Overview:

This Orzhov deck helmed by Ratadrabik of Urborg focuses on legendary creature recursion and death-trigger value. The strategy revolves around sacrificing legendary creatures to generate zombie token copies via Ratadrabik, amplified by death-payoff cards like Syr Konrad, the Grim and Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim. Key combos with Mikaeus, the Unhallowed and Gravecrawler enable infinite death loops, while Gray Merchant of Asphodel provides massive life drain potential. Ratadrabik acts as both an engine and enabler, with the deck leaning heavily on its ability to create persistent value from dying legends.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup Phase (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Orzhov Signet), sac outlets (Carrion Feeder, Ashnod's Altar), and value engines like Ayara, First of Locthwain. Cast Ratadrabik as early as Turn 4 with protection (Malakir Rebirth, Boromir, Warden of the Tower).
2. Value Engine Activation (Turns 4-6): Sacrifice legends like Sidisi, Undead Vizier or Yahenni, Undying Partisan to generate zombie copies. Use Teysa Karlov to double death triggers and Luminous Broodmoth for recurring flyers.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 6-8+):
   • Infinite Combos: Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Gravecrawler + free sac outlet = infinite death triggers for Blood Artist/Syr Konrad.
   • Mass Drain: Multiple Gray Merchant of Asphodel casts via recursion (Primevals' Glorious Rebirth, Zul Ashur, Lich Lord).
   • Token Overwhelm: Helm of the Host on Ratadrabik or Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation for exponential token creation.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (including B/W sources), a sac outlet, and either Ratadrabik or a tutor (Demonic Tutor, Sidisi, Undead Vizier).
• Prioritize early interaction (Infernal Grasp, Skullclamp) against fast decks.
• Avoid hands without sac outlets or recursion.

Key Tips:

• Use Brought Back/Samwise the Stouthearted to recover Ratadrabik or combo pieces after board wipes.
• Phyrexian Altar + Gravecrawler + Pitiless Plunderer generates infinite mana for Walking Ballista-like finishers (if added) or Gray Merchant loops.
• Teysa Karlov doubles Ratadrabik’s token creation when paired with Blade of Selves on a legend.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples recursion and combo lines.
• Enchantment removal disrupts Grave Pact, Dictate of Erebos, and Teysa Karlov – key to maintaining board control.

Moderate

• Exile-based removal bypasses Ratadrabik’s token generation.
• Fast combo decks can outpace this deck’s setup-heavy strategy.

Minor

• Limited card draw beyond Skullclamp/Village Rites risks running out of gas.
• High reliance on Ratadrabik makes commander tax punishing.

Most Important Cards:

• Ratadrabik of Urborg (Token engine)
• Mikaeus, the Unhallowed (Combo enabler)
• Teysa Karlov (Trigger doubler)
• Phyrexian Altar (Sac outlet + mana)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Damage engine)
• Gravecrawler (Infinite loop piece)
• Primevals' Glorious Rebirth (Mass recursion)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life drain finisher)
• Demonic Tutor (Consistency)
• Luminous Broodmoth (Recurring threats)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via combo or Gray Merchant loops by Turns 6-8, but requires setup for critical mass.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursion (Brought Back, Malakir Rebirth) and protection (Boromir, Warden of the Tower) mitigate removal, but graveyard reliance is a liability.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong tutor suite (Demonic Tutor, Sidisi, Undead Vizier) and redundancy in sac outlets/drain effects ensure key pieces are accessible.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Anguished Unmaking, Vanishing Verse) handles threats, but lacks counterspells and struggles against resolved combos.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a focused power level with efficient combos and strong recursion, but its reliance on graveyard synergy and moderate speed place it below optimized cEDH tiers. It consistently threatens wins by Turn 7-8 but falters against fast interaction or grave hate.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0