Overview:

This mono-black Zombie tribal deck helmed by Erebos, God of the Dead and Tormod, the Desecrator focuses on recursive value, token swarms, and life-drain synergies. The strategy leverages Zombie death/ETB triggers to generate tokens (via Tormod, Headless Rider, and The Sibsig Ceremony) and fuel card advantage engines like Graveborn Muse and Undead Augur. Key combos with Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar enable infinite Zombie tokens and mana, while Gray Merchant of Asphodel and Shepherd of Rot provide scalable life-drain finishes. Erebos acts as a resilient draw engine and life-gain hoser, while Tormod amplifies graveyard-fueled token generation.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) and Zombie lords (Death Baron, Undead Warchief) to establish board presence.
   • Use Buried Alive/Vile Entomber to stock graveyard with key pieces like Gravecrawler or Geralf's Messenger.
   • Cast low-cost Zombies (Cryptbreaker, Festering Mummy) to trigger Tormod and build devotion.

2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-7):

   • Activate Cryptbreaker or Phyrexian Altar to generate tokens/sacrifice fodder.
   • Resolve Gray Merchant of Asphodel with high devotion for massive life swings.
   • Use Contamination + token sacrifices to lock opponents out of non-black mana.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8+):

   • Combo: Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar + payoff (e.g., Shepherd of Rot or Headless Rider) for infinite death/ETB triggers.
   • Overwhelm: Swarm with buffed Zombies (Door of Destinies, Lord of the Accursed).
   • Life Drain: Gray Merchant loops or Shepherd of Rot activations.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, preferably including Cabal Coffers or Cabal Stronghold.
• Prioritize early Zombies (Gravecrawler, Cryptbreaker) or tutors (Buried Alive).
• Ensure access to black mana for Tormod/Erebos activations.

Key Tips:

• Use Zul Ashur, Lich Lord to recur key Zombies from the graveyard.
• No Rest for the Wicked protects against board wipes by recovering creatures.
• Contamination is a game-winner if paired with Headless Rider or Ashnod's Altar for sustained sacrifice fodder.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples recursion engines and combos.
• Commander Dependency: Erebos is the primary card draw; repeated removal forces costly recasts.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Vulnerability: Key pieces like Phyrexian Altar or Contamination are soft to Nature's Claim/Disenchant.
• Board Wipes: Recovering from Damnation requires No Rest for the Wicked or Relentless Dead.

Minor

• Slow Setup: Limited fast mana outside Sol Ring delays combo/contamination locks.
• Life Total Pressure: Life payment from Erebos/Graveborn Muse risks self-mill or burn finishes.

Most Important Cards:

• Phyrexian Altar (Combo enabler, mana/token engine)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Primary life-drain finisher)
• Contamination (Stax lock piece)
• Gravecrawler (Recursive combo piece)
• Buried Alive (Tutor for graveyard setup)
• Cabal Coffers (Mana scaling for big turns)
• Cryptbreaker (Token generation and card draw)
• The Sibsig Ceremony (Token generation and cost reduction)
• Tormod, the Desecrator (Token engine)
• Shepherd of Rot (Scalable life-drain outlet)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten combo/lock wins by T6-7 with ideal draws, but relies on assembling multiple pieces.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursion tools (Relentless Dead, Zul Ashur) and Erebos’ indestructibility help, but graveyard hate is devastating.

Consistency: 6/10

• Tutors (Buried Alive, Grim Servant) and card draw (Erebos, Cryptbreaker) provide redundancy, but combo pieces are unique.

Interaction: 4/10

• Limited removal (Murderous Rider, Oubliette) and no counterspells beyond Warping Wail.

Rating Justification:

This deck has focused combo potential and stax elements (Contamination) that can lock games by T6-7, but its reliance on the graveyard and vulnerability to common hate keeps it below optimized tiers. Resilience is middling due to recursion options, but critical weaknesses anchor it in the focused casual range.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0