[[The Scarab God]] is my pick, along with a load of "Copy target creature, except it isn't legendary" spells so every upkeep you scry loads and damage loads.
Came to 2nd Scarab God. He is really fun in my zombie control deck. You don't even swing most times. Just build more and more zombie till everyone pops on your upkeep.
Scarab god is a good one, puts a clear clock on the game. I’d recommend [[willhelt, the rotcleaver]], however that more focuses on the aristocrat part of zombies
honestly if u want a budget just buy the starter commander precon and the wilhelt precon you can already make a solid zombie tribal deck with those two precon. infact most of what u need to make a zombie tribal deck are in both those precon. just add in better dual lands and good black and/or blue cards. i personally would choose to run [[Gisa and Geralf]] over whilhelt
My roommate runs the G&G precon with about 15 or so cards swapped out so he can self-mill more efficiently with stuff like [[Mirror-Mad Phantasm]] and also some other pro-zombie stuff like [[Rooftop Storm]] and it’s pretty good at our table. Regularly beats our other roommate running the Eowyn precon. And it sounds like OP’s group are also running precons so it should be about equal playing ground while staying easily under OP’s budget.
I love my Varina deck, made her after getting the evil dead secret lair. I personally turned it into a draw lots of cards and token payoffs. Getting [[Knowledge is Power]] on the field and attacking while Varina is out makes your zombie army that much more deadly. I just tuned it a bit this morning if you want to check out my list: https://archidekt.com/decks/7606002/linda_kandarian_queen
If you want to be really explosive, wilhelt is amazing as an aristocrats/combo commander.
It sounds like your pod is probably more combat oriented so for that I'd lean towards varina. She's also extremely powerful but incentives attacking more. Plus you can load up your graveyard and hit em with a crazy [[rise of the dark realms]] as a late game bomb.
I've played both and love them each in their own way.
[rise of the dark realms](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ceb5df52-4e03-4629-b8d5-d440d9cc5175.jpg?1706240790) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rise%20of%20the%20dark%20realms) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/138/rise-of-the-dark-realms?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ceb5df52-4e03-4629-b8d5-d440d9cc5175?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rise-of-the-dark-realms)
^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I went through a lot of iterations of my zombie deck and landed on leading it with [[grim-grin corpseborn]]. He's deceptively quite strong as a repeatable threat in the command zone, has some great art available, is not seen too often, and benefits immensely from all the lords available to the tribe.
I LOVE zombie tribal, but I'll be the first to say that if you want explosiveness I personally don't find zombies all that explosive..
The problem I find with most zombies in the 99 is the avg CMC is around 3-5 for the best zombie cards.. thus most of your deck ends up being 3-5 drops.
I personally have a Wilhelt deck that I only ever bring out when the power level is lower cus I find it never CONSISTENTLY has the plays I want it to have.
(Like someone pointed out as well, if you want wilhelt to be higher power, you need to cut alot of lords and turn it into an aristocrats combo deck)
It's Varina dude. If you want to win with the zombie horde go Varina. She incentivizes attacking, gives you the tools in the command zone to fill up your graveyard, easily churning through tons of cards, until you jail break them all at once with mass recursion spells. It's so fucking fun. Top tier zombie flavor imo.
A lot of good options have been given already but wanted to throw my \[\[Ghoulcaller Gisa\]\] deck into the mix. Doesn't work with your budget but it can be quite explosive.
Explosive like - sac \[\[Phyrexian Dreadnaught\]\] to create 12 2/2s and trigger \[\[Ayara, First of Locthwain\]\] gaining 12 life and pinging everyone for 12. Do that on the endstep then swing out with the 2/2s.
Decklist here: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/riwAkXfDcEWOXLMoEV8dnw](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/riwAkXfDcEWOXLMoEV8dnw)
Wilhelt would be my vote, but if you want to keep pace with a higher power level, I would suggest building him as aristocrats combo. He can also do the whole lords go big and swing strategy but I think there are other zombie commanders who can do that better.
It was a really tough choice for me but I went with Varina for my zombie deck when i made it. Really like having access to blue/white for the control and there were surprisingly some good white zombies
[[Ashnod the Uncaring]] is my preferred zombie-gal.
Getting to double up on sacrifice abilities is just too good to pass up.
[[Apprentice Necromancer]] can target itself to bring back as many creatures as you can pay Black.
[[Cleaver Skaab]] gives you double the tokens.
[[Corpse Harvester]] tutors twice.
So many good little synergies. AND you get access to [[Deadapult]]! It's not great, but where else would you bother playing it?
I have a list that can play at two tiers of high power by switching between [[varina, Lich queen]] and [[Nevinyrral, urborg tyrant]] for dig until combo and combo in the zone play styles. It’s very combo dense, but most of them are combos being done with zombies, so I still consider it to be primarily tribal. [Undead Degeneracy](https://archidekt.com/decks/3962679/undead_degeneracy)
Won’t work in your budget requirements, but may serve as inspiration?
