<p style="text-align: right;"><em> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://baga.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Volkan Baga</a></em></p>
<p>We're back with another installment of <em>Commander Makeover</em>, where we take older commanders in the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top 200</a>, and give them a modern facelift.</p>
<p>Today, we're tackling perhaps the best Vampire commander of all time, so let's dive right in.</p>
<h2>Newer Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Decks</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar Markov"></div></div>
<p>The <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/vampires-in-commander-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vampire</a> commander to overshadow all Vampires, <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Edgar_Markov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Edgar</a> definitely wants us to play a bunch of Vampires. But what <em>kind</em> of Vampires?</p>
<p>The 2017 precon he originally came from, <a href="https://edhrec.com/precon/vampiric-bloodlust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Vampiric Bloodlust</em></a>, had a variety of mana values across its Vampire repertoire. That said, Edgar actually benefits more from cheap Vampires to cast, then going wide. Even so, there have been cards from the past couple years that give Vampires more support. I'd even say we got a few Vampires, but sadly, <em>Lost Caverns of Ixalan</em> is beyond our timetable as of writing.</p>
<p>But, hey, at least this won't be an <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/newer-cards-to-give-the-ur-dragon-decks-a-makeover" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> where it was about one set, right?</p>
<h3>Vampires in Lorwyn?</h3>
<p>Being a typal-focused set, <em>Lorwyn Eclipsed </em>gave Edgar some tools to use, even though Vampires were not one of the creature types covered in the set.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kirol, Attentive First-Year"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Chronicle of Victory"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Collective Inferno"></div></div>
<p>Firstly, we have cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Collective Inferno" href="#" target="_blank">Collective Inferno</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodline Bidding" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodline Bidding</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both have convoke, and in a deck where the goal is to go wide, these will be very cheap to cast. The former doubles the damage output, so I imagine this will be scary with Edgar in play. Meanwhile, the latter will bring back our creatures, should we get wiped.</p>
<p>The one Vampire in the set, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kirol, Attentive First-Year" href="#" target="_blank">Kirol, Attentive First-Year</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can double our triggered abilities, and there are some creatures whose triggers we'd love to copy. Even better is that the cost to activate the ability is nothing in this deck.</p>
<p>On the other hand, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gathering Stone" href="#" target="_blank">Gathering Stone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a new take on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald&#039;s Horn" href="#" target="_blank">Herald&#039;s Horn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a card that already finds lots of homes in typal decks. Whether Stone is better than Horn is up for discussion, but my answer will always be: "Why not both?"</p>
<p>The set also gives us a doozy of a card in <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chronicle of Victory" href="#" target="_blank">Chronicle of Victory</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This artifact does it all, from card draw, to seriously bolstering our creatures. Unfortunately, it costs a hefty six mana, so this will sit at the top end of our curve, but I'd say it's absolutely worth it.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodthirsty Conqueror" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodthirsty Conqueror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodthirsty Conqueror"></div></div>
<p>This Vampire Knight commands quite the price tag, and for good reason: It's <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> on a body, and it even references said card in its flavor text. Like I said about Herald's Horn and Gathering Stone, there's little reason why you shouldn't be running both if you had to choose. Pair either with effects akin to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and you win off a single point of life loss.</p>
<p>It does, however, cost five mana, like its enchantment predecessor, so mileage may vary. Perhaps one of the best Vampires to come out in the last two years.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vengeful Bloodwitch" href="#" target="_blank">Vengeful Bloodwitch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vengeful Bloodwitch"></div></div>
<p>Hailing from <em>Foundations, </em>the same set as Bloodthirsty Conqueror, Vengeful Bloodwitch is another take on the iconic <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effect (and if you're not running that, then I don't know what to tell you. You'd be crazy not to).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it only affects creatures we control. In fact, this is essentially a functional reprint of the popular <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zulaport Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Zulaport Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The only difference is that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vengeful Bloodwitch" href="#" target="_blank">Vengeful Bloodwitch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sports the one creature type we need this effect in. So, naturally, this is a slam dunk into Edgar Markov decks.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Baron Bertram Graywater" href="#" target="_blank">Baron Bertram Graywater</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Baron Bertram Graywater"></div></div>
<p>Hailing from the soon-to-be-rotated-out set (from our two-year timetable, at least) <em>Outlaws of Thunder Junction</em>, the Baron works amazing in tandem with Edgar, allowing you to put two Vampire tokens in for the price of one <em>eminence</em> trigger.</p>
