Overview:

This Mardu Vampire tribal deck led by Edgar Markov focuses on swarming the board with Vampire tokens via Edgar's eminence ability and synergistic creature casts. The primary strategy involves generating wide boards of growing Vampires (enhanced by +1/+1 counter synergies like Cordial Vampire and Rakish Heir) while draining opponents through lifegain/damage triggers (e.g., Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose, Sanguine Bond). A secondary infinite combo exists with Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond/Vito for instant wins. Edgar accelerates the strategy passively but isn't essential for the deck's core function.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Game (T1-3): Deploy low-CMC Vampires (e.g., Vampire of the Dire Moon, Insolent Neonate) to trigger Edgar's eminence tokens. Use mana rocks/lands like Unclaimed Territory for color fixing.
2. Mid-Game (T4-6): Cast lords like Stromkirk Captain and Captivating Vampire to buff the board. Activate lifegain engines (Drana's Emissary, Cruel Celebrant) and setup combo pieces.
3. Finishers:
   • Combat: Overwhelm with anthem effects (Cathars' Crusade, Necropolis Regent) and evasion (flying/deathtouch).
   • Infinite Drain: Resolve Exquisite Blood with Sanguine Bond or Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose for an instant win.
   • Alternate: Approach of the Second Sun for lifegain and alternate win.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (prioritize color-fixing).
• Seek 1-2 early Vampires (e.g., Vicious Conquistador, Shadow Alley Denizen) to trigger tokens.
• Prioritize combo pieces or key engines (Cathars' Crusade, Welcoming Vampire) in slower metas.

Key Tips:

• Use Malakir Rebirth and Undying Malice to protect key Vampires or recur combo pieces.
• Bond of Discipline enables lethal swings by tapping blockers and granting lifelink.
• New Blood steals opponents' creatures and converts them into Vampires for your synergies.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• No dedicated combo protection (e.g., Teferi's Protection, Silence) leaves the Exquisite Blood combo vulnerable.
• Minimal board wipe recovery outside Bishop of Rebirth and limited recursion.

Moderate

• Relies heavily on creature-based strategies; Cursed Totem/Linvala shuts down activated abilities.
• Slow mana base with 10+ tapped lands delays early aggression.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction (only 3 counterspell-like effects).
• Combo requires two specific enchantments with minimal tutors (only Forerunner of the Legion for Vampires).

Most Important Cards:

• Exquisite Blood (Infinite combo enabler)
• Sanguine Bond (Combo finisher/lifedrain)
• Cathars' Crusade (Board-wide scaling threat)
• Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (Lifedrain amplifier/combo piece)
• Stromkirk Captain (Key lord for evasion and buffs)
• Edgar Markov (Token generator and anthem effect)
• Cordial Vampire (Counter synergy engine)
• Cruel Celebrant (Passive lifedrain)
• Bond of Discipline (Combat finisher)
• Malakir Bloodwitch (Mass lifedrain on entry)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Can threaten combat wins by T6-8 with optimal draws or combo wins T7-9, but lacks fast mana/tutors to consistently accelerate.

Resilience: 4/10
Limited protection for key pieces and heavy reliance on board presence makes it vulnerable to wipes/removal. Some recursion (e.g., Bishop of Rebirth) provides minor recovery.

Consistency: 6/10
Redundant Vampire synergy cards ensure board presence, but combo pieces and high-impact enchantments lack reliable tutoring.

Interaction: 3/10
Minimal removal (Heliod's Intervention, Urge to Feed) and no counterspells outside niche cases like Dark Dabbling.

Rating Justification:

The deck has a clear combat-focused game plan with a slow but potent combo backup, operating reliably in the T7-10 range. While synergies are cohesive, its fragility to interaction and modest speed align it with upgraded precons.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5