<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bre of Clan Stoutarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bre of Clan Stoutarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://jesperejsing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jesper Ejsing</a></em></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/lifegain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lifegain</a> decks have become more and more popular in recent years, rising to become the fourth most played archetype here on EDHREC. One of the biggest reasons for that ascent is the amount of great new commanders we've gotten who spark inspiration in the community.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bre of Clan Stoutarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bre of Clan Stoutarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the latest Lifegain legend that's inspiring many players to brew decks around this strategy, including myself. So, join me <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, as I go over a full budget Commander deck centered around this lovable Giant that you can pick up for about $40.</p>
<h2>What Does Bre of Clan Stoutarm Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bre of Clan Stoutarm"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bre of Clan Stoutarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bre of Clan Stoutarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is what I like to call a goal-based commander: She offers you a big payoff, as long as you can enact your game plan of gaining life during your turn. Exiling cards from the top of your library and possibly casting one of them for free combines the security that comes with padding your life total with the thrill of a mechanic like discover (example: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Geological Appraiser" href="#" target="_blank">Geological Appraiser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.)</p>
<p>Plus, Bre can even hand out flying and lifelink to any of the big creatures that make up this list.</p>
<p>With all that in mind, let's take a look at what makes this deck tick, in order to get a clear picture of just how much value you could be getting on your end step.</p>
<h3>Lifegain Effects</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soul Warden"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Case of the Uneaten Feast"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Diamond Mare"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: First up, an absolute classic staple in Lifegain decks. Getting this into play on turn one will ensure that you're increasing your life total for every creature that hits the board, while setting you up to support your commander once she's out.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Case of the Uneaten Feast" href="#" target="_blank">Case of the Uneaten Feast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's an enchantment that can gain you life in the early game, or assist with some graveyard recursion later on, when important pieces of your board have been dealt with.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Diamond Mare" href="#" target="_blank">Diamond Mare</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck is very heavy with white spells, which means that this little Horse could be gaining you a lot of incremental life for simply deploying the cards in your deck.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Balefire Liege"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="For the Emperor!"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spirit Link"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Balefire Liege" href="#" target="_blank">Balefire Liege</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since we're returning to the plane of Lorwyn, why not bring back a classic creature from the original block? Pumping your creatures is nice, but dealing out damage and life gain as the game goes on could set you up to take over the rest of the table.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="For the Emperor!" href="#" target="_blank">For the Emperor!</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Gaining life is great for keeping your engine rolling, but sometimes you just need to close out a game. With this card, you're able to pump your board, give it lifelink, and still leave your team back as blockers after the damage is done.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spirit Link" href="#" target="_blank">Spirit Link</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this Aura might look like another way to give a creature lifelink, just like your commander, it's actually a bit more nuanced than that. This enchantment is actually a triggered ability, whereas lifelink is a static effect. Because of that subtle difference, you can actually double up your life gain with this card.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Lifegain Support &amp; Payoffs</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aerith Gainsborough"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Voice of the Blessed"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elenda&#039;s Hierophant"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aerith Gainsborough" href="#" target="_blank">Aerith Gainsborough</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This deck's whole goal is to have as many different life gaining sources as possible, which is why creatures that grow after each trigger help your board scale with the game. On top of that, Aerith already has lifelink, which means that just one big attack could ensure that you can cast anything in your deck for free at the end of turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Voice of the Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Voice of the Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Even though this creature can't gain life on its own, it still gains plenty of keywords as its power grows to make up for it. Which makes it a great target for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bre of Clan Stoutarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bre of Clan Stoutarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to hand out lifelink to it.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda&#039;s Hierophant" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda&#039;s Hierophant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Having a flyer on your board that grows bigger and bigger as the turns go on is great, but the real star of the show on this card is that it turns into an army of lifelinking Vampires if it happens to die.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rhox Faithmender"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cleric Class"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angel of Vitality"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rhox Faithmender" href="#" target="_blank">Rhox Faithmender</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Any card that doubles the main effect your deck is built around is going to put in a lot of work during a game. Every extra point of life you gain on your turn gets you one step closer to that free spell on your end step.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cleric Class" href="#" target="_blank">Cleric Class</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Having this enchantment on the board will feel great. Not only does it give you those all-important lifegain triggers, it also ensures that you always have something to do with your mana, since you can unlock its other two levels when you need them the most.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angel of Vitality" href="#" target="_blank">Angel of Vitality</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Sometimes gaining just one more life is enough to help you cast something for free at the end of your turn, which is what this Angel brings to the deck. Plus, it's another great creature for Bre to give lifelink to in a pinch.