The Five Laws of NecroWarfare: A ZomboCombo Primer

Commander / EDH* ElspethOfValeron

SCORE: 176 | 89 COMMENTS | 24422 VIEWS | IN 99 FOLDERS


Oops, took a break from tappedout for a few months. Some super late replies!

devincav1: Stitcher's Supplier is a fantastic card, but I don't think it's what I'm looking for in this specific build. This deck has a fairly low density of self-mill hits compared to other builds, and as such, gets a lot less value out of self-mill. Self-mill also runs the unfortunate risk of potentially milling out Phyrexian Altar or Rooftop Storm . As for Rot Hulk, believe me, I really want to run it, but seven mana is a lot to ask, unfortunately. I can barely justify running Mikaeus at my top end, and he's one less mana and very good.

kylearobert: So glad you enjoy it! As for Cabal Coffers, I used to run it, but ended up cutting it. It's very much a liability in the unfortunate circumstances where it's drawn early on. A full 21 of the deck's 36 lands aren't swamps, and Cabal Coffers requires at least three swamps on board just to be able to use Cabal Coffers as an ordinary land. A lot of the time, I found it to be a dead draw that wasn't even generating me mana. It is beyond busted when paired with Urborg, but I found that unreliable; while the combo can be tutored for, I prefer to tutor for combo pieces that win the game outright. This deck also takes advantage of having a ton of mana less well than some other more midrange-focused decks, as it tries to win the game fairly quickly, rather than dumping mana in things.

January 22, 2019 10 a.m.

IAmTheWraith says... #2

Have you thought about running Aetherflux Reservoir ?

January 22, 2019 11:28 a.m.

kylearobert says... #3

Thanks for the response! One more question; have you thought about running Liliana, Untouched By Death ? Her plus Sidisi and Rooftop Storm allow for infinite tutors, and her plus Rooftop Storm Gary and a sac outlet allows infinite life drain, similar to the Cloudstone Curio Garry Combo. I’ve found it to be one of the strongest cards in my life due to its -4 ability.

February 1, 2019 10:29 a.m.

Cazzeo says... #4

I feel like Mission Briefing would do more in this deck than Notion Rain . Reuse tutors, board wipes, counterspells, etc.

February 18, 2019 5:43 p.m.

seenakrauser says... #5

Do you feel like your deck is sitting at a pretty good spot?

February 28, 2019 3:09 a.m.

Barnflakes says... #6

Hey here from 2019, is this list updated? Also is there budget restraints? Noticed Underground Sea is missing.

This list looks sweet by the way!

April 30, 2019 5:03 a.m.

Oops, I really need to check these comments more.

kylearobert: She's very interesting. The Rooftop Storm combos are enticing. Her +1 doesn't do a ton with my current build, but everything else looks solid - I'll have to play around with her. Thanks for the solid recommendation.

Cazzeo: I think you're absolutely right. This deck's package of card draw/instants/sorceries is still pretty in flux, all these years later.

seenakrauser: I do! There's always room to improve, and other directions in which I could see myself taking the deck, but overall I'm very happy with how it sits. It plays well, it's super fun, and it does exactly what it sets out to do.

Barnflakes: I'm actually replying now specifically because I'm looking at updating this deck - looking at new sets, and maybe tinkering around with what I've already had. And Underground Sea is in there! I don't actually own one, but most people I play with let me proxy one, thankfully.

May 10, 2019 10:28 a.m.

budlaorf says... #8

hey, just stumbled on this wonderful deck! Have you considered adding in Altar of the Brood ? 1 mana and with all the creatures loops, you should be able to mill every opponent quick.

May 11, 2019 9:06 p.m.

Barnflakes says... #9

I was thinking about adding Kefnet, what do you think?

May 24, 2019 3:16 a.m.

In the current list's 26 instants and sorceries, only 20 are remotely Kefnetable.

Kefnet's final ability is antisynergous with the deck's overall oeuvre, as he never actually hits the graveyard. He fits better with The Scarab God's deck manipulation than G&G's graveyard strats.

If Bontu cost less mana, though...

May 27, 2019 1:13 a.m.

Barnflakes says... #11

No vampiric tutor? I’m confused onto why lol

May 30, 2019 10:32 p.m.

Barnflakes says... #12

What about Cavern of Souls?

June 10, 2019 10:52 p.m.

I looked at this and thought that this deck seems amazing, I just dont really know what to do with my zombie deck, I have been seeing zombies in my binder and kept thinking, I want to make a zombie deck. So if you can give me any pointers or tips for cards that would be nice.

December 21, 2019 11:53 a.m.

Darth_Sithis says... #14

Love this! Favorite dou from Innstrad. Question tho, have you thought about or tested out Bitterblosm or for zombie tribal theme, Dread horde version? Tho I guess they don't provide much to any of the Zombo Combos and thus wouldn't really need a slot.

June 15, 2020 5:34 a.m.

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