Sorin of House Markov: Lifelink, Extort, and a Turn to Transform
From Modern Horizons 3, Sorin of House Markov stands out as a surgical piece for white-black decks that lean on life totals. This legendary Creature — Human Noble arrives with lifelink and a reliable Extort ability, letting you pay {B}{W} whenever you cast a spell to drain opponents and gain life. With a modest 1/4 body, Sorin sticks around as a repeatable value engine while pressuring the board through every spell you cast and every life swing you generate.
His true payoff comes with the transform clause: at the beginning of your postcombat main phase, if you gained 3 or more life this turn, exile Sorin of House Markov and return him transformed under his owner's control. That moment rewards your lifegain tempo with a new presence on the battlefield, a planeswalker that can influence the next phase of play. In the right shell, Sorin blends disruption with inevitability, offering a steady path from a lean first impression to a longer game plan.
Card Details:
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Mana Cost – {1}{B}
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Card Type – Legendary Creature
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Subtypes – Human Noble
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Card Text (Printed) – Lifekind? Lifellink. Extort (Whenever you cast a spell, you may pay {B}{W}. If you do, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain that much life.) At the beginning of your postcombat main phase, if you gained 3 or more life this turn, exile Sorin of House Markov, then return him to the battlefield transformed under his owner's control.
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Power / Toughness – 1/4