Before going through the premise of this deck as well as certain card choices, I would like to thank Aryakin for his take on a thematic, flavorful deck of the undead. You can check out his list here: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=326875
That aside, one of the creepiest and scariest possibilities when it comes to the end of days (basically, the end of the world as we know it) would be a zombie apocalypse. One minute, peace and tranquility...the next, pure chaos and fright as cemeteries and morgues come to life with the undead. The lifeless bodies on gurneys in the hospital start to quiver and then proceed to maul and kill everyone nearby. Slowly but surely, Hell comes to Earth as legions of the walking dead scour the landscape in addition to demonic entities killing off the last bits of civilization.
Now, what does this have to do with Commander? Simple: there appears to be LOTS of goodies when it comes to building a deck. While I do like my fair share of competitive decks, the idea of building a deck solely about the undead was too good to pass up. Without further ado, presenting the leader of the undead!
AKA We as humans are totally done for
Why That Dude as your General?
1. He's Green/Black. Nothing is more terrifying then pooping out tons of zombies while also making them gigantic.
2. Green has quite a few cards that fit in nicely with the theme of an Undead Apocalypse.
3. The more he eats (damages) the bigger he grows! If that isn't terrifying, I don't know what is.
Now that you've waited long enough, presenting the decklist!
Of course, for you folks who are way too confused about how this is listed above or lack creative insight, there is a much friendlier guide to what's what below here.
Cabal Coffers: Early game, this card isn't very useful. Once a flood of swamps come out though...this card is very, VERY, broken. Even more broken goodness with Urborg (see Urborg).
Gilt-Leaf Palace: Unless Glissa is in your hand, this card is essentially "CIPT: Add Green or Black to your mana pool". Still very useful, especially if this is in your opening hand.
Lake of the Dead: Very thematic, excellent way to provide black mana earlier to poop zombies onto the field.
Llanowar Wastes: Now you're talking! Unlike Gilt-Leaf, this doesn't CIPT. However, tapping for Green or Black mana pings one damage to you. Then again, this is EDH, where your life is 40 and games are supposed to be long. This card is awesome.
Overgrown Tomb: A dual land that either CIPT or doesn't if you just pay two life? Other than the original dual lands and the painlands (arguably), this is probably the best dual land you're going to have.
Tainted Wood:Very overlooked land, since the tainted cycle all relied on swamps. However, this card works perfectly in this deck as you will always have a swamp out, either the simple way, or through Urborg.
Twilight Mire: Versatility on what mana options I can have on my early game if I have just this with either a forest or a swamp? Awesome.
Unholy Grotto:: Aww, did poor Skullbriar get a nasty -1/-1 counter on him, rendering him unplayable or Fleshbag Marauder sitting his fat tush in your graveyard? No problem, the grotto will save them! Very unholy indeed. Possibly one of the best recursion engines in the deck.
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth: Possibly the MVP of the lands, other than Unholy Grotto. The ability to give ALL lands the swamp subtype can lead to very very nasty scenarios...such as fuel for your Cabal Coffer or roaming grounds with Zombie Master and crew.
Volrath's Stronghold: Hey, just like Unholy Grotto! Well that's cool, surely this card can't possibly be bett...oh wait...ANY creature? Awesome, now go make friends with Grave Titan.
Creatures
Apprentice Necromancer: A creature that allows one of your dead zombies the chance to spring back to life for one turn with haste when the Apprentice is sacrificed. Another one of Grave Titan's buddies.
Balthor The Defiled: A Zombie dwarf is already badass, but the added ability of mass-reanimating red and black creatures for the low low cost of exiling Balthor? Priceless.
Cemetery Reaper: One of the few "pump zombies in the deck. In a pinch, his ability can be used to poop out more zombies, although I'd rather let Withered Wretch clear the graveyards.
Corpse Connoisseur: The thing that makes this zombie really stand out is tutoring ANY creature to go straight into your graveyard. Very nice to reanimate a creature of your choice when the time's right. Unearth also makes this guy awesome in a pinch.
Corpse Harvester: Oh hello, another tutoring zombie! This time however, for sac'cing a creature, you get a two for one deal by getting a zombie AND a swamp to go into your hand. Jolly good.
Death Baron : Arguably the best "pump" zombie of the lot. He affects both skeletons and zombies, gives them all deathtouch, and isn't afraid of anything.
Doomed Necromancer: Wait, this guy isn't a zombie, he's a human who brings zomb..."oh I see what you did there". Good one.
Drudge Skeleton: Paired up with Death Baron, this guy can easily hold up massive threats while also flipping the finger to your opponent by being able to regenerate.
Escaped Null: Other than the totally awesome creature class (Zombie Berserker, really?), his lifelink ability is useful, even more so if your opponent cares to block.
Fleshbag Marauder: A ETB ability that forces everyone to sac a creature? Now you're talking! Until you play a deck with Fleshbag in it, it's easy to really underestimate the power of this fat fella. Arguably one of the best zombies printed.
Geth, Lord of the Vault: Geth has everything good going for him. A 5/5 body, intimidate is already no joke. The icing on the cake is resurrecting a creature from an opponent's graveyard to your side...and then smacking his face by sending cards from his library into his graveyard.
Glissa, The Traitor: Although there aren't really artifacts in this deck, Glissa is still one mighty force to be reckoned with, if only because of her simultaneous first strike/deathtouch ability.
Grave Titan: Considering he's not a zombie (terrible mistake you made there, Wizards :(), he's arguably the best creature in your entire deck, considering this deck has a lot of reanimation going for it. He has my vote as MVP of the creatures.
Grixis Slavedriver: Oh, a mini Grave Titan! Sure he only gives out one zombie instead of two, but he's still cool.
