Bracket 3 · Our Edgar Markov decklist
Our Edgar Markov list is Mardu Vampire tribal that starts working before Edgar is even cast. Every Vampire spell you cast makes an extra 1/1 Vampire while Edgar sits in the command zone.
The deck curves out with cheap Vampires, pumps them with lords and Edgar's attack trigger, and closes with drain effects or the Sanguine Bond and Exquisite Blood combo.
- Bracket
- 3
- Avg. mana value
- 2.86
- Lands
- 36
01The Commander
Edgar Markov has eminence: whenever you cast another Vampire spell, you create a 1/1 Vampire token, as long as Edgar is in the command zone or on the battlefield. A turn-one Vampire of the Dire Moon is really two bodies.
Once cast, Edgar is a 4/4 with first strike and haste, and every time he attacks, each Vampire you control gets a +1/+1 counter. Tokens that started as 1/1s become real threats after a few swings.
He costs six, so cast him when your board is wide enough for the attack trigger to matter, usually turn five or six.
02How This Deck Wins
- 1
Curve out with Vampires
One- and two-drops like Vampire of the Dire Moon, Indulgent Aristocrat and Cruel Celebrant each bring a token thanks to eminence.
- 2
Pump the team
Lords like Legion Lieutenant, Stromkirk Captain and Captivating Vampire, plus Edgar's attack counters, turn tokens into a real army.
- 3
Drain them out
Sanctum Seeker, Blood Artist and Bloodletter of Aclazotz drain the table, or Sanguine Bond with Exquisite Blood wins on the spot.
03Deck at a Glance
Bracket 3 · 100 cards
Composition
- Commander1
- Creatures33
- Instants & sorceries14
- Artifacts & enchantments15
- Planeswalkers1
- Lands36
- Tokens3
Mana Curve
Color Split
symbols
- White 21%
- Black 70%
- Red 9%
By the Numbers
Cards by Role
04Cheap Vampires
Every Vampire you cast is two bodies with eminence. These are the best early plays.
Also in this role
05Lords and Anthems
Tokens are 1/1s. Lords turn them into an army.
Also in this role
06Drain and Finishers
Life drain ends games even when the board is stalled.
Also in this role
07Card Draw and Tutors
Aggressive decks run out of cards. These refill.
Also in this role
08Removal and Protection
Mardu has the best removal, and Olivia's Wrath kills only non-Vampires.
Also in this role
09Combos and Key Interactions
Sanguine Bond + Exquisite Blood
Any life gain or loss starts a loop: you gain, they lose, you gain again, until every opponent is dead.
Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose + Exquisite Blood
The same loop with a creature: any life lost by an opponent loops until the table dies.
Edgar Markov + Shared Animosity
Edgar's attack counters plus Shared Animosity's bonus per attacking Vampire makes a wide attack lethal.
Bloodletter of Aclazotz + Sanctum Seeker
Each attacking Vampire drains each opponent for 2 instead of 1.
10How to Play
Opening hand
Keep hands with two or three lands and two or more cheap Vampires. Eminence works from the command zone, so early Vampires are where this deck gets its value.
Early gameturns 1-3
Cast a cheap Vampire every turn: Vampire of the Dire Moon, Indulgent Aristocrat or Vampire Socialite. Each one brings a token from Edgar.
Mid gameturns 4-7
Add lords like Stromkirk Captain or Captivating Vampire and drain pieces like Sanctum Seeker. Cast Edgar with haste once your board is wide.
Late gameturn 8+
Attack with Edgar for counters on every Vampire, assemble Sanguine Bond and Exquisite Blood, or drain the table with Bloodletter of Aclazotz.
Tips
- Eminence only triggers when you cast a Vampire, so cast cheap Vampires one at a time.
- Olivia's Wrath is one-sided: count your Vampires before casting it.
- Keep tokens back as blockers if you are close to a combo turn.
- Cavern of Souls naming Vampire makes your creatures uncounterable.
Common mistakes
- Casting Edgar early instead of using eminence from the command zone.
- Overextending into a board wipe without Teferi's Protection.
- Using Skullclamp on a lord.
- Forgetting that Sanguine Bond targets one opponent at a time.
