What is a Man? (a hyper aggro Edgar Markov EDH)

Commander / EDH* YamishiTheWickedOne

SCORE: 12 | 56 COMMENTS | 1945 VIEWS | IN 5 FOLDERS


Just some cleaning —Aug. 16, 2023

Boros lands are surprisingly good at showing up when I need them the least. So going forward, most of my lands are going to be Rakdos or Orzhov. I tried to stay at 40 creatures but I can't help it, there are some who are simply too good to not use. Still trying to squeeze in Falkenrath Pit Fighter and Blood Artist. Not super into the Aristocrats theme but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some degree of synergy.

Also why in Edgar's name did I wait so long to give Necropotence a try? You guys in the comments were right. Might actually be even better card draw than the Clamp.

I know low cost creatures can be weak draws in longer games and yeah, I do need some power cards. But in a deck where with a good hand I start oneshotting people on turn 6 if I'm not stopped, I really do want to hit the ground running early game.

Erich_Zann says... #1

Purphoros, God of the Forge is the bigger brother to Impact Tremors. Play both. They work wonders in the deck.

December 9, 2017 2:08 a.m.

He'll be a maybe, I've been meaning to buy him for a while since Purphoros is useful in aggro decks anyway, but the reason for Tremors over him for the moment was that it comes out so much faster in a deck that's meant to hit the ground running even in EDH. I really like Purphoros' last ability in here though as it's not uncommon to have 12+ vamps turn 6 but be low on hand (meaning a mana dump is nice). Don't see the devotion typically being met though as half my board is tokens at any given time.

December 9, 2017 7:32 a.m.

Erich_Zann says... #3

With Purphoros you don't care for the devotion. You just want to burn, along with the Tremors being on the field. With those two as a possible win condition you should also look into Cloudstone Curio. It would really increase the power level of your deck. Are you playing 1v1 commander for regular commander? If so, spells like bolt, thoughtseize, Hymn are bad in EDH. The only single target cards that matter in EDH are ones that destroy permanents on the field and creature destruction. Best creature destruction in EDH for Mardu is Swords, Path and Terminate. Bolt deals 3 damage which won't kill anything mid to late game. It's only good first 3 or 4 turns and honestly doesn't even do much then. If you're playing 1v1 then it's a different story.

December 9, 2017 1:24 p.m.

@Erich_Zann I think Edgar Markov was recently banned in pure 1v1 competitive, so I've been thinking I may wanna bring in the terminates.

December 9, 2017 1:40 p.m.

I've been thinking instead of hand disruption that for multiplayer I might wanna go with some artifact hate due to the prevalence of rocks and the like. Once I finish putting this together irl (I'm only missing a few things) I'll see if I should break out Vandalblast and friends.

December 9, 2017 2:14 p.m.

Erich_Zann says... #6

I know it's banned in 1v1 combat. That's why I asked what format you were playing. Wasn't sure if you just doing a casual 1v1 with people you knew since EDH is supposed to be more casual than constructed formats. Vandalblast I play in my Papa Markov build and it works wonders! I have a friend who plays Memnarch and it destroys his board. You might want to look into Wear / Tear as well.

December 9, 2017 2:25 p.m.

@Erich_Zann Took your advice, added, Wear/Tear, Vandalblast, Fiery Confluence for artifact hate, added Worship because lol why not, and decided to try out Mirror Entity to snag surprise kills since he's technically a vampire, all in place of targeted hand disruption since I do agree with you in that it feels clunky in multiplayer. Switched Incinerate out for Terminate because if you've seen my modern decks I just really like that card anyway.

Would love if more people joined the discussion. It's in the early stages but I really like this deck.

December 9, 2017 4:05 p.m.

Erich_Zann says... #8

I've noticed your creature list looks really familiar to the 1v1 lists before Edgar was banned. In mutiplayer commander Edgar decks usually run a lot less 1cmc creature spells because late game they don't do much. I'd recommend some higher cmc vamps that can change the board state late game. I'd also recommend some mana rocks because all EDH decks need to play them. Sol Ring is a must. If you want some ideas you can check out my Edgar deck on my profile. It runs pretty smoothly. I just want to make some room Sanctum Seeker and 1 other card.

December 9, 2017 6:50 p.m.

Yeah like I said it's largely based on those just because I wanted to go fast. I also just liked the concepts of "spawn a billion tokens while burning everyone out".

December 9, 2017 7:39 p.m.

