Vampires have long been a popular creature type in Magic: The Gathering, with a rich history and mythology surrounding them. As such, it's no surprise that many players have created vampire tribal decks, centered around the theme of these blood-sucking creatures. In this article, we'll explore the concept of a vampire tribal commander, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of such a strategy, as well as some potential candidates for the role.
Strengths of a Vampire Tribal Commander
One of the biggest strengths of a vampire tribal commander is the sheer number of vampire creatures available to include in the deck. From iconic cards like Vampire Nighthawk and Blood Artist to newer additions like Champion of Dusk and Sanctum Seeker, there is no shortage of powerful vampires to choose from. This allows for a diverse and flexible deck, capable of adapting to a variety of playstyles and situations.
Another strength of a vampire tribal commander is the ability to leverage tribal synergies to great effect. Many vampire cards have abilities that trigger when other vampires enter the battlefield or when creatures with specific creature types are on the field. By focusing on vampires and other creatures with similar creature types, a vampire tribal deck can create a powerful engine of synergies that can overwhelm opponents quickly.
Additionally, vampires are known for their strong lifelink abilities, which can help offset the cost of using life as a resource. This can be particularly useful in a format like Commander, where games can go on for many turns and resources are often at a premium. By gaining life through combat or other means, a vampire tribal deck can stay in the game longer and continue to apply pressure to opponents.
Weaknesses of a Vampire Tribal Commander
Of course, no strategy is without its weaknesses, and a vampire tribal commander is no exception. One potential weakness is the reliance on creature-based strategies, which can be vulnerable to removal spells and board wipes. If an opponent is able to consistently remove or neutralize a vampire tribal player's creatures, it can be difficult to build up a strong board presence and maintain pressure.
Another weakness of a vampire tribal commander is the potential lack of card advantage. Many vampire cards focus on individual strength and synergy, rather than generating card advantage or drawing additional cards. This can make it difficult to keep up with opponents who are able to draw multiple cards per turn or generate additional resources through other means.
Finally, a vampire tribal commander may struggle against decks with strong graveyard hate. Many vampire cards have abilities that trigger when creatures are put into the graveyard, or rely on recursion to build up a strong board presence. If opponents are able to consistently exile or remove creatures from the graveyard, it can be difficult for a vampire tribal deck to recover.
Potential Vampire Tribal Commanders
With those strengths and weaknesses in mind, let's take a look at some potential candidates for a vampire tribal commander.
Edgar Markov
Edgar Markov is perhaps the most obvious choice for a vampire tribal commander. His ability to create vampire tokens whenever a vampire enters the battlefield plays directly into the tribal synergies of a vampire deck, and his ability to give all vampires +1/+1 and first strike is a powerful boost to combat capabilities. Additionally, Edgar's eminence ability allows him to create a vampire token at the beginning of the game, giving the deck a strong start right out of the gate.
Olivia Voldaren
Olivia Voldaren is another strong choice for a vampire tribal commander. Her ability to steal creatures by paying a cost and giving them the vampire creature type can be incredibly powerful, allowing her to take advantage of opponents' creatures and build up a strong board presence quickly. Additionally, her ability to give other vampires +1/+1 and flying can be a powerful boost in combat, and her ability to ping creatures or players for damage
