Overview:

This Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire deck is a Zombie tribal/reanimator hybrid focused on generating value through death triggers, zombie swarms, and incremental life drain. The core strategy leverages Varragoth's repeatable tutor ability to assemble graveyard recursion engines, zombie synergies, and combo pieces while using sacrifice outlets and reanimation to maintain board presence.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck operates in three phases:

1. Early Setup: Use Varragoth's Boast ability to tutor key pieces like Phyrexian Altar, Gravecrawler, or Syr Konrad. Ramp with fast mana (Sol Ring, Cabal Ritual) and deploy zombie lords (Undead Warchief, Metallic Mimic).
2. Midgame Engine: Flood the board with zombies via Zombie Infestation, Liliana's Devotee, and recursive threats (Gravecrawler). Sacrifice creatures to Carrion Feeder/Phyrexian Altar for value, triggering Bastion of Remembrance and Syr Konrad drains.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Infinite death loops with Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar + payoff (Bastion of Remembrance, Syr Konrad)
   • Tendrils of Agony storm enabled by Bolas's Citadel/Necropotence
   • Shepherd of Rot zombie count nukes
   • Gray Merchant of Asphodel devotion bursts

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (Swamp-heavy preferred)
• Prioritize 1-2 mana accelerants (Sol Ring, Dark Ritual)
• Look for enablers like Gravecrawler, Phyrexian Reclamation, or Varragoth protection (Lightning Greaves)

Key Tips:

• Use Sanctum of Eternity to reset Varragoth's commander tax while maintaining tutor access
• Tortured Existence enables Gravecrawler recursion while fueling Bone Miser
• Wound Reflection doubles Shepherd of Rot/combat damage lethality
• Leyline of the Void and Call to the Grave disrupt opponents while protecting your graveyard

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Foldsto graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) that removes recursion lines
• Relies on 2-card combos (Gravecrawler+Altar) with limited protection

Moderate

• Slow recovery from board wipes without Necropotence/Phyrexian Reclamation
• Limited redundancy for key combo pieces beyond Varragoth tutoring

Minor

• Vulnerable to flyers/wide strategies without forced sacrifice effects
• Life payment from Bolas's Citadel/Necropotence can become dangerous

Most Important Cards:

• Phyrexian Altar
• Gravecrawler
• Syr Konrad, the Grim
• Bolas's Citadel
• Necropotence
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Cabal Coffers
• Undead Warchief
• Shepherd of Rot
• Bastion of Remembrance

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can assemble Gravecrawler+Altar combo as early as T4 with perfect draws, but typically threatens wins T6-8.

Resilience: 5/10

• Vulnerable to graveyard hate and commander removal, but has recursion (Phyrexian Reclamation, Unholy Grotto) and sacrifice-based protection.

Consistency: 7/10

• 5 tutors (including Varragoth) and strong card draw (Necropotence, Bolas's Citadel) compensate for mono-black's limitations.

Interaction: 4/10

• Limited to spot removal (Deadly Rollick, Hero's Downfall) and asymmetrical wipes (The Meathook Massacre). Lacks stack interaction beyond Eaten Alive.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between optimized casual and focused power levels. While it has explosive combo potential and strong tutoring, its reliance on fragile graveyard synergies and lack of free interaction cap its ceiling. The T6-8 win clock and vulnerability to common hate pieces align with the 5.0-6.0 range.

Power level: 5.0 - 6.0