<p>The difference, basically, is that the tokens made from Graywater will have lifelink. He's even a sacrifice outlet, letting us draw cards in a pinch. That is assuming that you have extra mana to do so. Two mana to sacrifice a creature (or artifact) for a card can add up pretty fast.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruthless Lawbringer" href="#" target="_blank">Ruthless Lawbringer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruthless Lawbringer"></div></div>
<p>Also coming from <em>Outlaws of Thunder Junction</em>,Ruthless Lawbringer is spot removal with fangs! Sacrificing another creature is trivial in Edgar decks. On top of that, doing so to destroy a nonland permanent is a worthy effect. That annoying <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Prison" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Prison</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>? Gone. Big lump of beef overrunning your board? Dead.</p>
<p>Of course, this is assuming they can actually be destroyed, so watch out for indestructible.</p>
<p>Another point to consider is that since the Lawbringer's trigger happens when it enters, we can sacrifice the token that Edgar makes when we cast the creature. An easy choice, no?</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampire Gourmand" href="#" target="_blank">Vampire Gourmand</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vampire Gourmand"></div></div>
<p>Circling back to <em>Foundations</em>, we have another sacrifice effect in Vampire Gourmand. This sacrifice outlet is a bit different from other Vampires, though. This is an attack trigger rather than an activated ability, and instead of draining life you get a card. On top of that, the Gourmand can't be blocked for the turn.</p>
<p>If we're looking to cast that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodlord of Vaasgoth" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodlord of Vaasgoth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> with bloodthirst active (or any other Vampire once it's out), this is a sure-fire way to do it. Again, choosing which creature to sacrifice is easy (it's always the weakest creature tokens).</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banner of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Banner of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Banner of Kinship"></div></div>
<p>Of course, we could always have this down, making token sacrifice not so worth it. If we cast this at the right time, those measly 1/1 tokens won't be so puny after all. Our opponents may have some tricks up their sleeves, though, from pesky counter-magic to straight up destroying our creatures before it comes down. Barbaric!</p>
<p>Though, they are right to try and stop this. If this resolves with a bunch of counters, they'll suddenly be staring down lethal, really raising the stakes unless they want to make the mis-<em>stake</em> of underestimating what this card can do.</p>
<p>What? I'm loaded with Vampire puns. Sorry, not sorry.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Renewed Solidarity" href="#" target="_blank">Renewed Solidarity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Renewed Solidarity"></div></div>
<p>From the <em>Aetherdrift</em> precons, we get a smaller anthem effect, but the second ability is a doozy. This is like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Anointed Procession" href="#" target="_blank">Anointed Procession</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, but the doubling is delayed to the end step, so we'll have blockers if opponents start looking our way (and they will!).</p>
<p>Don't write off that +1/+0 boost. With a deck like Vampires, that'll add up very quickly, and our board will be lethal before our opponents know it. Really solid enchantment for the deck.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Caretaker&#039;s Talent" href="#" target="_blank">Caretaker&#039;s Talent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Caretaker&#039;s Talent"></div></div>
<p>While this doesn't help our nontoken Vampires, we make tokens very often, always getting that draw trigger (which is nice, because we'll run out of gas quickly). While we have little use for the second level, it's the third level that'll have our opponents doing combat math.</p>
<p>Again, the card is rather situational since it only affects the tokens we create, but the impact Caretaker's Talent will have on those tokens can't be understated.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth, Storm Slayer" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth, Storm Slayer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elspeth, Storm Slayer"></div></div>
<p>While I'm not fond of adding an Angel to a Vampire deck (looking at you, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar, Sire of Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>), Elspeth does let us create two Vampire tokens for each Vampire we cast, so that's already a big deal.</p>
<p>Starting at five loyalty counters with a zero ability that buffs our board is a great deal. She even allows our Vampires to (finally!) fly. The -3 can help soften up an opponent's board. They'd better hope they have some stakes handy for the horde of bloodsuckers coming their way.</p>
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Three Tree City" href="#" target="_blank">Three Tree City</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Three Tree City"></div></div>
<p>The only entry this time that's a land, Three Tree City is a great card for Vampire decks (or any typal deck for that matter). We're going to get a lot of mana from this alone, and it's easy to reach net positive thanks to Edgar's <em>eminence</em> ability.</p>
<p>Since most of our Vampires are black-aligned, we'll be using this land to generate black mana most, if not all, of the time. It's definitely a land that can help us cast our high-end cards with ease.</p>
<h2>Midnight Twilight</h2>
<p>Even though I said Vampires suck at the very beginning of the article, they definitely don't suck as a Commander deck. Edgar is the marquee Vampire commander, and he really demonstrates that by holding his place among the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">top five commanders</a> for so long. Also, this is a commander that will only get more support with time, be it a typal-focused set, or simply a set with a lot of Vampires (or both!).</p>
<p>Next week I'll be back with a take on one (or two) of the commanders from the new <em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</em> set. I'll be doing that the same way as I did <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/causing-good-trouble-with-raph-and-mikey-troublemakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last time</a>. See you all then.</p>


