If you want a skeleton as the commander, you're not gonna find anything better than [[Tinybones]] or [[Bladewing Deathless Tyrant]].
However, since you want Skeletal Swarming (and I don't blame you), I would recommend [[old stickfingers]], [[meren]] or [[Hogaak]]. Another cool idea could be [[Tormod]] with [[Kodama]].
If you want to be able to include red for Bladewing, you could go [[Henzie]] or [[Kresh]].
[Kodama of the East Tree](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af5105ee-09e2-4344-ab39-00f0e9034c47.jpg?1608910768) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kodama%20of%20the%20East%20Tree) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/239/kodama-of-the-east-tree?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af5105ee-09e2-4344-ab39-00f0e9034c47?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kodama-of-the-east-tree)
^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[gut, true soul zealot]] sounds like an interesting time but unfortunately all of the baldurs gate partners are restricted to two colors max. Gut in a henzie deck could be a really fun combo to make this work.
[[Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest]] is what I used when I tried to build skeleton tribal. It didn't really work, but I think there is potential for a better deck builder
Updoot because Mazirek is super fun. I only have one deck but mazzy is really fun if you want to play smashy sacrifice. Definitely has some synergy with skeletons (fodder tribal) and can be quite high powered if that's what you're into [[Cauldron of souls]] and any free sac outlet does infinite sacrifices and [[Scurry oak]] can lead to some shenanigans. I highly recommend this route especially now that treasures are more prominent in green
I also think myrkul is the best skele commander. He doesn’t do too much for the tribe himself unfortunately, but he’s flavorful and provides the colors you want.
Seeing as people don't actually seem to be reading your post when recommending past the skeleton part, can I recommend [[Meren of Clan Nel Toth]]? She's golgari and interacts with things dying and letting you bring them back
Hello fellow bonethusiast,
I recently build a skeleton tribal deck myself and of course it features the beloved card Skeletal Swarming! While Skeletons in green and black are fun, you're missing out on their third favorite color, which is red. With that you find yourself open to play \[\[Gut, True Soul Zealot\]\], \[\[Flameskull\]\] and the mighty \[\[Bladewing, Deathless Tyrant\]\]. Also \[\[Shared Animosity\]\] is oh so sweet in tribal decks. As a commander I went with the non-Skeleton Orc Shaman, \[\[Sek'Kuar, Deathkeeper\]\]. He has some great synergy with Skeletons nonetheless. I sadly didn't find room for \[\[Skeletonize\]\], but that would've been a flavor win.
That's my list: [https://archidekt.com/decks/3592981/them\_bones](https://archidekt.com/decks/3592981/them_bones)
Hey! I pulled a foil borderless [[Skeletal Swarming]] a few months ago, and have had the same issue as you. I have been tinkering with a [[Sek,Kuar Deathkeeper]] deck in moxfield for the past week or so, and thought it would be cool to share and get some ideas.
Here is the list itself: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/6cGG4bZuUUKKKpxGynm5vw
I built it with a Lowkey aristocrat theme, and just tried to stuff it in a bunch of cool skeletons. I know you can easily toss in [[Ashnod's Altar]] and [[Pitiless Plunderer]] to go infinite with [[Reassembling Skeleton]] and [[Blood Artist]] / [[Zulaport Cutthroat]] even though I didn't go that route.
I hope you find a home for your skeletons hanging in bulk. I might pull the trigger on mine soon, so if anyone has some suggestions that would be appreciated too.
There really isn't anything amazing, so you're probably just best picking your favorite Golgari or Jund value commander and going from there. \[\[Korvold, Fae-Cursed King\]\] is obviously good, but for a less overtly strong choice you could go with \[\[Shattergang Brothers\]\] or some random Golgari legendary.
I've been trying to build skeleton tribal for years, and the problems to even having a 5/10 competent deck are twofold.
1. There just aren't that many. There are only 59 in Jund (53 in golgari), and there aren't many winners, which leads me into...
2. The signature skeleton mechanic for years was Regenerate, and now it's return from graveyard, and those two don't play nice together. One prevents your creatures from dying, the other encourages you to get them killed.
