Overview:

This Esper Zombie tribal deck helmed by Varina, Lich Queen focuses on generating massive Zombie armies through token synergies, graveyard recursion, and life-drain effects. Varina serves as the engine - her attack-triggered looting fuels graveyard synergies like Bone Miser and Syr Konrad, the Grim, while generating tokens through her ability and supporting cards like Anointed Procession. The deck can win through overwhelming token swarms amplified by lords like Death Baron, infinite combos with Gravecrawler/Phyrexian Altar, or life-drain payoffs like Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Hidden commanders like Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver and Mondrak, Glory Dominus significantly amplify token production.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Mox Diamond, Sol Ring), zombie tokens via Cryptbreaker, or value creatures like Undead Augur. Use Entomb/Intuition to set up key graveyard pieces.
2. Engine Activation (T4-6): Cast Varina and attack to fuel discard synergies. Deploy token doublers (Anointed Procession, Mondrak) and lords (Undead Warchief). Use Rooftop Storm to cheat costs.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Combat: Overwhelm with boosted Zombies using Coat of Arms-style effects from multiple lords and On Wings of Gold evasion.
   • Infinite Combos: Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar + Diregraf Captain/Syr Konrad for infinite death triggers.
   • Life Drain: Gray Merchant recursion with Living Death or Zombie Apocalypse.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands and early plays (mana rocks, Cryptbreaker, Gravecrawler).
• Prioritize hands with Varina enablers (Fellwar Stone, Arcane Signet) or key combo pieces.
• Avoid hands lacking graveyard interaction or token generators.

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection/Cyclonic Rift to protect board states before alpha strikes.
• Necroduality doubles non-token Zombies - prioritize cloning value pieces like Gray Merchant.
• Phyrexian Altar enables explosive turns with Army of the Damned tokens.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples recursion and Varina's token generation.
• Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullify ETB triggers from key pieces like Gray Merchant and Undead Augur.

Moderate

• Board wipes disrupt swarm strategy despite recursion options.
• Cursed Totem shuts off Cryptbreaker, Carrion Feeder, and other activated abilities.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond Fierce Guardianship and Void Rend.
• Color-intensive costs (WW/UUBB) strain mana base under pressure.

Most Important Cards:

• Rooftop Storm (Free Zombie casting enables combos)
• Phyrexian Altar (Mana generation + combo piece)
• Anointed Procession (Token doubler)
• Gravecrawler (Recursive combo piece)
• Living Death (Mass reanimation win condition)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life-drain bomb)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token quadrupler)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Passive damage engine)
• Demonic Tutor (Flexible enabler)
• Teferi's Protection (Board protection)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Can execute infinite combos or lethal swings by T5-6 with optimal draws, accelerated by fast mana and free spells.

Resilience: 6/10
Multiple recursion engines (Unholy Grotto, Zombie Apocalypse) and protection spells, but heavily graveyard-dependent.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tutor suite (Demonic Tutor, Intuition) and card selection via Varina looting ensure key pieces are found.

Interaction: 5/10
Efficient targeted removal (Swords, Anguished Unmaking) and a few counterspells, but light on stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused combo potential with T5-7 wins through efficient tutors and fast mana, but lacks the redundancy and free interaction of cEDH lists. Its graveyard reliance and moderate interaction keep it below optimized tiers.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0