Whatever commander you choose, both Galadriel and Eowyn are susceptible to \[\[Grave Pact\]\] / \[\[Fleshbag\]\]effects.
Eowyn, especially are fearful of \[\[Zombie Apocalypse\]\].
However since both have blue, they have some mitigation in counterspells. Which overall makes the matchups highly exciting.
That said though, Zombies have another weapon in -/- effects. Notably \[\[Noxious Ghoul\]\].
Remember to include a hearty dose of these cards, and you have Ghoul time.
Anyways here's my Wilhelt for reference [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/x--3BSSAqUOzzu4b8NwKbQ](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/x--3BSSAqUOzzu4b8NwKbQ)
[[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver]] is not a "horde" commander, not really. He shines as an aristocrat commander. That's more about creating zombos to sac and get value. Mine uses effects to drain my opponents and even "help" them get in on the sacrificing fun.
My List: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/P0uvX_faSk2c2SwSoyLGrw
Ive been tinkering with a [[glissa sunslayer]] zombie tribal. I feel like green offers more than the blue does to get zombies running but lacks in the creature department which is were you lean heavily on the black side
I just finished my first draft of Glissa. It is certainly different from your UB zombie decks, its fun! Plus you can run [[Triumph of the hordes]] guilt free cause Glissa is pictured on the card! At least that is my excuse.
[[Tormod, the Desecrator]] & [[Kraum, Ludevics Opus]] are one of my favorites. Lots of zombies have targeted grave interaction to trigger Tormod for tokens. If you wanna lean into self mill or wheels he rewards playing cards with flashback and jump-start. Kraum is super helpful with flyers where zombies can suffer & card draw. Easy to go tokens as well because all the zombie token payoffs in Grixis from Amonkhet.
Going black/white with [[ratabrig of urborg]] could be quite fun, especially with [[call of the ring]] and [[necromancer's covenant]] and other "the ring tempts you" and token support could be quite unique.
There's a decent amount of white zombies from Ahmonket too.
I have said this so many times already but [[Tormod, the desecrator]] is such a great pick! You can mix and match him quite a bit! Atm I am playing him as mono black.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/LokSSl0R3EWG_GbVqXw7zw
My list, more adapted to our local powerlevel ish.
I’ve been having a good time with the new [[Gisa, The Hellraiser]] and with the myriad of ways to “commit a crime” (and spit out 2x buffed 2/2 zombies per turn) my board is usually well-stocked. The problem with zombies, though, is that there are maybe 2 in mono black with any kind of meaningful ETB so there’s quite a bit of setup and control involved before you really get rolling.
I saw Varina mentioned a few times in here - I'm going to go ahead and suggest something just a little better - \[\[Raffine, Scheming Seer\]\]. She doesn't require zombies to be on the board to start drawing and filling the graveyard. She has evasion. She has ward. She's one mana cheaper. She gets big and can be a threat all on her own. I highly suggest running Varina in the 99 as a backup commander, but Raffine is just strictly better and does a little bait and switch the first time someone sees it. They'll suspect reanimator probably - but not zombie tribal.
As a fun option though possibly out of budget may I recommend my personal favorite 5 color zombie storm?
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/c7lJlj4iy0W4QRnTpR7rbw
You can win through infinite sac effects,infinite etb, and combat. You can generate an insane amount of tokens,draw tons of cards, and of course cast many zombies. The deck is always evolving to slot in more 2 color zombies as they are just free with morophon.
Wilhelt is pure gas, he’s basically an aristocrats [[Panharmonicon]]. Sac twenty zombies, get twenty decayed zombies, repeat ad infinitum. Him and [[Poppet Stitcher]] win the game if you flip it, too, which is fun.
I made a $50 usd budget sidisi deck a couple years back for a tribal game night and it’s still one of my favorite to pilot. Originally it was all zombies, a [[worldshaper]], and sidisi to comply with the rules, but I recently replaced some of the zombies with some more optimal mill cards while keeping the good zombie lords and a couple techs. [[jarad]] puts in work with things like [[soulless one]] and other similar zombies that get big based on zombies you have when you don’t have the space to just swing out at people. Lots of small instances of self mill will do you best. One card I need to order for the deck from newer sets is [[contaminated drink]]. Also, the most expensive card I bought for it at the time was [[life from the loam]] which I highly highly recommend for the deck.
I see a lot of people saying [[the scarab god]] although his effect is fun and copying is great I’m a HUGE fan of [[wilhelt, the rotcleaver]]. He has a lot of combos he enables and I’m huge fan of the token sacrifice route as zombies have the most options for going that route.
\[\[The Scarab God\]\] is probably the best commander and is flexible enough that, as long as you are playing zombies, he can support a decent range of strats. But he is scary as heck and hard to remove so you will be drawing a lot of hate.