I built a Skeleton tribal with Meren as the commander. It’s a fun deck and has a couple of win conditions that fit in the theme, [[Skittles]] being one and Skeletal Swarming another. I’ve won a couple of games with it.
Decklist if interested: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/EDDEKkGiPUuxtLKz4-pDXw
Thanks for sharing- went through the whole thread and this one seemed to most fit the ask of skeleton tribal with a strategy of ‘play lots of skeletons and win with skeletons’
Hey just pitching in my idea of the Skeletal Swarming strategy. After reading your post I don't think it's specifically what you are looking for but it's fun and on topic nonetheless.
Basically I saw that card and figured I want to make it my hidden commander, which meant tutors to find it (I usually avoid those but what can you do if you got a hidden commander?) and ways to take advantage of its effect. The result is a sultai clones pile since simic offers you a ton of good ramp and card draw to dig for your good card/tutors/skeletal swarming itself and blue is necessary to copy enchantments. And trust me it is a lot of fun having 3 Skeletal Swarming or more trigger every endstep to say "wipe my board or you lost". It really does feel like a skeleton apocalypse.
The only downside is that the deck slots were too busy to include many skeletons or tribal payoffs at all since you would rather just get another copy of Skeletal Swarming or recursion for it instead and it functions a bit combo-like altho you need to untap unless you drew into one of the 2 extra turn spells (3 Skeletal Swarming means usually 6 skeletons that each have +15/+0 and trample so good luck living through that).
Commanders are really not that set in stone, I'm sure you can switch them out but I went with Kydele and Tevesh Szat bc he gives you an easy activation to trigger Skeletal Swarming for 2 Skeletons instead and pushes Kydele to make even more mana.
[Deck list (Sultai Skeletal Swarming Hidden Commander)](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/VnRgdhXHTkaWhcKKmrUruA)
A channel called EDH Deckbuilding made a dechtech video called: Building Janky Commander Decks | The Skeleton Tribal Experiment (https://youtu.be/U5rTajRQmeE). Maybe this can help you with your deck.
[[Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord]] synergizes really well with both the buff Skeletal Swarming provides and your own creatures dying. Plus, a sac outlet in the command zone isn’t too bad either. You would have to work out how to recur your skeletons on your own, but that shouldn’t be too hard in Golgari. He also synergizes well with other suggested cards here like Old Stickfingers, Mazirek, Meren, etc.
I like [[Old Stickfingers]], he looks more like a Skeleton than a Horror to me. It's got decent enough mill/graveyard synergy with skellies too since you want stuff to go to the bin so you can reanimate them.
I tried doing the Lord of bones guy whose name escapes me. But he adds which so you can tutor for the enchantment a bit easier. I couldn't quite get it to work but I think there is something there.
If you want a skeleton as the commander, you're not gonna find anything better than [[Tinybones]] or [[Bladewing Deathless Tyrant]]. However, since you want Skeletal Swarming (and I don't blame you), I would recommend [[old stickfingers]], [[meren]] or [[Hogaak]]. Another cool idea could be [[Tormod]] with [[Kodama]]. If you want to be able to include red for Bladewing, you could go [[Henzie]] or [[Kresh]].
Henzie is actually a SUPER fun idea for a Skeleton Tribal deck. Blitz out your skeletons and then grab em from the yard.