Giving Edgar Markov Commander Decks Some New Bite

<p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bloodbond Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Bloodbond Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.annasteinbauer.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anna Steinbauer</a> | <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Furyblade Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Furyblade Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/lasahido" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lius Lasahido</a> | Edgar Markov | Art by <a href="https://baga.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Volkan Baga</a></em></span></p>
<p><a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/vampires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vampires</a> are one of the staple creature types in Commander. They show up everywhere! But how do you play them? What are the best cards and commanders for Vampires? And how do Vampires win in Commander?</p>
<p>This EDHREC Guide is here to answer all of these questions.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Vampire-Guide-textless.png

<p>Having haunted the night since the days of <em>Alpha,</em> Vampires are a regular sight in any black deck. Which makes sense, given they're a characteristic creature of the color.</p>
<p>Historically, they've run the gambit across all Mardu colors <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> with an anchor in black <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>. Each different color's Vampires has a difference specialty to reflect their color while retaining the same basic traits.</p>
<p>Black <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> Vampires tend to have flying and sacrifice your own creatures. Red <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> Vampires tend to have madness and deal with Blood tokens. White <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> Vampires most often have lifegain, usually via lifelink.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Markov Enforcer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Forerunner of the Legion"></div></div>
<p>Vampires across all colors possess flying and +1/+1 counter generation, and a fair few are transformation cards. And while most of them have middling stat lines, particularly for their cost, there are some incredible heavy-hitters among them.</p>


<h2>You Have Options With Vampires</h2>
<p>In no small part due to their prominence across all of <em>Magic's</em> sets and planes, Vampires have a fantastic range of options available to them.</p>
<p>You'll have large beatsticks that can deal big damage, utility pieces that change the way the game is played, solid commanders, and fearsome planeswalkers.</p>
<p>Vampires can't support every playstyle, though they can do most of them very well. And even if you aren't running a Vampire deck, including even a few will rarely not work out for you. There's even a large overlap with other creature types, like Knights, Clerics, and Demons that can lead to interesting strategies.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sengir Vampire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Henrika Domnathi"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bishop of Rebirth"></div></div>
<p>That's due to the fact that, while Vampires do support one another, they are quite comfortable as solitary pieces. Many Vampires increase the power and toughness of your other Vampires or can interact with specifically other Vampires, though many others still are agnostic on creature type interactions, such as <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bishop of Rebirth" href="#" target="_blank">Bishop of Rebirth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>Making More "Vampires"</h2>
<p>As befits their folkloric origins, Vampires have multiple ways of inflicting vampire-like traits on other creatures you control. This can manifest in something as simple as converting its creature type to Vampire or something more roundabout.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mark of the Vampire" href="#" target="_blank">Mark of the Vampire</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for instance, doesn't actually turn a creature into a Vampire. Just a vampire-like.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mark of the Vampire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Captivating Vampire"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mephidross Vampire"></div></div>
<p>There are many ways for this to happen, meaning what in-type support Vampires do have for one another will be able to spread to other creatures. And this also allows for non-Vampire creatures that remain non-Vampires to gain keywords or abilities that help them fit mechanically or narratively into your deck.</p>
<h2>Sustain</h2>
<p>It's actually quite difficult to remove Vampires.</p>
<p>Their lifegain makes it so that anyone playing Vampires will be around for a while. Vampires are sometimes cheap enough and often numerous enough you can field them faster than your opponents can rush you. Even sacrificing Vampires tends to give you some recursion or benefit from returning them to the field.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ichor Drinker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vampire Nighthawk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bloodsworn Squire"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ichor Drinker" href="#" target="_blank">Ichor Drinker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one such example. It's cheap, it has lifelink, and you can exile it from your graveyard to gain an Incubator token. That means you have a cheap blocker that can gain you some life, act as sacrifice-fodder, and then come back as a small artifact creature.</p>


