Orzhov Lifelink Vanguard

A white-black lifelink deck that wins by gaining life to fuel evasive creatures and drain the opponent through combat and life-total payoffs.

Healer's Hawk and Zoraline, Cosmos Caller supply cheap lifelink damage and can rebuy threats from the graveyard. Preacher of the Schism creates lifelink Demon tokens when it attacks, and Lady of Laughter rewards every life-gain trigger with growing stats. Bloodletter of Aclazotz doubles the life loss your opponents take, turning any drain into lethal reach, while Regal Bunnicorn and Spiteful Hexmage provide efficient bodies that let you attack profitably while gaining life. Elenda, Saint of Dusk and Overlord of the Balemurk close out long games by growing with each other lifelinker and generating card advantage. Get Lost, Expel the Interlopers, and Sheoldred's Edict keep the board clear so your lifelinkers can connect.

Keep hands with 2-3 lands, a one-drop lifelinker (Healer's Hawk) or Spiteful Hexmage, and at least one payoff such as Lady of Laughter or Preacher of the Schism. Mulligan hands with no early action, more than four lands, or only expensive cards (four-plus mana) and no cheap interaction.

Early: Deploy Healer's Hawk and Spiteful Hexmage to chip in and start the life-gain engine, using Get Lost to clear a key blocker. Mid: Play Lady of Laughter, Preacher of the Schism, Regal Bunnicorn, and Werefox Bodyguard to build a board that both gains life and grows; hold up Expel the Interlopers or Sheoldred's Edict against opposing threats. Late: Drop Elenda, Saint of Dusk or Overlord of the Balemurk to push through the last points, and use Bloodletter of Aclazotz to double the life loss from your attacks and drain effects.

Sweepers like Sunfall and Farewell can reset your board, so avoid overcommitting. Effects that stop life gain shut off your payoffs, and heavy cheap removal on your small lifelinkers can stall you. The mana base includes several taplands, so fast aggro decks may punish slow starts.