General Strategy
This deck wants to play an aggressive early game for quick life advantage with very little drawback for us, and settle in for a grindy match as things start to go long.
Our strategy will be fairly flexible. Although this deck can never hope to play the control game as efficiently as a dedicated control build, we can choose to an extent how fast we wish to play; against aggressive decks, allow a few early hits and then settle in to grind them down as they burn themselves out. Against midrange, play fast for early advantage and then shift gears. Against control, hit as hard as possible for an early win.
The Beatdowns
If the matchup requires speed, an opening hand with Bloodsoaked Champion, Warden of the First Tree, or both is desirable. Get your one-drops out early before your opponent even has spells online and get in for as much damage as possible.
The most aggressive two drop at our disposal here is
Den Protector
. Unable to be blocked by pesky
Arashin Cleric
, this thing can get through board stalls and get early point advantage.
Turn three is when things get good. Drana, Liberator of Malakir, the namesake of this deck, allows for massive damage swings, and on the play against control, a turn three Drana is devastating. Once she's on board, swing away.
There are other beatdown tools at our disposal; Dromoka's Command and Abzan Charm can both function as decent combat tricks. Abzan Ascendancy provides a massive buff on a developed board. And Siege Rhino, of course, is Siege Rhino.
The Grind
If value and attrition are required, well, we can do that too. Here, a turn three Liliana, Heretical Healer
or Abzan Ascendancy may be more appropriate. When your squad starts to die, don't worry! You'll get spirits and you'll get zombies and you'll get Liliana, Defiant Necromancer
to bring your squad back and do it all again.
Evolutionary Leap can function as an efficient creature engine for us, and has beautiful synergy with Bloodsoaked Champion. If you're lucky enough to also have Abzan Ascendancy in play, you can raid and sac as many times as possible for spirits and a full hand.
Ob Nixilis Reignited is another card worth mentioning as an effective grind-master. Threat removal and card draw on a stick are nothing to sneeze at, and if the game goes really long, that ultimate will seal the deal for you.