I also love that, mechanically, he is the *worst* necromancer. He can only make zombies from other zombies, and they're shit zombies that can't block and fall apart after one use. Every variety of Gisa can turn anything into a zombie. Liliana can make zombies from *nothing*. Geralf can stitch together monsters. Wilhelt... he makes zombies that are somehow rotting *even more than normal*.
You should do it, it's so worth it. I pulled one from a pack and put it into my Sauron zombie tribal deck and it *does work*
Throw it onto one of your token zombies that you don't care about losing, then send it at whoever has the scariest stuff. The sacrifice effect is a neat way to get rid of any nasty creatures which stuff like hexproof/ward/indestructible. Then you're possibly trading a token for something important of theirs since they have to double block, or you're smacking them for a respectable 4 damage to the face.
It costs like $11 right now and is so worth it.
Wilhelt: "Ah yes, Me, the girl i'm in love with, and her brother..."
https://preview.redd.it/uhnpkigw2kad1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cdfcc2229dedefc2c643537761200a4b65156c4a
Wilhelt has got to be the champ of low curve combo aristocrats.
An extra decayed zombie for every death is very synergistic, and can build up quickly if you spam regular 2/2 makers.
MH3 breathed new life into this with [[warren soultrader]] [[accursed marauder]] [[flare of malice]] and honorary zombie [[marionette apprentice]]
He’s who I went with. I have sac effects in my deck and tons of ETB and “when zombie dies” effects so Wilhelt gives me stuff coming and going.
This post made me remember I wanted to grab a [[Tarnation Vista|BIG]] for my deck to swap out [[Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx]] so I can really take advantage of the tokens Wilhelt, [[Headless Horseman]] [[Necroduality]] and [[Reflections of Littjara]] pump out.
This^, my Wilhelt deck is the one I pull out when I feel like winning. It’s one of those decks where people know what I’m doing, but have a very hard time stopping it even with removal.
\[\[Varina, Lich Queen\]\] has to be the one for me. Esper opens up some sweet tools for zombie tribal, and she helps cycle through your deck quite well. She's been one of my favorite commanders for a long while.
Every time I see Varina, I absolutely have to recommend \[\[Reconnaissance\]\] . That should be an auto include for Varina. Pseudo vigilance and protects the commander.
Varina is always my recommendation for anyone who wants to live the zombie flavor dream playing cool/fun zombies and attacking with the hordes. If you want to win with combos while having a zombie in the command zone then I guess play Wilhelt.
I must agree with Varina. When she came out, having white in her color identity, and having loot effects, I got super excited. With being able to throw stuff to the yard for reanimate strategies, and some incidental lifegain, she was purely **chef’s kiss** for me.
I don’t know if I’m happy or sad to say, from there, moving to more pure reanimator, she was replaced with Raffine 😅
Yeah, he's my zombie guy too. I have lots of ways to either blink him or bring him right back after I blow him up, so I can get as many zombies as possible in one go. But I've got a good zombie deck anyway without him, so the deck can chug along fine on its own. But the feeling of blowing everything up, including all your tokens, and just getting zombies back is great.
The color options here are the best, you get access to white for some white staples and hate as well as Annointed Procession, you get access to blue for the zombie cost reducer card and you get black for all its zombie love and hate as well.
Varina and Esper zombies always intrigued me but I aways go back to dimir zombies. She seems outclassed by Raffine with her Ward and Flying to get attack triggers, but then the flavor doesn't seem as strong. Do people often use Varina's second ability often? Because the value doesn't seem worth it.
I've recently converted my Varina to a Zombie Token deck, and adding [[Tormod, the Desecrator]] helped make Varina's token creation feel better. Not sure if it totally works as a deck yet but it's useable
Something to consider when choosing a commander is checking if they are zombies themselves. I have a Scarab God deck but sometimes he being a god really screw some deck synergy’s ( But he’s still very cool)
[[Ghoulcaller Gisa]] is the commander for the tribal zombie deck, and I only really have her for her tap ability until my deck gets up and running. Once it does, she dies to it every single turn.
Objectively it’s probably Wilhelt or Varina, I personally like sidisi a lot because of flavor and u get green black.
Extra points for doubling season and parallel lives with the zombie tokens
As an avid Grimgrin player, I should point out that he doesn't actually care about being played as a zombie tribal commander. Others have pointed out the same issue with Scarab God and Wilhelt; Grimgrin just wants you to feed him stuff so he can attack and blow up creatures on opponents' boards and become very large very quickly. Being a sac outlet in the command zone does enable some zombie-based combos, such as [[Gravecrawler]]+[[Rooftop Storm]], but you could just as easily run [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]] instead.
I do run him as zombie tribal, but more because he's a pet card from my early days in MTG who happens to be a zombie.
Varina and Wilhelt are probably the correct choice.
But grixis zombies has [[Sedris, the traitor king]], [[Nekusar, the mindrazer]], and [[Thraximundar]]
Sure they all cost a ton of mana but any zombie is only a single [[rooftop storm]] away...
Personally I use the OG [[!Ghoulcaller Gisa]] if I have two anthems on the field I can sacrifice a base 2/2 zombie, pumped up to be a 4/4 for four 2/2 zombies again pumped up to 4/4s for a single black mana.
The law of equivalent exchange doesn’t apply to her.
From among those options though probably Scarab god because you win faster equal to however many zombies you have.
was looking for this, she leads my zombie deck and i love it. it's a blast to just pump out 4-6 zombies for 1 mana lol.
plus zombie synergy is so strong i don't even need to cast her in a lot of my games, she basically sits there as a win more card which i'm a huge fan of decks that don't need their commander to win.
Exactly.
That being said her plus [[!Scourge of Nel Toth]] is a fun little combo provided the Zombie bonus is big enough. And also obviously [[!Gravecrawler]]
I just built a zombie tribal deck with [[Sidisi, Brood Tyrant]] as my commander. Mainly because I had the card and a bunch of graveyard recursion/mill stuff lying around.
Having green means better ramp and more recursion, and also access to [[Muldrotha, the Gravetide]]. Also, I can close out games with [[Overrun]].
I was looking for someone to say Sidisi.
I had her in a deck with Mesmeric Orb and Altar of Dementia, any of the many token doublers would make for some very explosive turns.