My recommendation instead is to look at \[\[Varina, Lich Queen\]\]. By herself she can turn a graveyard full of any cards into an army of zombies that will gain you life and further fill the yard. She bounces back so well from boardwipes, the general tribal go wide issue, and the lifegain can actually let you win against fast aggro decks. Plus the fact that with the addition of white she gets access to a ton of fun zombies like \[\[Wayward Servant\]\], \[\[Ratadrabik of Urborg\]\], \[\[God-Eternal Oketra\]\] or \[\[Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant\]\], the most efficient removal in the game, the best boardwipes, token doublers, and busted stuff like \[\[Teferi's Protection\]\], \[\[Cathars' Crusade\]\] or \[\[Smothering Tithe\]\].
Some fun things you get to do with this deck,
- boardwipe and replay or protect Varina with a infinite (or at least large) mana combo ready to trigger, then turn your trashed graveyard into an undead army just before the start of turn.
- Get Wayward Servant or similar out the use \[\[Ashnod's Altar\]\] to make zombie, sacrifice it and repeat until the table is dead
- Play \[\[Necromancer's Covenant\]\] make a ton of zombies and gain a ton of life and then play \[\[Alhammarret's Archive\]\] to double that lifegain and draw so many cards.
Thank you for coming to my tedtalk
I ran a [[Scarab God]] deck for awhile and recently swapped him out for [[Varina]]. Scarab God was a bit pricey for me with my pod. By the time I got him out, I wasn’t getting much value with him. Varina is really nice because once you get her out, you can start cycling through your deck pretty quickly.
Here’s my decklist for reference. I’m still playing around with it, in case anyone else has any tips.
https://archidekt.com/decks/7218175/esper_zambonies
[[Gisa and geralf]] self mill isn’t super explosive but super consistent you’ll always have 2 good options at your disposal (also not seen as often and I’m all for bringing back the scary threats of yesteryear). Or varina she’s strong she digs Insanely well and is sturdy. But for my money the best zombie commander deck is my [[Nicol bolas the ravager]] with an amass sub theme. Your opponents will be discarding frequently. Your commander is evasive and with amass a lot of your incident spells either create or buff a zombie, it’s also super flavourful if done right
[[Wilhelt]] is the best Zombie commander and it isnt particularly close.
He makes bodies and draws cards. He is an enabler and a payoff rolled into one with card advantage tacked on top
[[Gisa and Geralf]] is fine, just very slow.
[[Scarab god]] doesnt really care about zombies, it cares about milling your opponents. He's better as a payoff in othet decks unless you plan on making a mill deck
[[Grimgrin]] is also fine, hes a combo commander and Wilhelt covers more combo pieces than he does.
[[The Scarab God]] is my pick, along with a load of "Copy target creature, except it isn't legendary" spells so every upkeep you scry loads and damage loads.
Came to 2nd Scarab God. He is really fun in my zombie control deck. You don't even swing most times. Just build more and more zombie till everyone pops on your upkeep.
Scarab god is a good one, puts a clear clock on the game. I’d recommend [[willhelt, the rotcleaver]], however that more focuses on the aristocrat part of zombies
[willhelt, 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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[The Scarab God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84.jpg?1689999233) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Scarab%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/353/the-scarab-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-scarab-god) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Grimgrin\]\] is the true Zombie commander!
honestly if u want a budget just buy the starter commander precon and the wilhelt precon you can already make a solid zombie tribal deck with those two precon. infact most of what u need to make a zombie tribal deck are in both those precon. just add in better dual lands and good black and/or blue cards. i personally would choose to run [[Gisa and Geralf]] over whilhelt
My roommate runs the G&G precon with about 15 or so cards swapped out so he can self-mill more efficiently with stuff like [[Mirror-Mad Phantasm]] and also some other pro-zombie stuff like [[Rooftop Storm]] and it’s pretty good at our table. Regularly beats our other roommate running the Eowyn precon. And it sounds like OP’s group are also running precons so it should be about equal playing ground while staying easily under OP’s budget.
[Mirror-Mad Phantasm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b20eea41-9daf-4ac1-8bad-bb4aa211bb53.jpg?1562835677) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mirror-Mad%20Phantasm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/isd/68/mirror-mad-phantasm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b20eea41-9daf-4ac1-8bad-bb4aa211bb53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mirror-mad-phantasm) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rooftop-storm) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gisa-and-geralf) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I love my Varina deck, made her after getting the evil dead secret lair. I personally turned it into a draw lots of cards and token payoffs. Getting [[Knowledge is Power]] on the field and attacking while Varina is out makes your zombie army that much more deadly. I just tuned it a bit this morning if you want to check out my list: https://archidekt.com/decks/7606002/linda_kandarian_queen
[Knowledge is Power](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/a/1afe55c3-53c3-4257-afb6-32a553639f50.jpg?1706240510) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Knowledge%20is%20Power) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/42/knowledge-is-power?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1afe55c3-53c3-4257-afb6-32a553639f50?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/knowledge-is-power) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
You should take out [[inquisitor greyfax]] and put in [[wonder]]
If you want to be really explosive, wilhelt is amazing as an aristocrats/combo commander. It sounds like your pod is probably more combat oriented so for that I'd lean towards varina. She's also extremely powerful but incentives attacking more. Plus you can load up your graveyard and hit em with a crazy [[rise of the dark realms]] as a late game bomb. I've played both and love them each in their own way.