Erich_Zann says... #10

Not sure if you're experienced in EDH, but Aggro decks usually have the hardest time. They do very well in the beginning; however, they die out late game due to stax and control deck, plus other opponents targeting you because you're chomping away at life so quickly. That's why I leaned more towards some power creatures in the deck. EDH requires a nice curve and all deck play them, including aggro decks. For quick beefy creatures Falkenrath Aristocrat and Mirri the Cursed are my two personal favorite aggro vamps. Cheap cmc and threatening.

Hope your deck does well!

December 9, 2017 8:14 p.m.

I'm literally brand new to EDH. Been playing Modern since the format began so I'm way more used to fast-paced 1v1s. I'm using the playtester here to get a feel for what my deck does and how it flows. Mirri, I dunno, she looks like she's too easy to kill, but I just added Aristocrat because let's face it she'll have plenty to sac. I had my eye on Anointed Procession even though that's another card I'd have to go out and buy just because I value consistency and games will inevitably get into that late game phase, so I figured there's some mileage there, turning 1 card into 3 cards.

How do you feel about Crackling Doom over Lightning Helix?

December 9, 2017 8:22 p.m.

You know, in my playtesting, which has been entirely solitaire on here thus far, I've started to think that enchantments for 4 mana might be too slow for the flow/structure of my deck, unless I have skullclamp (and it hasn't been removed) and I've refilled my hand.

I'm trying to gear this toward multiplayer but I tend to dislike the idea of games with more than 3-4 people. Eventually I'll have places to be. Even still I want to make sure the deck's stable/sustainable in longer games with cards like Aristocrat, Yahenni, Bloodcrazed Paladin, etc. (the aforementioned Skullclamp to draw like a madman until it eats a removal). I appreciate the help you've given me toward evolving this past just single way.

December 9, 2017 9:28 p.m.

Erich_Zann says... #13

No problem, my dude. The only enchantments that I run that is 4cmc or higher are Anointed Procession and Mana Echoes. Both help the deck a lot. Otherwise most of my enchantments are 2 or 3 cmc. I get the idea of having places to be when you play a 3-4 player EDH game, but you'd be surprised on how quickly a game goes if you play with people who know their deck well. It's a mindset I had as well due to only play Legacy for so many years, but after a few games it breaks easily.

December 10, 2017 2:49 p.m.

Needs a more original title, I feel. Though I'd rather keep to Castlevania references.

December 12, 2017 6:43 p.m.

VampRamped says... #15

YamishiTheWickedOne

Very Nice Aggro Edgar Markov list especially for a deck that is your first foray into commander. The Main problem I see you running into with this deck is that it is very soft to board wipes, and you will almost certainly lose the game if one resolves. I would recommend including Teferi's Protection , Flawless Maneuver , Boros Charm , Make a Stand , Unbreakable Formation , and Patriarch's Bidding . While these cards are skillful to utilize and require an understanding of your opponent's decks to know when to leave up mana to utilize them you will find you will be grateful to have them and win more often because of them.

Necropotence is an insanely strong card advantage engine especially in Edgar Markov that I would highly recommend as it allows the deck to continue to have the steam it needs going into midgame and mid-late game. In fact, when I am going for the aggressive strategy in my own deck it is the first card I tutor for if I can. Champion of Dusk , Pact of the Serpent , and Stinging Study are almost as good and serves the same purpose.

Stromkirk Condemned Is a pretty strong lord that most games you should have the land to pitch to it to boost your board, especially if you include some of the card advantage I recommended.

Reconnaissance Is also an amazing card for an aggressive strategy as it essentially gives all your creatures vigilance and you can remove any unfavorable blocks in combat.

For cards to remove to play them I will suggest cutting cards in different area's that I think have their advantages but probably benefit your decks aggro plan the least

Zealous Persecution and Vampiric Fury are not very necessary for yours deck. If you have not seen it already in time you will find that your anthem affects lords Shared Animosity , and Sanctum Seeker will be more than sufficient to win the game. Additionally, the card is quite soft to fog effects which are not too uncommon in commanders.

Anointed Procession is simply a card that is too slow for what an aggressive Edgar Markov deck wants to be doing and is much more suited to midrange aristocrat lists. Spending 4 mana for an effect that does not do anything is too slow and you would much rather want to be playing things like Sanctum Seeker , Vampire Nocturnus , and Bloodline Keeper  Flip

Abrade , Dismember , and Nameless Inversion have two main problems. For one when you are playing an aggressive Edgar Markov deck you are committing to winning the early mid-game so spending the time you need to kill your opponents interacting with their board states is not doing you any favors. Secondly, as an aggro deck the only permanents that are outright going to stop you are Magus of the Tabernacle , Windborn Muse , Propaganda , Ghostly Prison , Collective Restraint , Sphere of Safety , and Humility so if your going to play removal spells in your aggro deck the spell at a minimum should target enchantments though creatures as well can be valuable.