Helldozer: Awesome class with Zombie Giant, check. The ability to destroy any land, check. The ability to untap if an nonbasic land is destroyed, oh sweet merciful Jesus.
Korlash, Heir to Backblade: This guy can be a hell of a monstrosity to stop. He can easily regenerate, and will only get larger the longer the game goes. Pair up with Urborg for insane action.
Lord of the Undead: Yet another "pump" zombie in this deck. His recursion is pretty nifty, but not as awesome as other cards in your deck.
Noxious Ghoul: This card will make your opponents cringe at the table, especially if they're playing tokens. Hurts everyone but you, basically. Good job for being obnoxious.
Pestilence Demon: At first glance, a complete oddball in a deck filled with the undead. However, in a chance of stalemate, this bad boy will make sure everyone suffers at the table. Combine with Basilisk Collar for a Damnation like effect and away you go.
Phyrexian Crusader: Oh my, lots of good things to say about this card. Protection from Red/White, infect, first strike 2/2 body is absolutely sexy.
Putrid Leech a 2/2 body that you can make larger...for a cost of 2 life. Honestly, not feeling this zombie up as compared to others, probably would be quick on the chopping block.
Reassembling Skeleton: Just as its name implies, this guy will truly never die. coupled with Grave Pact and other sac outlets, he's an amazing card.
Shambling Shell: Normally, a 3/1 creature for 3 is somewhat dull for me. However, dredge and the +1/+1 counter to add to any creature is very very nice.
Skinrender: This card usually means "kill off any creature with a toughness of 3 or less. However, this guy does his job well in weakening bigger critters as well.
Soulless One: The longer the game goes, the bigger this bad boy gets.
Stromgald Crusader: Just when you thought zombies were dangerous on the ground, this guy comes along, with his protection from white, and takes to the skies. Flying zombies...now proof that the human race is completely doomed.
Undead Warchief: A zombie "pump" that makes the cost of all other zombies cheaper? Awesome.
Vulturous Zombie: 3/3 Flying zombie that will get bigger the more cards flood the graveyard. This zombie basically screams "kill me now or you will die a really horrible and excruciating death from the skies".
Withered Wretch: The ability to exile any card from any graveyard for the cost of one is absolutely worth it.
Zombie Master: With the master of zombies out, any zombie can regenerate and have swampwalk. Essentially, if you have this guy and Urborg out, unless your opponent is playing a heavy creature black deck, it's basically "gg".
Enchantments
Call to the Grave: At first, the fact that each player has to sacrifice a non-zombie creature should issue a collective groan around the table...but wait, not you! Just make sure that the board isn't clear when this card is online.
Dance of the Dead: In addition to being an awesome song by Iron Maiden (go listen to Dance of Death), this card essentially reanimates your undead critter for just two mana! (although it does make the creature come in tapped)...
Grave Pact: A great insurance policy enchantment and amazing with the zombie theme. After all, if you're gonna kill a zombie...it's gonna take you down with it.
Lurking Predators: As zombies are extremely scary, this card is no exception. Makes your opponents shudder every time they play a spell if they have to see another undead corpse come out of the woodwork.
Necromancy: Feels eerily similar to Dance of the Dead...oh yeah that's right, it doesn't force the creature to come in tapped, for just one more mana. Worth it.
Phyrexian Arena: For the cost of one measly life a turn, you get to draw an additional card. Well worth it.
Primal Rage: Zombies will do whatever it takes to get to their meal (being flesh and brains of course). Trample combined with deathtouch from say...Death Baron should make your opponents shudder at the very least.
Quest for the Gravelord A 5/5 zombie giant that comes out with 2 mana and when three creatures die is not a joke. Very useful.
Rite of Passage: Did your Skullbriar or any other zombie kill off a creature, but wasn't able to connect hitting the player? That's fine, here's a +1/+1 counter for your effort. Incredible with your general.
Sarcomancy: Essentially, this just gives you a 2/2 zombie for one mana. Nice placeholder card for the time being.
Instants and Sorceries
Beacon of Unrest: Brings back to its undead life any creature or artifact. While normally this would be passed for something cheaper, the clause "this gets shuffled back into your library" seeps into your brain...and then you include this card.
Cruel Revival: The card basically reads "kill a creature that isn't yours, then revive a creature and bring it back into your hand." Pretty nifty, although isn't as powerful as I'd like it.
Damnation: Wrath of God for Black! Seriously, that's what the card is, a timeshifted version of ***. Undeniably the best mass sweeper black will ever have. Perfect when you're just about to set up reanimating your ridiculously large Skullbriar, or Grave Titan.
Demonic Collusion: One of few cards that tutors in the deck. While 5 mana is somewhat hefty, you don't have to reveal! Oh, and did I mention Buyback's "drawback" can work out to be really amazing?
Demonic Tutor: It tutors just like Demonic Collusion...except it costs 2. Should be painfully obvious why this card was included.
Dread Return: Most reanimation effects seem to be a one trick pony..except this bad boy. Flashback makes this card very nice to have.
Life's Finale: The bad: A Damnation that costs two more and allows creature to regenerate. The good: You get to select your opponent's three creatures in his library to join in the mass death parade. More than fair tradeoff.
Living Death: Tired of just reanimating only one creature at a time? That's okay, mass reanimator to the rescue! The fact that this mass reanimates, along with clearing all creatures on the field makes this in most cases a game-winning card for you. Definitely MVP of sorceries and instants.
Profane Command: Lots and lots of options. Can be used in any situation. Usually, this card screams for life drain and fear, although reanimation is also looking pretty snazzy...