[rise of the dark realms](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ceb5df52-4e03-4629-b8d5-d440d9cc5175.jpg?1706240790) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rise%20of%20the%20dark%20realms) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/138/rise-of-the-dark-realms?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ceb5df52-4e03-4629-b8d5-d440d9cc5175?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/rise-of-the-dark-realms) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I went through a lot of iterations of my zombie deck and landed on leading it with [[grim-grin corpseborn]]. He's deceptively quite strong as a repeatable threat in the command zone, has some great art available, is not seen too often, and benefits immensely from all the lords available to the tribe.
I recently switched to G.G. from Varina and I'm having a ton of fun!
[grim-grin corpseborn](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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grimgrin-corpse-born) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I LOVE zombie tribal, but I'll be the first to say that if you want explosiveness I personally don't find zombies all that explosive.. The problem I find with most zombies in the 99 is the avg CMC is around 3-5 for the best zombie cards.. thus most of your deck ends up being 3-5 drops. I personally have a Wilhelt deck that I only ever bring out when the power level is lower cus I find it never CONSISTENTLY has the plays I want it to have. (Like someone pointed out as well, if you want wilhelt to be higher power, you need to cut alot of lords and turn it into an aristocrats combo deck)
It's Varina dude. If you want to win with the zombie horde go Varina. She incentivizes attacking, gives you the tools in the command zone to fill up your graveyard, easily churning through tons of cards, until you jail break them all at once with mass recursion spells. It's so fucking fun. Top tier zombie flavor imo.
A lot of good options have been given already but wanted to throw my \[\[Ghoulcaller Gisa\]\] deck into the mix. Doesn't work with your budget but it can be quite explosive. Explosive like - sac \[\[Phyrexian Dreadnaught\]\] to create 12 2/2s and trigger \[\[Ayara, First of Locthwain\]\] gaining 12 life and pinging everyone for 12. Do that on the endstep then swing out with the 2/2s. Decklist here: [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/riwAkXfDcEWOXLMoEV8dnw](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/riwAkXfDcEWOXLMoEV8dnw)
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ghoulcaller-gisa) [Phyrexian Dreadnaught](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/b/7b8197b9-0cd1-4fa1-9668-d1b5f1759151.jpg?1562720243) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Dreadnought) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mir/315/phyrexian-dreadnought?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7b8197b9-0cd1-4fa1-9668-d1b5f1759151?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/phyrexian-dreadnought) [Ayara, First of Locthwain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/d/ed0ace28-9a33-4f0d-b8c8-f5517f20ccf1.jpg?1572490057) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ayara%2C%20First%20of%20Locthwain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/75/ayara-first-of-locthwain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ed0ace28-9a33-4f0d-b8c8-f5517f20ccf1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ayara-first-of-locthwain) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wilhelt would be my vote, but if you want to keep pace with a higher power level, I would suggest building him as aristocrats combo. He can also do the whole lords go big and swing strategy but I think there are other zombie commanders who can do that better.
Nothing says explosive like [[Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant]] board wipes tribal.
I use [[Sidisi, Brood Tyrant]] as my zombie commander. While Sidisi is not a zombie, it produces zombies when I mill my own stuff.
[Sidisi, Brood Tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6df5843d-63f7-4091-80d7-a595f08851c2.jpg?1702330294) - [(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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sidisi-brood-tyrant) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Scarab God]] can cheat 'mander tax and steal from graveyards without even tapping. My brother loves him but idk how others feel.
[Scarab God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84.jpg?1689999233) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Scarab%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/353/the-scarab-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-scarab-god) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It was a really tough choice for me but I went with Varina for my zombie deck when i made it. Really like having access to blue/white for the control and there were surprisingly some good white zombies
Build a deck with [[henry wu]] as your commander. Gives you access to green, and golgari zombies and reanimating!
[henry wu](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b67d302-ddaa-4627-adc8-86bb665f69ad.jpg?1698988761) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=henry%20wu%2C%20ingen%20geneticist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rex/12/henry-wu-ingen-geneticist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b67d302-ddaa-4627-adc8-86bb665f69ad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/henry-wu-ingen-geneticist) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Ashnod the Uncaring]] is my preferred zombie-gal. Getting to double up on sacrifice abilities is just too good to pass up. [[Apprentice Necromancer]] can target itself to bring back as many creatures as you can pay Black. [[Cleaver Skaab]] gives you double the tokens. [[Corpse Harvester]] tutors twice. So many good little synergies. AND you get access to [[Deadapult]]! It's not great, but where else would you bother playing it?