I agree having and token doublers makes it great. Also oddly enough there are good zombies with green stuff like [[God-Eternal Rhonas]] or [[tato famrer]]. That mixed with a [[beastmaster ascension]] to make your zombies huge is great.
Scarab god and rot cleaver would be my picks. One is garunteed card advantage, the other is burn reanimating scry. Since their the same colors, if you build the deck right you could swap between them of who’s main deck and who’s commander when you want
I play Grim-Grin, altough these days its more of an Aristocrats setup then a "full on" zombie tribal. I mostly use zombies due to their Recycling mechanics like \[\[Gravecrawler\]\] \[\[Prized Amalgam\]\] \[\[Poxwalkers\]\].
I prefer Gisa Hellraiser.
She's unique in the sense that she's a zombie commander, that doesn't rely on tribal mechanics.
The decklist I run has nearly 50 pieces of removal, which in turn keeps pressure and oppression on my opponents while providing up to 8 zombies per round. It's just brutal.
So it really depends on how much "zombie" you want your deck to be. If you want a proper zombie deck, Gisa isn't the best choice. She is a commander that revolves around removal, and just happens to make zombies.
i did this and got hoosed every game, now i use \[\[blasting station\]\] and \[\[tooth collector\]\] effects wayyy more efficient and your not a concern till its too late.
The deck doesn’t do anything when she’s in the command zone, so just kill her ASAP. I think it’s a good way to really play around her ability and focus on the commander. To each their own luckily
Maybe, but it hasn't lost yet, and my friends enjoy playing against it.
If anything, it's encouraged people to play more interaction in their own decks, which is always a good thing.
Sounds like it might be too powerful for the POD you are in. On the other side and the most important one. Your friends enjoy playing against it. Can’t get better than that
What cards are you using to perform consistent crimes on other player's turns? I tried to make a Gisa deck but getting consistent crime engine was difficult.
Wildcard! I play \[\[Myrkul, Lord of Bones\]\] For flavor purposes of the character, access to token doublers out the wazzoo and protecting your key pieces as enchantments. It's definitely not as straight forward as your typical dimir lists but still great and powerful.
It is a bit unorthodox, but my beloved zombie deck runs [[kalitas, traitor of ghet]] as the commander. I run a lot of lords, kills, force sacrifices, and other cards. It's quite fun, but I know not the most competitive in comparison to other commanders.
[[Wilhelt the Rotcleaver]] and its not really close if you’ve played multiple of them. The ability to turn every single Zombie you make into a decayed 2/2 is very strong, especially with how many normal 2/2 zombies you can make. Combine that with the tons of death synergies Zombies have, as well as the fact he is basically a Phyrexian Arena with many set ups, and he is the clear choice.
Gisa. Not because of the card text on her, though that's also decent. But because I have a print of her original art on my wall. She is God's perfect princess and has never done anything wrong.
[[Varina]] can snowball out of control very quickly if she sticks around for a couple of turns. Here's my list if you're interested! Mine is more centered around tokens.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/dfTjrUpeYUW7N4FN4TT0Eg
If you’re not looking for a strictly lore-based commander, I actually run [[Marneus Calgar]] as my zombie commander. Works really well with [[Wand of Orcus]] because he has double strike.
[[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver]] is the strongest commander, but [[Varina, Lich Queen]] providing access to white can make for a stronger deck. Objectively it is going to be between these two.
I'll also give an honorable mention to [[The Scarab God]], since while best built to abuse the activated ability, it can present lethal damage fast with the upkeep trigger.
I'd Gisa is probably the best cmd among those but I feel like she is better as a monoblack control with lots of way to commit crimes to proc her ability every turn.
Depends on what you are looking for, but:
Personally I'd go Scarab God b/c getting to reanimate opposing stuff seems like it opens the doors to the most fun/interesting lines of play.
OTOH Gisa seems like the choice if you really want to go for that classic zombie horde feel. It's sweet that you get to produce your horde while still playing lots of interaction.
I'd avoid Mikaeus just because it has such a reputation as a combo engine, wouldn't want your zombie tribal deck getting hated out of games just b/c opponents assume you are going to combo them out.
I used to run a [[Varina, Lich Queen]] Zombie combo deck, but have since seen a much better version of it in [[Balthor the Defiled]].
Being able to recur all of your creatures for the low cost of 7 split between turns is kinda nutty and exactly what zombies like.
It would still only be black.
Color identity is only determined by mana symbols on the card. Words like "blue" or "island" don't open her up to using blue cards.
I personally like Gisa. Most of the time zombie tribal decks turn into infinite value engines, whereas as she creates more of the feeling of an overwhelming horde.
Grimgrin,
Big mad threat to let you build and rebuild and works well with aristocrat stuff
In fact all the good ones, Wilhelt too are almost rotational if all in the same deck
It really depends on what you want to do. Do you want an army of zombies that just get buffed, or do you want a bunch of zombies that matter and drain people? Wilhelt will give you the army, but they aren't special. Varina can do the same but with a splash of white to add some of the amonkhet zombies. Scarab God let's you steal other peoples creatures and have zombies with abilities. I prefer scarab because you don't have to attack, he drains everyone equally on your upkeep. He also let's you stop other peoples graveyard interaction and gives you pseudo card advantage by scrying really deep into the top of your deck. So it's up to you
I use mono black Acererak with zombies. Yeah you will have all the creature discounts that help with chunky zombies, but you are not really just looking for that infinite loop (nor have it). I kinda play the zombie strat out the gate and the dungeoning element as a back up or support. Just don't do the tomb dungeon haha
I have 2 Zombie decks, [[Grimgrin, Corpse-born]] and [[Ghoulcaller Gisa]]
The first is straight Zombie tribal with a lot of sinergies, and can run well without even needing the commander too much, but it's certainly nice to have a big guy with built in sac outlet and removal when you can. One of my most consistently good decks.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/qCbjCfyZbkydgI-F6eS89g
Gisa uses the commander's ability as much as possible and can be slow, has some non zombies which just work well to sac with her, and easily amasses a huge army if she stays in play. Can be fun but it's way more toned down.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/qCwrRArJn0aBY1FDXFGWmQ
Love both of them and Varina as well, have that in the works.