Putrefy: Pesky critter or artifact giving you trouble on the field? No problem, for the cost of a low three mana, that problem is gone, thanks to the no regenerating clause.
Reanimate: The card that inspired the the mass knockoffs of cheating creatures into play (or giving them another chance). Fits absolutely perfect in this format.
Rise from the Grave: This card raises several nifty options. On the one hand, it can finally make your Grave Titan an actual zombie and thus allow it to have all the rich bonuses zombies get. This card can also target your opponent's graveyard. Very very versatile. "Why yes, I'll take your Wurmcoil Engine...
Triumph of the Hordes: The "win all" card. Finally had enough at the table? Ready to slaughter everyone in one go? This is the card for you. If only you were an instant Triumph...you'd be cracking my top favorite cards of all time.
Vigor Mortis: A reanimate effect with a +1/+1 counter to boot. Skullbriar, this card is calling for you.
Artifacts and Planeswalker
Basilisk Collar: An equipment that grants deathtouch for two (one for mana cost, one to equip) is already pretty insane. Ditto for lifelink. However, having BOTH for the same price? Sweet jesus, and it's also pretty combo-able with several cards. Nuts NOT to include!
Liliana Vess: One of only two humans who decided to cooperate with the undead. So what gives? Her tutorable ability, as well as her ultimate are downright insane.
Nim Deathmantle: Got a bit of mana left open right as your Grave Titan died? That's no problem, just pay four and have him return right back to the field...pooping two more zombies from his stomach...and giving him +2/+2...and giving him intimidate...and making him a zombie...just nothing short of spectacular.
How to Win, Sheen Style (Or play this deck efficiently)
Basically, your opening hand will completely dictate how to progress with your deck. Of course, the easy copout would be to rush Skullbriar out by turn 2 and plow him into an undefended opponent to already land counters. As far as your hand goes, you will want to just play conservatively, pushing zombies out, and not fret if they die, until you play either Liliana Vess, Living Death, or Balthor the Defiled, and then win or play a little more dirty...using the vast multitude of reanimation effects to abuse the hell out of various cards (the big glaring target that screams to be abused is Grave Titan). If you manage to grab Demonic Collusion within your opening hand along with powerful zombies, feel free to search for a reanimate card while using the buyback ability to discard those zombies to just bring back to life.
Of course, when you're ready to win, Triumph of the Hordes and Pestilence Demon will be waiting at the finish line for you.
Of course, by no means is this decklist final. It's a good starting point for those who would be interested in a zombie apocalypse themed deck that focuses on reanimating the undead. Please feel free to leave suggestions, comments, etc etc.
I've been slowly assembling a GB Zombie (mostly) deck. Tombstone Stairwell is really interesting if you have plenty of ways to utilize the zoms on your turn like Ashnod's Altar, Skullclamp, Grave Pact Effects, Natural Order.
Some things I would remove for sure:
Quest for the Gravelord - A one time effect that will look sad when you turn it over for lurking predators. Easy to trigger but overall not amazing.
Rite of Passage - A decent card but most direct damage in this format is blocking creatures and they will only block if they will kill it. If you want something that plays well with skullbriar you could always consider Unspeakable Symbol. Its a hyper expensive hatred but the life you pay should always retain its value considering the bonus doesn't go away when he dies.
Sarcomancy - Carnophage would be an upgrade over this (and you don't run him lol) its a 2/2 zombie that can't come off lurking predators, its an enchantment that will be annoying to get rid of if you don't have a zombie in play that ticks you down slowly, carnophage only pings you if you want. Either way i just see this guy as unecessary, even in my deck it was considered as carnophage number 2... but overall it got cut.
Some Things i would recommend Life//Death - its reanimate #2 for you. Animate Dead - Since you are going about the reanimation route its a nice addition. (who cares about -1/-0 when you reanimate creatures like geth or death baron. Quagmire Druid - just a zombie that doubles as enchantment removal. Highly recommend him. Skullclamp - has to be like one of the best tools of the zombie trade
Those are direct examples. I would also recommend you have a small handful of artifacts that Glissa can abuse. Doesn't have to be much, but cards like expedition map, scrabbling claws, these guys can really help out overall and whenever glissa pokes her head out you can get added value from them later. (i like scrabbling claws with her, oh your creature is about to die... i'll sac to draw a card and exile something pop back to my hand recast it and rince repeat)
Since you really seem to like the reanimation factors why not consider buried alive or perhaps entomb? A turn 1 entomb into turn 2 animate dead can be particularly nasty if you pop out a turn 2 grave titan. Not to mention Gravespawn Sovereign can be pretty nice reanimation here lol.
As for non-Zombies why not consider Lim-Dul, the Necromancer? He's pretty expensive but considering the large amount of reanimator you are running it could be pretty nice. Not only does he randomly regenerate your zombies but whatever he prevents from dieing naturally turns into a zombie to feed off of your Death Baron's and Lord of the Undeads.
A little tip: Necromancy can be played as an instant. I hope you don't think im insulting your intelligence or anything thats not the case, many people seem to over look this fact. My older zombie deck has used this fact to totally suprise my opponents. One really annoying use for me was after an opponent wrathed to get rid of call to the grave flashed in Necromancy to save the card, the obvious use is to flash in blockers, but one could even concieve the possibilities of an alpha strike an opponent decides to take since he will survive being pushed into lethal damage by flashing in Zombie Warcheif from the yard.
Anyway good luck with the list I really hope it does well for you and becomes a blast to play with
If you feel like you are packing big balls, Moraility Shift is a great card in here. With all that Living Death stuff you can get some crazy things to happen. Sarcomancy seems like the weakest link in the chain and Shift is just such a huge game swinger.
