Overview
Vampiric Bloodlust is a Vampire tribal deck. Edgar Markov has first strike and haste, and its eminence creates a 1/1 black Vampire creature token whenever you cast another Vampire spell, as long as Edgar is in the command zone or on the battlefield. Whenever Edgar attacks, it puts a +1/+1 counter on each Vampire you control, so the whole colony grows with every attack.
The 99 cards are 26 creatures, 10 artifacts, 8 enchantments, 7 instants, 11 sorceries and 37 lands. Every creature is a Vampire, including lords such as Captivating Vampire and Stromkirk Captain, drainers such as Blood Artist, Falkenrath Noble, Malakir Bloodwitch and Tithe Drinker, and evasive threats such as Vampire Nighthawk, Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief and Patron of the Vein. Lifegain payoffs such as Sanguine Bond, Well of Lost Dreams and Blood Tribute turn your gained life into damage.
Key Cards
Playing the Deck
The early game is about cheap Vampires and mana. Sol Ring, Worn Powerstone, Boros Signet, Orzhov Signet and Rakdos Signet ramp you, and Blood Artist, Tithe Drinker, Rakish Heir, Stromkirk Captain and Vampire Nighthawk start the colony. Skullclamp and Blade of the Bloodchief make small Vampires into cards or threats.
The middle of the game is about growing and draining. Edgar Markov attacks with +1/+1 counters, Bloodlord of Vaasgoth enters big if an opponent was dealt damage, Captivating Vampire pumps the team, Falkenrath Noble and Blood Artist drain each time a creature dies, and Sangromancer gains you 3 life whenever an opposing creature dies. Door of Destinies grows the Vampires further, Patron of the Vein destroys a creature when it enters, and Anowon, the Ruin Sage makes each player sacrifice a non-Vampire every upkeep.
The late game is about a huge swing. Malakir Bloodwitch and Blood Tribute drain for a big number, Sanguine Bond turns lifegain into life loss, Licia, Sanguine Tribune grows itself by paying life, and Kindred Charge copies each of your Vampires with haste. Merciless Eviction and Fell the Mighty reset the board, and Teferi's Protection saves you from a sweeper.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths: The deck has a huge density of Vampires, many of which drain or gain life, so its damage adds up even without attacks. It also has efficient removal, including Swords to Plowshares, Go for the Throat, Mortify, Crackling Doom, Consuming Vapors and Return to Dust.
Weaknesses: Many of the Vampires are small, and a sweeper or a deck with lots of damage-based removal can stop the colony. Three colours with demanding costs make the mana harder, and some of the strongest cards, such as Licia, Sanguine Tribune, are expensive.
Want to improve it? See the Vampiric Bloodlust upgrade guide: nine swaps with the data behind each one.
Want to see what a fully optimised Edgar Markov build looks like? Try the Oracle.
✦ Build with The OracleFrequently Asked Questions
What cards are in the Vampiric Bloodlust decklist?
The Vampiric Bloodlust precon is a 100-card Commander deck led by Edgar Markov. The full Vampiric Bloodlust decklist, with every card, current prices and a button to copy the list into your deck builder, is on this page.
When was Vampiric Bloodlust released?
Vampiric Bloodlust was released on August 25, 2017 as part of Commander 2017.
Who is the commander of Vampiric Bloodlust?
Vampiric Bloodlust is led by Edgar Markov, a Mardu (W/B/R) legendary creature.
How many creatures are in Vampiric Bloodlust?
The 99 cards besides Edgar Markov include 26 creatures.
How many lands does Vampiric Bloodlust have?
Vampiric Bloodlust has 37 lands in the 99 cards besides Edgar Markov, including basic lands.
Full Decklist
All 100 cards from the out-of-the-box Vampiric Bloodlust precon, with current prices. Click any card to expand it.