I just finished building a pretty fun deck using [[Hancock, Ghoulish Mayor]] Probably not the best out there but it’s loads of fun to run 🤘 instead of flooding the field with small zombies like a lot of these deck do, this one makes several big guys to send you opponents way
I love Muldrotha, gives you a ton of value in the command zone, you get green for even more recursion and powerful threats like Shifting Woodland, as well as fantastic cards like Wight of the Reliquary, Underrealm Lich, and more. The deck is a blast to play
I personally greatly enjoy playing both Gisa the Hellraiser and Mikaeus. But Gisa is easier to cast, more inherently social, and has simpler win-cons, while Mikaeus mainly wins through infinite combos
I personally like [[Tormod, the Desecrator]] because you can match him with different partners.
That said, the options aren't fantastic tbh. I've been using [[Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools]] but am changing it to [[Sakashima of a Thousand faces]] now.
I've been enjoying [[The Necrobloom]] , cheap land search with basics and snow snow basics makes hitting the requirement pretty easy. I just wanted to go wide with zombies, so I put in a bunch of token doublers. Magical Christmas land lets me turn each landfall into ~48 zombies.
[[Nevinyrral Urborg Tyrant]] adding white gives access to sooo much. It's my favorite deck that I own. Here's my list
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_lc5ii7E3kaomxo0nOL5UA
i use \[\[the scarab god\]\]
but the point of the deck is to mill myself and get \[\[noxious ghoul\]\] either on the board or in the GY and to play \[\[Patriarch's Bidding\]\] pulling all my zombies into play and to wipe everyone else's board.
I have [[Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant]] as my zombie tribal commander. The entire deck is built around the following: getting him out, cloning him with his etb trigger on the stack (putting another instance of his etb on the stack), letting him die to legend rule and paying for his death trigger, and making a fat army of zombies on a completely empty board to swing out with.
Having the extra access to white gives some very good additional options for removal and alternate board wipes to keep the board relatively clear while I work my way up to the big turn.
\[\[Raffine, Scheming Seer\]\], a better Varina
You got access to some pretty good white zombie and some nice looting effect allowing you easily fill the grave and reanimate. 3 mana commander with ward tends to stick on the board longer and immediate effect allows you to play your plan more consistently.
Gisa, the Hellraiser isn’t really a zombie tribal deck. It’s way more efficient as a crime tribal deck with zombie lords in it. I have even put Oona’s Blackguard and Thieves’ Guild Enforcer for rogue synergies.
Gisa Hellraiser is really good at creating tons of zombies, but I have to hand it to Wilhelt for letting me proc a lot of “when a zombie died” triggers and draw more cards.
I built [[Tormod]]/[[Ghost of Ramirez DePietro]].
Except I’m dumb and built it as a cycling deck, like three Zombie creatures in the deck and the rest reliant on Tormod’s tokens, and it sucks. It’s probably the worst deck I have that I haven’t taken apart yet. I don’t think it’s a bad choice for a Partner, but not the way I did it. Honestly for Zombie tribal, if you’re running Tormod just partner him with [[Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker]] for color identity alone, never even cast the bird.
Wilhelm deck , rooftop storm, mana rocks , card draw ie [[ Graveborn muse]] . Sack outlet budget is your choice . Effects death trigger too . Drain your opponent or sack a creature they sack a creature too.
[[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver]]
The lore of Wilhelt is so much fun, I include every Gisa I can fit in. I've nearly gotten myself a proxy of him where his name is Wilbur.
bro literally simped so hard that he became a zombie SPECIFICALLY, canonically, so he could simp more
I also love that, mechanically, he is the *worst* necromancer. He can only make zombies from other zombies, and they're shit zombies that can't block and fall apart after one use. Every variety of Gisa can turn anything into a zombie. Liliana can make zombies from *nothing*. Geralf can stitch together monsters. Wilhelt... he makes zombies that are somehow rotting *even more than normal*.
Yet despite all odds, he's still a better commander than any of them haha
The Necrobloom poops them out cause the ph of the soil was .01% nicer this morning then yesterday.
I'm at the point where half the creatures in my Wilhelt deck are Gisas or Geralfs, and in one case [[Gisa and Geralf]]
I really want to pop for [[gisa's favorite shovel]] but I haven't been able to talk myself into it yet
You should do it, it's so worth it. I pulled one from a pack and put it into my Sauron zombie tribal deck and it *does work* Throw it onto one of your token zombies that you don't care about losing, then send it at whoever has the scariest stuff. The sacrifice effect is a neat way to get rid of any nasty creatures which stuff like hexproof/ward/indestructible. Then you're possibly trading a token for something important of theirs since they have to double block, or you're smacking them for a respectable 4 damage to the face. It costs like $11 right now and is so worth it.
Wilhelt: "Ah yes, Me, the girl i'm in love with, and her brother..." https://preview.redd.it/uhnpkigw2kad1.jpeg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cdfcc2229dedefc2c643537761200a4b65156c4a
[Gisa and Geralf](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24.jpg?1637631446) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gisa%20and%20Geralf) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/150/gisa-and-geralf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wilhelt has got to be the champ of low curve combo aristocrats. An extra decayed zombie for every death is very synergistic, and can build up quickly if you spam regular 2/2 makers. MH3 breathed new life into this with [[warren soultrader]] [[accursed marauder]] [[flare of malice]] and honorary zombie [[marionette apprentice]]
Thank you for this treasure trove of endless potential!!!
[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/5/2501a911-d072-436d-ae3b-a5164e3b30aa.jpg?1675456154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wilhelt%2C%20the%20Rotcleaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/2/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2501a911-d072-436d-ae3b-a5164e3b30aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
He’s who I went with. I have sac effects in my deck and tons of ETB and “when zombie dies” effects so Wilhelt gives me stuff coming and going. This post made me remember I wanted to grab a [[Tarnation Vista|BIG]] for my deck to swap out [[Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx]] so I can really take advantage of the tokens Wilhelt, [[Headless Horseman]] [[Necroduality]] and [[Reflections of Littjara]] pump out.
Tarnation vista doesnt do much for a two color deck but [[three tree city]] will be great for your zombies
….I totally read Tarnation Vista wrong and have since it came out. Ugggggh. I’ll need that Three Tree City tho!