Well thanks for all your comments guys :). Updated several posts to OP, mainly about why I picked those cards, stuff I'm considering to take out at the moment, and cards ready to be placed in.
@Black: Already had Twilight Mire in there before you mentioned it. However, Tombstone with Ashnod's Alter sounds like an interesting option. I'll test it out and see how it works.
@Aryakin: As much as I'd really love Entomb to come in, I can't justify myself to pay the $30+ for that card. If this deck got a bit more competitive I might. As for Buried Alive, I'm somewhat on the fence with it. Also, definitely forgot about Gravespawn Sovereign and will try my earliest convenience to give him a go as well as Life/Death and Quagmire Druid.
@Galspanic: holy mother of god, that is very ballsy of Morality Shift. Sounds just about an insta-win with Living Death. Not quite on my wish list yet, but I now definitely want to try it out :P. Also, will probably add Svogthos, the Restless Tomb later.
One thing to bear in mind is that all counters stay on Skullbriar...including -1/-1 counters! While probably not a common scenario, it might be prudent to have a few "outs" just in case. Might I recommend Oversold Cemetery? Genesis is also particularly good for shenanigans but not sure how thematical it is.
I just recently got into EDH (I focus on Standard) and had initially bought myself the Devour For Power Commander deck. I had a great time playing it at this weekend's EDH event, so I knew that I enjoyed the deck's style.
When I saw this deck centralized around Skullbriar, I was excited as hell to try it. I've got all of the cards I was missing being sent to me, so I should be ready for full scale playtesting by the end of the week.
Did you take the deck to any events this weekend? How did it play?
I like Skullbriar a lot. I think one card you missed in particular(not sure if you purposely missed it for flavor), is sporogenesis. With skullbriar and a bit of recursion you get some decent token production. Another option is that which was taken for some protection from your opponent's destruction.
I love the list and the flavor of all of it. Why not use something to show that the necromancers do not care about their slaves like they should? maybe a card like attrition? and what about some proliferation to further the general beatdown that is skullbriar? could even use some tumble magnets and the like as reusable stall. Also, glissa the traitor is a tank as is, but why not throw some more artifacts in to do some more? horizon spellbomb, tumble magnet(prev mentioned), any artifact staple in edh really, some equipments to make things worse(my favorite being quietus spike and basilisk collar) and mindslaver come to mind.
hey Komrade, i plan on using this deck as a blueprint for my own Skullbriar deck. ive been using it online and must say its one of my most favoret decks to use due to the flavor and great interaction the cards have with each other.
This thread, and the one you're mentioning in your top post, has been a big inspiration for my zombie themed EDH deck. Thank you. My love for the zombie theme strecthes back to the Onslaught block, when I played zombies in my T2 deck, and ever since I started playing EDH I have been wanting to try them out. I have just never found a right way. Unntil Skullbriar. Black and green combines really well with the undead, and the theme allows so many fun cards that I have never been able to play in any of my other EDH decks. Got to love it!
I realize this thread is 3 years dead, figured I'd cast a Reanimate on it...
I just dismantled my Grimgrin deck, any sort of control just seemed to demolish it but didn't quite want to trade in the Zombie Lords just yet. Figured for those of us who're still interested in building this deck there are a few cards out there worth mentioning now...
Death's Presence because why not? Put the counters on Skullbriar
Ghoulcaller Gisa you can sac a fat Skullbriar to produce a horde of zombs
That aside, one of the creepiest and scariest possibilities when it comes to the end of days (basically, the end of the world as we know it) would be a zombie apocalypse. One minute, peace and tranquility...the next, pure chaos and fright as cemeteries and morgues come to life with the undead. The lifeless bodies on gurneys in the hospital start to quiver and then proceed to maul and kill everyone nearby. Slowly but surely, Hell comes to Earth as legions of the walking dead scour the landscape in addition to demonic entities killing off the last bits of civilization.
Now, what does this have to do with Commander? Simple: there appears to be LOTS of goodies when it comes to building a deck. While I do like my fair share of competitive decks, the idea of building a deck solely about the undead was too good to pass up. Without further ado, presenting the leader of the undead!
AKA We as humans are totally done for
Why That Dude as your General?
2. Green has quite a few cards that fit in nicely with the theme of an Undead Apocalypse.
3. The more he eats (damages) the bigger he grows! If that isn't terrifying, I don't know what is.
Now that you've waited long enough, presenting the decklist!
1x Skullbriar, The Walking Grave
Human Necromancers (2):
1x Doomed Necromancer
1x Liliana Vess
Other Undead Minions (29):
1x Apprentice Necromancer
1x Balthor the Defiled
1x Cemetery Reaper
1x Corpse Connoisseur
1x Corpse Harvester
1x Death Baron
1x Drudge Skeleton
1x Escaped Null
1x Fleshbag Marauder
1x Geth, Lord of the Vault
1x Glissa, the Traitor
1x Grave Titan
1x Grixis Slavedriver
1x Helldozer
1x Korlash, Heir to Backblade
1x Lord of the Undead
1x Noxious Ghoul
1x Phyrexian Crusader
1x Phyrexian Delver
1x Putrid Leech
1x Reassembling Skeleton
1x Shambling Shell
1x Skinrender
1x Soulless One
1x Stromgald Crusader
1x Undead Warchief
1x Vulturous Zombie
1x Wall of Bones
1x Withered Wretch
1x Zombie Master
1x Pestilence Demon
1x Demonic Collusion
1x Demonic Tutor
Tools of the Undead (2):
1x Basilisk Collar
1x Nim Deathmantle
Giving Life to the Undead (10):
1x Beacon of Unrest
1x Cruel Revival
1x Dance of the Dead
1x Dread Return
1x Living Death
1x Necromancy
1x Profane Command
1x Reanimate
1x Rise From the Grave
1x Vigor Mortis
Speeding the Undead Apocalypse (4):
1x Lurking Predators
1x Quest For the Gravelord
1x Rite of Passage
1x Sarcomancy
Fill the World With Corpses (5):
1x Call to the Grave
1x Damnation
1x Grave Pact
1x Life's Finale
1x Putrify
1x Grim Feast
1x Phyrexian Arena
1x Primal Rage
1x Triumph of the Horde
Land of the Dead (40):
1x Cabal Coffers
1x Gilt-Leaf Palace
1x Lake of the Dead
1x Llanowar Wastes
1x Overgrown Tomb
1x Tainted Wood
1x Twilight Mire
1x Unholy Grotto
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1x Volrath's Stronghold
14x Forest
15x Swamp
Of course, for you folks who are way too confused about how this is listed above or lack creative insight, there is a much friendlier guide to what's what below here.
