Overview:

A mono-black Zombie tribal deck led by Gisa, the Hellraiser that combines token swarm tactics with graveyard recursion and explosive combo potential. The strategy focuses on generating Zombie tokens through crime triggers while leveraging aristocrat effects and infinite sacrifice loops for wins.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to flood the board with Zombie tokens using Gisa's crime-triggered token generation while setting up infinite sacrifice loops. The game plan progresses through three stages:

1. Early Setup: Deploy key Zombies like Cryptbreaker and Gravecrawler while ramping with fast mana (Dark Ritual, Cabal Ritult). Use early interaction to trigger Gisa's token generation.
2. Board Amplification: Play Zombie lords (Death Baron, Undead Warchief) to boost token power. Use Skullclamp and Necropotence to maintain card advantage.
3. Combo Execution: Assemble Gravecrawler + Blasting Station + Zombie enabler for infinite damage, or drain opponents via Shepherd of Rot with a critical mass of Zombies. Alternative wincons include Gray Merchant of Asphodel devotion loops.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with early Zombies (Gravecrawler, Champion of the Perished)
• Ensure access to black mana sources (Swamps/Cabal Coffers)
• Prioritize hands with tutors (Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor) or fast mana
• Avoid hands without early plays or graveyard enablers

Key Tips:

• Time crimes (targeted removal, graveyard interaction) to maximize token generation
• Protect Gravecrawler as the linchpin combo piece
• Use Phyrexian Tower and Altar of Dementia as sac outlets for value
• Leverage Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth to enable swampwalk via Zombie Master

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending into board wipes without recursion
• Wasting tutors on non-essential pieces
• Letting Necropotence life payments become unmanageable

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard dependency (folds to Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void)
• Limited answers to resolved enchantments/artifacts Moderate:
• Slow recovery from board wipes
• Life loss from Necropotence/Sheoldred could become critical Minor:
• Requires combat for some wins (evasion limited to menace/swampwalk)

Most Important Cards:

• Gravecrawler
• Cryptbreaker
• Blasting Station
• Necropotence
• Demonic Tutor
• Vampiric Tutor
• Skullclamp
• Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Altar of Dementia

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Theoretical T4 win with perfect draw (Ritual → Tutor → Combo)
• Average goldfish win ~T6-7 through combat/aristocrat drains

Resilience: 5/10

• Strong graveyard recursion (Victimize, Whip of Erebos)
• Vulnerable to graveyard hate and combo piece removal
• Limited protection outside Imp's Mischief

Consistency: 8/10

• 7 tutors including Beseech the Mirror/Imperial Seal
• Redundant Zombie lords and token generators
• Strong card draw engines (The One Ring, Graveborn Muse)

Interaction: 6/10

• 12 targeted removal spells (Deadly Rollick, Snuff Out)
• No board wipes beyond Liliana, Dreadhorde General
• Limited stack interaction (Imp's Mischief only)

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Rubric 6.0 (Focused - T7-8 wins) and 6.5 (Optimized - T6-7) due to:

• Strong tutor density enabling combo consistency
• Fast mana enabling explosive starts
• Lack of free interaction and graveyard fragility preventing cEDH status
• Slower combat backup plan compared to pure combo decks

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5