best mtg zombie deck

The first thing that struck me about the Elite Zombie Commander Deck – The Scarab God wasn’t just its stunning artwork or the powerful mechanics, but how it packed everything into one deck I’ve tested. The graveyard synergy with The Scarab God reanimating zombies, combined with the numerous anthem effects like Cemetery Reaper and Death Baron, makes building a massive zombie army effortless and fun. It really shines in multiplayer battles, where overwhelming opponents with a relentless undead horde feels satisfying every time.

After hands-on play and comparison, I found this deck offers a perfect balance of power and versatility. The inclusion of potent removal spells and card draw ensures you can handle threats and keep the zombie rush going. What makes it stand out over others, like the Magic The Gathering Aetherdrift Commander Deck Eternal Might, is its focused zombie theme backed by top-tier zombie mechanics and the sheer value of the Commander synergy. For anyone serious about dominating with zombies, this deck is a no-brainer and delivers real bang for your buck.

Top Recommendation: Elite Zombie Commander Deck – The Scarab God – Dimir –

Why We Recommend It: This deck features powerful graveyard mechanics with The Scarab God’s reanimate ability, alongside many other synergistic zombie effects like Tomb Tyrant and Lord of the Cursed. Its mix of control, token generation, and massive zombie swarms outshines like the Magic The Gathering Aetherdrift Commander Deck by offering a more focused, competitive edge with a rich array of strategic zombies.

Best mtg zombie deck: Our Top 5 Picks

• Magic: The Gathering Starter Commander Deck – Grave Danger – Best Value
• Blue Black Zombie Deck MTG Modern Legal 60 Cards – Best Premium Option
• Digital Sorcery Studio Zombie Game Card Sleeves 102 Pack – Best Accessories for Zombie Decks
• Magic The Gathering Aetherdrift Commander Deck Eternal Might – Best Zombie Commander Deck with Unique Strategy
• Elite Zombie Commander Deck – The Scarab God – Dimir – – Best for Beginners

What Makes Zombies a Popular Archetype in MTG?

Zombies are a popular archetype in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) due to their thematic resonance, gameplay mechanics, and strategic versatility.

1. Strong Lore Connection
2. Versatile Mechanics
3. Synergy with Graveyard Strategies
4. Powerful Tribal Effects
5. Dynamic Flavor Representations
6. Diverse Card Pool
7. Appeal to Players’ Interests

The characteristics that contribute to zombies’ popularity range from their deep-rooted lore to the strategic gameplay they offer.

1. Strong Lore Connection:
   Zombies in MTG have a rich narrative tied to themes of death and resurrection. They embody the horror genre that many players appreciate. Horror elements in stories engage players emotionally, creating a deeper bond with the cards. Notable examples include the “Innistrad” block set, which explores gothic horror and features numerous zombie-themed cards.

2. Versatile Mechanics:
   Zombies include various mechanics that allow for innovative strategies. Abilities such as “unearth,” “recursion,” and “sacrifice” provide flexibility during gameplay. These mechanics enable players to create combo decks, control decks, or aggressive strategies effectively. For instance, the card “Gravecrawler” is favored for its low mana cost and ability to return from the graveyard.

3. Synergy with Graveyard Strategies:
   Zombies synergize well with graveyard mechanics, enhancing deck performance. Cards that interact with the graveyard, such as “Living Death” or “Tombstone Stairwell,” capitalize on the typically high volume of cards found in the graveyard during a game. This synergy allows players to establish powerful board states, often leading to winning strategies.

4. Powerful Tribal Effects:
   Many zombie-themed cards provide bonuses for playing other zombies, creating strong tribal effects. Cards like “Lord of the Pit,” which gives all zombies a stat boost, encourage players to incorporate more zombies into their decks. Such tribal synergies ensure that decks can maintain momentum and pressure on opponents.

5. Dynamic Flavor Representations:
   Zombies are represented in various forms across different sets. They embody themes from classic horror to modern interpretations, appealing to diverse player interests. The flavor text and art featured on zombie cards often reflect these themes, enhancing the overall game experience. Examples include “Diregraf Captain,” which embodies the classic portrayal of undead warriors.

