Overview:

This mono-black Zombie tribal deck helmed by Ghoulcaller Gisa focuses on generating Zombie tokens through sacrificial synergies and leveraging lords to amplify combat pressure. The commander enables mass token creation by sacrificing high-power creatures, while the deck supports this with recursive Zombie engines, aristocrat-style life drain effects (e.g., Vengeful Dead, Gray Merchant of Asphodel), and anthem effects like Death Baron. Secondary strategies include graveyard recursion (Gravecrawler, Apprentice Necromancer) and explosive turns enabled by Ashnod's Altar/Culling the Weak. Gisa serves as a critical enabler but isn't strictly essential, as the deck has alternative token generators like Headless Rider and Ghoulish Procession.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy Zombie token generators (Cryptbreaker, Gravecrawler), sac outlets (Carrion Feeder), and key lords (Death Baron). Use Skullclamp or Village Rites to convert expendable creatures into card advantage.
2. Midgame Engine (Turns 4-6): Cast Gisa and sacrifice high-power creatures (e.g., Plague Belcher, Diregraf Colossus) to create Zombie swarms. Activate Cemetery Reaper or Tomb Tyrant for recursion. Deploy Dictate of Erebos to lock opponents out of creatures.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 6-8+):
   • Combat: Overwhelm with buffed Zombies using Eldrazi Monument, Liliana's Mastery, or Vanquisher's Banner.
   • Life Drain: Trigger Gray Merchant of Asphodel, Vengeful Dead, or Plague Belcher repeatedly.
   • Sacrifice Loops: Use Ashnod's Altar + Gravecrawler + Headless Rider for incremental value.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands and at least one early play (Cryptbreaker, Gravecrawler, Skullclamp).
• Prioritize sac outlets (Carrion Feeder, Nantuko Husk) or key lords (Death Baron) in slower metas.
• Avoid hands lacking token generation or sac payoffs.

Key Tips:

• Use Ghoulcaller's Chant and Unholy Grotto to recycle key Zombies like Gray Merchant.
• Plumb the Forbidden with a Zombie board state can refill your hand while triggering death effects.
• Force of Despair and Sudden Spoiling counter token/creature-heavy opponent turns.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples recursion and key cards like Gravecrawler.
• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Lacks mass recursion outside Liliana, Dreadhorde General; struggles to rebuild after Damnation-effects.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Weakness: Key pieces (Skullclamp, Dictate of Erebos) are vulnerable to Farewell.
• Slow Setup: Minimal fast mana beyond Sol Ring delays critical mass turns.

Minor

• Limited Stack Interaction: Relies on reactive removal (Hero's Downfall) over counterspells.
• Mana Constraints: Cabal Stronghold and Crypt of Agadeem require heavy Swamp density to excel.

Most Important Cards:

• Ghoulcaller Gisa (Token generation engine)
• Ashnod's Altar (Sacrifice payoff, mana acceleration)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life drain finisher)
• Skullclamp (Card draw engine)
• Dictate of Erebos (Opponent creature lockdown)
• Death Baron (Anthem + deathtouch enabler)
• Gravecrawler (Recursive sac fodder)
• Headless Rider (Token redundancy)
• Carrion Feeder (Sac outlet + threat scaling)
• Plumb the Forbidden (Mass card draw with upside)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via combat or drain around T8-10, relying on incremental setup rather than explosive combos.

Resilience: 4/10

• Moderate recursion (Apprentice Necromancer, Unholy Grotto) but falters against graveyard hate or repeated wipes.

Consistency: 6/10

• Redundant Zombie generators and card draw (Undead Augur, Sign in Blood) provide reliable access to core pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Go for the Throat, Malicious Affliction) but lacks protection for key engines.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused casual build with a clear tribal plan, achieving wins through combat or drain around T8-10. While it has synergy and redundancy, its reliance on fragile engines and slow mana base caps its power.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5