So, I just wanted to try and make some interesting Vampire tribal cards in speculation of what we might get in Commander 2017. Feel free to post your own designs, as well as comments and criticisms. Have fun!
Vampire's FamiliarBB
Creature - Bat (Uncommon)
Flying
Sacrifice Vampire's Familiar: Target vampire gains Indestructible until end of turn.
Whenever a Vampire enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay B. If you do, return Vampire's Familiar from your graveyard to your hand.
1/1
I don't really like the indestructible clause. I don't really see the flavor here (the vampire summons the bat to take the hit?).
Also, although many cards use the term "familiar", I think the cycle that's most memorable is Nightscape Familiar. So... my suggestion is this: Use that as a temmplate:
Sengir Familiar1B
Creature - Bat (U)
Flying, Lifelink
Vampire spells cost you 1 less to play.
1/2
You can tweak things a bit here and there, but I think that's a straightforward design (and one you could easily make a nice little cycle thereof).
As for your "engine" card, given the "null" concept of vampires sometimes making zombies, I think you'd be better off with something like this:
Loyal Null2B
Creature - Zombie
Sacrifice ~: Put a +1/+1 counter on target vampire.
Whenever a vampire enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay B. If you do, return ~ to the battlefield.
2/2
PS - I like that your wording works with Sengir Nosferatu. Indeed, Sengir Nosferatu is just a better idea of what you're going for (IE, the vampire avoiding things).
If you're hope is to have him evade being killed AND STILL DO COMBAT DAMAGE... that just seems greedy from a design perspective. Protecting from spot removal means that giant growth style effects still have a chance. Few people run these. But it means that you have to pay attention, With your vampire's familiar, you just don't care what your opponent's do. That's not very interactive.
I like your design Creedmoor, it is a great utility creature for a tribal vampire EDH deck. I feel it could have haste or lifelink and still cost BB. Here is my contribution to the thread:
Dedication To Vampires3BB
Enchantment [R]
If you control five or more Vampires, Vampires you control have haste, flying, lifelink, and get +2/+2.
Vampire's Familiar BB
Creature - Bat (Uncommon)
Flying
Sacrifice Vampire's Familiar: Target vampire gains Indestructible until end of turn.
Whenever a Vampire enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay B. If you do, return Vampire's Familiar from your graveyard to your hand.
1/1
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Also, although many cards use the term "familiar", I think the cycle that's most memorable is Nightscape Familiar. So... my suggestion is this: Use that as a temmplate:
Sengir Familiar 1B
Creature - Bat (U)
Flying, Lifelink
Vampire spells cost you 1 less to play.
1/2
You can tweak things a bit here and there, but I think that's a straightforward design (and one you could easily make a nice little cycle thereof).
As for your "engine" card, given the "null" concept of vampires sometimes making zombies, I think you'd be better off with something like this:
Loyal Null 2B
Creature - Zombie
Sacrifice ~: Put a +1/+1 counter on target vampire.
Whenever a vampire enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay B. If you do, return ~ to the battlefield.
2/2
PS - I like that your wording works with Sengir Nosferatu. Indeed, Sengir Nosferatu is just a better idea of what you're going for (IE, the vampire avoiding things).
If you're hope is to have him evade being killed AND STILL DO COMBAT DAMAGE... that just seems greedy from a design perspective. Protecting from spot removal means that giant growth style effects still have a chance. Few people run these. But it means that you have to pay attention, With your vampire's familiar, you just don't care what your opponent's do. That's not very interactive.
Dedication To Vampires 3BB
Enchantment [R]
If you control five or more Vampires, Vampires you control have haste, flying, lifelink, and get +2/+2.
UBRKess, Dissident MageUBR - Controlling Dissidents
GRhonas the IndomitableG - Indomitable Four Drops
WUBOloro, Ageless AsceticWUB - Loot & Renanimate