Overview:

This Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire deck combines Zombie tribal synergies with a sacrifice/aristocrats strategy, leveraging graveyard recursion and incremental life drain effects. The deck aims to control the board through forced sacrifices (Fleshbag Marauder, Call to the Grave) while building value via death triggers (Bastion of Remembrance, Syr Konrad) and explosive mana (Cabal Coffers, Cabal Ritual) for game-ending Gray Merchant of Asphodel or Bolas's Citadel turns.

Primer:

Core Strategy: Varragoth provides consistent tutoring to assemble key pieces like The Meathook Massacre or Bolas's Citadel while Zombie recursion engines (Gravecrawler, Phyrexian Reclamation) fuel death triggers. The deck operates in three phases:

1. Early Setup: Deploy Zombie tokens via Ghoulish Procession and sacrifice outlets (Carrion Feeder) while tutoring for critical enchantments.
2. Midgame Control: Force opponent sacrifices with Fleshbag Marauder effects and drain via Syr Konrad/Vengeful Dead.
3. Finishers: Exploit massive mana from Coffers/Nykthos to cast Gray Merchant of Asphodel or chain spells through Bolas's Citadel.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands including Swamp-based mana
• Prioritize early plays (Gravecrawler, Carrion Feeder)
• Acceptable to keep Varragoth + protection (Lightning Greaves) hands

Key Tips:

• Use Varragoth's Boast to tutor missing combo pieces (Bolas's Citadel) or recursion (Phyrexian Reclamation)
• Save instant-speed removal (Hero's Downfall) for opposing graveyard hate
• Chain Bone Miser/Zombie Infestation discards for explosive token generation

Avoid Traps:

• Don't overcommit to board before The Meathook Massacre
• Prioritize protecting Syr Konrad over disposable Zombies
• Don't activate Bolas's Citadel below 15 life without a clear win

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard hate (Leyline of the Void) dismantles recursion engines
• Artifact destruction (Cabal Coffers/Manavault reliance)

Moderate:

• Slow vs flying/evasive strategies
• Limited stack interaction (no counterspells)

Minor:

• Life gain partially mitigates self-damage

Most Important Cards:

• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Syr Konrad, the Grim
• The Meathook Massacre
• Bolas's Citadel
• Cabal Coffers
• Phyrexian Reclamation
• Bastion of Remembrance
• Undead Warchief
• Gravecrawler
• Corpse Augur

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win around T8-10 via Gary/Citadel
• No T3-5 combos but strong T6-8 potential with Coffers

Resilience: 6/10

• 7+ recursion effects (Animate Dead, Unholy Grotto)
• Weak to graveyard exile but multiple redundancy layers

Consistency: 7/10

• 8 tutors (Varragoth, Diabolic Tutor, Corpse Connoisseur)
• Strong card draw from Morbid Opportunist/Corpse Augur

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Hero's Downfall, Eaten Alive)
• Board wipes (Mutilate) but no instant-speed mass removal
• Lacks stack interaction

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Focused Casual" (4.5) and "Optimized Casual" (5.0) on the rubric. While it lacks cEDH-level speed and protection, its tutor density and multiple overlapping wincons exceed precon-level performance. The T8-10 goldfish speed with moderate resilience against disruption aligns with the 4.5-5.0 range.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0