Overview:

Edgar Markov Vampire tribal focuses on swarming with Vampire tokens via eminence, bolstered by anthems and +1/+1 counters. The deck wins through overwhelming combat damage, leveraging Edgar's innate token generation and tribal synergies. Key strengths include board-wide buffs (Cathars' Crusade, Shared Animosity) and moderate recursion, but it lacks fast combos and has limited interaction.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy low-cost Vampires to trigger Edgar Markov’s eminence ability, generating 1/1 tokens. Amplify this swarm with anthem effects (Intangible Virtue, Stromkirk Captain) and +1/+1 counters (Blade of the Bloodchief, Cathars' Crusade). Mid-to-late game, use sac outlets (Falkenrath Aristocrat) and recursion (Sheoldred, Whispering One) to maintain pressure. Win via massive combat steps or theft effects (New Blood).

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3+ lands (prioritize untapped sources like Blood Crypt).
• 1-2 early Vampires (Stromkirk Noble, Child of Night).
• At least one anthem or protection piece (Flawless Maneuver).
  Avoid hands lacking early creatures or with excessive high-cost cards.

Key Tips:

• Prioritize casting Vampires over Edgar himself early to maximize token generation.
• Save Eerie Interlude or Flawless Maneuver for board wipes.
• Use Patron of the Vein to exile opponents’ creatures while buffing your board.

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting to the board without protection.
• Holding back Edgar unnecessarily—his attack trigger amplifies the entire team.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Heavy reliance on board state; folds to repeated wipes (e.g., Blasphemous Act).
• Minimal graveyard hate protection (Bojuka Bog is sole answer).

Moderate:

• Limited card draw beyond incidental lifegain synergies.
• Slow recovery if key anthems (Coat of Arms) are removed.

Minor:

• Mana base includes 8+ taplands, slowing early plays.

Most Important Cards:

• Cathars' Crusade
• Shared Animosity
• Coat of Arms
• Intangible Virtue
• Edgar, Charmed Groom // Edgar Markov's Coffin
• Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
• Patron of the Vein
• Captivating Vampire
• Stromkirk Captain
• New Blood

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish a threatening board by T5-6, but lacks fast mana or combo finishes.

Resilience: 5/10

• Vulnerable to wipes but has limited protection (Eerie Interlude, Flawless Maneuver). Recursion (Sheoldred) is slow.

Consistency: 6/10

• Redundant Vampires and anthems ensure baseline performance, but only 2 tutors (Deadly Dispute, Wayfarer's Bauble).

Interaction: 4/10

• 6 targeted removals (Swords to Plowshares, Dreadbore) and 2 wipes. Minimal counterspells or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck aligns with Optimized Casual (5.0) due to its focused tribal synergy and moderate-speed combat wins. It lacks the speed (T8-10) and resilience of higher tiers but outperforms precons through tribal cohesion. Key weaknesses (board wipe fragility, limited interaction) prevent it from reaching High-Power (6.0+).

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5