Watch out for
- Board wipes, especially -X/-X effects.
- Lifegain decks that slow your drain.
- Fliers that get past your ground army.
- Graveyard hate on Edgar, Charmed Groom.
11Bracket and Rule 0
Our list runs 3 Game Changers (Demonic Tutor, Teferi's Protection, Vampiric Tutor), within the Bracket 3 limit of three.
Sanguine Bond plus Exquisite Blood and Vito plus Exquisite Blood are two-card combos, so tell your table before the game.
12Full Decklist
Every card in our Edgar Markov proxy deck (100 cards). Hover or tap a name to see the card.
Commander
- 1Edgar Markov3RWB
Creatures (33)
- 1Indulgent AristocratB
- 1Master of Dark RitesB
- 1Vampire of the Dire MoonB
- 1Viscera SeerB
- 1Blood Artist1B
- 1Charismatic Conqueror1W
- 1Cordial VampireBB
- 1Cruel CelebrantWB
- 1Legion LieutenantWB
- 1Vampire SocialiteBR
- 1Vengeful Bloodwitch1B
- 1Captivating Vampire1BB
- 1Clavileño, First of the Blessed1WB
- 1Drana, Liberator of Malakir1BB
- 1Forerunner of the Legion2W
- 1Markov Baron2B
- 1Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle2W
- 1Rakish Heir2R
- 1Stromkirk Captain1BR
- 1Vampire Nighthawk1BB
- 1Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose2B
- 1Welcoming Vampire2W
- 1Yahenni, Undying Partisan2B
- 1Bloodletter of Aclazotz1BBB
- 1Bloodline Keeper2BB
- 1Edgar, Charmed Groom2WB
- 1Elenda, the Dusk Rose2WB
- 1Sanctum Seeker2BB
- 1Twilight Prophet2BB
- 1Bloodthirsty Conqueror3BB
- 1Champion of Dusk3BB
- 1Malakir Bloodwitch3BB
- 1Patron of the Vein4BB
Planeswalkers (1)
- 1Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord2B
Instants (8)
- 1Dark RitualB
- 1Path to ExileW
- 1Swords to PlowsharesW
- 1Vampiric TutorB
- 1Village RitesB
- 1Boros CharmRW
- 1Anguished Unmaking1WB
- 1Teferi's Protection2W
Sorceries (6)
- 1DamnBB
- 1Demonic Tutor1B
- 1Pact of the Serpent1BB
- 1New Blood2BB
- 1Olivia's Wrath4B
- 1Ruinous UltimatumRRWWWBB
Artifacts (9)
- 1Blade of the Bloodchief1
- 1Skullclamp1
- 1Sol Ring1
- 1Arcane Signet2
- 1Orzhov Signet2
- 1Rakdos Signet2
- 1Talisman of Hierarchy2
- 1Herald's Horn3
- 1Vanquisher's Banner5
Enchantments (6)
- 1Phyrexian Arena1BB
- 1Shared Animosity2R
- 1Stensia Masquerade2R
- 1Anointed Procession3W
- 1Exquisite Blood4B
- 1Sanguine Bond3BB
Lands (36)
- 1Blood Crypt
- 1Bloodstained Mire
- 1Bojuka Bog
- 1Cavern of Souls
- 1Caves of Koilos
- 1Command Tower
- 1Dragonskull Summit
- 1Exotic Orchard
- 1Godless Shrine
- 1Isolated Chapel
- 1Luxury Suite
- 1Marsh Flats
- 3Mountain
- 1Nomad Outpost
- 1Path of Ancestry
- 5Plains
- 1Sacred Foundry
- 1Savai Triome
- 1Secluded Courtyard
- 7Swamp
- 1Unclaimed Territory
- 1Vault of Champions
- 1Vault of the Archangel
- 1Voldaren Estate
Get the deck
Edgar Markov proxy deck
Edgar Markov's deck is fast, wide and hard to stop. Curve out with Vampires, let eminence build your board, and finish with drain.
Every card in this guide is shown exactly as it prints in the deck you get, sleeve-ready, with tokens.
Shop the deck · $45Every card named in this guide is in our deck, and every image is our own proxy card, rendered from the art in this deck.