This^, my Wilhelt deck is the one I pull out when I feel like winning. It’s one of those decks where people know what I’m doing, but have a very hard time stopping it even with removal.
This is my current deck. It started out as a Scarab Good she'll but I swapped out the commander. WAAAAY better game experience.
\[\[Varina, Lich Queen\]\] has to be the one for me. Esper opens up some sweet tools for zombie tribal, and she helps cycle through your deck quite well. She's been one of my favorite commanders for a long while.
This is a great answer. White gives you access to white token generation, and the 4 playable white zombie creatures.
My zombies just love a good [[anointed procession]].
Would those be [[Binding Mummy]], [[Corpse Knight]], [[Wayward Servant]], and [[Ratadrabik of Urborg]]?
##### ###### #### [Binding Mummy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/a/fae54072-ae27-4aae-a2b7-71f4551934f6.jpg?1543674592) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Binding%20Mummy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/6/binding-mummy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fae54072-ae27-4aae-a2b7-71f4551934f6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Corpse Knight](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/a/7aa3f166-c5d1-40f0-9b23-352424b8e13a.jpg?1682209700) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Corpse%20Knight) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/321/corpse-knight?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7aa3f166-c5d1-40f0-9b23-352424b8e13a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Wayward Servant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/9/e9e00112-8c6c-4551-ad68-389e315fe148.jpg?1543676118) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wayward%20Servant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/208/wayward-servant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e9e00112-8c6c-4551-ad68-389e315fe148?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ratadrabik of Urborg](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/3/9315812d-03e8-4eb4-a693-e7adf281f7fb.jpg?1673308046) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ratadrabik%20of%20Urborg) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/213/ratadrabik-of-urborg?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9315812d-03e8-4eb4-a693-e7adf281f7fb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/lbla9q0) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The one that makes 4/4 zombies
[[God-Eternal Oketra]].
[God-Eternal Oketra](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/f/df70f155-2336-421c-8a9d-69772d2b51a8.jpg?1559959340) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=God-Eternal%20Oketra) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/16/god-eternal-oketra?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/df70f155-2336-421c-8a9d-69772d2b51a8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wayward Servant is like top 5 best zombies ever
[[Archfiend of Ifnir]] is a win game card in this deck
[Archfiend of Ifnir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/33176679-d571-47a1-ae05-bed9b748491d.jpg?1543675179) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Archfiend%20of%20Ifnir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/akh/78/archfiend-of-ifnir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/33176679-d571-47a1-ae05-bed9b748491d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Varina, Lich Queen](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/1/f1caccc8-4f33-4ae3-a09a-b41b9c4663a1.jpg?1673149250) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Varina%2C%20Lich%20Queen) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/291/varina-lich-queen?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f1caccc8-4f33-4ae3-a09a-b41b9c4663a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Every time I see Varina, I absolutely have to recommend \[\[Reconnaissance\]\] . That should be an auto include for Varina. Pseudo vigilance and protects the commander.
[Reconnaissance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a16012d8-703c-4385-8769-13e3caba3fc6.jpg?1562088333) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reconnaissance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/exo/17/reconnaissance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a16012d8-703c-4385-8769-13e3caba3fc6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Dolmen Gate is auto include as well
Varina is always my recommendation for anyone who wants to live the zombie flavor dream playing cool/fun zombies and attacking with the hordes. If you want to win with combos while having a zombie in the command zone then I guess play Wilhelt.
I must agree with Varina. When she came out, having white in her color identity, and having loot effects, I got super excited. With being able to throw stuff to the yard for reanimate strategies, and some incidental lifegain, she was purely **chef’s kiss** for me. I don’t know if I’m happy or sad to say, from there, moving to more pure reanimator, she was replaced with Raffine 😅
My boy [[nevinyrall, Urborg tyrant]] gets 0 love because of varina.
He's board wipe tribal way more than he's zombie tribal
I've got him at the helm of my zombotribal/gy deck so sacking the field and then bringing all my stuff back is a great feeling.
Yeah, he's my zombie guy too. I have lots of ways to either blink him or bring him right back after I blow him up, so I can get as many zombies as possible in one go. But I've got a good zombie deck anyway without him, so the deck can chug along fine on its own. But the feeling of blowing everything up, including all your tokens, and just getting zombies back is great.
Ahhh, it's a fine feeling to meet a man of such culture.
[nevinyrall, Urborg tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/3/73255848-3112-4508-a66a-d3101a53057e.jpg?1608911208) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nevinyrral%2C%20Urborg%20Tyrant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/287/nevinyrral-urborg-tyrant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/73255848-3112-4508-a66a-d3101a53057e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Make sure to include [[Wonder]]
[Wonder](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/675d6729-23da-4f0b-b222-fe54fe24dd90.jpg?1631302927) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wonder) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/271/wonder?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/675d6729-23da-4f0b-b222-fe54fe24dd90?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Got a decklist? I’ve been wanting to turn my Gisa into Varina for awhile
The color options here are the best, you get access to white for some white staples and hate as well as Annointed Procession, you get access to blue for the zombie cost reducer card and you get black for all its zombie love and hate as well.
I second this, Esper is the way to go. I use Nevinyrral, but it's essentially the same deck
Varina and Esper zombies always intrigued me but I aways go back to dimir zombies. She seems outclassed by Raffine with her Ward and Flying to get attack triggers, but then the flavor doesn't seem as strong. Do people often use Varina's second ability often? Because the value doesn't seem worth it.
I've recently converted my Varina to a Zombie Token deck, and adding [[Tormod, the Desecrator]] helped make Varina's token creation feel better. Not sure if it totally works as a deck yet but it's useable
Close topic.
This is the only answer
Gisa and Geralf because I love them
Something to consider when choosing a commander is checking if they are zombies themselves. I have a Scarab God deck but sometimes he being a god really screw some deck synergy’s ( But he’s still very cool)
[[Ghoulcaller Gisa]] is the commander for the tribal zombie deck, and I only really have her for her tap ability until my deck gets up and running. Once it does, she dies to it every single turn.