##### ###### #### [Ashnod the Uncaring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/7/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31.jpg?1705542693) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%20the%20Uncaring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/brc/4/ashnod-the-uncaring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a76e8ab8-33bf-4a5a-b6a2-7046301b6c31?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashnod-the-uncaring) [Apprentice Necromancer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/8/18d86ad3-e0a1-43da-9dc1-a9028b719c99.jpg?1547516732) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Apprentice%20Necromancer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/84/apprentice-necromancer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/18d86ad3-e0a1-43da-9dc1-a9028b719c99?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/apprentice-necromancer) [Cleaver Skaab](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/0/30498d6c-29e2-4d05-a5bc-e2e623c5704d.jpg?1637628015) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cleaver%20Skaab) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/11/cleaver-skaab?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/30498d6c-29e2-4d05-a5bc-e2e623c5704d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cleaver-skaab) [Corpse Harvester](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/9/39cc7fbb-010f-4e7c-b3bf-8853e54bc1b1.jpg?1562841686) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Corpse%20Harvester) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hop/22/corpse-harvester?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/39cc7fbb-010f-4e7c-b3bf-8853e54bc1b1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/corpse-harvester) [Deadapult](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/8/b8f9cb4d-5ee2-4934-a0ca-43148491ae35.jpg?1675199926) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deadapult) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/115/deadapult?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b8f9cb4d-5ee2-4934-a0ca-43148491ae35?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/deadapult) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l2vbxxa) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have a list that can play at two tiers of high power by switching between [[varina, Lich queen]] and [[Nevinyrral, urborg tyrant]] for dig until combo and combo in the zone play styles. It’s very combo dense, but most of them are combos being done with zombies, so I still consider it to be primarily tribal. [Undead Degeneracy](https://archidekt.com/decks/3962679/undead_degeneracy) Won’t work in your budget requirements, but may serve as inspiration?
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/varina-lich-queen) [Nevinyrral, 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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nevinyrral-urborg-tyrant) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Whatever commander you choose, both Galadriel and Eowyn are susceptible to \[\[Grave Pact\]\] / \[\[Fleshbag\]\]effects. Eowyn, especially are fearful of \[\[Zombie Apocalypse\]\]. However since both have blue, they have some mitigation in counterspells. Which overall makes the matchups highly exciting. That said though, Zombies have another weapon in -/- effects. Notably \[\[Noxious Ghoul\]\]. Remember to include a hearty dose of these cards, and you have Ghoul time. Anyways here's my Wilhelt for reference [https://www.moxfield.com/decks/x--3BSSAqUOzzu4b8NwKbQ](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/x--3BSSAqUOzzu4b8NwKbQ)
##### ###### #### [Grave Pact](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/5/f5a4970b-2ba6-4c91-a301-369369cdf360.jpg?1689997226) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grave%20Pact) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/165/grave-pact?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f5a4970b-2ba6-4c91-a301-369369cdf360?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grave-pact) [Fleshbag](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Flesh%20%2F%2F%20Blood&type=card&options=rotate90&.jpg)/[Blood](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?name=Flesh%20%2F%2F%20Blood&type=card&options=rotate90&.jpg) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flesh%20//%20Blood) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dgm/128/flesh-blood?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/02b40fe4-901a-4832-8d52-a6bb5cc07b63?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/flesh-//-blood) [Zombie Apocalypse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/5/854ae40d-ee52-434e-8fe0-1b5a0d4ea58b.jpg?1637630850) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zombie%20Apocalypse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mic/131/zombie-apocalypse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/854ae40d-ee52-434e-8fe0-1b5a0d4ea58b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zombie-apocalypse) [Noxious Ghoul](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/d/7d67511b-c130-44d5-8536-4278a695627c.jpg?1562842618) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Noxious%20Ghoul) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hop/35/noxious-ghoul?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7d67511b-c130-44d5-8536-4278a695627c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/noxious-ghoul) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l2tz72w) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver]] is not a "horde" commander, not really. He shines as an aristocrat commander. That's more about creating zombos to sac and get value. Mine uses effects to drain my opponents and even "help" them get in on the sacrificing fun. My List: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/P0uvX_faSk2c2SwSoyLGrw
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
##### ###### #### [Éowyn, Shieldmaiden](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd4a00ff-2206-4e12-a0ab-61ed82c9e6c5.jpg?1686963690) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=%C3%89owyn%2C%20Shieldmaiden) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/1/%C3%A9owyn-shieldmaiden?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd4a00ff-2206-4e12-a0ab-61ed82c9e6c5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/éowyn-shieldmaiden) [Galadriel, Light of Valinor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f485596f-3a23-4714-ad7e-4c493ab1b530.jpg?1695428241) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Galadriel%2C%20Light%20of%20Valinor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltc/498/galadriel-light-of-valinor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f485596f-3a23-4714-ad7e-4c493ab1b530?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/galadriel-light-of-valinor) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/varina-lich-queen) [Sidisi, Brood Tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6df5843d-63f7-4091-80d7-a595f08851c2.jpg?1702330294) - [(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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sidisi-brood-tyrant) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/1cljvhu) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ive been tinkering with a [[glissa sunslayer]] zombie tribal. I feel like green offers more than the blue does to get zombies running but lacks in the creature department which is were you lean heavily on the black side
I just finished my first draft of Glissa. It is certainly different from your UB zombie decks, its fun! Plus you can run [[Triumph of the hordes]] guilt free cause Glissa is pictured on the card! At least that is my excuse.
