Overview:

This Edgar Markov vampire tribal deck focuses on overwhelming opponents with a growing army of buffed Vampire tokens and lords, leveraging Edgar's eminence ability for constant token generation. The commander's attack trigger amplifies the swarm with +1/+1 counters, while secondary lifegain synergies (e.g., Sanguine Bond, Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose) provide alternative win conditions. Key threats are deployed through efficient Vampire casting, supported by tribal ramp and card advantage. Edgar acts as both a value engine and finisher, though the deck can function without him due to redundant token generators and lords.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Token Generation (Turns 1-4): Cast low-CMC Vampires like Gifted Aetherborn or Martyr of Dusk to trigger Edgar's eminence. Use Legion's Landing or Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle to build a wider board.
2. Amplify Threats (Turns 3-6): Deploy lords (Legion Lieutenant, Stromkirk Captain) and synergistic pieces like Roaming Throne (set to Vampire) to double token/death triggers. Activate Clavileño, First of the Blessed to transform attackers into card-drawing Demons.
3. Close the Game (Turns 5-8):
   • Combat: Overwhelm with buffed Vampires enhanced by Shared Animosity or Vanquisher's Banner.
   • Lifegain Combos: Pair Sanguine Bond with Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose or Marauding Blight-Priest to drain opponents.
   • Sacrifice Value: Use Yahenni, Undying Partisan or Blood Artist to convert dying tokens into damage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 2-3 lands (including color-fixing like Unclaimed Territory).
• Keep early Vampires (1-3 CMC) to trigger Edgar’s eminence.
• Look for key enablers: Herald's Horn, Skullclamp, or a lord effect.
• Avoid hands without early plays or excessive high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Maximize Roaming Throne by naming Vampire to double Cordial Vampire counters and Welcoming Vampire draws.
• Sacrifice tokens to Skullclamp or Indulgent Aristocrat for card advantage/board scaling.
• Use Flawless Maneuver to protect your board before a critical combat phase.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on board presence: Lacks recovery from repeated board wipes (only Wrath of God and limited recursion).
• Minimal stack interaction: Struggles against combo decks or resolved enchantments like Rest in Peace.

Moderate

• Vulnerable to targeted removal on key lords (Legion Lieutenant, Edgar, Charmed Groom).
• Lifegain combos are telegraphed and disruptible (no instant-speed combo enablers).

Minor

• Mana base includes tapped lands, slowing early tempo.
• Limited answers to flyers outside Nighthawk Scavenger.

Most Important Cards:

• Edgar, Charmed Groom (Recurring lord with death resilience)
• Roaming Throne (Doubles tribal triggers)
• Sanguine Bond (Lifegain-to-damage converter)
• Skullclamp (Sacrifice outlet and card draw)
• Legion Lieutenant (Key lord effect)
• Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (Combo piece and lifegain payoff)
• Shared Animosity (Combat damage multiplier)
• Vanquisher's Banner (Card draw and anthem)
• Herald's Horn (Ramp and card advantage)
• Flawless Maneuver (Board protection)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can establish lethal combat boards or lifegain combos by turns 7-8, but lacks fast mana for explosive starts.

Resilience: 5/10
Moderate protection (Flawless Maneuver) and recursion (Silversmote Ghoul), but folds to repeated removal.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tribal synergy and card draw (Vanquisher's Banner, Welcoming Vampire), but limited tutors outside Vampiric Tutor.

Interaction: 4/10
Spot removal (Anguished Unmaking, Dreadbore) and board wipes, but minimal counterspells or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck has focused tribal synergy and multiple paths to victory but operates at a midrange speed (T7-8 wins) with moderate resilience. Its reliance on combat and telegraphed combos aligns with the "Focused" tier, though it lacks the speed or redundancy for higher optimization.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0