6. Diverse Card Pool:
   The MTG universe hosts a wide array of zombie cards, providing many options for deck building. Players can select from various abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, enabling personalized deck creations. This diversity encourages experimentation and fosters creativity in gameplay, as players explore various combinations.

7. Appeal to Players’ Interests:
   Zombies align with the interests of various player demographics. Fans of horror and fantasy genres find the zombie archetype particularly appealing. The strategic depth they offer also entices competitive players seeking to optimize their gameplay. According to a 2021 survey by ChannelFireball, over 60% of players expressed a preference for themes involving undead or horror elements in card games.

These points illustrate how zombies are ingrained in the MTG universe, making them a compelling and popular choice for players.

Which Cards are Essential for an Effective Zombie Deck?

The essential cards for an effective Zombie deck include a combination of creatures, spells, and utility cards that enhance the performance of your Zombie strategy.

1. Key Creatures
   – Grave Titan
   – Lord of the Pit
   – Diregraf Captain
   – Death Baron

2. Supporting Spells
   – Dark Ritual
   – Zombie Infestation
   – Dread Summons
   – Entomb

3. Utility Cards
   – Drowned Catacomb
   – Death’s Door
   – Phyrexian Arena
   – Ever After

4. Alternate Perspectives
   – Some players prefer tribal synergies with creature types.
   – Others focus on reanimation themes, differing from traditional Zombie builds.

Transitioning to detailing each component, we explore the significance of these cards in depth.

1. Key Creatures:
   Key creatures build the backbone of a Zombie deck. Grave Titan creates 2/2 Zombie tokens upon entering the battlefield, significantly increasing board presence. The Lord of the Pit, although risky with its high attack cost, can easily dominate games if properly supported. Diregraf Captain boosts other Zombies and provides lifelink through its ability, enhancing survivability. Finally, Death Baron gives all Zombies deathtouch and +1/+1, effectively deterring attacks from opponents.

2. Supporting Spells:
   Supporting spells enhance the overall strategy of resurrecting the dead or creating more Zombies. Dark Ritual provides a quick burst of mana, allowing players to cast powerful spells sooner. Zombie Infestation enables players to discard Zombies for tokens, maintaining pressure on opponents. Dread Summons creates an army of Zombies while disrupting opponents. Entomb facilitates finding and putting any creature directly into the graveyard for later use.

3. Utility Cards:
   Utility cards support consistent performance throughout the game. Drowned Catacomb provides important color fixing for mana in a two-color deck. Death’s Door is a crucial card that helps to recycle Zombies from your graveyard back to the battlefield. Phyrexian Arena is a staple draw engine that ensures continuous access to cards, maintaining momentum. Ever After can return two creature cards from the graveyard, allowing players to regain board presence after a setback.

4. Alternate Perspectives:
   Alternate perspectives on Zombie decks highlight various strategies. Some players may choose to focus on tribal synergies, maximizing the potential of cards that support creature types. Others might prefer reanimation themes, which allow for recovering larger Zombies from the graveyard rather than relying on generating tokens. The choice between these strategies can influence a player’s deck-building approach, resulting in significantly different gameplay experiences.

What are the Top Zombie Creatures to Include?

The top zombie creatures to include in a deck typically feature unique abilities, versatile roles, and various synergies.

1. Cemetery Reaper
2. Diregraf Captain
3. Lord of the Pit
4. Grave Titan
5. Undead Warchief
6. Death Baron
7. Walking Corpses
8. Lazav, Dimir Mastermind

The selection of these zombie creatures varies based on their abilities, functionalities, and how they fit within a game strategy. Players may find different attributes and combinations effective depending on their overall game plan.

1. Cemetery Reaper:
   Cemetery Reaper is a zombie creature that serves to resurrect other zombies from the graveyard. Its ability allows you to exile a creature card from your graveyard and create a 2/2 zombie token. This adds resilience to your deck as it ensures a continuous supply of creatures to overwhelm your opponent.

2. Diregraf Captain:
   Diregraf Captain boosts your zombie army by giving other zombies +1/+1 and provides life drain ability. Whenever another zombie you control dies, Diregraf Captain deals 1 damage to each opponent. This creates a powerful synergy that can turn the tide in your favor through aggressive attacks.