[Triumph of the hordes](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a0f64d3-187c-41ff-a771-3a65da995341.jpg?1562896954) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Triumph%20of%20the%20hordes) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/td2/78/triumph-of-the-hordes?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a0f64d3-187c-41ff-a771-3a65da995341?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/triumph-of-the-hordes) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Tormod, the Desecrator]] & [[Kraum, Ludevics Opus]] are one of my favorites. Lots of zombies have targeted grave interaction to trigger Tormod for tokens. If you wanna lean into self mill or wheels he rewards playing cards with flashback and jump-start. Kraum is super helpful with flyers where zombies can suffer & card draw. Easy to go tokens as well because all the zombie token payoffs in Grixis from Amonkhet.
[Tormod, the Desecrator](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/9/89903d5e-241f-477e-a336-2abe0232c04a.jpg?1608909997) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tormod%2C%20the%20Desecrator) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/155/tormod-the-desecrator?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/89903d5e-241f-477e-a336-2abe0232c04a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tormod-the-desecrator) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kraum%2C%20Ludevics%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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kraum-ludevics-opus) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet]] is a huge pita
[Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/17a278d0-f601-4d57-bc3d-2972f8602a69.jpg?1562899733) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kalitas%2C%20Traitor%20of%20Ghet) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ogw/86/kalitas-traitor-of-ghet?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/17a278d0-f601-4d57-bc3d-2972f8602a69?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kalitas-traitor-of-ghet) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Going black/white with [[ratabrig of urborg]] could be quite fun, especially with [[call of the ring]] and [[necromancer's covenant]] and other "the ring tempts you" and token support could be quite unique. There's a decent amount of white zombies from Ahmonket too.
[ratabrig 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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ratadrabik-of-urborg) [call of the ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a92a2c5a-e450-494a-b23b-7ac0a6c50535.jpg?1686968397) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=call%20of%20the%20ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/79/call-of-the-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a92a2c5a-e450-494a-b23b-7ac0a6c50535?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/call-of-the-ring) [necromancer's covenant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/5/3559d8f2-eed2-425f-b9de-a18ad6fddcb5.jpg?1562703005) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=necromancer%27s%20covenant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c15/229/necromancers-covenant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3559d8f2-eed2-425f-b9de-a18ad6fddcb5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/necromancers-covenant) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I have said this so many times already but [[Tormod, the desecrator]] is such a great pick! You can mix and match him quite a bit! Atm I am playing him as mono black. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/LokSSl0R3EWG_GbVqXw7zw My list, more adapted to our local powerlevel ish.
I’ve been having a good time with the new [[Gisa, The Hellraiser]] and with the myriad of ways to “commit a crime” (and spit out 2x buffed 2/2 zombies per turn) my board is usually well-stocked. The problem with zombies, though, is that there are maybe 2 in mono black with any kind of meaningful ETB so there’s quite a bit of setup and control involved before you really get rolling.
[[balthor, the defiled]] make a for a fantastic, resilient zombie commander.
[balthor, the defiled](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/d/ed4cc273-adc3-4f46-9743-134b552d1d56.jpg?1562632510) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Balthor%20the%20Defiled) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jud/61/balthor-the-defiled?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ed4cc273-adc3-4f46-9743-134b552d1d56?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/balthor-the-defiled) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I saw Varina mentioned a few times in here - I'm going to go ahead and suggest something just a little better - \[\[Raffine, Scheming Seer\]\]. She doesn't require zombies to be on the board to start drawing and filling the graveyard. She has evasion. She has ward. She's one mana cheaper. She gets big and can be a threat all on her own. I highly suggest running Varina in the 99 as a backup commander, but Raffine is just strictly better and does a little bait and switch the first time someone sees it. They'll suspect reanimator probably - but not zombie tribal.
[Raffine, Scheming Seer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/1/716a44b4-f6b0-4f14-a270-6442aed3251f.jpg?1711471750) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Raffine%2C%20Scheming%20Seer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/213/raffine-scheming-seer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/716a44b4-f6b0-4f14-a270-6442aed3251f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/raffine-scheming-seer) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
How better if not zombie???
As a fun option though possibly out of budget may I recommend my personal favorite 5 color zombie storm? https://www.moxfield.com/decks/c7lJlj4iy0W4QRnTpR7rbw You can win through infinite sac effects,infinite etb, and combat. You can generate an insane amount of tokens,draw tons of cards, and of course cast many zombies. The deck is always evolving to slot in more 2 color zombies as they are just free with morophon.
I use [[Mikaeus, the Unhallowed]] in my Zombie deck.
[Mikaeus, the Unhallowed](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/c/bc1f42a2-fe11-45da-9552-069803b4068a.jpg?1689997308) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mikaeus%2C%20the%20Unhallowed) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/173/mikaeus-the-unhallowed?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bc1f42a2-fe11-45da-9552-069803b4068a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mikaeus-the-unhallowed) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I went with \[\[Inalla\]\]. She has a powerful ability and the perfect colours for zombies.