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Synergistic Card Advantage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Well of Lost Dreams"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sigarda&#039;s Splendor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heartwarming Redemption"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Well of Lost Dreams" href="#" target="_blank">Well of Lost Dreams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: It's hard to have a deck centered around upping your life total that doesn't include this card drawing artifact. Having this in play means that any additional mana you have sitting around can be turned into cards, which helps ensure you don't get left behind on resources as a game goes on.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sigarda&#039;s Splendor" href="#" target="_blank">Sigarda&#039;s Splendor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that doesn't see too much play, but it finds a nice home here. Sure, you'll need to take note of your life total during each upkeep, but hopefully that extra card you'll be drawing will be worth searching for a pen and paper.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heartwarming Redemption" href="#" target="_blank">Heartwarming Redemption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Refreshing your own hand can be useful during a game, especially if seeing a new grip can help you dig for answers, but it's even more powerful in a deck like this. All the life you'll gain when this resolves could set you up to cast that card from exile on your end step for free.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mangara, the Diplomat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aurelia, the Law Above"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Star Charter"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mangara, the Diplomat" href="#" target="_blank">Mangara, the Diplomat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: As the Commander format continues to get new tools at cheaper rates, players these days are more likely to chain spells together. Which is where this legend with lifelink comes in by drawing you a card, plus acting as a deterrent against your opponents' sending attackers your way.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aurelia, the Law Above" href="#" target="_blank">Aurelia, the Law Above</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: A major thing to note with this Angel is that it triggers whenever any players' creatures attack, not just yours. So, you could be drawing cards, dealing damage, and gaining life on everyone else's turns. Profiting off of the chaos of a game is always a fun tactic to play around with.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Star Charter" href="#" target="_blank">Star Charter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Looking through the creatures in this deck, you'll notice that most of them tend to be on the smaller side. This works perfectly for this Bat, since it'll give you another way to look at the top cards of your library in order to get some more card advantage at the end of your turn.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Removal With a Lifegain Twist</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Heliod&#039;s Intervention"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Battle Menu"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lightning Helix"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heliod&#039;s Intervention" href="#" target="_blank">Heliod&#039;s Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When I first started building this deck, I was so happy to see that this card was only about $2. The removal it brings to the 99 is incredible, but it also gives you just another way to gain a big chunk of life if you need it at that time.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Battle Menu" href="#" target="_blank">Battle Menu</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This spell is a real toolbox in the list, bringing a whole host of useful effects to a game. Typically, you'll be casting this to destroy a big creature, or gain just a little more life, but you never know when those other modes could come in handy.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Helix" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Helix</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that's incredibly iconic to the game of <em>Magic,</em> which makes it even more perfect that it fits right into this list. Dealing three damage and gaining three life at instant speed could make the difference between winning and losing a game.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Bre of Clan Stoutarm Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Bre of Clan Stoutarm - Budget Deck Tech" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Bre of Clan Stoutarm
[/Commander]
[Instants]
*1 Battle Menu
*1 Enter the Avatar State
*1 Heartwarming Redemption
*1 Heliod&#039;s Intervention
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Light of Hope
*1 Lightning Helix
*1 Moogles&#039; Valor
*1 Restoration Magic
*1 Revitalize
*1 Tenacity
*1 Union of the Third Path
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Aerith Gainsborough
*1 Alseid of Life&#039;s Bounty
*1 Angel of Vitality
*1 Aurelia, the Law Above
*1 Balefire Liege
*1 Compassionate Healer
*1 Curious Farm Animals
*1 Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
*1 Diamond Mare
*1 Elenda&#039;s Hierophant
*1 Essence Channeler
*1 Healer&#039;s Hawk
*1 Hinterland Sanctifier
*1 Knight of Dawn&#039;s Light
*1 Knight of the White Orchid
*1 Laelia, the Blade Reforged
*1 Leonin Elder
*1 Lifecreed Duo
*1 Loyal Warhound
*1 Lunarch Veteran // Luminous Phantom
*1 Mangara, the Diplomat
*1 Nyx-Fleece Ram
*1 Rhox Faithmender
*1 Ruin-Lurker Bat
*1 Scholar of New Horizons
*1 Soul Warden
*1 Star Charter
*1 Sunset Strikemaster
*1 Suture Priest
*1 Voice of the Blessed
*1 Wall of Reverence
*1 Welcoming Vampire
*1 Werefox Bodyguard
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Boros Signet
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Well of Lost Dreams
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Angelfire Ignition
*1 For the Emperor!
*1 Fumigate
*1 Sanctify
*1 Secret Rendezvous
*1 Thrilling Discovery
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Case of the Uneaten Feast
*1 Cleric Class
*1 Dawn of Hope
*1 Legion&#039;s Landing // Adanto, the First Fort
*1 Sigarda&#039;s Splendor
*1 Spirit Link
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Quintorius Kand
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Adventurer&#039;s Inn
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Blighted Steppe
*1 Cabaretti Courtyard
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Kabira Crossroads
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Radiant Fountain
*1 Restless Bivouac
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Wind-Scarred Crag
*17 Plains
*2 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>There you have it, a full budget 99 built around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bre of Clan Stoutarm" href="#" target="_blank">Bre of Clan Stoutarm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you could pick up for only about $40. <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl">Lorwy</a><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl">n</a><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/ecl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Eclipsed</a> </em>is shaping up to be an instant classic. So if you're just as excited as I am for the things to come, be sure to stay tuned for my upcoming<em> Bulk Up</em> article where I cover the best commons and uncommons from the set.</p>
<p>Also, if you want to see even more budget content from me, you can find plenty of that on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUtnBZogc1TSttr8eLUK_w/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pillow Fort</a>.</p>


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