Varina, Lich Queen

Legendary Creature — Zombie Wizard

Whenever you attack with one or more Zombies, draw that many cards, then discard that many cards. You gain that much life

{2}, Exile two cards from your graveyard: Create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.

Combos

• Bone Miser + Varina, Lich Queen

Tokens

• Zombie 2/2 B

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	Legal
Archenemy	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (49)

77hi77 on Disk Boi's Zombie Disco

3 weeks ago

I've had a handful of games with this deck now, here's what I've learned so far:

1) It's a lot less straight forward than I thought. Commanders like Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver and Varina, Lich Queen generate value. You cast them as early as possible, make a lot of Zombies and draw a lot of cards with them. I figured I could build the same deck, have it generate its own tokens and draw cards without commander help, then cast Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant as a wincon or to reset the board. That has not been the case. I find that it's never the right time to cast him, either because my board state looks good, no creatures died this turn, or I don't have enough floating mana. Which brings us to:

2) Technically he's an 8 mana commander: he costs 6, let's assume I can sac him for free, his ability costs 1, and the way to reanimate him (like Supernatural Stamina costs 1. I'm not trying to play cEDH, but I'm definitely low on ramp in this deck, definitely compared to my other deck that I have on here: I BEG YOUR [email protected] PARDON??!!! - Razaketh with its like 25 ramp spells/mana rocks (necessary because that deck's cheapest wincon costs 11 mana).

I still enjoy what Nevvy brings to the table, I'll keep tinkering, but yeah I'm being humbled right now

77hi77 on Zombie Tribal - Deciding My …

1 month ago

Well, I just went ahead and got myself Varina, Lich Queen, Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant, and Grimgrin, Corpse-Born. Each deck will play differently, but I feel pretty good about them all being based on the Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver precon for the spine of the deck. I might even go wild and pick up a Sedris, the Traitor King to go for yet another colour route. For now I'll leave it at dimir and esper, figure those out and how I want those to play.

Now to decide which Liliana suits how I want each commander to play best (and try to justify the answer not being Liliana, Dreadhorde General because she ain't cheap)

mrpatriot on Zombie Tribal - Deciding My …

2 months ago

Varina, Lich Queen is definitely a commander to consider if you do go the Esper route. Rewards going wide, draws cards en masse and fills your Graveyard at the same time while also giving you access to a 3rd color option

shadow63 on Zombie Tribal - Deciding My …

2 months ago

I built Varina, Lich Queen when she first came out and it's fun being able to rip through my deck with her ability. But I must admit the white doesn't offer a ton in terms of zombies

GoldenAgeBatman on Your Cheap Obscure Overperformers?

4 months ago

Undead Alchemist in Varina, Lich Queen has been phenomenal, especially against other creature heavy decks. Archfiend of Ifnir and Zombie Infestation are also a wonderful combo to destroy an opponent's board while building up your own.

Orlenius on Pride, Prejudice & Zombies

7 months ago

TheOfficialCreator I do like those two cards but haven't yet looked into them much as they're fairly new and I haven't had much chance to play this year yet.

I definitely like Necroduality but as for Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver I feel like I have enough card draw from Varina, Lich Queen and I'm unsure if him also being a 4CMC would clog that space in the deck for Varina alongside Necroduality being 4CMC as well. I'm also not a fan of Decay but maybe I'm missing something that some playtesting will shine a light on.

Will definitely give them a try as proxies for the time being and see how I feel. Thank you for the recommends!

chivalruse on

9 months ago

Ashen Rider, Archon of Cruelty, and Agent of Treachery might be good entomb targets. You could also consider running Raffine, Scheming Seer, Varina, Lich Queen, Occult Epiphany, and The Celestus as good ways to fill up the graveyard for Sefris reanimation.

Guerric on Great Esper-ations

1 year ago

Hi everyone! I could use some communal help in deciding on something. For some time I have had a super-friends deck built around Aminatou, the Fateshifter. The deck works fine and all and there are some fun things with it, but I think I just really don't like super-friends. Players tend to target planes-walkers all the time, even if they aren't the biggest threat or even a threat at all, and while I do a lot to protect them its just not a super fun playstyle for me. This is also disappointing because I started by magic journey with casual decks in the esper shard world and I love the color combo, so I want to like my esper deck a lot. But I have a lot of pricy, shiny planes-walkers I could sell for store credit ti make a new deck, and a beautiful esper mana base and support cards I'd play in any deck. So I'd like some help deciding what to do.

When I first started commander, I thought I'd build Oloro, Ageless Ascetic. It seemed like a relaxed concept to gain life, draw cards, sit back, and police the board. But as I've gained experience and the format has evolved, I don't think I'd enjoy a passive playstyle like this, but I could be wrong.

One commander I am very intrigued by is Alela, Artful Provocateur. I played her in Brawl in person and on arena and enjoyed that, and think she would even be better in commander. I love artifacts and enchantments and do not have an artifact themed deck. I think she could be built in a lot of ways, and could have some fun combos while also being able to smack opponents for damage. I like commanders who have a clear direction, but which still could be built differently, and she seems like that. One of my reservations is that I also play Ranar the Ever-Watchful, and while I don't see myself playing blink in Alela and I don't run combos in Ranar, I'd want to make sure it feels different.

I also am very excited by Varina, Lich Queen. I love tribal decks to the core, and zombies are about as iconic as they come. I also like commanders that draw cards, and while Varina technically loots, building her correctly would allow me to sculpt my hand and recur stuff from the yard. While I know there are some combos with her she could be played aggressively, and she seems like fun.

I could also be open to other esper commanders, with the exception of the "enter the dungeon" guy as that mechanic sounds annoying to me, but the above are ones I've been intrigued by. What are your thoughts? I very much appreciate any input!