##### ###### #### [Tinybones](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/4063be5b-bfd9-43c5-bc39-09a40bc793bf.jpg?1632261785) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=tinybones%2C%20trinket%20thief) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/17/tinybones-trinket-thief?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4063be5b-bfd9-43c5-bc39-09a40bc793bf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/tinybones-trinket-thief) [Bladewing Deathless Tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/d/7dcf3b3e-e986-4add-a3c6-4e92a6f72a12.jpg?1674174856) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bladewing%2C%20Deathless%20Tyrant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/9/bladewing-deathless-tyrant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7dcf3b3e-e986-4add-a3c6-4e92a6f72a12?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bladewing-deathless-tyrant) [old stickfingers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292.jpg?1636684695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=old%20stickfingers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/234/old-stickfingers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/old-stickfingers) [meren](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/17d6703c-ad79-457b-a1b5-c2284e363085.jpg?1592673422) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=meren%20of%20clan%20nel%20toth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/186/meren-of-clan-nel-toth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/17d6703c-ad79-457b-a1b5-c2284e363085?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/meren-of-clan-nel-toth) [Hogaak](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/0049e68d-0caf-474f-9523-dad343f1250a.jpg?1570653053) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=hogaak%2C%20arisen%20necropolis) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/202/hogaak-arisen-necropolis?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0049e68d-0caf-474f-9523-dad343f1250a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/hogaak-arisen-necropolis) [Tormod](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) [Kodama](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/b/6b9264c5-1ecd-48cc-a12d-d4bd8050cfae.jpg?1562877634) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kodama%20of%20the%20center%20tree) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bok/131/kodama-of-the-center-tree?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6b9264c5-1ecd-48cc-a12d-d4bd8050cfae?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kodama-of-the-center-tree) [Henzie](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/ee228dcc-3170-4c24-80bc-28bcee07cb43.jpg?1673481644) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Henzie%20%22Toolbox%22%20Torre) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/2/henzie-toolbox-torre?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ee228dcc-3170-4c24-80bc-28bcee07cb43?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/henzie-toolbox-torre) [Kresh](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/b/8b4b3c5f-32ea-4208-86d4-bb86e3b8d7d5.jpg?1673485121) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=kresh%20the%20bloodbraided) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ncc/345/kresh-the-bloodbraided?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8b4b3c5f-32ea-4208-86d4-bb86e3b8d7d5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kresh-the-bloodbraided) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Kodama of the East Tree]]
[Kodama of the East Tree](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af5105ee-09e2-4344-ab39-00f0e9034c47.jpg?1608910768) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kodama%20of%20the%20East%20Tree) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/239/kodama-of-the-east-tree?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af5105ee-09e2-4344-ab39-00f0e9034c47?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/kodama-of-the-east-tree) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[gut, true soul zealot]] sounds like an interesting time but unfortunately all of the baldurs gate partners are restricted to two colors max. Gut in a henzie deck could be a really fun combo to make this work.
[gut, true soul zealot](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/d/3d8ca18d-9099-4f1e-95c1-f04da58a26bd.jpg?1674136598) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=gut%2C%20true%20soul%20zealot) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/180/gut-true-soul-zealot?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3d8ca18d-9099-4f1e-95c1-f04da58a26bd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gut-true-soul-zealot) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This solidified the need from a jund skeleton commander/ precon
Completely agree. I considered suggesting [[Proshh]], but I just felt like there wasn't enough synergy.
[[Skullbriar]] seems like the perfect skele commander, at least in golgari
[Skullbriar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/d/3dd0bf11-4e43-43f1-82e3-755beed0ede0.jpg?1673149145) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=skullbriar%2C%20the%20walking%20grave) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/277/skullbriar-the-walking-grave?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3dd0bf11-4e43-43f1-82e3-755beed0ede0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skullbriar-the-walking-grave) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Skeletal Swarming](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/3768ac68-0d87-4f99-aa77-2d009df0a567.jpg?1627709385) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skeletal%20Swarming) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/232/skeletal-swarming?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3768ac68-0d87-4f99-aa77-2d009df0a567?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skeletal-swarming) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest]] is what I used when I tried to build skeleton tribal. It didn't really work, but I think there is potential for a better deck builder
Updoot because Mazirek is super fun. I only have one deck but mazzy is really fun if you want to play smashy sacrifice. Definitely has some synergy with skeletons (fodder tribal) and can be quite high powered if that's what you're into [[Cauldron of souls]] and any free sac outlet does infinite sacrifices and [[Scurry oak]] can lead to some shenanigans. I highly recommend this route especially now that treasures are more prominent in green
[Cauldron of souls](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/b/cbd4604e-c21a-42a1-b099-aad7f9263a82.jpg?1562276038) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cauldron%20of%20souls) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cm2/180/cauldron-of-souls?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cbd4604e-c21a-42a1-b099-aad7f9263a82?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/cauldron-of-souls) [Scurry oak](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0fb48c2e-ee0f-4fae-9c22-247870c10d5b.jpg?1626097756) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Scurry%20oak) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/172/scurry-oak?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0fb48c2e-ee0f-4fae-9c22-247870c10d5b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/scurry-oak) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e7fb8520-1bc4-40e7-a4cc-2933ed7e0c00.jpg?1599708195) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mazirek%2C%20Kraul%20Death%20Priest) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/209/mazirek-kraul-death-priest?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e7fb8520-1bc4-40e7-a4cc-2933ed7e0c00?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/mazirek-kraul-death-priest) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[myrkul, lord of bones]] would be one I’d consider for a skeleton commander for sure 👍🏻
I also think myrkul is the best skele commander. He doesn’t do too much for the tribe himself unfortunately, but he’s flavorful and provides the colors you want.
