Shalai and Hallar + Laelia, the Blade Reforged + Virtue of Courage // Embereth Blaze

Shalai and Hallar

Laelia, the Blade Reforged

Virtue of Courage // Embereth Blaze

How it works

1. Put a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control.
2. Shalai and Hallar triggers, dealing that much damage to an opponent.
3. Virtue of Courage triggers, causing you to exile that many cards from the top of your library.
4. Laelia's second ability triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on itself.
5. Repeat from step 2.

This loop transforms a single +1/+1 counter into a self-sustaining engine of relentless aggression. It all begins when you place a counter on a creature you control, which causes Shalai and Hallar to deal damage to an opponent and ignite the replacement card advantage of Virtue of Courage. That noncombat damage prompts Virtue of Courage to exile the top cards of your library, which in turn feeds Laelia, the Blade Reforged by triggering her ability to grow with a new +1/+1 counter. Because placing that counter on Laelia restarts the cycle back at Shalai and Hallar, you can continuously churn through your deck, build astronomical power, and burn your opponents out of the game.