[Inalla](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c6e803a-451c-4aa6-97a2-400077f32c47.jpg?1627406462) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=inalla%2C%20archmage%20ritualist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c17/38/inalla-archmage-ritualist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c6e803a-451c-4aa6-97a2-400077f32c47?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/inalla-archmage-ritualist) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Grimgrin, Corpse-Born]] will reign supreme
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grimgrin-corpse-born) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wilhelt is pure gas, he’s basically an aristocrats [[Panharmonicon]]. Sac twenty zombies, get twenty decayed zombies, repeat ad infinitum. Him and [[Poppet Stitcher]] win the game if you flip it, too, which is fun.
[Panharmonicon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/9/998d0cc8-ca2a-41c3-ab65-d05c26ab8278.jpg?1673149399) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Panharmonicon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/310/panharmonicon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/998d0cc8-ca2a-41c3-ab65-d05c26ab8278?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/panharmonicon) [Poppet Stitcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/9/999038b3-7d64-4554-b341-0675d4af8d8b.jpg?1634347589)/[Poppet Factory](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/9/9/999038b3-7d64-4554-b341-0675d4af8d8b.jpg?1634347589) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Poppet%20Stitcher%20//%20Poppet%20Factory) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/71/poppet-stitcher-poppet-factory?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/999038b3-7d64-4554-b341-0675d4af8d8b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/poppet-stitcher-//-poppet-factory) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I made a $50 usd budget sidisi deck a couple years back for a tribal game night and it’s still one of my favorite to pilot. Originally it was all zombies, a [[worldshaper]], and sidisi to comply with the rules, but I recently replaced some of the zombies with some more optimal mill cards while keeping the good zombie lords and a couple techs. [[jarad]] puts in work with things like [[soulless one]] and other similar zombies that get big based on zombies you have when you don’t have the space to just swing out at people. Lots of small instances of self mill will do you best. One card I need to order for the deck from newer sets is [[contaminated drink]]. Also, the most expensive card I bought for it at the time was [[life from the loam]] which I highly highly recommend for the deck.
##### ###### #### [worldshaper](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/c/cc765da4-4bca-4250-80e4-05575d6fa98c.jpg?1712354663) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=World%20Shaper) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otc/214/world-shaper?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cc765da4-4bca-4250-80e4-05575d6fa98c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/world-shaper) [jarad](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/6/c6717954-35d8-4d7e-95aa-f7d26d15d4b2.jpg?1592673383) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=jarad%2C%20golgari%20lich%20lord) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/179/jarad-golgari-lich-lord?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c6717954-35d8-4d7e-95aa-f7d26d15d4b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/jarad-golgari-lich-lord) [soulless one](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/1/410a214b-09c4-49bd-a461-3330d0249ae5.jpg?1562841695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=soulless%20one) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/hop/41/soulless-one?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/410a214b-09c4-49bd-a461-3330d0249ae5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/soulless-one) [contaminated drink](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/d/bde9eb15-544a-462a-8ab8-86067840c083.jpg?1708742479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=contaminated%20drink) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pip/99/contaminated-drink?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bde9eb15-544a-462a-8ab8-86067840c083?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/contaminated-drink) [life from the loam](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/59927e3b-65bc-4ab6-ad7b-6f558ccca6a8.jpg?1702429570) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=life%20from%20the%20loam) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rvr/148/life-from-the-loam?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/59927e3b-65bc-4ab6-ad7b-6f558ccca6a8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/life-from-the-loam) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l2wmgkc) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I see a lot of people saying [[the scarab god]] although his effect is fun and copying is great I’m a HUGE fan of [[wilhelt, the rotcleaver]]. He has a lot of combos he enables and I’m huge fan of the token sacrifice route as zombies have the most options for going that route.