<h2>Relying On Abilities</h2>
<p>Many Vampires fail the "vanilla test," which is a benchmark of quality to judge a card's value. It's a quick assessment to see if a card's power and toughness are equal to or greater than its cost.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Timothar, Baron of Bats" href="#" target="_blank">Timothar, Baron of Bats</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fails the test as a <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> 4/4. Assuming this card was "vanilla" and had no abilities or keywords, it would need to be a 6/6 to be worth considering in most decks due to its costs.</p>
<p>However, due to its ward and Bat summoning ability, Timothar can be a worthwhile inclusion in Vampire decks despite not passing the test.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Timothar, Baron of Bats"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mathas, Fiend Seeker"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mathas, Fiend Seeker" href="#" target="_blank">Mathas, Fiend Seeker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> passes the test. As a 3/3, that's equal to the cost of <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-w" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and therefore would be worth considering without its keywords and abilities. But on top of that, Mathas also has menace and its bounty counters, meaning it has additional value atop its stats.</p>
<p>Many Vampires don't make the vanilla test, though they usually have flying, lifelink, or some ability to make up for it. The vanilla test is just a brief, easy way to appraise a card's general value. Failing it doesn't make a card bad, particularly with some of the abilities Vampires have.</p>
<p>But just be aware, many Vampires need a bit of work to see their full potential.</p>
<h2>Spread Too Thin?</h2>
<p>Though this may be "suffering from success," Vampires aren't particularly focused as a creature type. They're incredibly numerous, meaning there are many fantastic Vampires, but many more that fail to meet the mark.</p>
<p>Vampires from <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Ixalan_(plane)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ixalan</a> focus on white-aligned lifegain and teamwork. <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Innistrad_(plane)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innistrad</a> Vampires tend more towards black and thereby engage in sacrificing and creature destruction.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar, Charmed Groom"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anje, Maid of Dishonor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Astarion, the Decadent"></div></div>
<p>These differing focuses compliment one another when used in tandem, but Vampires aren't close to a monolith. They are fractured across various sets and planes, with their strategies being idiosyncratic to wherever they find themselves.</p>
<p>You can reliably get a +1/+1 to all of your Vampires almost anywhere, so you at least have cohesion.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edgar Markov"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second most played commander in the game</a> at the time of this guide's writing.</p>
<p>A 4/4 with first strike and haste who puts a +1/+1 on each of your Vampires after he attacks? That's good. But his <em>eminence</em> ability is why he's one of the most played commanders out there.</p>
<p>Eminence as a keyword means that the ability still is active even if the card it's tied to is in the command zone. That means that whenever you cast another Vampire spell, even if you've never cast <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in the game, you create a 1/1 black Vampire token.</p>
<p>If you're playing Vampires, that gives you more Vampires. If you're casting Edgar, his haste allows him to attack and strengthen your Vampires. It feeds both into itself as well as into the archetype, which is why it's so commonly played!</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Clavileño, First of the Blessed" href="#" target="_blank">Clavileño, First of the Blessed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Clavileño, First of the Blessed"></div></div>
<p>This commander turns your Vampires into Demon Vampires, which, aside from being cool, also gives them a death trigger to draw a card and create a 4/3 flying Vampire Demon.</p>
<p>This isn't quite as reliant on having a Demon subtheme as you might expect, given card draw is always useful and 4/3 flyers are nice to have. Even in a strictly Vampire deck, this just gives you some extra coverage on flyers and allows for your dead Vampires to get another enter-the-battlefield (ETB) trigger with their Demon.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strefan, Maurer Progenitor" href="#" target="_blank">Strefan, Maurer Progenitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Strefan, Maurer Progenitor"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Strefan, Maurer Progenitor" href="#" target="_blank">Strefan, Maurer Progenitor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> enjoys poking and pinging opponents, which red has in spades. At the end of your turn, create a Blood token for each player who lost life. Including you! So if you ping all of your opponents with a red spell and then spend some life on something black, you're creating four Blood tokens.</p>
<p>Next turn, you can sacrifice two of them to get a free Vampire from your hand tapped and attacking with temporary indestructability. This is the main reason you'll play Strefan, as Blood tokens aren't really useful enough to invest in on their own. They provide card draw at the cost of discarding a card, but both red and black have better ways to access cards than that.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda, the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda, the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elenda, the Dusk Rose"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda, the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda, the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> rides a nice line between being required to grow over time and being a threat on her own. She will grow quickly and even provide value when destroyed, even if her initial cost seems a bit steep.</p>
<p>Elenda's largest weakness is being taken out early, as focusing on her before destroying any other creature will allow opponents to stop any +1/+1 counters on her. Luckily, Elenda creates Vampires equal to her power, so there will almost always be at least one. But she'll need some protection, either in the form of white protection or black creature destruction.</p>
<p>After all, she gains counters whenever <em>any</em> other creature dies! Not just yours.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astarion, the Decadent" href="#" target="_blank">Astarion, the Decadent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Astarion, the Decadent"></div></div>
<p>Despite his high cost, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astarion, the Decadent" href="#" target="_blank">Astarion, the Decadent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is flexible enough to make up for it. Boasting both deathtouch and lifelink, he'll scare larger attackers away while being able to get extra value from blocking smaller attackers. Then at your end step, you get to either force an opponent to lose life or you can gain life.</p>
<p>Depending on what your deck is built around, this can be quite oppressive. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soul Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Soul Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and a rush of tokens can easily get into the double digits of life gained, not to mention lifelink on your Vampires.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia Voldaren" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia Voldaren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Olivia Voldaren"></div></div>
<p>The ability to convert creatures into Vampires is always fun, as it allows you to slot in some creatures into your Vampire deck that otherwise wouldn't fit the synergies. The fact it makes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Olivia Voldaren" href="#" target="_blank">Olivia Voldaren</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gain a +1/+1 counter just adds to her strength, primarily due to the fact it helps her not die. If you have the mana to spare, you can cast her and then use her first ability multiple times to pump her stats.</p>
<p>But the fun starts when you convert your opponents' creatures to Vampires and then take control of them. The creature doesn't need to take damage to become a Vampire, meaning Olivia can steal some absolutely heinous creatures that <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-3" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> ago were a threat to you.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda and Azor" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda and Azor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elenda and Azor"></div></div>
<p>Depending on your mana production, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda and Azor" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda and Azor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can grant you some explosive potential. Not only does it have fair stats with ward <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to keep it on the field, but you can get scaling card draw. Then after that, you can use the cards you drew to create 1/1 Vampire Knights.</p>
<p>It isn't the most complicated commander, but a solid means of getting card advantage as well as board advantage is rarely a bad thing. And if you have a board wipe or two, you'll find it quick enough and be able to occupy the now empty battlefield.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Dark Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Dark Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Master of Dark Rites"></div></div>
<p>With how expensive many Vampires are and how easy it is to get tokens of them, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Master of Dark Rites" href="#" target="_blank">Master of Dark Rites</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a fantastic inclusion. It's classic black, with short-term gains at the expense of burning through your resources. But that's exactly what Vampires need: a jumpstart to help them fill out their board and set up their plans.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malakir Bloodwitch" href="#" target="_blank">Malakir Bloodwitch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Malakir Bloodwitch"></div></div>
