Overview:

This Dimir Zombie tribal deck leverages Gisa and Geralf's graveyard recursion to create overwhelming board states through token generation, sacrifice synergies, and potent lords. The commander enables persistent threat deployment from the graveyard, turning mill and death triggers into value engines. Primary win conditions include wide combat with amplified Zombie hordes, life drain via Gray Merchant of Asphodel/Diregraf Captain, and mill combos using Altar of Dementia with token producers. The strategy is commander-dependent for sustained recursion but includes redundancy through cards like Liliana, Death's Majesty and Zul Ashur, Lich Lord.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Dimir Signet) and early Zombies like Carrion Feeder or Undead Augur. Mill proactively with commander ETB or Liliana, Untouched by Death. Prioritize establishing Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver or Open the Graves for token generation.
2. Value Engine Activation (Turns 4-6): Recur key pieces (e.g., Fleshbag Marauder) using commander ability. Cast Rooftop Storm for free Zombie spells. Sacrifice tokens to Carrion Feeder/Altar of Dementia for value or mill. Use Buried Alive to fetch Gray Merchant of Asphodel, Diregraf Captain, and Mikaeus, the Unhallowed.
3. Win Execution (Turns 6-8):
   • Combat: Overrun with lords (Death Baron, Undead Warchief) granting deathtouch/menace. Activate Geralf, Visionary Stitcher to give flying.
   • Drain: Loop Gray Merchant with recursion/sacrifice. Pair Diregraf Captain with token deaths.
   • Mill: Sacrifice 13 tokens from Army of the Damned to Altar of Dementia (26+ mill per opponent).
   • Control Lock: Combine Grave Pact with sacrifice outlets like Ghoulcaller Gisa to strip opponents' boards.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including UB sources. Prioritize Sol Ring, early Zombies, or a value engine (Wilhelt, Midnight Reaper).
• Include a recursion piece (Victimize, Lord of the Undead) if lacking commander.
• Avoid hands without early plays or graveyard enablers.

Key Tips:

• Graveyard Management: Use Buried Alive proactively. Bojuka Bog protects your yard while disrupting opponents.
• Combo Sequencing: Cast Rooftop Storm before reanimation spells for free casts. Necroduality doubles ETBs when casting from hand.
• Protection: Deploy Lazotep Plating against board wipes/targeted hate. Mikaeus, the Unhallowed provides resilience via undying.
• Sacrifice Triggers: Chain deaths with Headless Rider/Open the Graves for exponential tokens. Use Grimgrin, Corpse-Born as removal + wincon.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples recursion and win conditions.
• Board wipes devastate token-based strategy; limited mass recursion outside Funeral Room.
• Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullifies ETB value from key Zombies (Gray Merchant, Fleshbag Marauder).

Moderate

• Anti-token tech (Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, Cursed Totem) halts token generation/sac outlets.
• Rule of Law effects limit ability to cast multiple Zombies from graveyard.
• Low instant-speed interaction for stack-based combos.

Minor

• Mana base has 9 tapped lands, slowing early development.
• Life loss from Undead Augur/Midnight Reaper can accumulate against aggressive decks.

Most Important Cards:

• Rooftop Storm (Free Zombie casting enables explosive turns)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Primary life-drain wincon)
• Altar of Dementia (Mill combo enabler/sacrifice outlet)
• Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver (Token generation and card draw engine)
• Grave Pact (Creates oppressive board control)
• Mikaeus, the Unhallowed (Provides undying resilience and lord effect)
• Diregraf Captain (Zombie lord with direct damage on death)
• Buried Alive (Tutors win conditions to graveyard)
• Army of the Damned (Mass token generation for combat/mill)
• The Scarab God (Recursive threat with incremental value)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win potential around T7-9 via combat/drain/mill, accelerated by Rooftop Storm but delayed by setup requirements.

Resilience: 6/10

• Recursion from commander/planeswalkers provides recovery, but over-reliance on graveyard creates fragility. Limited protection outside Lazotep Plating.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card draw (Midnight Reaper, Undead Augur), tutors (Buried Alive), and redundancy in lords/token producers ensure core strategy access.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Infernal Grasp, Counterspell) and sacrifice effects (Fleshbag Marauder) handle threats, but lacks board wipes and stack interaction for faster combos.

Rating Justification:

The deck demonstrates focused synergy and consistent board development but operates at a moderate pace (T7-9 wins) and suffers critical vulnerabilities to graveyard hate. Its resilience and interaction are adequate for casual play but insufficient against high-power strategies, aligning with optimized casual tiers.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5