Overview:

This Ghoulcaller Gisa deck is a Zombie tribal build focused on generating tokens through sacrifice synergies and leveraging Zombie lords for combat wins. It combines recursion, token generation, and incremental value from death triggers. While lacking infinite combos, it aims to overwhelm with board presence and Gray Merchant of Asphodel life drains.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck uses Ghoulcaller Gisa to convert high-power creatures into Zombie swarms, amplified by tribal lords (Death Baron, Lord of the Accursed) and sacrifice payoffs (Ashnod's Altar, Skullclamp). Key phases:

1. Early Setup: Play low-cost Zombies (Gravecrawler, Cryptbreaker) and mana accelerators (Sol Ring, Jet Medallion).
2. Engine Activation: Cast Gisa to sacrifice creatures like Nantuko Husk or Carrion Feeder for explosive token generation.
3. Board Domination: Buff Zombies with anthem effects and drain opponents via Gray Merchant of Asphodel or Plague Belcher.
4. Recursion Loop: Reanimate key pieces with Whip of Erebos or Victimize to sustain pressure.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, early Zombies, and at least 1 sac outlet/engine.
• Prioritize Sol Ring/Jet Medallion for faster Gisa deployment.
• Avoid land-light hands lacking early plays.

Key Tips:

• Use Undying Malice/Feign Death on Gisa’s sacrifice targets for double tokens.
• Pair Ashnod's Altar with Headless Rider for mana/token snowballing.
• Time Kindred Dominance after building a Zombie army for a one-sided wipe.

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending into board wipes without recursion in hand.
• Holding back Gray Merchant without sufficient devotion setup.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard reliance (folds to Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void)
• Limited combo protection (key engines like Gisa lack hexproof)

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from mass removal
• Redundancy gaps in token generation

Minor:

• Limited flying/interaction with noncreature permanents

Most Important Cards:

• Ashnod's Altar
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Skullclamp
• Death Baron
• Diregraf Colossus
• Whip of Erebos
• Carrion Feeder
• Gravecrawler
• Kindred Dominance
• Liliana, Dreadhorde General

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win around T8-10 via combat/life drain. No fast mana beyond Sol Ring/Dark Ritual.

Resilience: 4/10

• Moderate recursion (Reanimate, Unearth) but struggles against repeated graveyard exile. Key engines like Gisa lack protection.

Consistency: 6/10

• Strong tribal synergy with 10+ Zombie lords. Limited tutors (Corpse Harvester, Ghoulcaller's Chant).

Interaction: 5/10

• 7 targeted removal spells (Go for the Throat, Hero's Downfall) but no counterspells. Relies on sorcery-speed answers.

Rating Justification:

The deck sits between "Focused Casual" (T9-11) and "Optimized Casual" (T8-10) on the rubric. It lacks fast combos/cedh staples but outperforms precons with tribal synergy and recursive threats. Weak to graveyard hate but maintains multiple win lines. Comparable to upgraded precons with focused upgrades.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5