Overview:

This Edgar Markov Vampire tribal deck leverages the commander's eminence ability to flood the board with 1/1 Vampire tokens while deploying synergistic creatures that amplify combat damage and drain opponents through lifegain/loss triggers. The primary strategy focuses on wide aggression with anthem effects (e.g., Legion Lieutenant, Shared Animosity) and secondary aristocrats payoffs (e.g., Blood Artist, Grave Pact). Edgar himself acts as both a token generator and a late-game finisher when attacking with his +1/+1 counter distribution. Key hidden commanders include Elenda, the Dusk Rose (token recursion) and Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (life-drain multiplier).

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Board Setup (Turns 1-4): Cast low-CMC Vampires (e.g., Vampire of the Dire Moon, Indulgent Aristocrat) to trigger Edgar’s eminence tokens. Deploy key enablers like Skullclamp or Welcoming Vampire for card advantage.
2. Midgame Synergy (Turns 4-6): Resolve anthem effects (Stromkirk Captain, Coat of Arms) or token doublers (Anointed Procession). Activate sac outlets (Viscera Seer, Ruthless Lawbringer) to trigger Blood Artist drains or remove threats.
3. Finishing Moves (Turns 6+): Overwhelm with Akroma's Will for lethal combat or drain via Malakir Bloodwitch/Bloodletter of Aclazotz. Use Bolas's Citadel for explosive top-deck plays.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 1-2 low-CMC Vampires (e.g., Vicious Conquistador, Gifted Aetherborn).
• Prioritize enablers like Skullclamp or Legion's Landing.
• Avoid hands lacking early creatures or with excessive high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection to protect against board wipes during critical turns.
• Sacrifice tokens to Indulgent Aristocrat or Grave Pact to amplify pressure.
• Bloodletter of Aclazotz doubles all lifedrain during your turn—pair with Vito for massive bursts.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes (e.g., Blasphemous Act) cripple the token-centric strategy with limited recovery outside Elenda, the Dusk Rose.
• Anti-token tech (Cursed Totem, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite) nullifies key synergies.

Moderate

• Graveyard hate disrupts Elenda and Funeral Room recursion.
• Focused removal on key engines (Anointed Procession, Cathars' Crusade) slows the deck’s momentum.

Minor

• Evasive threats can outrace the deck if lifegain isn’t prioritized.
• Artifact/enchantment removal targets critical pieces like Skullclamp or Vanquisher's Banner.

Most Important Cards:

• Anointed Procession (Doubles token generation for combat/drain)
• Blood Artist (Core aristocrats payoff)
• Akroma's Will (Game-ending combat trick)
• Skullclamp (Draw engine with 1/1 tokens)
• Grave Pact (Board control via sacrifice)
• Elenda, the Dusk Rose (Recursive token generator)
• Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (Lifedrain amplifier)
• Cathars' Crusade (Scales creature power exponentially)
• Bolas's Citadel (Unlocks explosive plays)
• Shared Animosity (Combat damage multiplier)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten lethal via combat or drain by turns 7-9, but lacks fast mana or infinite combos for earlier wins.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion (Elenda, Funeral Room) and protection (Teferi's Protection), but heavily reliant on board presence.

Consistency: 6/10

• High creature density ensures Edgar triggers, but limited tutors outside Skullclamp and Vanquisher's Banner.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Path to Exile, Mortify) and Grave Pact provide control, but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused tribal build with strong synergy and mid-game threats but lacks the speed or resilience of higher-tier lists. Its ability to pressure via combat/drain by turns 7-9 and moderate interaction aligns with the "Optimized Casual" tier.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5