Combo Watch: Reveillark + Karmic Guide at €0.89 Is Still Terrifying

Some classics never die. The Reveillark + Karmic Guide combo is one of those loops that has been making the rounds in the format for years, and with the total price dropping to €0.89 (-29% over the last 14 days), it's absolutely worth putting back under the microscope.

How the Combo Works

First, the color identity: Reveillark is white, Karmic Guide is white, Viscera Seer is black. We're in white/black (WB).

The loop requires three pieces on the battlefield or in hand/graveyard:

• Reveillark (creature with Evoke)
• Karmic Guide (creature that reanimates others)
• Viscera Seer (a free sacrifice outlet)

Plus a damage enabler like Blood Artist (not included in the combo's price, but essential for closing out the game).

The cycle, step by step:

1. Viscera Seer and Reveillark are on the battlefield. Karmic Guide is in the graveyard (or vice versa).
2. You sacrifice Reveillark to Viscera Seer.
3. Reveillark's "leaves the battlefield" ability triggers: return up to two creatures with power 2 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield, including Karmic Guide.
4. Karmic Guide enters the battlefield and returns Reveillark from the graveyard.
5. You now have both on the battlefield again. Repeat from the beginning.

Each iteration generates an enter-the-battlefield and a leave-the-battlefield event. With Blood Artist (or any other ETB/death trigger such as Zulaport Cutthroat or Corpse Knight), each loop drains one life point from each opponent. In a four-player pod, the table dies within just a few cycles.

Technical note: Karmic Guide has the echo keyword, meaning you'd need to pay its echo cost at your next upkeep or sacrifice it — but if the loop closes during the same turn you initiate it, you'll never reach that point.

Where to Slot It — Suggested Commanders

The WB color identity opens the door to several interesting commanders:

1. Elenda, the Dusk Rose — Generates tokens whenever a creature dies, then sacrifices herself for a horde of lifelinkers. A perfect fit with the loop.
2. Teysa Karlov — Doubles death triggers: every sacrifice in the loop counts twice for Blood Artist and similar effects.
3. Athreos, God of Passage — Makes the loop resilient: if a creature doesn't come back, opponents lose 3 life. Constant pressure.
4. Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose — Converts every life point gained (from Blood Artist) into additional direct damage.
5. Liesa, Shroud of Dusk — A more aggressive commander, but the payoff from the loop in a full pod is devastating.

Lines of Play and Protection

The combo is a three-piece setup, so it needs some assembly. The most solid lines:

• Tutoring: Diabolic Intent, Demonic Tutor, or Enlightened Tutor to find the missing piece.
• Flash and protection: Consider Teferi's Protection or Flawless Maneuver to protect the loop from stack interaction. If an opponent responds to Reveillark's death by casting Stifle on the ability, you're in trouble.
• Backup plan: Reanimate or Animate Dead to put Karmic Guide back onto the battlefield if it ends up in the graveyard unintentionally.

The main weakness is graveyard interaction: Rest in Peace or Grafdigger's Cage shut the loop down completely. Keep that in mind when building your sideboard or making removal choices.

Budget vs. Premium Versions

The combo itself at €0.89 is already a ridiculous bargain. Costs only climb when you factor in the supporting pieces.

Verdict

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ — Strongly recommended for bracket 3+

Reveillark + Karmic Guide + Viscera Seer is one of the most battle-tested loops in Commander. It's not the fastest or most resilient combo out there, but the value-to-price ratio at €0.89 is simply unbeatable. If you're playing WB and don't yet have a reliable win condition, this is your answer.