3. Lord of the Pit:
   Lord of the Pit is a high-cost zombie creature with immense power. It boasts 7 attack points but requires you to sacrifice a creature to retain control over it. While this may seem risky, its sheer strength can quickly overpower opponents if managed well.

4. Grave Titan:
   Grave Titan is a giant zombie that produces two 2/2 zombie tokens upon entering the battlefield. This ability allows for immediate board presence and offers a steady flow of additional creatures during combat. It represents a significant threat with 6 attack points.

5. Undead Warchief:
   Undead Warchief reduces the casting cost of other zombie creatures and enhances their power. This creature helps create a more efficient deck by enabling quicker plays and stronger units. It is essential for a zombie deck focusing on overwhelming foes with numerous speedy threats.

6. Death Baron:
   Death Baron grants other zombie creatures you control a +1/+1 boost and deathtouch. This ability forces opponents to think twice before engaging your creatures in combat, further strengthening your defenses while providing offensive capabilities.

7. Walking Corpses:
   Walking Corpses are basic zombie creatures that offer low-cost body counts. Although they have no additional abilities, they serve as early-game blockers or sacrifices to enable stronger plays in the following rounds. Including them maintains a steady flow of creatures on the battlefield.

8. Lazav, Dimir Mastermind:
   Lazav is a shapeshifting zombie that gains the ability of creatures that die under your control. Its adaptability in a zombie deck can turn losses into strengths by utilizing your opponent’s strengths against them.

These creature selections demonstrate a variety of strategies for building a successful zombie-themed deck. They provide different roles, from aggressive attackers to strategic controllers, presenting players with diverse gameplay options.

How Do Enchantments Boost Zombie Strategies?

Enchantments enhance zombie strategies by providing various effects that strengthen undead creatures, improve synergy within the deck, and support gameplay objectives. These enhancements can significantly impact the effectiveness of a zombie strategy in the game.

• Strengthening Undead Creatures: Enchantments like “Grave Pact” force opponents to sacrifice creatures when a zombie dies. This effect diminishes the enemy’s board presence while simultaneously benefiting the zombie player’s strategy, as it can lead to a significant advantage in creature control.

• Improving Synergy: Cards such as “Death Baron” grant all zombie creatures +1/+1 and deathtouch, which increases their offensive and defensive capabilities. Death touch means that any amount of damage dealt by these zombies can destroy any creature they damage, making them a formidable force on the battlefield.

• Supporting Gameplay Objectives: The enchantment “Necromancer’s Covenant” allows players to return zombies from the graveyard to the battlefield. This effect sustains and reinforces the presence of zombies, keeping the opposition under pressure by replenishing resources and maintaining a steady attack.

• Creating Strategic Diversity: The enchantment “Liliana’s Mastery” boosts the power of zombies and creates additional zombie tokens. This can overwhelm opponents with sheer numbers while enhancing the effectiveness of existing zombie creatures, creating a multi-faceted strategy.

• Accelerating Game Progression: “Curse of Disturbance” enables the player to generate token zombies whenever an enchanted opponent is attacked. This ability builds up the player’s board state while simultaneously incentivizing others to target each other rather than focusing solely on the zombie player.

By integrating these enchantments, players can establish robust zombie strategies that capitalize on the unique synergies and mechanics that zombies offer in the game. The combination of increased creature strength, board control, and token generation provides a tactical advantage in various matchup scenarios.

Who are the Most Effective Commanders for Zombie Decks?

The most effective commanders for zombie decks include several key options. The first is “Gisa and Geralf,” which allows players to raise zombies from the graveyard. Next is “The Scarab God,” known for its ability to create and benefit from zombie tokens while offering graveyard recursion. Another strong choice is “Swan Song,” which provides significant disruption and card advantage. “Relentless Dead” is also notable for its ability to return to hand and reanimate other zombies. Finally, “Liliana, Death’s Majesty” excels in creating zombie tokens and offering control. These commanders enhance gameplay and effectiveness in zombie-themed strategies.

What Strengths Does “Gisa and Geralf” Bring to Your Strategy?

Gisa and Geralf bring valuable strengths to your strategy in Magic: The Gathering.