1x Skullbriar, The Walking Grave
Planeswalker:
1x Liliana Vess
Creatures:
1x Apprentice Necromancer
1x Balthor the Defiled
1x Cemetery Reaper
1x Corpse Connoisseur
1x Corpse Harvester
1x Death Baron
1x Doomed Necromancer
1x Drudge Skeleton
1x Escaped Null
1x Fleshbag Marauder
1x Geth, Lord of the Vault
1x Glissa, the Traitor
1x Grave Titan
1x Grixis Slavedriver
1x Helldozer
1x Korlash, Heir to Backblade
1x Lord of the Undead
1x Noxious Ghoul
1x Phyrexian Crusader
1x Phyrexian Delver
1x Putrid Leech
1x Reassembling Skeleton
1x Shambling Shell
1x Skinrender
1x Soulless One
1x Stromgald Crusader
1x Undead Warchief
1x Vulturous Zombie
1x Wall of Bones
1x Withered Wretch
1x Zombie Master
1x Beacon of Unrest
1x Damnation
1x Demonic Collusion
1x Demonic Tutor
1x Dread Return
1x Life's Finale
1x Living Death
1x Profane Command
1x Reanimate
1x Rise From the Grave
1x Triumph of the Hordes
1x Vigor Mortis
Instants:
1x Cruel Revival
1x Putrefy
Enchantments:
1x Call to the Grave
1x Dance of the Dead
1x Grave Pact
1x Lurking Predators
1x Necromancy
1x Phyrexian Arena
1x Primal Rage
1x Quest for the Gravelord
1x Rite of Passage
1x Sarcomancy
1x Cabal Coffers
1x Gilt-Leaf Palace
1x Lake of the Dead
1x Llanowar Wastes
1x Overgrown Tomb
1x Tainted Wood
1x Twilight Mire
1x Unholy Grotto
1x Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
1x Volrath's Stronghold
14x Forest
15x Swamp
Change Log
On the Chopping Block
Putrid Leech
Quest for the Gravelord
Sarcomancy
Ashnod's Alter
Gravespawn Sovereign
Life/Death
Quagmire Druid
Tombstone Stairwell
Breaking Down the Card Selection
Land
Cabal Coffers: Early game, this card isn't very useful. Once a flood of swamps come out though...this card is very, VERY, broken. Even more broken goodness with Urborg (see Urborg).
Gilt-Leaf Palace: Unless Glissa is in your hand, this card is essentially "CIPT: Add Green or Black to your mana pool". Still very useful, especially if this is in your opening hand.
Lake of the Dead: Very thematic, excellent way to provide black mana earlier to poop zombies onto the field.
Llanowar Wastes: Now you're talking! Unlike Gilt-Leaf, this doesn't CIPT. However, tapping for Green or Black mana pings one damage to you. Then again, this is EDH, where your life is 40 and games are supposed to be long. This card is awesome.
Overgrown Tomb: A dual land that either CIPT or doesn't if you just pay two life? Other than the original dual lands and the painlands (arguably), this is probably the best dual land you're going to have.
Tainted Wood:Very overlooked land, since the tainted cycle all relied on swamps. However, this card works perfectly in this deck as you will always have a swamp out, either the simple way, or through Urborg.
Twilight Mire: Versatility on what mana options I can have on my early game if I have just this with either a forest or a swamp? Awesome.
Unholy Grotto:: Aww, did poor Skullbriar get a nasty -1/-1 counter on him, rendering him unplayable or Fleshbag Marauder sitting his fat tush in your graveyard? No problem, the grotto will save them! Very unholy indeed. Possibly one of the best recursion engines in the deck.
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth: Possibly the MVP of the lands, other than Unholy Grotto. The ability to give ALL lands the swamp subtype can lead to very very nasty scenarios...such as fuel for your Cabal Coffer or roaming grounds with Zombie Master and crew.
Volrath's Stronghold: Hey, just like Unholy Grotto! Well that's cool, surely this card can't possibly be bett...oh wait...ANY creature? Awesome, now go make friends with Grave Titan.
Apprentice Necromancer: A creature that allows one of your dead zombies the chance to spring back to life for one turn with haste when the Apprentice is sacrificed. Another one of Grave Titan's buddies.
Balthor The Defiled: A Zombie dwarf is already badass, but the added ability of mass-reanimating red and black creatures for the low low cost of exiling Balthor? Priceless.
Cemetery Reaper: One of the few "pump zombies in the deck. In a pinch, his ability can be used to poop out more zombies, although I'd rather let Withered Wretch clear the graveyards.
Corpse Connoisseur: The thing that makes this zombie really stand out is tutoring ANY creature to go straight into your graveyard. Very nice to reanimate a creature of your choice when the time's right. Unearth also makes this guy awesome in a pinch.
