Do you even (dead)lift? by user2724879

Format: Commander

Commander: Varina, Lich Queen

Bracket: 2

DeckCheck Threat Index: 31

Deck overview

This deck is an Esper Zombie tribal strategy led by Varina, Lich Queen. The game plan revolves around deploying low-cost Zombies early, resolving Varina on Turn 4, and attacking to filter through the library while filling the graveyard and creating additional tokens. In the mid-game, the deck capitalizes on its stocked graveyard and wide board by deploying powerful lords and scaling payoffs like Cathars' Crusade, Undead Warchief, The Scarab God, and Porcelain Gallery. Opponents face dual pressure from wide, evasive combat damage and aristocrats-style life drain via Diregraf Captain, Plague Belcher, and Vengeful Dead. Mass reanimation spells such as Zombie Apocalypse and Rot Hulk provide strong late-game resiliency against board wipes. While the deck lacks high-density fast mana and unconditional tutors, its intense combat filtering and interchangeable tribal synergies ensure reliable execution and steady mid-game inevitability.

Decklist (101 cards)

  • 1 Arcane Denial
  • 1 Arcane Sanctum
  • 1 Arcane Signet
  • 1 Archghoul of Thraben
  • 1 Azorius Signet
  • 1 Bojuka Bog
  • 1 Cathars' Crusade
  • 1 Champion of the Perished
  • 1 Choked Estuary
  • 1 Cleaver Skaab
  • 1 Command Tower
  • 1 Counterspell
  • 1 Crowded Crypt
  • 1 Crypt of Agadeem
  • 1 Cryptbreaker
  • 1 Cryptcaller Chariot
  • 1 Damn
  • 1 Darkwater Catacombs
  • 1 Death Baron
  • 1 Death Tyrant
  • 1 Deny the Witch
  • 1 Dimir Aqueduct
  • 1 Dimir Signet
  • 1 Diregraf Captain
  • 1 Diregraf Colossus
  • 1 Dollmaker's Shop // Porcelain Gallery
  • 1 Dreadhorde Invasion
  • 1 Drowned Catacomb
  • 1 Empty the Laboratory
  • 1 Exotic Orchard
  • 1 Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
  • 1 Geralf, the Fleshwright
  • 1 Ghoulcaller Gisa
  • 1 Gisa, the Hellraiser
  • 1 Glacial Fortress
  • 1 God-Eternal Oketra
  • 1 Godless Shrine
  • 1 Gravecrawler
  • 1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
  • 1 Grimgrin, Corpse-Born
  • 1 Grimoire of the Dead
  • 1 Harsh Sustenance
  • 1 Hashaton, Scarab's Fist
  • 4 Island
  • 1 Isolated Chapel
  • 1 Liliana, the Last Hope
  • 1 Lord of the Undead
  • 1 Meathook Massacre II
  • 1 Mortuary Mire
  • 1 Necroduality
  • 1 Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant
  • 1 Noxious Ghoul
  • 1 On Wings of Gold
  • 1 Patchwork Banner
  • 1 Path of Ancestry
  • 1 Plague Belcher
  • 3 Plains
  • 1 Ratadrabik of Urborg
  • 1 Reanimate
  • 1 Renewed Solidarity
  • 1 Rooftop Storm
  • 1 Rot Hulk
  • 1 Sakashima's Will
  • 1 Secluded Courtyard
  • 1 Sidisi, Undead Vizier
  • 1 Sol Ring
  • 1 Sunken Hollow
  • 8 Swamp
  • 1 Sword of Vengeance
  • 1 Swords to Plowshares
  • 1 Tainted Isle
  • 1 Talisman of Dominance
  • 1 Talisman of Hierarchy
  • 1 Temmet, Naktamun's Will
  • 1 Temple of Deceit
  • 1 The Darkness Crystal
  • 1 The Scarab God
  • 1 Tomb Tyrant
  • 1 Unclaimed Territory
  • 1 Undead Alchemist
  • 1 Undead Warchief
  • 1 Unhallowed Phalanx
  • 1 Unholy Grotto
  • 1 Varina, Lich Queen
  • 1 Vengeful Dead
  • 1 Watery Grave
  • 1 Wayward Servant
  • 1 Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver
  • 1 Zombie Apocalypse