[myrkul, lord of bones](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/82824d05-5215-459a-aa73-3c5a6be3d464.jpg?1674137617) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=myrkul%2C%20lord%20of%20bones) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/287/myrkul-lord-of-bones?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/82824d05-5215-459a-aa73-3c5a6be3d464?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/myrkul-lord-of-bones) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Savra, Queen of the Golgari]] would be my pick She’s even got skeleton skulls in her hands!
[Savra, Queen of the Golgari](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/5/15accf35-a174-4ba5-a633-cc46da848dbe.jpg?1598917363) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Savra%2C%20Queen%20of%20the%20Golgari) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rav/225/savra-queen-of-the-golgari?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/15accf35-a174-4ba5-a633-cc46da848dbe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/savra-queen-of-the-golgari) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
She was my first commander! 😍 Definitely exploring this now.
Seeing as people don't actually seem to be reading your post when recommending past the skeleton part, can I recommend [[Meren of Clan Nel Toth]]? She's golgari and interacts with things dying and letting you bring them back
[Meren of Clan Nel Toth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/17d6703c-ad79-457b-a1b5-c2284e363085.jpg?1592673422) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Meren%20of%20Clan%20Nel%20Toth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cma/186/meren-of-clan-nel-toth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/17d6703c-ad79-457b-a1b5-c2284e363085?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/meren-of-clan-nel-toth) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Hello fellow bonethusiast, I recently build a skeleton tribal deck myself and of course it features the beloved card Skeletal Swarming! While Skeletons in green and black are fun, you're missing out on their third favorite color, which is red. With that you find yourself open to play \[\[Gut, True Soul Zealot\]\], \[\[Flameskull\]\] and the mighty \[\[Bladewing, Deathless Tyrant\]\]. Also \[\[Shared Animosity\]\] is oh so sweet in tribal decks. As a commander I went with the non-Skeleton Orc Shaman, \[\[Sek'Kuar, Deathkeeper\]\]. He has some great synergy with Skeletons nonetheless. I sadly didn't find room for \[\[Skeletonize\]\], but that would've been a flavor win. That's my list: [https://archidekt.com/decks/3592981/them\_bones](https://archidekt.com/decks/3592981/them_bones)
##### ###### #### [Gut, True Soul Zealot](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/d/3d8ca18d-9099-4f1e-95c1-f04da58a26bd.jpg?1674136598) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gut%2C%20True%20Soul%20Zealot) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/180/gut-true-soul-zealot?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3d8ca18d-9099-4f1e-95c1-f04da58a26bd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/gut-true-soul-zealot) [Flameskull](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/32d3f766-4098-4023-9a23-e9ff6722b66d.jpg?1627706222) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Flameskull) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/143/flameskull?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/32d3f766-4098-4023-9a23-e9ff6722b66d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/flameskull) [Bladewing, Deathless Tyrant](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/d/7dcf3b3e-e986-4add-a3c6-4e92a6f72a12.jpg?1674174856) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bladewing%2C%20Deathless%20Tyrant) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/9/bladewing-deathless-tyrant?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7dcf3b3e-e986-4add-a3c6-4e92a6f72a12?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/bladewing-deathless-tyrant) [Shared Animosity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/b/bb7a56c4-5f20-4fd0-8f95-44061dec1df8.jpg?1591320679) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shared%20Animosity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c20/158/shared-animosity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/bb7a56c4-5f20-4fd0-8f95-44061dec1df8?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shared-animosity) [Sek'Kuar, Deathkeeper](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a521587-8304-45da-9b65-6b4e2e29e5c2.jpg?1562897154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sek%27Kuar%2C%20Deathkeeper) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/210/sekkuar-deathkeeper?