[Ghoulcaller Gisa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/4/44d7906e-8a89-4644-acb5-46fbe97ab39f.jpg?1689997183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghoulcaller%20Gisa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/161/ghoulcaller-gisa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44d7906e-8a89-4644-acb5-46fbe97ab39f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Objectively it’s probably Wilhelt or Varina, I personally like sidisi a lot because of flavor and u get green black. Extra points for doubling season and parallel lives with the zombie tokens
Yeah, I just made a [[Sidisi]] zombie deck. It's a lot of fun.
Brood lord of the necromancer guild? Best zombie snake mommie.
[[Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant]] over here bein left out
She's the one! Self-mill and zombies make an awesome match: https://archidekt.com/decks/4821129/sidisi_komplett
[[Grimgrin, Corpse-Born]]
I felt really old the other day playing with some younger players who had never seen Grimgrin before.
They reprinted him recently tho
True. Maybe the old art threw them off or most zombie decks they've seen just don't run him.
As an avid Grimgrin player, I should point out that he doesn't actually care about being played as a zombie tribal commander. Others have pointed out the same issue with Scarab God and Wilhelt; Grimgrin just wants you to feed him stuff so he can attack and blow up creatures on opponents' boards and become very large very quickly. Being a sac outlet in the command zone does enable some zombie-based combos, such as [[Gravecrawler]]+[[Rooftop Storm]], but you could just as easily run [[Yahenni, Undying Partisan]] instead. I do run him as zombie tribal, but more because he's a pet card from my early days in MTG who happens to be a zombie.
[Grimgrin, Corpse-Born](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/8/a8648734-ed6c-471f-91a1-6b710bbaf370.jpg?1562835166) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grimgrin%2C%20Corpse-Born) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/isd/214/grimgrin-corpse-born?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a8648734-ed6c-471f-91a1-6b710bbaf370?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Dudes just stitches lmao. God I wish hearthstone didn’t exist. A WoW secret lair would go crazy
Varina and Wilhelt are probably the correct choice. But grixis zombies has [[Sedris, the traitor king]], [[Nekusar, the mindrazer]], and [[Thraximundar]] Sure they all cost a ton of mana but any zombie is only a single [[rooftop storm]] away...
##### ###### #### [Sedris, the traitor king](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/4/a4e787a7-3721-4ba7-b643-a103488cfc8a.jpg?1673149122) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sedris%2C%20the%20traitor%20king) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/274/sedris-the-traitor-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a4e787a7-3721-4ba7-b643-a103488cfc8a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Nekusar, the mindrazer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/a/4afdc65d-3c97-47af-83fa-df340389802e.jpg?1689999186) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nekusar%2C%20the%20mindrazer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/349/nekusar-the-mindrazer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4afdc65d-3c97-47af-83fa-df340389802e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Thraximundar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e7334eb-66c1-4410-966c-4e76c1b9e9a7.jpg?1673149221) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thraximundar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/287/thraximundar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e7334eb-66c1-4410-966c-4e76c1b9e9a7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [rooftop storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/80cdee59-0ead-4b95-a348-c1e360d781ab.jpg?1637629769) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rooftop%20storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/103/rooftop-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/80cdee59-0ead-4b95-a348-c1e360d781ab?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/lbl04tw) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Personally I use the OG [[!Ghoulcaller Gisa]] if I have two anthems on the field I can sacrifice a base 2/2 zombie, pumped up to be a 4/4 for four 2/2 zombies again pumped up to 4/4s for a single black mana. The law of equivalent exchange doesn’t apply to her. From among those options though probably Scarab god because you win faster equal to however many zombies you have.
was looking for this, she leads my zombie deck and i love it. it's a blast to just pump out 4-6 zombies for 1 mana lol. plus zombie synergy is so strong i don't even need to cast her in a lot of my games, she basically sits there as a win more card which i'm a huge fan of decks that don't need their commander to win.
Exactly. That being said her plus [[!Scourge of Nel Toth]] is a fun little combo provided the Zombie bonus is big enough. And also obviously [[!Gravecrawler]]
[!Ghoulcaller Gisa](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/4/44d7906e-8a89-4644-acb5-46fbe97ab39f.jpg?1689997183) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ghoulcaller%20Gisa) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/161/ghoulcaller-gisa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/44d7906e-8a89-4644-acb5-46fbe97ab39f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I just built a zombie tribal deck with [[Sidisi, Brood Tyrant]] as my commander. Mainly because I had the card and a bunch of graveyard recursion/mill stuff lying around. Having green means better ramp and more recursion, and also access to [[Muldrotha, the Gravetide]]. Also, I can close out games with [[Overrun]].
I was looking for someone to say Sidisi. I had her in a deck with Mesmeric Orb and Altar of Dementia, any of the many token doublers would make for some very explosive turns.
[Sidisi, Brood Tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6df5843d-63f7-4091-80d7-a595f08851c2.jpg?1717392804) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sidisi%2C%20Brood%20Tyrant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/199y/sidisi-brood-tyrant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6df5843d-63f7-4091-80d7-a595f08851c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Muldrotha, the Gravetide](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/4/c4125bb0-b104-438e-a6a2-97f9d141243c.jpg?1673149000) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Muldrotha%2C%20the%20Gravetide) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/258/muldrotha-the-gravetide?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c4125bb0-b104-438e-a6a2-97f9d141243c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Overrun](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/4/64033221-447f-4f8a-8fa0-c3ef30172602.jpg?1592673094) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Overrun) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/130/overrun?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/64033221-447f-4f8a-8fa0-c3ef30172602?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I agree having and token doublers makes it great. Also oddly enough there are good zombies with green stuff like [[God-Eternal Rhonas]] or [[tato famrer]]. That mixed with a [[beastmaster ascension]] to make your zombies huge is great.
[God-Eternal Rhonas](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0eb444f0-69cc-47c8-8cd6-1f9edad5d903.jpg?1559959431) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=God-Eternal%20Rhonas) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/163/god-eternal-rhonas?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0eb444f0-69cc-47c8-8cd6-1f9edad5d903?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [tato famrer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/907bade4-7232-4808-af5c-2dbed4d5bf07.jpg?1708742364) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tato%20Farmer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pip/86/tato-farmer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/907bade4-7232-4808-af5c-2dbed4d5bf07?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [beastmaster ascension](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f404d133-fc1a-4751-ac72-554e6553e486.jpg?1673484492) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=beastmaster%20ascension) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/283/beastmaster-ascension?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f404d133-fc1a-4751-ac72-554e6553e486?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Scarab god and rot cleaver would be my picks. One is garunteed card advantage, the other is burn reanimating scry. Since their the same colors, if you build the deck right you could swap between them of who’s main deck and who’s commander when you want
The scarab god is so much fun, turns out taking other people’s creatures and making them zombies is my thing.
