Overview:

This Edgar Markov Vampire tribal deck leverages the commander's eminence ability to flood the board with Vampire tokens while amplifying their power through +1/+1 counters and lifegain/drain synergies. The primary strategy revolves around overwhelming opponents with a wide, buffed board supported by aristocrats-style drain effects (e.g., Blood Artist, Cruel Celebrant). Edgar Markov acts as both a token engine and a late-game finisher, while secondary win conditions include Wound Reflection-enabled life halving, Scytheclaw burst damage, and Bolas's Citadel value. The deck has moderate interaction and relies heavily on maintaining a critical mass of Vampires.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Game (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), low-cost Vampires (Indulgent Aristocrat, Viscera Seer), and token generators (Legion's Landing). Use Dark Ritual for explosive starts.
2. Mid-Game (Turns 4-6): Cast key Vampire lords (Bloodline Keeper, Cordial Vampire) and planeswalkers (Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord) to amplify board presence. Sacrifice tokens to Ashnod's Altar or Skullclamp for value. Activate Voldaren Estate for Blood tokens.
3. Late Game (Turns 7+): Close out with:
   • Combat: Swing with a buffed army (Edgar Markov's attack trigger, Warleader's Call).
   • Drain Combos: Pair Wound Reflection with Blood Tribute (kicked) or Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose with lifegain triggers.
   • Burst Damage: Equip Scytheclaw to a flyer or use Clavileño, First of the Blessed death triggers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (prioritize untapped sources).
• Ensure at least 1 early Vampire or ramp piece (e.g., Sol Ring, Viscera Seer).
• Prioritize Blood Artist/Cruel Celebrant or a lord (Cordial Vampire) in interactive metas.

Key Tips:

• Use Skullclamp on 1/1 Vampire tokens for immediate card draw.
• Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord can cheat out Bloodthirsty Conqueror or Champion of Dusk early.
• Boros Charm protects your board or enables lethal with double strike on a buffed Vampire.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes (e.g., Wrath of God) cripple the deck’s primary game plan.
• Anti-token strategies (Cursed Totem, Torpor Orb) nullify eminence tokens and key abilities.

Moderate

• Graveyard hate disrupts Rogues' Gallery and Elenda, the Dusk Rose.
• Lifegain prevention (Sulfuric Vortex) neutralizes the drain strategy.

Minor

• Fliers can chump-block ground-based Vampires, though the deck includes some evasion (Vampire Nighthawk).

Most Important Cards:

• Edgar Markov (Token generation and anthem effect)
• Blood Artist (Aristocrats drain engine)
• Wound Reflection (Life-halving finisher)
• Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord (Vampire cheat/removal)
• Bolas's Citadel (Unrestricted topdeck plays)
• Ashnod's Altar (Token sac outlet for mana)
• Skullclamp (Card draw from tokens)
• Bloodline Keeper (Token generation and lord effect)
• Elenda, the Dusk Rose (Recursive threat)
• Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (Lifegain-to-damage converter)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can pressure with tokens early but typically needs 6-8 turns to assemble lethal combos or a critical board state.

Resilience: 5/10
Recovers poorly from board wipes but has some recursion (Rogues' Gallery, Elenda) and protection (Boros Charm).

Consistency: 7/10
Redundant Vampire synergy cards and moderate draw/tutors (Illicit Shipment, Champion of Dusk) ensure steady pressure.

Interaction: 4/10
Limited removal (Path to Exile, Anguished Unmaking) and no counterspells; relies on combat tricks and planeswalker abilities.

Rating Justification:

This deck has focused combat/drain strategies with a T8-10 win potential but lacks the speed and interaction of high-power builds. Its reliance on board presence makes it vulnerable to common disruption, aligning it with optimized casual tiers.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5