Overview:

This Mardu Vampire tribal deck helmed by Edgar Markov combines aggressive token generation with lifegain/drain synergies and a potent infinite combo. The strategy leverages Edgar's Eminence ability to flood the board with Vampire tokens while deploying lords like Mondrak, Glory Dominus and Captivating Vampire to amplify threats. The deck can win via overwhelming combat damage enhanced by Shared Animosity/Cathars' Crusade or through the Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond/Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose infinite life-drain combo. Edgar serves as both a persistent token generator and a late-game finisher with his +1/+1 counter distribution.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Board Development (Turns 1-4):
   Deploy low-CMC Vampires (e.g., Charismatic Conqueror, Esper Sentinel) to trigger Edgar's Eminence tokens. Use fast mana (Mana Vault, Grim Monolith) and tribal cost reducers (Urza's Incubator) to accelerate into key pieces like Anointed Procession.

2. Mid-Game Synergy (Turns 4-6):
   Activate value engines: Skullclamp sacrifices tokens for card draw, The Meathook Massacre punishes removal, and Smothering Tithe generates treasures. Deploy combo enablers (Exquisite Blood, Sanguine Bond) or board amplifiers (Roaming Throne, Bloodletter of Aclazotz).

3. Win Condition Execution:

   • Combat: Overrun opponents with buffed Vampires using Shared Animosity or Cathars' Crusade.
   • Combo: Resolve Exquisite Blood + any lifegain-triggered damage source (e.g., Sanguine Bond, Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose) for an infinite life-drain loop.
   • Alternate Lines: Reanimate threats with Olivia, Crimson Bride or leverage Bolas's Citadel for explosive plays.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including at least one black source.
• Prioritize early Vampires (CMC ≤3), fast mana, or a combo piece with protection (Lightning Greaves, Teferi's Protection).
• Avoid hands lacking ramp or token generators.

Key Tips:

• Use Roaming Throne (naming Vampire) to double Edgar’s attack triggers and other Vampire ETBs.
• Grand Abolisher and Drannith Magistrate protect your combo turns.
• Sacrifice tokens to Skullclamp or Grave Pact to maintain card advantage and control.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies heavily on board presence: Mass removal (e.g., Blasphemous Act) can cripple the deck’s momentum.
• Combo fragility: Exquisite Blood and its partners are vulnerable to enchantment removal (Nature's Claim).

Moderate

• Life total pressure: Aggressive strategies can exploit the life payment from Ancient Tomb, Bolas's Citadel, etc.
• Graveyard reliance: Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet and Olivia, Crimson Bride are neutered by Rest in Peace.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction: Relies on Deflecting Swat and Silence rather than counterspells.
• High mana value: Key pieces like Vein Ripper and Mondrak, Glory Dominus are vulnerable to early removal.

Most Important Cards:

• Edgar Markov (Token generation, anthem effect)
• Exquisite Blood (Infinite combo cornerstone)
• Anointed Procession (Doubles token output)
• Demonic Tutor (Finds combo pieces/answers)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token multiplier)
• Sanguine Bond (Combo finisher)
• Smothering Tithe (Mana acceleration)
• Shared Animosity (Combat finisher)
• The Meathook Massacre (Board control/life drain)
• Roaming Throne (Triggers amplification)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 8/10

• Can threaten T4-5 wins via fast mana into combo or T6-7 lethal combat swings with proper setup.

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple protection spells (Teferi's Protection, Deflecting Swat) and recursion (Reanimate), but struggles against repeated wipes.

Consistency: 8/10

• Extensive tutor suite (7 tutors) and card draw (Skullclamp, The One Ring) ensure reliable access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Damn) and stax elements (Grave Pact), but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH-adjacent speeds with fast mana and a tutor-heavy combo finish but lacks the interaction density and compact wincons of true cEDH lists. Its ability to threaten T4-5 wins and recover via recursion justifies a high-power rating, though board reliance and combo fragility cap its ceiling.

Power level: 7.5 - 8.0