Overview:

This Edgar Markov vampire tribal deck focuses on swarming the board with vampire tokens via Edgar's eminence ability, buffing them with +1/+1 counters, and leveraging lifegain/drain synergies. The primary win conditions are combat overkill with pumped vampires and the Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond/Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose infinite life-drain combo. While it has some interaction and tribal synergy, its reliance on creature-based strategies and modest combo protection limit its speed and resilience.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy low-cost vampires early to flood the board with Edgar Markov's eminence tokens. Use anthem effects (Legion Lieutenant, Stromkirk Captain) and counter synergies (Cordial Vampire, Rakish Heir) to scale threats. Backup wincons include the Exquisite Blood combo and Bolas's Citadel for explosive turns. Key phases:

1. Early Flood: Cast 1–3 mana vampires (Vampire of the Dire Moon, Indulgent Aristocrat) to generate token value.
2. Midgame Buffs: Deploy lords and counter enablers to turn tokens into meaningful threats.
3. Finishers: Overwhelm with Shared Animosity/Vanquisher's Banner-enhanced boards or assemble the infinite lifedrain combo.

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3+ lands (prioritize untapped)
• 1–2 early vampires (≤3 CMC)
• 1 anthem effect or card engine (Skullclamp, Welcoming Vampire)
  Avoid hands without early vampire plays or color-screwed mana bases.

Key Tips:

• Sacrifice tokens to Skullclamp/Viscera Seer for card advantage.
• Use Olivia's Wrath as a one-sided board wipe.
• Bolas's Citadel can chain vampires but risks life total.
• Protect combo pieces with Boros Charm indestructible mode.

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending into board wipes without Boros Charm backup.
• Holding back attackers—Edgar's counters reward aggression.
• Slow, high-CMC vampires (e.g., Bloodthirsty Conqueror) without ramp.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Heavy reliance on creatures (folds to Wrath of God effects).
• Combo pieces (Exquisite Blood, Sanguine Bond) are vulnerable to enchantment removal.

Moderate:

• Limited recursion for key pieces (only Veinwitch Coven/Nullpriest of Oblivion).
• Slow combo assembly (only 3 tutors).

Minor:

• Mana base has tapped lands (e.g., Nomad Outpost), slowing early plays.

Most Important Cards:

• Exquisite Blood
• Sanguine Bond
• Skullclamp
• Bolas's Citadel
• Shared Animosity
• Vanquisher's Banner
• Cordial Vampire
• Malakir Bloodwitch
• Rakish Heir
• Legion Lieutenant

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Fastest win: T7–8 with combo or T6–7 combat swarm. Limited fast mana beyond Sol Ring/Dark Ritual.

Resilience: 4/10

• Vulnerable to board wipes. Some protection (Boros Charm, Unbreakable Formation), but no counterspells.

Consistency: 6/10

• 3 tutors and vampire-specific card draw (Welcoming Vampire, Champion of Dusk). Tribal redundancy helps.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient removal (Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile) but lacks stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and Focused (6.0). It has clear synergies and a combo finish but lacks the speed (T8+ wins), interaction density, and redundancy of higher tiers. The heavy creature focus makes it susceptible to common disruption, aligning with the 5.0–5.5 range.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5