<p>A great way to drain the life of your opponents and keep yourself alive, this is made even more powerful if you have the ability to bring it back from the graveyard. With flickering and recursion, you could set <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Malakir Bloodwitch" href="#" target="_blank">Malakir Bloodwitch</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> up to win you the game. Though that would take quite a few spells and many Vampires.</p>
<p>Still, even just dropping it down when you have a handful of Vampires will give you a vitality boost and a deceptively durable blocker.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Artist"></div></div>
<p>Your Vampires are going to die a lot, usually self-inflicted by sacrifice effects. Therefore, draining opponents' life while healing yourself is just an efficient use of your time. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is cheap and convenient to just throw down behind a wall of Vampires, though it's likely going to be targeted quite quickly.</p>
<p>It's a part of multiple three-card infinite combos, meaning cautious players might not allow it to stay out for long.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Fountain" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Fountain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Fountain"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Fountain" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Fountain</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a cheap, disposable artifact meant to assist Rakdos <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-b" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> decks to build up their Blood token supply and ensure the value of their creatures. It's a useful boost to decks that care about Blood tokens and the ability to return some creature cards to your hand is quite nice.</p>
<p>It won't win games, but it has its place.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glass-Cast Heart" href="#" target="_blank">Glass-Cast Heart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Glass-Cast Heart"></div></div>
<p>Creating even more Blood tokens, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Glass-Cast Heart" href="#" target="_blank">Glass-Cast Heart</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> actually gives you something to do with all this blood. While it does allow you to create tokens with lifelink, which, due to requiring tapping, is a bit slow but not unwelcome, its main feature is its third ability.</p>
<p>Will you regularly achieve thirteen or more Blood tokens? Probably not, unless your deck is built around them. And even then, thirteen life is good but needs support to finish the job. That being said, as a late-game strike or in a deck already generating many Blood tokens, this gives some minor token generation and an explosive finish in your back pocket.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade of the Bloodchief" href="#" target="_blank">Blade of the Bloodchief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blade of the Bloodchief"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blade of the Bloodchief" href="#" target="_blank">Blade of the Bloodchief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is good on non-Vampires, but even better on Vampires, allowing continuous growth on specific creatures you control. It's cheap enough you can swap it around easily, meaning you can either invest heavily in a single striker or divide the growth between multiple different Vampires..</p>
<p>With how many creatures will be dying, the counters will add up faster than you'd think. Particularly when you start sacrificing your own.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanguine Bond"></div></div>
<p>Vampires have so many ways of gaining life that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just adds some punch to what you're already good at. Many Vampires even already drain opponents while gaining life. This just enhances that further, ensuring you're an active participant in the match.</p>
<p>Also, it makes a two-card combo with cards that gain you life when opponents lose life, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stensia Masquerade" href="#" target="_blank">Stensia Masquerade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Stensia Masquerade"></div></div>
<p>Giving your creatures first strike is good; your Vampires gaining +1/+1 counters upon dealing damage to an opponent is great! <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Stensia Masquerade" href="#" target="_blank">Stensia Masquerade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives you some nice buffs, with the added benefit that you can cast it when it gets discarded.</p>
<p>First strike and deathtouch is an evergreen combo, meaning some Vampires will be even better fits for this enchantment than others. And if you have any support for +1/+1 counters on your Vampires, this also feeds into that further.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="March of the Canonized" href="#" target="_blank">March of the Canonized</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="March of the Canonized"></div></div>
<p>Spawning in a mass of tokens gives great potential for explosive damage or life gain, alongside the fact the tokens created by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="March of the Canonized" href="#" target="_blank">March of the Canonized</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have lifelink. The Vampire Demons don't, though a passive creation of a flying 4/3 each turn isn't bad by any means.</p>
<p>This card supports a more aggressive, assertive style of play. Vampires like draining, pinging, and building before striking, whereas this card is played before a rushdown. It might not be at the end of the game, but it's certainly not something to play and let the moment pass.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="New Blood" href="#" target="_blank">New Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="New Blood"></div></div>
<p>Another means of converting creatures into Vampires, just in a different way than the rest. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="New Blood" href="#" target="_blank">New Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gains control of a creature and replaces all instances of one creature type with "Vampire."</p>
<p>It's not the same as just making a creature into a Vampire, as it also impacts what abilities they have, leading to some incredibly powerful interactions if used on the right creature.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackling Doom" href="#" target="_blank">Crackling Doom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crackling Doom"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crackling Doom" href="#" target="_blank">Crackling Doom</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an effective ping of damage whose primary value comes from forcing each opponent to sacrifice their most powerful creatures. Vampires innately don't have many ways to deal with threats they aren't more powerful than, outside of those with deathtouch. And even then, many Vampires have flying and may be unable to take out a cautious player's biggest creature.</p>
<p>The ability to remove the biggest threats your opponents have available frees you up to either counterattack or continue building your forces to hide behind while draining your opponents.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruinous Ultimatum" href="#" target="_blank">Ruinous Ultimatum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ruinous Ultimatum"></div></div>
<p>An expensive, simple one-sided board wipe. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ruinous Ultimatum" href="#" target="_blank">Ruinous Ultimatum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is devastating if not countered, and you'll be set up in a strong position after playing it not simply due to clearing the opponents' boards.</p>
<p>Playing Vampires, you'll have both numbers and strength. You may not have the ability to finish off every opponent, depending on when you play the Ultimatum. However, you can consistently remove one or even two players should you have a developed board state. That means it will be one or two players rebuilding their board as your tokens with +1/+1 counters, flying, and/or lifelink prepare for another attack.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord"></div></div>
<p><a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Sorin_Markov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sorin</a> has many cards depicting him as a planeswalker, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is useful in a facilitative sense. Its first ability not only grants temporary deathtouch and lifelink to a creature, but also gives it a +1/+1 counter if it's a Vampire. And sacrificing a Vampire to deal three damage to any target and gain three life isn't bad either, considering the benefits you can get from death triggers and recursion.</p>
<p>Being able to play a Vampire for free is the kicker, though. Vampires are generally expensive, and black's mana production isn't very sustainable. Neither is red's or even white's.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Lord of Innistrad" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Lord of Innistrad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sorin, Lord of Innistrad"></div></div>
<p>Creating lifelink Vampires with an emblem that's a flat +1/+0 are both good. Neither are gamebreaking, but neither are going to hurt you, either. Being able to destroy up to three target creatures and potentially gain control of them is nice, but it's fairly expensive what <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Lord of Innistrad" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Lord of Innistrad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can achieve.</p>
<p>This incarnation of Sorin is most valuable as just a token generator, with the ticking clock of destroying your opponents' creatures pressuring them to devote resources to taking him out. Vampires don't quite swarm, though they do hunt in packs, so any bit helps.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Grim Nemesis" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Grim Nemesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sorin, Grim Nemesis"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin, Grim Nemesis" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin, Grim Nemesis</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives you some free, revealed card draw that also drains life from your opponents based on its mana cost. And based on the cost of some of your Vampires, that's not something to ignore!</p>
<p>This Sorin can then deal however much damage you need to a creature or planeswalker and get you some life or spam the field with as many creatures as your opponents have life. Potentially even more than that, assuming you'd been gaining life yourself.</p>