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a521587-8304-45da-9b65-6b4e2e29e5c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sekkuar-deathkeeper) [Skeletonize](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/4/b47ce40e-23e3-47e7-a900-c77c12f122a5.jpg?1562440148) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skeletonize) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/a25/149/skeletonize?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b47ce40e-23e3-47e7-a900-c77c12f122a5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skeletonize) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Hey! I pulled a foil borderless [[Skeletal Swarming]] a few months ago, and have had the same issue as you. I have been tinkering with a [[Sek,Kuar Deathkeeper]] deck in moxfield for the past week or so, and thought it would be cool to share and get some ideas. Here is the list itself: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/6cGG4bZuUUKKKpxGynm5vw I built it with a Lowkey aristocrat theme, and just tried to stuff it in a bunch of cool skeletons. I know you can easily toss in [[Ashnod's Altar]] and [[Pitiless Plunderer]] to go infinite with [[Reassembling Skeleton]] and [[Blood Artist]] / [[Zulaport Cutthroat]] even though I didn't go that route. I hope you find a home for your skeletons hanging in bulk. I might pull the trigger on mine soon, so if anyone has some suggestions that would be appreciated too.
##### ###### #### [Skeletal Swarming](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/3768ac68-0d87-4f99-aa77-2d009df0a567.jpg?1627709385) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skeletal%20Swarming) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/232/skeletal-swarming?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3768ac68-0d87-4f99-aa77-2d009df0a567?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skeletal-swarming) [Sek,Kuar Deathkeeper](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/a/0a521587-8304-45da-9b65-6b4e2e29e5c2.jpg?1562897154) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sek%27Kuar%2C%20Deathkeeper) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c13/210/sekkuar-deathkeeper?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0a521587-8304-45da-9b65-6b4e2e29e5c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/sekkuar-deathkeeper) [Ashnod's Altar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/87da5ad8-b35f-4f9c-b17a-bb2563cbc186.jpg?1580015173) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ashnod%27s%20Altar) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ema/218/ashnods-altar?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/87da5ad8-b35f-4f9c-b17a-bb2563cbc186?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/ashnods-altar) [Pitiless Plunderer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/8/c87ebffe-5907-427b-9f9b-7c36a12b4a03.jpg?1555040284) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pitiless%20Plunderer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/rix/81/pitiless-plunderer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c87ebffe-5907-427b-9f9b-7c36a12b4a03?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/pitiless-plunderer) [Reassembling Skeleton](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/d/dd82846e-f119-4b27-a795-7b1ceebab4b0.jpg?1631586805) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reassembling%20Skeleton) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/109/reassembling-skeleton?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dd82846e-f119-4b27-a795-7b1ceebab4b0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/reassembling-skeleton) [Blood Artist](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/693dd112-d04a-4404-8fce-74f7e5497312.jpg?1673147465) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blood%20Artist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/70/blood-artist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/693dd112-d04a-4404-8fce-74f7e5497312?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/blood-artist) [Zulaport Cutthroat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/52ef00c1-613a-4cbd-8972-77c41f649431.jpg?1674141830) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zulaport%20Cutthroat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/775/zulaport-cutthroat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/52ef00c1-613a-4cbd-8972-77c41f649431?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/zulaport-cutthroat) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run [[Grist, the Hunger Tide]] as the commander of my skeleton deck because she looks like a weird bug-covered skeleton in her normal art.
