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Vampire: The Dark Ages

Commander / EDH Aggro Aristocrats Counters Lifegain RBW (Mardu) Tokens Vampires

aekrusty

Creature (32)

Planeswalker (1)

Land (36)

Sorcery (7)

Commander (1)

Commander: foil Edgar Markov

Artifact (10)

Instant (7)

Enchantment (6)

Vampire: The Dark Ages

Edgar Markov

Edgar Markov is the progenitor of vampirism on the plane of Innistrad, a brilliant alchemist who turned to dark magic to save his family and homeland during a time of famine. Desperate to find a cure, Edgar made a pact with a demon, performing forbidden experiments that led to the first vampires. As the first of his kind, Edgar is revered as a godlike figure by his descendants, wielding immense power and unyielding authority over the vampire clans.

In the multiverse, Edgar Markov is more than a legendary vampire. He embodies ambition, cunning, and the relentless pursuit of immortality. This deck reflects his leadership as he summons an endless legion of vampires to dominate the battlefield, turning his allies' bloodlust into overwhelming strength.

How the Deck Works

This Edgar Markov deck is a vampire tribal aggro strategy built on three key pillars:

  1. Generating a Vampire Horde – Edgar’s Eminence ability ensures a steady stream of vampire tokens, enabling an aggressive early-game presence.
  2. Buffing and Exploiting Tribal Synergies – Cards like Legion Lieutenant, Stromkirk Captain, and Shared Animosity turn small vampires into deadly threats.
  3. Draining Life and Infinite Combos – Effects like Blood Artist, Impact Tremors, and combo pieces create massive damage and sustain.

Core Strategies

1. The Vampire Swarm – Eminence & Token Generation

Edgar Markov guarantees a steady flow of creatures on the battlefield. Cards like Mavren Fein, Anointed Procession, and Captivating Vampire amplify this strategy, making every vampire spell cast a step toward victory.

Key Pieces:
- Eminence – Whenever you cast a vampire, create a 1/1 vampire token.
- Anointed Procession – Doubles token generation for explosive board presence.
- Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle – Creates additional vampires when attacking.

2. Tribal Synergies – Buffs & Aggression

The deck snowballs into a lethal force with multiple vampire lords and aggressive buffs. These cards turn small vampires into a relentless offensive army.

Key Buffs:
- Legion Lieutenant, Markov Baron, Captivating Campire, Stromkirk Captain – Provide +1/+1 buffs to all vampires.
- Shared Animosity – Every attacking vampire gets an exponential power boost.
- Door of Destinies & Vanquisher’s Banner – Grow your vampires and offer card draw.

3. Draining Life & Aristocrats Value

Beyond sheer combat damage, the deck wears down opponents with life-drain effects and aristocrat-style sacrifice synergies.

Key Pieces:
- Blood Artist & Cruel Celebrant – Drain opponents whenever creatures die.
- Sanctum Seeker & Malakir Bloodwitch – Drain life for each attacking vampire and when ETB repsectively.
- Impact Tremors – Deals damage whenever creatures enter the battlefield, triggering off Edgar’s Eminence ability.

4. Casual on theme Combo

Oathsworn Vampire + Phyrexian Altar

You need to gain life. Cast Oathsworn Vampire. Edgar triggers, creating a 1/1 Vampire creature token. Activate Phyrexian Altar twice by sacrificing the Vampire token and Oathsworn Vampire. Repeat.

Results Infinite death triggers. Infinite ETB. Infinite LTB. Infinite sacrifice triggers.

With Blood Artist or Impact Tremors you kill the board.

With Herald’s Horn you also get infinite vampire tokens.

Finishing Moves & Win Conditions

  • Swarm Tactics – Flood the board and overrun opponents with pumped-up vampires.
  • Life Drain – Use cards like Sanctum Seeker and Twilight Prophet to drain opponents out of the game.
  • Infinite Loops – Leverage combos with Phyrexian Altar, Blood Artist, and Oathsworn Vampire to deal infinite damage.

Edgar Markov’s Leadership

This deck fully embraces Edgar Markov’s dominance. His Eminence ability ensures you’re always ahead, and once he enters the battlefield, he permanently boosts your entire army. Whether you’re overwhelming the board, draining opponents, or executing a lethal combo, Edgar Markov’s reign is absolute.

Final Thoughts

This is not a cEDH deck—it’s built to dominate a mid-to-high power meta with explosive aggression and synergy. Play proactively: if you have a strong board presence and opponents are slow to react, strike fast and decisively.

Spread the Blood Curse. Rule Eternal.

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Date added 8 years
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Legality

This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)

10 - 0 Mythic Rares

46 - 0 Rares

25 - 0 Uncommons

7 - 0 Commons
Cards 100
Avg. CMC 2.89
Tokens Blood, City's Blessing, Vampire 1/1 B, Vampire 1/1 W, Vampire 2/2 B, Zombie 2/2 B
Folders +1 Non-Budget, stealy tech, Charlie's Angels, EDH, EDH, Cards sets im looking into, EDH, EDH, Aggro decks, commander inspiration
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