<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Accursed Duneyard" href="#" target="_blank">Accursed Duneyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Accursed Duneyard"></div></div>
<p>The ability to regenerate your Vampires can be incredibly powerful, particularly considering how much Vampires enjoy +1/+1 counters. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Accursed Duneyard" href="#" target="_blank">Accursed Duneyard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> should only be used on your most important Vampires, as black has enough means of returning creatures from the graveyard and white has enough ETB effects that most other Vampires simply aren't worth the trouble.</p>
<h2><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vault of the Archangel" href="#" target="_blank">Vault of the Archangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vault of the Archangel"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vault of the Archangel" href="#" target="_blank">Vault of the Archangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another example of a land reinforcing what Vampires are good at, rather than adding a new mechanic. Some of them have deathtouch while many have lifelink. This means that, outside of being thematic, adding these keywords to other Vampires that don't have them will allow them to engage with in-type support.</p>
<p>Plenty of Vampires already give benefits from gaining life, meaning granting lifelink to one that doesn't already have it will perpetuate the Vampire strategy further.</p>


<p>Vampires are mid-range creatures that are good in numbers, clusters, and when supported by external spells. A lot of Vampire tactics will involve sustaining themselves by doing drain damage, gaining life, and building up a force of +1/+1 boosted tokens.</p>
<p>However, most Vampires have an end goal of just poking at their opponents until they keel over.</p>
<p>The tokens and +1/+1 counters, even with how many flying Vampires there are, just don't compare to how much support there is for ability-oriented methods of taking down your opponents. They can still absolutely win via traditional swinging for direct attacks, but that's not the Vampire's preferred strategy.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Astarion, the Decadent"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Anje, Maid of Dishonor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sorin of House Markov"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astarion, the Decadent" href="#" target="_blank">Astarion, the Decadent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is an example of how you can turn life gain into life loss, which is not hard to get into lethal or near-lethal levels. Vampires excel at doing direct life loss to your opponents while gaining life for a long enough time that they just outlast everyone.</p>


<p>Vampires have a few 2-3 card combos, whose validity and efficacy will change dependent on which <a href="https://edhrec.com/guides/edhrec-guide-to-commander-brackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bracket</a> you're playing in.</p>
<p>Something like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>/<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> requires a single point of life to be gained or lost and suddenly you win the game. Combos oriented around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tend to take more cards that involve destroying a creature that can freely come back or come back at the cost of life, which is regained by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Blood Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Blood Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Then, of course, there's winning via stampeding your opponents with an army of flying tokens saddled with lifelink and +1/+1 counters, though that feels a bit improper to classify as an alternate win condition to their normal strategy. It is viable, though!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanguine Bond"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Exquisite Blood"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Blood Artist"></div></div>