1. Strong zombie synergy
2. Powerful recursion ability
3. Versatile control elements
4. High potential for generating card advantage
5. Ability to disrupt opponents

These strengths converge to create a robust and flexible strategy that can cater to different play styles, emphasizing both offensive and defensive capabilities.

1. Strong Zombie Synergy: Gisa and Geralf’s strength lies in their ability to utilize and enhance other Zombie creatures. Gisa allows you to cast Zombie spells from your graveyard, maximizing the potential of Zombies you control. This ability creates a powerful engine that can flood the battlefield with Zombies, overwhelming opponents quickly.

2. Powerful Recursion Ability: The recursion ability of Gisa is crucial for maintaining board presence. You can return fallen Zombies to play, which is vital in a game where attrition and resources can dwindle rapidly. This aspect is significantly noted in competitive play where sustained pressure can lead to victory.

3. Versatile Control Elements: Gisa and Geralf can control the game by using their abilities to manipulate the graveyard and disrupt your opponent’s strategy. By forcing your opponent to discard cards or countering plans, you can manage threats while developing your own game plan.

4. High Potential for Generating Card Advantage: The ability to reclaim cards from the graveyard allows for continuous access to resources. This card advantage often leads to a winning edge, as you can consistently outpace your opponent in options and threats, crucial in late-game scenarios.

5. Ability to Disrupt Opponents: The synergy they create can include elements that disrupt opponents’ strategies, such as self-mill or graveyard interactions. This can hinder strategies reliant on exile or the graveyard, providing an additional layer of strategic depth.

Gisa and Geralf enable a dynamic and multifaceted approach to your strategy, facilitating a constant threat while allowing for adaptations based on your opponent’s plays.

How Does “Murder King” Influence Deck Synergies?

“Murder King” influences deck synergies by enhancing the effectiveness of Zombie-themed decks in various ways. This creature card has the ability to sacrifice other Zombies to deal damage to opponents. The first component is its ability to utilize Zombies as resources. Players can strategically use their Zombies to gain an advantage while reducing the number of threats on the battlefield.

Next, “Murder King” pairs well with cards that generate Zombies. Cards like “Zombie Infestation” or “Gravecrawler” can create a continual supply of creatures for sacrifice. This connection amplifies damage output while maintaining board presence. Additionally, the synergy with cards that return Zombies from the graveyard, such as “Dread Return” or “Blood for Bones,” helps maintain a constant loop of sacrifices.

Furthermore, “Murder King” supports decks that focus on control strategies by clearing the opponent’s board. By sacrificing weaker Zombies, players can trigger lethal damage to key threats. This creates a proactive playstyle, allowing players to dictate the pace of the game.

Finally, the presence of “Murder King” encourages the inclusion of cards that benefit from creature deaths. For instance, using cards like “Diregraf Captain” can further enhance the Zombie theme by providing bonuses when Zombies die. Overall, “Murder King” strengthens deck synergies by exploiting Zombie generation, sacrifice mechanics, and board control strategies.

What Winning Strategies Should You Implement with Zombies?

Winning strategies against zombies involve collaboration, resource management, and tactical defense.

1. Build a strong shelter.
2. Establish a reliable supply of food and water.
3. Form alliances with other survivors.
4. Use stealth to avoid confrontations.
5. Train for combat skills.
6. Always have an escape plan.
7. Stay informed about latest zombie movements.

To further understand these strategies, it is important to examine each one in detail.

1. Build a strong shelter: Building a strong shelter protects against zombie attacks and environmental threats. A secure location can be a fortified building or a secluded area. Reinforcing entries, creating barriers, and choosing elevated positions can enhance security. A well-constructed shelter provides physical safety and stability, which is vital in a crisis.

2. Establish a reliable supply of food and water: Securing food and water is essential for survival. Stockpiling non-perishable food and portable water filters ensures that survivors have necessary resources. Experts suggest having a minimum of three days’ worth of supplies, escalating to a longer-term solution if possible. Additionally, gardening or farming can provide a sustainable food source.

3. Form alliances with other survivors: Forming alliances increases safety and resource-sharing opportunities. Collaborating with others enhances skills and strengthens defenses. Group members can share different talents, such as hunting, medical training, or engineering. This collective effort can build a stronger community able to fend off threats.