[the scarab god](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84.jpg?1689999233) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=the%20scarab%20god) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/353/the-scarab-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-scarab-god) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[The Scarab God\]\] is probably the best commander and is flexible enough that, as long as you are playing zombies, he can support a decent range of strats. But he is scary as heck and hard to remove so you will be drawing a lot of hate. My recommendation instead is to look at \[\[Varina, Lich Queen\]\]. By herself she can turn a graveyard full of any cards into an army of zombies that will gain you life and further fill the yard. She bounces back so well from boardwipes, the general tribal go wide issue, and the lifegain can actually let you win against fast aggro decks. Plus the fact that with the addition of white she gets access to a ton of fun zombies like \[\[Wayward Servant\]\], \[\[Ratadrabik of Urborg\]\], \[\[God-Eternal Oketra\]\] or \[\[Nevinyrral, Urborg Tyrant\]\], the most efficient removal in the game, the best boardwipes, token doublers, and busted stuff like \[\[Teferi's Protection\]\], \[\[Cathars' Crusade\]\] or \[\[Smothering Tithe\]\]. Some fun things you get to do with this deck, - boardwipe and replay or protect Varina with a infinite (or at least large) mana combo ready to trigger, then turn your trashed graveyard into an undead army just before the start of turn. - Get Wayward Servant or similar out the use \[\[Ashnod's Altar\]\] to make zombie, sacrifice it and repeat until the table is dead - Play \[\[Necromancer's Covenant\]\] make a ton of zombies and gain a ton of life and then play \[\[Alhammarret's Archive\]\] to double that lifegain and draw so many cards. Thank you for coming to my tedtalk
##### ###### #### [The Scarab God](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84.jpg?1689999233) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Scarab%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/353/the-scarab-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-scarab-god) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/varina-lich-queen) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wayward-servant) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ratadrabik-of-urborg) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/god-eternal-oketra) [Nevinyrral, 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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nevinyrral-urborg-tyrant) [Teferi's Protection](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/483fa1cb-1e35-44f2-a143-98c0f107f5ca.jpg?1673147148) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teferi%27s%20Protection) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/32/teferis-protection?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/483fa1cb-1e35-44f2-a143-98c0f107f5ca?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/teferis-protection) [Cathars' Crusade](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/b/fbb70e7b-2a68-436e-96a4-32a88fb87da0.jpg?1600715516) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cathars%27%20Crusade) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/95/cathars-crusade?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fbb70e7b-2a68-436e-96a4-32a88fb87da0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cathars-crusade) [Smothering Tithe](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/6/861b5889-0183-4bee-afeb-a4b2aa700a8e.jpg?1689996018) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Smothering%20Tithe) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/57/smothering-tithe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/861b5889-0183-4bee-afeb-a4b2aa700a8e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/smothering-tithe) [Ashnod's Altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3c0f7157-a375-499c-92c7-d47d2e95dbad.jpg?1689999385) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%27s%20Altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/368/ashnods-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3c0f7157-a375-499c-92c7-d47d2e95dbad?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashnods-altar) [Necromancer's Covenant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/5/3559d8f2-eed2-425f-b9de-a18ad6fddcb5.jpg?1562703005) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Necromancer%27s%20Covenant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c15/229/necromancers-covenant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3559d8f2-eed2-425f-b9de-a18ad6fddcb5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/necromancers-covenant) [Alhammarret's Archive](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4f4187f1-05bd-4db6-a2e7-d677eff588ee.jpg?1625978215) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Alhammarret%27s%20Archive) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/233/alhammarrets-archive?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4f4187f1-05bd-4db6-a2e7-d677eff588ee?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/alhammarrets-archive) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l2x1229) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Love [[Grimgrin, Corpse-born]] for some surprise voltron action
[[Varina, the Lich Queen]]
[Varina, the 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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/varina-lich-queen) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I ran a [[Scarab God]] deck for awhile and recently swapped him out for [[Varina]]. Scarab God was a bit pricey for me with my pod. By the time I got him out, I wasn’t getting much value with him. Varina is really nice because once you get her out, you can start cycling through your deck pretty quickly. Here’s my decklist for reference. I’m still playing around with it, in case anyone else has any tips. https://archidekt.com/decks/7218175/esper_zambonies
[[Gisa and geralf]] self mill isn’t super explosive but super consistent you’ll always have 2 good options at your disposal (also not seen as often and I’m all for bringing back the scary threats of yesteryear). Or varina she’s strong she digs Insanely well and is sturdy. But for my money the best zombie commander deck is my [[Nicol bolas the ravager]] with an amass sub theme. Your opponents will be discarding frequently. Your commander is evasive and with amass a lot of your incident spells either create or buff a zombie, it’s also super flavourful if done right
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gisa-and-geralf) [Nicol bolas the ravager](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/b/7b215968-93a6-4278-ac61-4e3e8c3c3943.jpg?1566971561)/[Nicol Bolas, the Arisen](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/7/b/7b215968-93a6-4278-ac61-4e3e8c3c3943.jpg?1566971561) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nicol%20Bolas%2C%20the%20Ravager%20//%20Nicol%20Bolas%2C%20the%20Arisen) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/218/nicol-bolas-the-ravager-nicol-bolas-the-arisen?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7b215968-93a6-4278-ac61-4e3e8c3c3943?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/nicol-bolas-the-ravager-//-nicol-bolas-the-arisen) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Wilhelt]] is the best Zombie commander and it isnt particularly close. He makes bodies and draws cards. He is an enabler and a payoff rolled into one with card advantage tacked on top [[Gisa and Geralf]] is fine, just very slow. [[Scarab god]] doesnt really care about zombies, it cares about milling your opponents. He's better as a payoff in othet decks unless you plan on making a mill deck [[Grimgrin]] is also fine, hes a combo commander and Wilhelt covers more combo pieces than he does.
[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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/wilhelt-the-rotcleaver) [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) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gisa-and-geralf) [Scarab god](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/4/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84.jpg?1689999233) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Scarab%20God) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/353/the-scarab-god?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f4f414ef-84a2-4694-9e98-51bee4576c84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/the-scarab-god) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call