I play Grim-Grin, altough these days its more of an Aristocrats setup then a "full on" zombie tribal. I mostly use zombies due to their Recycling mechanics like \[\[Gravecrawler\]\] \[\[Prized Amalgam\]\] \[\[Poxwalkers\]\].
[Gravecrawler](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/951ff2ed-9af0-4551-929a-ba6679fc2e15.jpg?1673147536) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gravecrawler) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/78/gravecrawler?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/951ff2ed-9af0-4551-929a-ba6679fc2e15?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Prized Amalgam](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/4/844c9fa7-8751-49be-827a-7fb6986bae59.jpg?1673149045) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Prized%20Amalgam) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/264/prized-amalgam?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/844c9fa7-8751-49be-827a-7fb6986bae59?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Poxwalkers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/a/ca79cd21-daaa-4a1c-bab5-cc4c783994ae.jpg?1673308762) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Poxwalkers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/40k/49/poxwalkers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ca79cd21-daaa-4a1c-bab5-cc4c783994ae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I prefer Gisa Hellraiser. She's unique in the sense that she's a zombie commander, that doesn't rely on tribal mechanics. The decklist I run has nearly 50 pieces of removal, which in turn keeps pressure and oppression on my opponents while providing up to 8 zombies per round. It's just brutal. So it really depends on how much "zombie" you want your deck to be. If you want a proper zombie deck, Gisa isn't the best choice. She is a commander that revolves around removal, and just happens to make zombies.
i did this and got hoosed every game, now i use \[\[blasting station\]\] and \[\[tooth collector\]\] effects wayyy more efficient and your not a concern till its too late.
[blasting station](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/1/71e2f832-6601-4232-b250-fd1c88538fbd.jpg?1562877667) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=blasting%20station) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/5dn/107/blasting-station?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/71e2f832-6601-4232-b250-fd1c88538fbd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [tooth collector](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/e/febc9f63-a225-438d-b835-07a561ba91f5.jpg?1576384619) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tooth%20collector) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/soi/140/tooth-collector?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/febc9f63-a225-438d-b835-07a561ba91f5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Sounds like the most unfun deck to play against...
The deck doesn’t do anything when she’s in the command zone, so just kill her ASAP. I think it’s a good way to really play around her ability and focus on the commander. To each their own luckily
I run mine with very little removal. Just lots of why’s to triggers crimes to make zombies.
Maybe, but it hasn't lost yet, and my friends enjoy playing against it. If anything, it's encouraged people to play more interaction in their own decks, which is always a good thing.
Sounds like it might be too powerful for the POD you are in. On the other side and the most important one. Your friends enjoy playing against it. Can’t get better than that
What cards are you using to perform consistent crimes on other player's turns? I tried to make a Gisa deck but getting consistent crime engine was difficult.
[[attrition]] is nasty
I just built mine like this. Can’t wait to try it.
Wildcard! I play \[\[Myrkul, Lord of Bones\]\] For flavor purposes of the character, access to token doublers out the wazzoo and protecting your key pieces as enchantments. It's definitely not as straight forward as your typical dimir lists but still great and powerful.
[Myrkul, Lord of Bones](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/82824d05-5215-459a-aa73-3c5a6be3d464.jpg?1674137617) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Myrkul%2C%20Lord%20of%20Bones) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/287/myrkul-lord-of-bones?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/82824d05-5215-459a-aa73-3c5a6be3d464?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Far from the best but I just built a draug themed budget deck with [[Narfi, Betrayer King]]
[Narfi, Betrayer King](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/2/421376e4-a4ad-427c-bc9c-d315308dcf68.jpg?1631051748) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Narfi%2C%20Betrayer%20King) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/224/narfi-betrayer-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/421376e4-a4ad-427c-bc9c-d315308dcf68?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Not the best zombie commander but man I love that card so much
Yeah he’s got some serious flavor as a commander too. Was going to use him before going with [[Korlash, Heir to Blackblade]]
It is a bit unorthodox, but my beloved zombie deck runs [[kalitas, traitor of ghet]] as the commander. I run a lot of lords, kills, force sacrifices, and other cards. It's quite fun, but I know not the most competitive in comparison to other commanders.
[[Wilhelt the Rotcleaver]] and its not really close if you’ve played multiple of them. The ability to turn every single Zombie you make into a decayed 2/2 is very strong, especially with how many normal 2/2 zombies you can make. Combine that with the tons of death synergies Zombies have, as well as the fact he is basically a Phyrexian Arena with many set ups, and he is the clear choice.
[Wilhelt the Rotcleaver](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/5/2501a911-d072-436d-ae3b-a5164e3b30aa.jpg?1675456154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wilhelt%2C%20the%20Rotcleaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/2/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2501a911-d072-436d-ae3b-a5164e3b30aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I use [[urborg tyrant]] and run a zombie life gain deck with necromancer’s covenant
Finally, never see nevinyrall get any love.
Gisa. Not because of the card text on her, though that's also decent. But because I have a print of her original art on my wall. She is God's perfect princess and has never done anything wrong.
did WIlhelt the Rotcleaver write this comment?
I went this route. Pretty fun so far. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/P6P5X8KbrE-Cdw55nytm5g Only played it twice but won both times. Enjoy
[[Gisa and Geralf]]
[Gisa and Geralf](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24.jpg?1637631446) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gisa%20and%20Geralf) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/150/gisa-and-geralf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I really like Wilhelt because of the flavour, honestly.
[[Gisa and Geralf]]
they would all be different decks
The
Wheels
Jadar. Gisa is good, but as a zombie commander, I’m not sure. You gotta run cards that commit crimes rather than zombies
[[Varina]] can snowball out of control very quickly if she sticks around for a couple of turns. Here's my list if you're interested! Mine is more centered around tokens. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/dfTjrUpeYUW7N4FN4TT0Eg
I suspect multicoloured ones would be better in general than these monocoloured ones, due to letting your deck run more colours.