Corpse Harvester: Oh hello, another tutoring zombie! This time however, for sac'cing a creature, you get a two for one deal by getting a zombie AND a swamp to go into your hand. Jolly good.
Death Baron : Arguably the best "pump" zombie of the lot. He affects both skeletons and zombies, gives them all deathtouch, and isn't afraid of anything.
Doomed Necromancer: Wait, this guy isn't a zombie, he's a human who brings zomb..."oh I see what you did there". Good one.
Drudge Skeleton: Paired up with Death Baron, this guy can easily hold up massive threats while also flipping the finger to your opponent by being able to regenerate.
Escaped Null: Other than the totally awesome creature class (Zombie Berserker, really?), his lifelink ability is useful, even more so if your opponent cares to block.
Fleshbag Marauder: A ETB ability that forces everyone to sac a creature? Now you're talking! Until you play a deck with Fleshbag in it, it's easy to really underestimate the power of this fat fella. Arguably one of the best zombies printed.
Geth, Lord of the Vault: Geth has everything good going for him. A 5/5 body, intimidate is already no joke. The icing on the cake is resurrecting a creature from an opponent's graveyard to your side...and then smacking his face by sending cards from his library into his graveyard.
Glissa, The Traitor: Although there aren't really artifacts in this deck, Glissa is still one mighty force to be reckoned with, if only because of her simultaneous first strike/deathtouch ability.
Grave Titan: Considering he's not a zombie (terrible mistake you made there, Wizards :(), he's arguably the best creature in your entire deck, considering this deck has a lot of reanimation going for it. He has my vote as MVP of the creatures.
Grixis Slavedriver: Oh, a mini Grave Titan! Sure he only gives out one zombie instead of two, but he's still cool.
Helldozer: Awesome class with Zombie Giant, check. The ability to destroy any land, check. The ability to untap if an nonbasic land is destroyed, oh sweet merciful Jesus.
Korlash, Heir to Backblade: This guy can be a hell of a monstrosity to stop. He can easily regenerate, and will only get larger the longer the game goes. Pair up with Urborg for insane action.
Lord of the Undead: Yet another "pump" zombie in this deck. His recursion is pretty nifty, but not as awesome as other cards in your deck.
Noxious Ghoul: This card will make your opponents cringe at the table, especially if they're playing tokens. Hurts everyone but you, basically. Good job for being obnoxious.
Pestilence Demon: At first glance, a complete oddball in a deck filled with the undead. However, in a chance of stalemate, this bad boy will make sure everyone suffers at the table. Combine with Basilisk Collar for a Damnation like effect and away you go.
Phyrexian Crusader: Oh my, lots of good things to say about this card. Protection from Red/White, infect, first strike 2/2 body is absolutely sexy.
Phyrexian Delver: Hey, its reanimation on a stick! Perfect!
Putrid Leech a 2/2 body that you can make larger...for a cost of 2 life. Honestly, not feeling this zombie up as compared to others, probably would be quick on the chopping block.
Reassembling Skeleton: Just as its name implies, this guy will truly never die. coupled with Grave Pact and other sac outlets, he's an amazing card.
Shambling Shell: Normally, a 3/1 creature for 3 is somewhat dull for me. However, dredge and the +1/+1 counter to add to any creature is very very nice.
Skinrender: This card usually means "kill off any creature with a toughness of 3 or less. However, this guy does his job well in weakening bigger critters as well.
Soulless One: The longer the game goes, the bigger this bad boy gets.
Stromgald Crusader: Just when you thought zombies were dangerous on the ground, this guy comes along, with his protection from white, and takes to the skies. Flying zombies...now proof that the human race is completely doomed.
Undead Warchief: A zombie "pump" that makes the cost of all other zombies cheaper? Awesome.
Vulturous Zombie: 3/3 Flying zombie that will get bigger the more cards flood the graveyard. This zombie basically screams "kill me now or you will die a really horrible and excruciating death from the skies".
Withered Wretch: The ability to exile any card from any graveyard for the cost of one is absolutely worth it.
Zombie Master: With the master of zombies out, any zombie can regenerate and have swampwalk. Essentially, if you have this guy and Urborg out, unless your opponent is playing a heavy creature black deck, it's basically "gg".
Call to the Grave: At first, the fact that each player has to sacrifice a non-zombie creature should issue a collective groan around the table...but wait, not you! Just make sure that the board isn't clear when this card is online.
Dance of the Dead: In addition to being an awesome song by Iron Maiden (go listen to Dance of Death), this card essentially reanimates your undead critter for just two mana! (although it does make the creature come in tapped)...
Grave Pact: A great insurance policy enchantment and amazing with the zombie theme. After all, if you're gonna kill a zombie...it's gonna take you down with it.
Lurking Predators: As zombies are extremely scary, this card is no exception. Makes your opponents shudder every time they play a spell if they have to see another undead corpse come out of the woodwork.
Necromancy: Feels eerily similar to Dance of the Dead...oh yeah that's right, it doesn't force the creature to come in tapped, for just one more mana. Worth it.
Phyrexian Arena: For the cost of one measly life a turn, you get to draw an additional card. Well worth it.
Primal Rage: Zombies will do whatever it takes to get to their meal (being flesh and brains of course). Trample combined with deathtouch from say...Death Baron should make your opponents shudder at the very least.
Quest for the Gravelord A 5/5 zombie giant that comes out with 2 mana and when three creatures die is not a joke. Very useful.
Rite of Passage: Did your Skullbriar or any other zombie kill off a creature, but wasn't able to connect hitting the player? That's fine, here's a +1/+1 counter for your effort. Incredible with your general.