4. Use stealth to avoid confrontations: Using stealth is crucial in avoiding unnecessary battles. Moving quietly and being aware of surroundings can prevent attracting attention from zombies. Creating distractions or using silent methods of transportation can help navigate areas safely. This strategy minimizes risks and conserves energy.

5. Train for combat skills: Training in combat skills prepares individuals for direct confrontations. Skills in hand-to-hand fighting, using weapons, or defensive tactics can be beneficial. Regular practice increases confidence and effectiveness during emergencies. Some survivors may even seek training from experts for advanced techniques.

6. Always have an escape plan: Having an escape plan is vital for outsmarting the undead. Identifying multiple exit routes and understanding the geography of the area can facilitate faster retreats. Carrying essential gear in a go-bag ensures readiness for sudden evacuations. An effective escape plan can save lives when situations become dire.

7. Stay informed about latest zombie movements: Staying informed about zombie movements helps in preparing for potential threats. Using radios, maps, and communication with other survivors can provide early warnings. Knowledge about zombie behavior can assist in strategizing routes to avoid areas where concentrations are higher.

Implementing these strategies creates a better chance of survival in a zombie apocalypse scenario.

Which Synergies Maximize Your Zombie Deck’s Performance?

The synergies that maximize your Zombie deck’s performance involve card combinations and abilities that enhance each other.

1. Lord of the Pit and Undead Warchief
2. Diregraf Captain and Cemetery Reaper
3. Death Baron and Zombie Infestation
4. Scavenging Ooze and Gravecrawler
5. Endless Ranks of the Dead and Necromancer’s Covenant
6. The Scarab God and Jazal Goldmane

Building on these points, the following sections will elaborate on each synergy and its impact on your Zombie deck’s performance.

1. Lord of the Pit and Undead Warchief: The synergy between Lord of the Pit and Undead Warchief boosts your Zombie creatures’ power and number. Lord of the Pit serves as an imposing attacker and provides a large body to support the strategy, while Undead Warchief reduces mana costs for your Zombies. This combination allows for deploying multiple threats quickly.

2. Diregraf Captain and Cemetery Reaper: Diregraf Captain enhances all Zombies with a bonus during both offense and defense. Paired with Cemetery Reaper, which creates additional Zombie tokens and enhances the board presence, this duo can lead to overwhelming numbers and continuous threats against opponents.

3. Death Baron and Zombie Infestation: Death Baron provides a critical boost by giving all Zombies deathtouch, making it difficult for opponents to block effectively. When Zombie Infestation generates tokens, each token becomes a significant threat due to deathtouch, fostering aggressive play.

4. Scavenging Ooze and Gravecrawler: Scavenging Ooze serves as creature removal while gaining power through exiling cards from graveyards. Gravecrawler can return from the graveyard if you control another Zombie. This synergy allows for continuous board presence while simultaneously limiting your opponent’s options.

5. Endless Ranks of the Dead and Necromancer’s Covenant: Endless Ranks of the Dead creates a growing army of Zombie tokens, putting constant pressure on your opponent. Coupling this with Necromancer’s Covenant, which can revive Zombies and enhance their impact, enhances your ability to overwhelm opponents.

6. The Scarab God and Jazal Goldmane: The Scarab God offers card advantage and utility by allowing you to return creatures from your graveyard. Jazal Goldmane can give your Zombies a temporary boost in power and toughness. Together, they create a combo that not only generates value but can also swing for lethal damage effectively.

How Can You Effectively Counter Opponents’ Strategies with Zombies?

To effectively counter opponents’ strategies with zombies, players should focus on utilizing zombie abilities, controlling the board, and employing synergy with other zombie cards.

1. Utilize zombie abilities: Zombies often have unique abilities that can turn the tide of the game. For example, many zombie cards have the “unearth” ability. This allows players to return a zombie from the graveyard to the battlefield. Cards like “Gravecrawler” allow for continuous board presence as they can be cast from the graveyard if another zombie is on the field (Wizards of the Coast, 2012).

