can’t be overlooked. I guess it just needs a little trial and error test.

Thanks for reading and until the next post.