Sarcomancy: Essentially, this just gives you a 2/2 zombie for one mana. Nice placeholder card for the time being.
Beacon of Unrest: Brings back to its undead life any creature or artifact. While normally this would be passed for something cheaper, the clause "this gets shuffled back into your library" seeps into your brain...and then you include this card.
Cruel Revival: The card basically reads "kill a creature that isn't yours, then revive a creature and bring it back into your hand." Pretty nifty, although isn't as powerful as I'd like it.
Damnation: Wrath of God for Black! Seriously, that's what the card is, a timeshifted version of ***. Undeniably the best mass sweeper black will ever have. Perfect when you're just about to set up reanimating your ridiculously large Skullbriar, or Grave Titan.
Demonic Collusion: One of few cards that tutors in the deck. While 5 mana is somewhat hefty, you don't have to reveal! Oh, and did I mention Buyback's "drawback" can work out to be really amazing?
Demonic Tutor: It tutors just like Demonic Collusion...except it costs 2. Should be painfully obvious why this card was included.
Dread Return: Most reanimation effects seem to be a one trick pony..except this bad boy. Flashback makes this card very nice to have.
Life's Finale: The bad: A Damnation that costs two more and allows creature to regenerate. The good: You get to select your opponent's three creatures in his library to join in the mass death parade. More than fair tradeoff.
Living Death: Tired of just reanimating only one creature at a time? That's okay, mass reanimator to the rescue! The fact that this mass reanimates, along with clearing all creatures on the field makes this in most cases a game-winning card for you. Definitely MVP of sorceries and instants.
Profane Command: Lots and lots of options. Can be used in any situation. Usually, this card screams for life drain and fear, although reanimation is also looking pretty snazzy...
Putrefy: Pesky critter or artifact giving you trouble on the field? No problem, for the cost of a low three mana, that problem is gone, thanks to the no regenerating clause.
Reanimate: The card that inspired the the mass knockoffs of cheating creatures into play (or giving them another chance). Fits absolutely perfect in this format.
Rise from the Grave: This card raises several nifty options. On the one hand, it can finally make your Grave Titan an actual zombie and thus allow it to have all the rich bonuses zombies get. This card can also target your opponent's graveyard. Very very versatile. "Why yes, I'll take your Wurmcoil Engine...
Triumph of the Hordes: The "win all" card. Finally had enough at the table? Ready to slaughter everyone in one go? This is the card for you. If only you were an instant Triumph...you'd be cracking my top favorite cards of all time.
Vigor Mortis: A reanimate effect with a +1/+1 counter to boot. Skullbriar, this card is calling for you.
Basilisk Collar: An equipment that grants deathtouch for two (one for mana cost, one to equip) is already pretty insane. Ditto for lifelink. However, having BOTH for the same price? Sweet jesus, and it's also pretty combo-able with several cards. Nuts NOT to include!
Liliana Vess: One of only two humans who decided to cooperate with the undead. So what gives? Her tutorable ability, as well as her ultimate are downright insane.
Nim Deathmantle: Got a bit of mana left open right as your Grave Titan died? That's no problem, just pay four and have him return right back to the field...pooping two more zombies from his stomach...and giving him +2/+2...and giving him intimidate...and making him a zombie...just nothing short of spectacular.
How to Win, Sheen Style (Or play this deck efficiently)
Basically, your opening hand will completely dictate how to progress with your deck. Of course, the easy copout would be to rush Skullbriar out by turn 2 and plow him into an undefended opponent to already land counters. As far as your hand goes, you will want to just play conservatively, pushing zombies out, and not fret if they die, until you play either Liliana Vess, Living Death, or Balthor the Defiled, and then win or play a little more dirty...using the vast multitude of reanimation effects to abuse the hell out of various cards (the big glaring target that screams to be abused is Grave Titan). If you manage to grab Demonic Collusion within your opening hand along with powerful zombies, feel free to search for a reanimate card while using the buyback ability to discard those zombies to just bring back to life.
Of course, when you're ready to win, Triumph of the Hordes and Pestilence Demon will be waiting at the finish line for you.
Of course, by no means is this decklist final. It's a good starting point for those who would be interested in a zombie apocalypse themed deck that focuses on reanimating the undead. Please feel free to leave suggestions, comments, etc etc.
My EDH Runup
UTeferi and the 40 ThievesU
WDarien, King of KjeldorW(Primer in progress)
BGThe Walking Dead (Skullbriar)BG
WURClash of the Fomori (Ruhan)WUR
UBRSedris, King of GrixisUBR
WUBRGAll Your Slivers Are Belong to UsWUBRG
My EDH Runup
UTeferi and the 40 ThievesU
WDarien, King of KjeldorW(Primer in progress)
BGThe Walking Dead (Skullbriar)BG
WURClash of the Fomori (Ruhan)WUR
UBRSedris, King of GrixisUBR
WUBRGAll Your Slivers Are Belong to UsWUBRG
Twisted Abomination is a pretty good zom.
Twilight Mire is some more good fixing.
Banner by Nakamura, Thanks!
EDH Math
EDH Decks:
Ghost Council: The Magic Mafia of Orzhova
BB Drana: Down with the Sickness
Rasputin: Reality is Broken
Vish Kal Bleeder: Bloody Kisses
Teysa, Orzhov Dominatrix
Stonebrow: Breaking Things
BWR Kaalia Punisher: Heaven's on Fire
Grimgrin: Dead Reckoning
Quest for the Gravelord - A one time effect that will look sad when you turn it over for lurking predators. Easy to trigger but overall not amazing.
