MTG vampire demon squeezes life into Standard Aristocrat archetype

The Aristocrat archetype within Magic: The Gathering Standard may see a revival with the launch of Lost Caverns of Ixalan through Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz, a four-drop vampire demon that was previewed on Oct. 24 by Wizards of the Coast. 

Aristocrat is a fancy term for sacrificing creatures, and the popular archetype among Magic players will likely see play when Lost Caverns of Ixalan (LCI) drops into local game stores in November. Typically in the MTG colors WB (White and Black), Aristocrat decks tap into Drain and Gain strategies through sacrificial lambs (usually tokens). Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim brought the archetype back to life in Standard through DMU. And the LCI spoiler Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz, is looking to join the party. 

Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz

Much like Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim, Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz is a two-color (WB) legendary creature that steals life from opponents while gaining its controller life, all through the sacrifice of permanents on the battlefield. 

• Mana cost: 2WB
• Type: Legendary creature—Vampire Demon
• Rarity: Mythic Rare
• Stats: 4/4
• Keyword: Flying
• Ability: Whenever you sacrifice another permanent, you gain two life if this is the first time this ability has resolved this turn. If it’s the second time, each opponent loses two life. If it’s the third time, create a 4/3 White and Black Vampire Demon creature token with Flying. 

Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz takes the Aristocrat strategies further than Elas il-Kor, though, in that the vampire creates a replacement permanent with 4/3 stats and Flying the third time a permanent was sacrificed that turn. Combine Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz with cards like Ratadrabik of Urborg from DMU and suddenly the board state is flooded with powerful tokens. 

Players can test out Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz and the newest version of an Aristocrat deck in Standard when Lost Caverns of Ixalan releases on Nov. 17.