Overview:

This Edgar Markov Vampire tribal deck focuses on swarming the board with Vampire tokens via the commander's eminence ability and token generators like Mardu Ascendancy and Bone-Cairn Butcher. The strategy leverages lifegain synergies (e.g., Blood Artist, Marauding Blight-Priest) and combat buffs (Valor in Akros, Dragon Throne of Tarkir) to overwhelm opponents. Edgar Markov serves as both an engine (token generation) and a finisher (mass +1/+1 counters), though the deck can function without him. Alternative win conditions include incremental life drain and equipment-enhanced beaters.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Board Setup (Turns 1-4): Cast low-CMC Vampires (e.g., Falkenrath Gorger, Gifted Aetherborn) to trigger Edgar's eminence tokens. Deploy key enablers like Mardu Ascendancy or Springleaf Drum to accelerate.
2. Mid-Game Synergy (Turns 4-6): Activate lifegain payoffs (Bloodthirsty Aerialist, Scion of the Swarm) and token multipliers (Bone-Cairn Butcher, Kambal, Profiteering Mayor). Use Dragon Throne of Tarkir or Caduceus, Staff of Hermes to buff the board.
3. Finishing Moves (Turns 6+): Swing with a wide, buffed Vampire army or drain opponents via Blood Artist/Falkenrath Noble. Use Sorin the Mirthless’s -7 or Banefire for direct damage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (ideally untapped) and at least 1-2 early Vampires.
• Prioritize cards that generate immediate value: Mardu Ascendancy, Springleaf Drum, or Sanguine Evangelist.
• Avoid hands without early plays or excessive high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Use Sheltered by Ghosts to exile key threats while enhancing your creatures.
• Sacrifice tokens to Indulgent Aristocrat for permanent buffs to your Vampires.
• Windcrag Siege (Mardu mode) doubles triggers from attacking Vampires like Preacher of the Schism.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipes: Lacks mass recursion; rebuilds depend on draw engines like Phyrexian Arena.
• Anti-Token Effects: Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence nullifies key activated abilities (e.g., Indulgent Aristocrat).

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Vulnerable to disruption of Caduceus, Staff of Hermes, Dragon Throne of Tarkir, or Mardu Ascendancy.
• Life Total Parity: Struggles if opponents neutralize lifegain (e.g., Erebos, God of the Dead).

Minor

• Fliers/Evasion: Limited reach; relies on Vampire Nighthawk and Scion of the Swarm for air defense.

Most Important Cards:

• Edgar Markov (Token generation, board buff)
• Mardu Ascendancy (Token swarm enabler)
• Blood Artist (Life drain engine)
• Dragon Throne of Tarkir (Combat finisher)
• Caduceus, Staff of Hermes (Lifegain payoff and protection)
• Sorin the Mirthless (Card advantage, lifelink tokens)
• Valor in Akros (Combat anthem)
• Bone-Cairn Butcher (Token multiplier)
• Marauding Blight-Priest (Life drain amplifier)
• Inevitable Defeat (Uncounterable removal)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish a threatening board by turn 5-6 but lacks fast mana or turbo combo potential.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion (e.g., Victimize) and protection (Sheltered by Ghosts), but struggles against repeated wipes.

Consistency: 6/10

• Redundant Vampire synergies and some card draw, but limited tutors for key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Royal Assassin) and disruption, but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a synergistic midrange build with a clear combat focus, capable of threatening wins via token swarms or lifegain drains around turns 7-9. While it has some resilience and synergy, its reliance on incremental combat damage and vulnerability to common disruption anchors it in the Casual tier.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5