Edgar Markov Commander Deck Guide – Vampires, Aggression, and Aristocrats Unite
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Edgar Markov is one of the most fearsome commanders in Magic: The Gathering. As the face of Mardu Vampire tribal, Edgar delivers blistering aggression, unparalleled token generation, and aristocrat-style synergy that can quickly drain the life out of a table. With his eminence ability creating vampire tokens with every vampire spell, he floods the board faster than nearly any other tribal commander in EDH.
Whether you're a bloodthirsty flavor fanatic or a competitive grinder, this Edgar Markov Commander deck guide shows you how to build, play, and win in style.
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Why Edgar Markov Is a Powerhouse
Edgar’s eminence ability sets him apart from nearly every other commander. He creates a 1/1 Vampire token every time you cast another vampire—even while sitting in the command zone. That means turn one plays can set up an army by turn three, with no commander mana investment needed.
Edgar also comes with haste and the ability to pump your whole team on attack, making him both a finisher and a support engine. Whether you're going wide, draining life, or snowballing board presence, he dominates the pace of play.
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Aggressive Vampire Tribal Core
The deck thrives on early pressure and fast scaling. Your vampire creatures and tribal synergy quickly overwhelm unprepared opponents.
Vampire Socialite and Stromkirk Captain turn every attacker into a legitimate threat
Captivating Vampire lets you steal opposing creatures once you’ve gone wide
Legion Lieutenant and Sanctum Seeker provide anthem and drain effects
Bloodghast and Viscera Seer combine with sacrifice outlets for value
Malakir Bloodwitch finishes games in multiplayer with mass drain on entry
Edgar rewards going all-in on synergy and aggression—and this deck does just that.
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Aristocrat Synergy and Lifedrain
What Edgar lacks in late-game inevitability, he makes up for with aristocrats and lifedrain synergy that keeps your board sticky and your opponents on a clock.
Viscera Seer, Yahenni, Undying Partisan, and Falkenrath Aristocrat provide free sac outlets
Bastion of Remembrance and Zulaport Cutthroat drain opponents with every sacrifice
Blood Artist turns every creature death into a tool for attrition
Vindictive Vampire and Cruel Celebrant stack additional layers of damage
Anje’s Ravager and Champion of Dusk provide draw while staying thematic
These cards ensure that even board wipes can become your path to victory.
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Efficient Removal and Disruption
Edgar decks don’t need to control the board—they just need to remove blockers and threats standing in their way.
Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile deal with indestructible creatures
Anguished Unmaking and Utter End offer flexible removal
Merciless Eviction is a tribal board wipe that leaves your vampires safe
Rakdos Charm is versatile for graveyards and token swarms
Boros Charm protects against wipes or finishes a game with double strike
With just the right amount of control, this aggressive deck stays on the offensive.
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Token Synergy and Go-Wide Payoffs
Since Edgar constantly produces tokens, the deck includes strong payoffs for going wide.
Skullclamp turns 1/1s into extra cards
Shared Animosity makes even your smallest vampires hit like trucks
Cathars' Crusade and Anointed Procession scale your board exponentially
Vanquisher’s Banner pumps your team and refuels your hand
Coat of Arms is risky but explosive for vampire-heavy pods
Going wide is what Edgar does best, and these cards push that theme to its limit.
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How Edgar Markov Wins
Go wide fast. Apply pressure with pumped-up vampires. Drain life with aristocrats. Sacrifice your board if needed. Edgar wins by taking over the early game and burning through opponents before they can stabilize.
Swing with a dozen vampires boosted by Shared Animosity or Coat of Arms
Trigger Sanctum Seeker or Bastion of Remembrance for massive life swings
Use Vampiric Rites or Skullclamp to rebuild after wipes
Keep Edgar in the command zone until a lethal swing or when you need the anthem
This deck’s pace forces opponents to either remove you quickly or lose.
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Budget-Friendly Options
Edgar Markov is expensive due to being a Commander precon face card, but budget vampire builds are very viable.
Vampire Lacerator, Falkenrath Noble, and Kalastria Highborn offer cheap power
Midnight Haunting and Lingering Souls can replace pricier token makers
Signets and mana rocks like Talisman of Indulgence stand in for dual lands
Dark Ritual and Seething Song help with explosive early starts
Even a $100 vampire deck can bring the bite in casual pods.
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Is Edgar Markov cEDH Tier?
Not quite. While very strong at high-powered tables, Edgar lacks true interaction density and fast combo potential. Still, his speed and consistency make him a nightmare in optimized casual metas.
Great at breaking parity with tokens
Strong early pressure and snowball potential
Linear gameplay, but extremely effective at what it does
He’s not a cEDH staple, but he’s undeniably top-tier for mid-to-high power casual play.
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Final Thoughts
If you love aggressive tribal decks, aristocrats, and the gothic vibe of vampires, Edgar Markov is one of the most rewarding commanders in Magic. His ability to apply pressure from turn one, flood the board with tokens, and drain opponents out with aristocrats makes him a consistent and terrifying presence at any table.
Whether you’re building for flavor, function, or pure vampire domination, Edgar Markov delivers.
1. Flavor-Focused Edgar Markov Deck List
A vampire deck dripping with lore, style, and synergy—less about efficiency, more about theme and flair.