Vampires in Commander

EDHREC Guide to Vampires in Commander

<h6 style="text-align: right;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine|MH3|366" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar, Sire of Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.jack-hughes.com/">Jack Hughes</a></h6>
<h1><b>Black and white cookies</b></h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hi again! Welcome back to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">EDHighlights</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the series where I build decks for 2024's most popular commander for each color combination. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that 2024's set releases have wrapped up, I'll be taking a look at the most popular legendary creatures that were released in the past year, talking a bit about them, and finally building hopefully-slightly-unique decks around them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week, I'm taking a look at 2024's most popular Orzhov commander, which means we'll be working with … <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar, Sire of Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> received a good bit of attention, with 4072 decks to his name as of the time of writing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Interestingly, there was another popular commander from </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Modern Horizons 3</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sorin of House Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Sorin of House Markov</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to my very limited knowledge of </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magic</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">'s lore (</span><a href="https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Shilgengar%27s_Ritual"><span style="font-weight: 400;">and the MTG Wiki</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), Shilgengar is (at least partially) responsible for Sorin's bloodline of Vampires coming into being and for the ignition of Sorin's spark. But, you're not here because you care about </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">MTG</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> lore. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You're here because you care about EDH deck building. So, let's get on with it already.</span></p>
<h2><b>Not everything is black and white</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a 6/6 Elder Demon with Flying for 5 mana. He's got two other abilities, too. We can sacrifice a creature to make a Blood token or several Blood tokens if the sacrificed creature was an Angel. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, by paying <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-wb" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-wb" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span><span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-wb" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> and sacrificing six Blood tokens, we can reanimate every creature from our graveyard. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are pretty powerful abilities. Free sacrifice outlets are always powerful, especially sacrifice outlets that create something beneficial like a Blood token. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, once we've sacrificed enough creatures to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> (or discarded them to our Blood tokens), we can use his ability to bring them all back at a pretty low cost. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This presents a pretty solid Aristocrats gameplan, with a low-cost mass reanimate ability to finish out games stapled onto our commander too.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> But, I want to add another way to win: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mortal Combat" href="#" target="_blank">Mortal Combat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Let's talk about the deck, ways to trigger that alternate win condition, and other cards that make the deck tick.</span></p>
<h2><b>Is that a Mortal Kombat reference?</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let's start by talking about <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mortal Combat" href="#" target="_blank">Mortal Combat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This four mana enchantment asks that we have 20 creatures in our graveyard at the beginning of our upkeep, so we're gonna need a lot of ways to fill that graveyard. Our commander can help with that, but here are a few of my other favorites:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firja, Judge of Valor" href="#" target="_blank">Firja, Judge of Valor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will provide card advantage while filling the graveyard, and it's also an Angel (which works well with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>'s ability). <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ripples of Undeath" href="#" target="_blank">Ripples of Undeath</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very similar, but it can be cast for just two mana.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> There's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dogged Detective" href="#" target="_blank">Dogged Detective</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, a repeatable way to fill our graveyard once we have a sacrifice outlet (like our commander) on the field.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firja, Judge of Valor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ripples of Undeath"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dogged Detective"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once we've got a full graveyard, we do need to fetch up <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mortal Combat" href="#" target="_blank">Mortal Combat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for the win. While more traditional tutors do work well here, there's a few special includes I wanted to show off.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dimir House Guard" href="#" target="_blank">Dimir House Guard</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can either be transmuted to find our win condition (thus adding another card to the graveyard for its 20-card requirement) or act as a sacrifice outlet to fill the graveyard with what we've already got on board. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There's also <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beseech the Mirror" href="#" target="_blank">Beseech the Mirror</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> which can sacrifice a Blood token to get <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mortal Combat" href="#" target="_blank">Mortal Combat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> down directly.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dimir House Guard"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beseech the Mirror"></div></div></span></p>
<h2><b>An Orzhov aristocrats deck? Unheard of!</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, because it's an Orzhov deck with a sacrifice outlet in the command zone, there's good few cards to support that strategy in the 99. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz" href="#" target="_blank">Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher" href="#" target="_blank">Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are standouts here, triggering when we sacrifice creatures, tokens, and even fetch lands.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Braids, Arisen Nightmare" href="#" target="_blank">Braids, Arisen Nightmare</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> works very well too, as it can sacrifice either a Blood token or a spare creature, whichever is most strategic at each of our end steps.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Braids, Arisen Nightmare"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because this deck has a lot of Angels in it, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bishop of Wings" href="#" target="_blank">Bishop of Wings</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will provide a lot of life gain and a lot of Spirit tokens. Similarly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Rampage of the Valkyries" href="#" target="_blank">Rampage of the Valkyries</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will do a pretty good impression of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grave Pact" href="#" target="_blank">Grave Pact</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, last but not least, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Liesa, Forgotten Archangel" href="#" target="_blank">Liesa, Forgotten Archangel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will rebuy each of our creatures while ensuring that our opponents' dead creatures stay dead.