Obelisk of Urd Is ok but is probably to expensive on mana and you would rather be punching with creatures than using them to convoke this spell out.

Bloodcrazed Paladin is really only good when there is a board wipe and that is the last thing you want to happen to your board so would not recommend playing a creature that's only strength is to give you a measly benefit in the worst-case scenario.

Bloodthrone Vampire is not very good in aggro since you want to have as many creatures around as possible for all of your tribal payoffs and since your deck is not particularly geared towards and Edgar Markov Aristocrats Strat.

Stoneforge Mystic and Steelshaper's Gift help you get Skullclamp but you probably don't want to be looking for that card too hard especially if you play Necropotence , or Champion of Dusk as I recommended as you don't have to sacrifice your board state to get card advantage when a wide board state is exactly what you are looking for. Additionally, you are not playing too many sacrifice effects anyway so when you play a lord it effectively turns off your Skullclamp .

Those would be my additions and removals for your removals but your the one who gets to play the deck so make adjustments to suit your playgroup and what you want to get out of the deck. Feel free to check out my own Edgar Markov Deck A Vampire Storm *Primer*, not the exact same strategy as your deck, but you may find some useful advice in my section on my mindset of how I play Edgar Markov aggressively. Would be happy to hear your thoughts on my suggestions as well as what you think of my own deck.

June 12, 2021 5:28 p.m.

VampRamped thank you for the suggestions. I actually just bought a Reconnaissance last week, because I've been puzzling over this exact issue. Maybe I'll toss in Champion for extra draw. Maybe you're right about the combat tricks and Teferi's + Boros charm would help more.

June 12, 2021 10:46 p.m.

Vessiliana says... #17

Well, I love your list. I know that in a lot of metas, they will say not to overload on the 1-drops because of their lack of late-game presence, but for me, that is the strength of Edgar Markov. He just wants to spew out a bunch of little vamps and use them for fodder. A lot of the particulars will depend on your meta.

But I have found that a low curve helps me more than just about anything. There are a couple of exceptions.

Purphoros, God of the Forge is deadly in this deck.

Teferi's Protection and Boros Charm are necessities. You also already have Shared Animosity, which is brilliant.

Bolas's Citadel is a card I have definitely found worthwhile, as is Necropotence. Sometimes Scapegoat can be useful in refilling my hand in response to a boardwipe. Sac one guy to return the rest to my hand? Yes, please.

July 26, 2023 10:03 p.m.

Vessiliana Yeah your suggestions make sense. I do own a Purphoros and I'll start looking again at slotting him in. I was considering Scapegoat as another sort of insurance card and I've been trying to get a promo Citadel off a friend of mine.

btw I'm also looking at Cover of Darkness but this month's MtG budget is running thin. Thanks for your time and I look forward to seeing how yours evolves.

July 26, 2023 10:14 p.m.

Vessiliana says... #19

Cover of Darkness is amazing! I ... just stole mine from my Edgar deck, which likes it but can hold its own without it, for my poor little Knights deck, which is desperate.

July 26, 2023 11:25 p.m.

Vessiliana well I finally caved in and decided to try out Purphoros and... the results are much, much better than I expected even if he is just a glorified enchantment here. Thanks for the suggestion. As mentioned, Cover of Darkness is the next thing on my buylist for EDH. And like I said on your list, I cannot recommend Mirror Entity and Mavren Fein strongly enough. Though the best card in the deck might honestly be Sanctum Seeker.

I'm wondering if I should be running Door of Destinies, Coat of Arms, Vanquisher's Banner, Herald's Horn and maybe Anointed Procession. They all feel a little slow. Thankfully I did at least get procession while it was cheap.

August 1, 2023 4:03 a.m.

Vessiliana says... #21

YamishiTheWickedOne, well, I used to run Door of Destinies in the deck a long time ago, and the same with Herald's Horn. For me, The high mana cost of the door was just too big a block, and the fact that I kept dropping my vampires' CMC (or mana value I guess) made the horn less and less useful.

The Anointed Procession, though, I have found very useful. Doubling those tokens makes Purphoros and Impact Tremors extra good!

August 1, 2023 5 a.m.