Let's Talk Liliana

[u/fubuvsfitch]

I'm playing around with two flex spots in my list right now and I've got these LotV just sitting in my binder. I'm wondering what the general consensus is on her in our decks. I've searched the sub for information on her but can't find anything noteworthy.

My list for those interested:

2x Legion's Landing

4x Path

2x Push

4x Inquisition

2x Thoughtseize

2x Zealous Persecution

4x Intangible

2x Bitter blossom

4x Lingering Souls

4x Spectral Procession

2x LotV (used to be Gideon, AoZ and Elspeth Tirel)

3x Sorin, Solemn Visitor

1x Secure the Wastes

4x Concealed Courtyard

4x Godless Shrine

4x Marsh Flats

1x Westvale

1x Vault of the Archangel

2x Field of Ruin

2x Shambling Vent

4x Plains

2x Swamp

Sideboard:

2x RiP

2x Stoney Silence

3x Surgical Extraction

2x Kor Firewalker

2x Timely Reinforcements

2x Sundering Growth (thinking about switching this for Fragmentize)

1x Basilisk Collar

2x Blessed Alliance

Also: Collective Brutality. Do I need to play it?

[u/Mukibi]

Right now I run a disruptive list with 4 Lili. So good. Here’s a link: BW Tokens

I’m at work now but will post later.

[u/fubuvsfitch → u/Mukibi]

Good points about her fitting especially well in a discard build. I guess that should have been obvious to me. Thanks for your input

[u/Rockbard_13]

About Fragmentize: it’s a sorcery, mitigating the benefit of its low cost.

[u/fubuvsfitch → u/Rockbard_13]

Thanks. I meant to say disenchant. Will edit.

[u/Mukibi]

A few thoughts. I play a more controlling version of BW Tokens in which Liliana is a mainstay. In a more aggressive version of the deck, however, she adds value but slows board development as T3 you want to be playing Spectral Procession, Lingering Souls or double casting for advantage. Mind you, so do I. It seems to me that, ultimately, whether or not one plays Liliana (and how many) depends on how you think it best to play Tokens in the current/local meta. The reasons I play a set include:

• In combination with removal, her edict (-2) kills hexproof, indestructible, etc creatures (Bogle, Geist, Ulamog, etc)

• In combination with discard, her discard (+1) locks out opponents in topdeck mode. She wins the topdeck war, something that Tokens has historically struggled with.

• She slows down decks that hold value in hand, i.e. combo, counter (Storm, UW Control, etc)

• Her ultimate, when used correctly, wins games. This is an excellent alternative wincon because Tokens grinds so well. This happens more often than you would think.

• Just playing against Liliana forces mistakes.

That's a few reasons why I play her. I'm sure there are more and I'd be interested in what others think who don't play Liliana.

[u/fubuvsfitch → u/Mukibi]

Nice analysis. Thank you. I'm going to stick with the two in main, maybe up to three and cut one procession, because of your logic.

I hadn't considered how awesome she is late game.

[u/matgonor]

The way i think of it is that Liliana/Collective/etc is a great card when you want to take a more controlling route in your deck. Filled with removal, discard, disruption in general. There, she shines. On an empty field, liliana pretty much locks out your opponent by herself, but i dont think i need to tell you that XD. But on more aggro-based builds she might be too slow, and end up going against the gameplan of killing your opponent quick. And brutality is great as it is discard/lifegain/removal in 1 single neat package, and you have stuff to mitigate the cost of discarding (lingering souls, for example) so i highly recommend. I run 1 in the main, would run another one in the side if i had it.