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bishop of Wings"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Rampage of the Valkyries"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Liesa, Forgotten Archangel"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking of Angel synergies, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Firja&#039;s Retribution" href="#" target="_blank">Firja&#039;s Retribution</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes Angels, can provide a ton of removal, and even end games if we've got enough Angels on board. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The recently-reprinted <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Righteous Valkyrie" href="#" target="_blank">Righteous Valkyrie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will provide life gain and act as a sweet anthem once we cast enough Angels, and (as always) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Giada, Font of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Giada, Font of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does most everything that an Angel-centric deck wants for just two mana.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Firja&#039;s Retribution"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Righteous Valkyrie"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Giada, Font of Hope"></div></div></span></p>
<h2><b>Blood is thicker than water</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I included a few more ways to take advantage of our use of Blood tokens too, starting with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marionette Apprentice" href="#" target="_blank">Marionette Apprentice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This card triggers off of both Blood tokens and creatures leaving the battlefield, pulling double duty here. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oltec Matterweaver" href="#" target="_blank">Oltec Matterweaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is one of my favorite cards from the past year, and it'll help add to our blood collection as the game drags on. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last up is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moonstone Eulogist" href="#" target="_blank">Moonstone Eulogist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which feels purpose built for this deck. It'll become a huge flying threat in no time, and probably make a few extra Blood tokens along the way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marionette Apprentice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oltec Matterweaver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Moonstone Eulogist"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And here's the full decklist…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="2024&#039;s EDHighlights - Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="&nbsp;
[Commander]
*1 Shilgengar, Sire of Famine
[/Commander]
&nbsp;
[Creatures]
*1 Angel of Despair
*1 Angel of Indemnity
*1 Angel of Suffering
*1 Angel of the Ruins
*1 Angelic Sell-Sword
*1 Battle Angels of Tyr
*1 Bishop of Wings
*1 Braids, Arisen Nightmare
*1 Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher
*1 Dazzling Angel
*1 Dimir House Guard
*1 Disciple of the Vault
*1 Dogged Detective
*1 Fain, the Broker
*1 Firja, Judge of Valor
*1 Fleshwrither
*1 Giada, Font of Hope
*1 Golgari Thug
*1 Guardian of Ghirapur
*1 Herald of the Host
*1 Karmic Guide
*1 Liesa, Forgotten Archangel
*1 Loran of the Third Path
*1 Marionette Apprentice
*1 Millikin
*1 Mirkwood Bats
*1 Moon-Blessed Cleric
*1 Moonstone Eulogist
*1 Oltec Matterweaver
*1 Overlord of the Balemurk
*1 Renegade Reaper
*1 Restoration Angel
*1 Righteous Valkyrie
*1 Sanctuary Warden
*1 Scholar of New Horizons
*1 Serra Paragon
*1 Shepherd of the Cosmos
*1 Starnheim Aspirant
*1 Stinkweed Imp
*1 Stitcher&#039;s Supplier
*1 Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz
*1 Woe Strider
*1 Youthful Valkyrie
[/Creatures]
&nbsp;
[Sorceries]
*1 Beseech the Mirror
*1 Blasphemous Edict
*1 Damn
*1 Demonic Counsel
*1 Demonic Tutor
*1 Incarnation Technique
[/Sorceries]
&nbsp;
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Herald&#039;s Horn
*1 Orzhov Signet
*1 Palantír of Orthanc
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
[/Artifacts]
&nbsp;
[Enchantments]
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Firja&#039;s Retribution
*1 Mortal Combat
*1 Rampage of the Valkyries
*1 Ripples of Undeath
[/Enchantments]
&nbsp;
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Brightclimb Pathway // Grimclimb Pathway
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 Command Tower
*1 Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire
*1 Fetid Heath
*1 Flooded Strand
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Isolated Chapel
*1 Marsh Flats
*1 Nesting Grounds
*7 Plains
*1 Polluted Delta
*1 Seraph Sanctuary
*1 Shadowy Backstreet
*1 Shattered Sanctum
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Snowfield Sinkhole
*1 Sunlit Marsh
*5 Swamp
*1 Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
*1 Vault of Champions
*1 Verdant Catacombs
*1 Windswept Heath
[/Lands]
&nbsp;
[Instants]
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Swords to Plowshares
[/Instants]
&nbsp;"></span></div></span></p>
<h2><b><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Inevitable End" href="#" target="_blank">Inevitable End</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thanks for reading, folks! I didn't touch on it earlier, but when <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shilgengar, Sire of Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Shilgengar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> reanimates creatures with his second ability, he put a finality counter on each of them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I included a few ways to get rid of those counters, including <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scholar of New Horizons" href="#" target="_blank">Scholar of New Horizons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to turn finality counters into lands, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fain, the Broker" href="#" target="_blank">Fain, the Broker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to turn counters into <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Treasure" href="#" target="_blank">Treasure</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> tokens, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanctuary Warden" href="#" target="_blank">Sanctuary Warden</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to turn them into 1/1 creatures and card advantage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scholar of New Horizons"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fain, the Broker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sanctuary Warden"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before I go, I also wanted to talk about a few other Angels that work really well with the overall game plan. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shepherd of the Cosmos" href="#" target="_blank">Shepherd of the Cosmos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can bring back something we’ve sacrificed, and can even grab a fetch land for some sneaky ramp.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Herald of the Host" href="#" target="_blank">Herald of the Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is fine as a french vanilla 4/4 for five mana, but because the myriad tokens can be sacrificed to our commander, this creature becomes a lot stronger here.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> And, because of the high creature count in this deck, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Angelic Sell-Sword" href="#" target="_blank">Angelic Sell-Sword</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can produce a boatload of tokens.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Shepherd of the Cosmos"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Herald of the Host"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Angelic Sell-Sword"></div></div></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I'll see you all next week, when we take a look at 2024's most popular Izzet commander.</span></p>


markov

Giving Edgar Markov Commander Decks Some New Bite

EDHREC Guide to Vampires in Commander

2024’s EDHighlights - Shilgengar, Sire of Famine