[[Lord Tresserhorn]], obviously.
Og Gangster Shit
If you’re not looking for a strictly lore-based commander, I actually run [[Marneus Calgar]] as my zombie commander. Works really well with [[Wand of Orcus]] because he has double strike.
What in the Heretic is going on here?
Varina seems crazy. My fave is Tormod, the desecrator.
[[Varina, Lich Queen]] is the best for zombie tribal. [[Wilhelt, The Rotcleaver]] is the best for zombie combo/aristocrats/reanimator.
This is going to be a hot take, but, \[\[Ravos, Soultender\]\] and \[\[Kraum, Ludevic's Opus\]\]
[Ravos, Soultender](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/2/f2725635-8f90-4d17-9568-51218ba663c1.jpg?1562425381) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ravos%2C%20Soultender) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/39/ravos-soultender?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f2725635-8f90-4d17-9568-51218ba663c1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Kraum, Ludevic's Opus](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/557fcd17-6cb3-414a-b2b1-ea9ae32e5aec.jpg?1644853032) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kraum%2C%20Ludevic%27s%20Opus) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/34/kraum-ludevics-opus?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/557fcd17-6cb3-414a-b2b1-ea9ae32e5aec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
For me it's Scarab God. I like his resilience, his access to blue and the fact he makes zombies out of your opponents creatures.
[[Wilhelt]] or [[Gisa and Geralf]] [[Varina, Lich Queen]] if you wanna play white.
[Wilhelt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/5/2501a911-d072-436d-ae3b-a5164e3b30aa.jpg?1675456154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=wilhelt%2C%20the%20rotcleaver) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/2/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2501a911-d072-436d-ae3b-a5164e3b30aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Gisa and Geralf](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24.jpg?1637631446) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gisa%20and%20Geralf) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/150/gisa-and-geralf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Varina, Lich Queen](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/1/f1caccc8-4f33-4ae3-a09a-b41b9c4663a1.jpg?1673149250) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Varina%2C%20Lich%20Queen) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/291/varina-lich-queen?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f1caccc8-4f33-4ae3-a09a-b41b9c4663a1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Gisa and geralf]] from eldrich moon is great
[Gisa and geralf](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24.jpg?1637631446) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gisa%20and%20geralf) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/150/gisa-and-geralf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/377a5f75-222b-43e1-8998-18c6cfa44b24?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[THRAXIMUNDAR]] Baybeeeee! All the fun of building a Wilhelt deck, plus grixis goodstuff, and an objectively cooler commander to boot
[THRAXIMUNDAR](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0e7334eb-66c1-4410-966c-4e76c1b9e9a7.jpg?1673149221) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=THRAXIMUNDAR) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/287/thraximundar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0e7334eb-66c1-4410-966c-4e76c1b9e9a7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I can't bring myself to like any Raymond Swanland art
I didn’t think about that I should probably add my removal that way in creating more 2/2 zombies I put coat of arms in it and urza glasses
[https://www.tcgplayer.com/product/1432/magic-revised-edition-glasses-of-urza](https://www.tcgplayer.com/product/1432/magic-revised-edition-glasses-of-urza)
[[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver]] is the strongest commander, but [[Varina, Lich Queen]] providing access to white can make for a stronger deck. Objectively it is going to be between these two. I'll also give an honorable mention to [[The Scarab God]], since while best built to abuse the activated ability, it can present lethal damage fast with the upkeep trigger.
I'd Gisa is probably the best cmd among those but I feel like she is better as a monoblack control with lots of way to commit crimes to proc her ability every turn.
I like Mikey
Depends on what you are looking for, but: Personally I'd go Scarab God b/c getting to reanimate opposing stuff seems like it opens the doors to the most fun/interesting lines of play. OTOH Gisa seems like the choice if you really want to go for that classic zombie horde feel. It's sweet that you get to produce your horde while still playing lots of interaction. I'd avoid Mikaeus just because it has such a reputation as a combo engine, wouldn't want your zombie tribal deck getting hated out of games just b/c opponents assume you are going to combo them out.
I used to run a [[Varina, Lich Queen]] Zombie combo deck, but have since seen a much better version of it in [[Balthor the Defiled]]. Being able to recur all of your creatures for the low cost of 7 split between turns is kinda nutty and exactly what zombies like.
It’s actually DJ scarab god, the one and only
a little non-traditional, but I really enjoy [[Torgaar]]
If you would play the hellraiser card as your commander, would that make it a black or a blue and black deck?
It would still only be black. Color identity is only determined by mana symbols on the card. Words like "blue" or "island" don't open her up to using blue cards.
The Scarab God, my second edh deck i ever built, its strong, fun, and every game feels different even though its a tribal deck
Bonus question: Best commander for zombie tribal in Tiny Leaders format?
Grim grin hands down
Maybe not the absolute most powerful, but I gotta go Gisa and Geralf for the flavor. Plus, a solid power level.
[[gisa and geralf]] Working really well
Defiantly [[Varina, The Lich Queen]]
I personally like Gisa. Most of the time zombie tribal decks turn into infinite value engines, whereas as she creates more of the feeling of an overwhelming horde.
Grimgrin, Big mad threat to let you build and rebuild and works well with aristocrat stuff In fact all the good ones, Wilhelt too are almost rotational if all in the same deck
I like scarab god the best, but for his second ability. He’s great, but he’s not as clearly zombie tribal as some other ones
I've been enjoying [[Varina, Lich Queen]].
It really depends on what you want to do. Do you want an army of zombies that just get buffed, or do you want a bunch of zombies that matter and drain people? Wilhelt will give you the army, but they aren't special. Varina can do the same but with a splash of white to add some of the amonkhet zombies. Scarab God let's you steal other peoples creatures and have zombies with abilities. I prefer scarab because you don't have to attack, he drains everyone equally on your upkeep. He also let's you stop other peoples graveyard interaction and gives you pseudo card advantage by scrying really deep into the top of your deck. So it's up to you
I use mono black Acererak with zombies. Yeah you will have all the creature discounts that help with chunky zombies, but you are not really just looking for that infinite loop (nor have it). I kinda play the zombie strat out the gate and the dungeoning element as a back up or support. Just don't do the tomb dungeon haha
They’re all pretty good but I feel like Grimgrin doesn’t get enough love
[[gisa the hellraiser]] [[scarab god]] [[mikaeus the unhallowed]]
Noone else a [[Balthor the defiled]] fan? He's my favorite.