Commander
Edgar Markov
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Creatures – Vampires with Flavor
Drana, Liberator of Malakir
Olivia Voldaren
Anje Falkenrath
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
Captivating Vampire
Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose
Falkenrath Aristocrat
Stromkirk Captain
Legion Lieutenant
Bloodline Keeper
Markov Enforcer
Blood Artist
Malakir Bloodwitch
Necropolis Regent
Gifted Aetherborn
Sanctum Seeker
Vampire Nocturnus
Nirkana Revenant
Baron Sengir
Mirri the Cursed
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Enchantments and Synergy
Anointed Procession
Vanquisher’s Banner
Shared Animosity
Bastion of Remembrance
Coat of Arms
Cathars’ Crusade
Sanguine Bond
Exquisite Blood
Kindred Charge
Black Market
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Planeswalkers
Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
Sorin Markov
Sorin, Solemn Visitor
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Instants & Sorceries
Swords to Plowshares
Terminate
Anguished Unmaking
Crux of Fate
Vindicate
Rakdos Charm
Vampiric Tutor
Demonic Tutor
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Artifacts
Sol Ring
Arcane Signet
Skullclamp
Talisman of Indulgence
Talisman of Hierarchy
Sword of the Animist
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Lands (36)
Command Tower
Path of Ancestry
Vault of the Archangel
Isolated Chapel
Dragonskull Summit
Clifftop Retreat
Luxury Suite
Sacred Foundry
Godless Shrine
Blood Crypt
Caves of Koilos
Battlefield Forge
Foreboding Ruins
Basics: Swamp x5, Mountain x4, Plains x4
Terramorphic Expanse
Evolving Wilds
Myriad Landscape
Nomad Outpost
Vault of Champions
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2. Competitive Edgar Markov Deck List
Optimized for fast starts, tight curves, consistent drains, and serious win-cons.
Commander
Edgar Markov
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Creatures – Lean and Mean
Bloodghast
Viscera Seer
Carrion Feeder
Stromkirk Noble
Skymarcher Aspirant
Champion of Dusk
Falkenrath Aristocrat
Karmic Guide
Fiend Hunter
Vampire Socialite
Knight of the Ebon Legion
Legion Lieutenant
Stromkirk Captain
Dusk Legion Zealot
Imperious Oligarch
Zulaport Cutthroat
Blood Artist
Malakir Bloodwitch
Cruel Celebrant
Yahenni, Undying Partisan
Pitiless Plunderer
Sling-Gang Lieutenant
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Combo & Aristocrats
Skullclamp
Phyrexian Altar
Ashnod’s Altar
Teysa Karlov
Desecrated Tomb
Bastion of Remembrance
Dark Confidant
Bolthound
Necropotence
Silence
Imperial Recruiter
Recruiter of the Guard
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Tutors & Interaction
Vampiric Tutor
Demonic Tutor
Imperial Seal
Silence
Toxic Deluge
Anguished Unmaking
Swords to Plowshares
Path to Exile
Abrade
Deadly Rollick
Crackling Doom
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Win Conditions
Blood Artist + Phyrexian Altar + tokens
Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond
Malakir Bloodwitch in multiplayer
Shared Animosity overrun
Purphoros, God of the Forge with tokens
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Ramp & Mana
Sol Ring
Arcane Signet
Talisman of Indulgence
Talisman of Hierarchy
Chrome Mox
Mox Amber
Mana Crypt
Jeweled Lotus
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Lands (36)
Command Tower
Luxury Suite
Sacred Foundry
Godless Shrine
Blood Crypt
Cavern of Souls
Mana Confluence
City of Brass
Silent Clearing
Sunbaked Canyon
Bajuka Bog
Ancient Tomb
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Cabal Coffers
Plains x3
Swamp x3
Mountain x3
Fetch lands (Marsh Flats, Bloodstained Mire, Arid Mesa)
Shock lands and filter lands
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3. Budget-Friendly Edgar Markov Deck List
Built for under $100–$150 depending on card availability. Still aggressive and fun.
Commander
Edgar Markov
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Creatures
Vampire Cutthroat
Vampire Neonate
Skymarch Bloodletter
Gifted Aetherborn
Vicious Conquistador
Dusk Legion Zealot
Stromkirk Captain
Legion Lieutenant
Kalastria Highborn
Blood Artist
Cruel Celebrant
Sanctum Seeker
Falkenrath Noble
Falkenrath Reaver
Markov Warlord
Sangromancer
Cordial Vampire
Arterial Flow
Bloodtracker
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Enchantments & Support
Bastion of Remembrance
Vanquisher’s Banner
Shared Animosity
Sanguine Indulgence
Call to the Feast
Oathsworn Vampire
Mardu Ascendancy
Liliana’s Mastery
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Artifacts & Ramp
Sol Ring
Arcane Signet
Orzhov Signet
Rakdos Signet
Boros Signet
Mind Stone
Wayfarer’s Bauble
Skullclamp
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Removal & Utility
Terminate
Mortify
Swords to Plowshares
Crux of Fate
Rakdos Charm
Anguished Unmaking
Unmake
Liliana’s Triumph
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Lands (36)
Command Tower
Path of Ancestry
Nomad Outpost
Evolving Wilds
Terramorphic Expanse
Myriad Landscape
Orzhov Basilica
Boros Garrison
Rakdos Carnarium
Wind-Scarred Crag
Scoured Barrens
Bloodfell Caves
Basics: Swamp x6, Mountain x5, Plains x5
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