Overview:

Edgar Markov Vampire tribal focuses on swarming the board with Vampire tokens via the commander's eminence ability, amplifying their power with +1/+1 counters and anthem effects, and leveraging lifegain/drain synergies. The deck has a secondary infinite combo using Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond/Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose for instant wins. While aggressive creature deployment is the primary plan, the combo adds flexibility. However, limited tutors and protection for combo pieces, along with vulnerability to board wipes, cap its ceiling.

Primer:

Core Strategy: Build a wide board of Vampires using Edgar Markov’s passive token generation, then enhance them with lords (Legion Lieutenant, Stromkirk Captain), +1/+1 counters (Cordial Vampire, Cathars' Crusade), and lifegain payoffs (Blood Artist, Sanguine Bond). Alternate win conditions include:

• Infinite lifedrain via Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond/Vito
• Overwhelming combat damage with Shared Animosity or All-Out Assault
• Big mana Exsanguinate finishers

Key Lines:

1. Early Game: Cast low-cost Vampires (Vampire Socialite, Gifted Aetherborn) to trigger Edgar’s eminence and build token presence.
2. Midgame: Deploy anthem effects (Vanquisher's Banner, Shared Triumph) and card engines (Necropotence, Phyrexian Arena).
3. Closure: Either swarm with pumped Vampires or tutor for the lifedrain combo using Demonic Tutor/Diabolic Intent.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2–3 lands, at least 1 early Vampire, and a mana rock.
• Favor synergy over raw power (e.g., Viscera Seer + Oathsworn Vampire over standalone 5-drops).
• Reject hands lacking early creatures or color-fixing.

Interaction Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection and Boros Charm to protect against board wipes.
• Prioritize removing key stax pieces (Rest in Peace, Cursed Totem) with Anguished Unmaking/Despark.
• Save Kindred Dominance for asymmetrical board resets.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No counterspells to protect combo pieces.
• Overreliance on Edgar’s passive (ineffective against Drannith Magistrate).

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes despite Malakir Rebirth.
• Limited tutors (2) for combo redundancy.

Minor:

• Tap-heavy mana base slightly slows early plays.

Most Important Cards:

• Anointed Procession
• Cathars' Crusade
• Exquisite Blood
• Sanguine Bond
• Necropotence
• Vanquisher's Banner
• Kindred Dominance
• Shared Animosity
• Legion Lieutenant
• Bolas's Citadel

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Aggro plan pressures by T5–6; combo can win T7–8 with tutors. No fast mana (e.g., Mana Crypt) limits explosiveness.

Resilience: 5/10

• Teferi's Protection and recursion (Malakir Rebirth) mitigate wipes, but combo pieces are fragile.

Consistency: 6/10

• 30+ Vampires ensure token generation, but only 2 tutors for combo. Necropotence/Phyrexian Arena provide draw.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile) but lacks counterspells. Boros Charm offers key protection.

Rating Justification:

The deck straddles Optimized Casual (5.0) and High-Power Casual (5.5). It outpaces precons with combo potential and strong tribal synergies but lacks the speed (T7–8 wins vs. T5–6) and resilience (no free interaction like Fierce Guardianship) of true high-power builds. Its combat focus and moderate combo consistency align closest to 5.0–5.5.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5