2. Control the board: Keeping control over the board is crucial in countering an opponent’s strategy. Zombie creatures generally have strong attack and defense stats, allowing them to pressure opponents effectively. Cards like “Diregraf Captain” not only boost your zombie creatures but also weaken enemy creatures by giving your zombies an attacking advantage (Wizards of the Coast, 2011).

3. Employ synergy with other zombie cards: Combining cards that work well together enhances the overall strategy. For instance, “Lord of the Pit” boosts all zombies’ power, thereby creating a formidable offensive strategy. Using spell cards like “Zombie Infestation” can generate multiple zombie tokens on the battlefield quickly, overwhelming the opponent (Wizards of the Coast, 2020).

4. Incorporate removal solutions: Zombies can have vulnerabilities. Including removal spells like “Doom Blade” or “Murder” in your deck allows you to deal with threats that could hinder your strategies. Removing key opponents’ creatures prevents them from building up their board state (Wizards of the Coast, 2009).

5. Adapt to opponents’ strategies: Observe opponent strategies and adjust your actions accordingly. If an opponent relies on flying creatures, for example, include cards that provide zombie interaction with flying, such as “Liliana’s Caress,” which can turn the game by forcing card draws on damage (Wizards of the Coast, 2010).

6. Leverage tribal synergies: Using a deck focused solely on zombies can establish powerful synergies. Cards such as “Endless Ranks of the Dead” can exponentially increase the number of zombies on the battlefield, putting pressure on the opponent and creating formidable blockers (Wizards of the Coast, 2013).

7. Maximize resource management: Keeping track of your cards and maintaining a balance between creature and spell cards fosters a steady flow of options during gameplay. This balance aids in executing timely countermeasures against various strategies effectively.

By employing these strategies, players can enhance their chances of effectively countering opponents’ tactics with zombie-themed decks.

What Common Pitfalls Should Be Avoided When Building Zombie Decks?

When building Zombie decks, players should avoid key pitfalls that can hinder their effectiveness.

1. Focusing too much on zombie tribal synergies.
2. Neglecting mana curve and land count.
3. Skipping removal spells and interaction.
4. Ignoring potential win conditions outside of zombies.
5. Relying solely on synergy without versatility.
6. Overlooking graveyard recursion mechanics.

To create a well-rounded Zombie deck, it is essential to understand several critical factors.

1. Focusing too much on zombie tribal synergies: Focusing primarily on synergy among Zombie creatures can lead to an imbalance in strategy. While tribal support can enhance the performance of Zombie creatures, it may also create vulnerabilities. Players might find themselves overwhelmed by decks that utilize efficient removal or counter spells against creatures that rely heavily on tribal synergies.

2. Neglecting mana curve and land count: A well-balanced mana curve ensures that players can cast spells across all phases of the game. If players include too many high-cost Zombie cards and insufficient low-cost creatures, they may struggle to maintain tempo. Experts recommend a land count of about 38% of the total cards in the deck. This framework helps establish a balanced flow and can result in more consistent gameplay.

3. Skipping removal spells and interaction: Players should incorporate removal spells to handle opponent threats. Relying solely on Zombie creatures without any interaction can leave a player vulnerable to strategies that disrupt their board state. A well-rounded deck should contain card removal options, such as “Doom Blade” or “Putrefy,” to deal with problematic threats effectively.

4. Ignoring potential win conditions outside of zombies: While Zombies can be a primary win condition, neglecting other strategies constricts a player’s options. Including alternate win conditions such as milling or life gain can provide needed versatility. Cards like “Army of the Damned” can overwhelm opponents while offering alternate routes to victory.

5. Relying solely on synergy without versatility: While synergy is beneficial, it is crucial to maintain adaptability within a deck. Card options that contribute to multiple facets of a strategy can enhance gameplay. For instance, “Liliana of the Veil” provides card advantage while also utilizing hand disruption tactics, making the deck more formidable against various opponents.

6. Overlooking graveyard recursion mechanics: Zombie decks can benefit immensely from cards that utilize graveyard recursion. Not utilizing key spells that bring back zombies or allow for the reuse of resources can result in missed opportunities for board development. A card like “Unearth” can bring back creatures from the graveyard, increasing the deck’s resilience against removal.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, players can build more robust and effective Zombie decks that stand a better chance in competitive play.

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