Rite of Passage - A decent card but most direct damage in this format is blocking creatures and they will only block if they will kill it. If you want something that plays well with skullbriar you could always consider Unspeakable Symbol. Its a hyper expensive hatred but the life you pay should always retain its value considering the bonus doesn't go away when he dies.
Sarcomancy - Carnophage would be an upgrade over this (and you don't run him lol) its a 2/2 zombie that can't come off lurking predators, its an enchantment that will be annoying to get rid of if you don't have a zombie in play that ticks you down slowly, carnophage only pings you if you want. Either way i just see this guy as unecessary, even in my deck it was considered as carnophage number 2... but overall it got cut.
Some Things i would recommend
Life//Death - its reanimate #2 for you.
Animate Dead - Since you are going about the reanimation route its a nice addition. (who cares about -1/-0 when you reanimate creatures like geth or death baron.
Quagmire Druid - just a zombie that doubles as enchantment removal. Highly recommend him.
Skullclamp - has to be like one of the best tools of the zombie trade
Those are direct examples. I would also recommend you have a small handful of artifacts that Glissa can abuse. Doesn't have to be much, but cards like expedition map, scrabbling claws, these guys can really help out overall and whenever glissa pokes her head out you can get added value from them later. (i like scrabbling claws with her, oh your creature is about to die... i'll sac to draw a card and exile something pop back to my hand recast it and rince repeat)
Since you really seem to like the reanimation factors why not consider buried alive or perhaps entomb? A turn 1 entomb into turn 2 animate dead can be particularly nasty if you pop out a turn 2 grave titan. Not to mention Gravespawn Sovereign can be pretty nice reanimation here lol.
As for non-Zombies why not consider Lim-Dul, the Necromancer? He's pretty expensive but considering the large amount of reanimator you are running it could be pretty nice. Not only does he randomly regenerate your zombies but whatever he prevents from dieing naturally turns into a zombie to feed off of your Death Baron's and Lord of the Undeads.
A little tip: Necromancy can be played as an instant. I hope you don't think im insulting your intelligence or anything thats not the case, many people seem to over look this fact. My older zombie deck has used this fact to totally suprise my opponents. One really annoying use for me was after an opponent wrathed to get rid of call to the grave flashed in Necromancy to save the card, the obvious use is to flash in blockers, but one could even concieve the possibilities of an alpha strike an opponent decides to take since he will survive being pushed into lethal damage by flashing in Zombie Warcheif from the yard.
Anyway good luck with the list I really hope it does well for you and becomes a blast to play with
Also, Svogthos, the Restless Tomb" target="blank">Svogthos, the Restless Tomb can be a beating in this deck that has such a low opportunity cost that it should probably be in there.
WUBRGPauper Battle BoxWUBRG ... and why I am not a fan of Wayne Reynolds' Illustrations.
@Black: Already had Twilight Mire in there before you mentioned it. However, Tombstone with Ashnod's Alter sounds like an interesting option. I'll test it out and see how it works.
@Aryakin: As much as I'd really love Entomb to come in, I can't justify myself to pay the $30+ for that card. If this deck got a bit more competitive I might. As for Buried Alive, I'm somewhat on the fence with it. Also, definitely forgot about Gravespawn Sovereign and will try my earliest convenience to give him a go as well as Life/Death and Quagmire Druid.
@Galspanic: holy mother of god, that is very ballsy of Morality Shift. Sounds just about an insta-win with Living Death. Not quite on my wish list yet, but I now definitely want to try it out :P. Also, will probably add Svogthos, the Restless Tomb later.
My EDH Runup
UTeferi and the 40 ThievesU
WDarien, King of KjeldorW(Primer in progress)
BGThe Walking Dead (Skullbriar)BG
WURClash of the Fomori (Ruhan)WUR
UBRSedris, King of GrixisUBR
WUBRGAll Your Slivers Are Belong to UsWUBRG
WUBRGPauper Battle BoxWUBRG ... and why I am not a fan of Wayne Reynolds' Illustrations.
1x Quest For the Gravelord out for Quest for the Gemblades-works better with your general
1x Primal Rage out for Rancor-the +2 seems worth it, and this comes back after mass removal like Austere Command.
Maybe you just wanted to keep this deck on theme, but why no artifact mana? Sol Ring? And you have Phyrexian Arena, but no Sylvan Library?
Lands: Ways to protect your general from Condemn effects like: High Market, Phyrexian Tower, Miren, the Moaning Well, Safe Haven, and even City of Shadows.
*Mayreturn*
I have some EDH cards and rare Magic basic lands (APAC, EURO, ARENA, etc) so message me if you're looking.
Number of members banned after I posted a BTR: 7
Looking for honest buyers, sellers, and traders.
I just recently got into EDH (I focus on Standard) and had initially bought myself the Devour For Power Commander deck. I had a great time playing it at this weekend's EDH event, so I knew that I enjoyed the deck's style.
When I saw this deck centralized around Skullbriar, I was excited as hell to try it. I've got all of the cards I was missing being sent to me, so I should be ready for full scale playtesting by the end of the week.
Did you take the deck to any events this weekend? How did it play?
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=307453
EDH
WB Teysa, Orzhov Scion
Heck I am now thinking of building a version of this deck now as well.
I just dismantled my Grimgrin deck, any sort of control just seemed to demolish it but didn't quite want to trade in the Zombie Lords just yet. Figured for those of us who're still interested in building this deck there are a few cards out there worth mentioning now...
Death's Presence because why not? Put the counters on Skullbriar
Ghoulcaller Gisa you can sac a fat Skullbriar to produce a horde of zombs
Corpsejack Menace Not a zombie but why not double those counters
Doubling Season counters and tokens seem to be a theme
Champion of Lambholt Not a zombie but makes your horde unblockable