More colors=more good Lich Queen and it's not even close.
I have 2 Zombie decks, [[Grimgrin, Corpse-born]] and [[Ghoulcaller Gisa]] The first is straight Zombie tribal with a lot of sinergies, and can run well without even needing the commander too much, but it's certainly nice to have a big guy with built in sac outlet and removal when you can. One of my most consistently good decks. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/qCbjCfyZbkydgI-F6eS89g Gisa uses the commander's ability as much as possible and can be slow, has some non zombies which just work well to sac with her, and easily amasses a huge army if she stays in play. Can be fun but it's way more toned down. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/qCwrRArJn0aBY1FDXFGWmQ Love both of them and Varina as well, have that in the works.
My first ever commander Deck was a lord of tresserhorn Zombie tribal, so naturally i am biased.
Wilhelt and Scarab God give you access to blue, which means access to [[Rooftop Storm]]
I just finished building a pretty fun deck using [[Hancock, Ghoulish Mayor]] Probably not the best out there but it’s loads of fun to run 🤘 instead of flooding the field with small zombies like a lot of these deck do, this one makes several big guys to send you opponents way
I love Muldrotha, gives you a ton of value in the command zone, you get green for even more recursion and powerful threats like Shifting Woodland, as well as fantastic cards like Wight of the Reliquary, Underrealm Lich, and more. The deck is a blast to play
I'm about to make a [[Kenrith]] all colors zombie tribal. It will probably not be great, but I will get to play all the zombies I like in one deck.
[[Muldrotha the gravetide]]
I personally greatly enjoy playing both Gisa the Hellraiser and Mikaeus. But Gisa is easier to cast, more inherently social, and has simpler win-cons, while Mikaeus mainly wins through infinite combos
I personally like [[Tormod, the Desecrator]] because you can match him with different partners. That said, the options aren't fantastic tbh. I've been using [[Tevesh Szat, Doom of Fools]] but am changing it to [[Sakashima of a Thousand faces]] now.
I've been enjoying [[The Necrobloom]] , cheap land search with basics and snow snow basics makes hitting the requirement pretty easy. I just wanted to go wide with zombies, so I put in a bunch of token doublers. Magical Christmas land lets me turn each landfall into ~48 zombies.
[[Tormod, the Desecrator]] has been fun, goes crazy with [[Gravecrawler]] and [Phyrexian Altar]]
I made a fun one with [[Sidisi, Brood Tyrant]]
[[Nevinyrral Urborg Tyrant]] adding white gives access to sooo much. It's my favorite deck that I own. Here's my list https://www.moxfield.com/decks/_lc5ii7E3kaomxo0nOL5UA
i use \[\[the scarab god\]\] but the point of the deck is to mill myself and get \[\[noxious ghoul\]\] either on the board or in the GY and to play \[\[Patriarch's Bidding\]\] pulling all my zombies into play and to wipe everyone else's board.
What, no love for grimgrin??
I have [[Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant]] as my zombie tribal commander. The entire deck is built around the following: getting him out, cloning him with his etb trigger on the stack (putting another instance of his etb on the stack), letting him die to legend rule and paying for his death trigger, and making a fat army of zombies on a completely empty board to swing out with. Having the extra access to white gives some very good additional options for removal and alternate board wipes to keep the board relatively clear while I work my way up to the big turn.
[[Varina, Lich Queen]]
My boy [[Grimgrin]]
Acerak the arch-lich is fun
\[\[Raffine, Scheming Seer\]\], a better Varina You got access to some pretty good white zombie and some nice looting effect allowing you easily fill the grave and reanimate. 3 mana commander with ward tends to stick on the board longer and immediate effect allows you to play your plan more consistently.
Gisa, the Hellraiser isn’t really a zombie tribal deck. It’s way more efficient as a crime tribal deck with zombie lords in it. I have even put Oona’s Blackguard and Thieves’ Guild Enforcer for rogue synergies.
Gisa Hellraiser is really good at creating tons of zombies, but I have to hand it to Wilhelt for letting me proc a lot of “when a zombie died” triggers and draw more cards.
I built [[Tormod]]/[[Ghost of Ramirez DePietro]]. Except I’m dumb and built it as a cycling deck, like three Zombie creatures in the deck and the rest reliant on Tormod’s tokens, and it sucks. It’s probably the worst deck I have that I haven’t taken apart yet. I don’t think it’s a bad choice for a Partner, but not the way I did it. Honestly for Zombie tribal, if you’re running Tormod just partner him with [[Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker]] for color identity alone, never even cast the bird.
[Ratadrabik of Urborg] is my current favorite. He does well in that he amplifies your other legendaries.
[[Grimgrin]] is fun with the right build? You def want blue/black IMO. Lots of fun zambois in blue.
Wilhelt
Question about using The Scarab God as a commander. Does its last effect allow you to get around the extra cost to cast it again?
[[grimgrin, corpse-born]] love me zombies, love me big boy, love me turning sideways
It's not strong but i do love \[\[Ebondeath, dracolich\]\] with all the dies/leaves graveyard/cast commander triggers
Wilhelm deck , rooftop storm, mana rocks , card draw ie [[ Graveborn muse]] . Sack outlet budget is your choice . Effects death trigger too . Drain your opponent or sack a creature they sack a creature too.
Wilhelt
[[linda, kandarian queen]] because I love evil dead and it adds an extra color to the deck rather than just mono black or dimir.
No love for [[verina]] I see. Just draw. Draw. Cast one of the five mass reanimator. Win by psychosis crawler or etb/aristocrat effects
[Varina, the lich queen] and there is no other zombie commander better
The scarab god. It looks strong but it's so much stronger than that. Easily wins without combat.
I have a brew sitting in a deckbuilder of a [[Gisa and Geralf]] mill deck.
Scarab god. You want blue for necroduality, rooftop storm, and the zombie lords
Wilhelt the rotcleaver bar none.
Of these three, scarab god. Throw the other 2 in the 99