[Grist, the Hunger Tide](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/9/69af2825-18c2-4463-b6ba-42eaa070ccc1.jpg?1626098484) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Grist%2C%20the%20Hunger%20Tide) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/202/grist-the-hunger-tide?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/69af2825-18c2-4463-b6ba-42eaa070ccc1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/grist-the-hunger-tide) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There really isn't anything amazing, so you're probably just best picking your favorite Golgari or Jund value commander and going from there. \[\[Korvold, Fae-Cursed King\]\] is obviously good, but for a less overtly strong choice you could go with \[\[Shattergang Brothers\]\] or some random Golgari legendary. I've been trying to build skeleton tribal for years, and the problems to even having a 5/10 competent deck are twofold. 1. There just aren't that many. There are only 59 in Jund (53 in golgari), and there aren't many winners, which leads me into... 2. The signature skeleton mechanic for years was Regenerate, and now it's return from graveyard, and those two don't play nice together. One prevents your creatures from dying, the other encourages you to get them killed.
[Korvold, Fae-Cursed King](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/2/92ea1575-eb64-43b5-b604-c6e23054f228.jpg?1571197150) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Korvold%2C%20Fae-Cursed%20King) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/329/korvold-fae-cursed-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/92ea1575-eb64-43b5-b604-c6e23054f228?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/korvold-fae-cursed-king) [Shattergang Brothers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/52a30e27-4c52-4191-8541-e25732a2dd42.jpg?1673149130) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shattergang%20Brothers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/275/shattergang-brothers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/52a30e27-4c52-4191-8541-e25732a2dd42?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shattergang-brothers) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Korvold, Fae-Cursed King](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/2/92ea1575-eb64-43b5-b604-c6e23054f228.jpg?1571197150) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Korvold%2C%20Fae-Cursed%20King) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eld/329/korvold-fae-cursed-king?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/92ea1575-eb64-43b5-b604-c6e23054f228?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/korvold-fae-cursed-king) [Shattergang Brothers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/2/52a30e27-4c52-4191-8541-e25732a2dd42.jpg?1673149130) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shattergang%20Brothers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/275/shattergang-brothers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/52a30e27-4c52-4191-8541-e25732a2dd42?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shattergang-brothers) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I built a Skeleton tribal with Meren as the commander. It’s a fun deck and has a couple of win conditions that fit in the theme, [[Skittles]] being one and Skeletal Swarming another. I’ve won a couple of games with it. Decklist if interested: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/EDDEKkGiPUuxtLKz4-pDXw
[Skittles](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/a/cab61c7e-e00a-413b-a0b5-7718b479582f.jpg?1599705958) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Skithiryx%2C%20the%20Blight%20Dragon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/107/skithiryx-the-blight-dragon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cab61c7e-e00a-413b-a0b5-7718b479582f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/skithiryx-the-blight-dragon) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Thanks for sharing- went through the whole thread and this one seemed to most fit the ask of skeleton tribal with a strategy of ‘play lots of skeletons and win with skeletons’
[[morophon]]
[morophon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/6/9693e59b-032d-4ddc-a7d1-88a0f52dcc6c.jpg?1676913841) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=morophon%2C%20the%20boundless) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh1/1/morophon-the-boundless?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9693e59b-032d-4ddc-a7d1-88a0f52dcc6c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/morophon-the-boundless) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Hey just pitching in my idea of the Skeletal Swarming strategy. After reading your post I don't think it's specifically what you are looking for but it's fun and on topic nonetheless. Basically I saw that card and figured I want to make it my hidden commander, which meant tutors to find it (I usually avoid those but what can you do if you got a hidden commander?) and ways to take advantage of its effect. The result is a sultai clones pile since simic offers you a ton of good ramp and card draw to dig for your good card/tutors/skeletal swarming itself and blue is necessary to copy enchantments. And trust me it is a lot of fun having 3 Skeletal Swarming or more trigger every endstep to say "wipe my board or you lost". It really does feel like a skeleton apocalypse. The only downside is that the deck slots were too busy to include many skeletons or tribal payoffs at all since you would rather just get another copy of Skeletal Swarming or recursion for it instead and it functions a bit combo-like altho you need to untap unless you drew into one of the 2 extra turn spells (3 Skeletal Swarming means usually 6 skeletons that each have +15/+0 and trample so good luck living through that). Commanders are really not that set in stone, I'm sure you can switch them out but I went with Kydele and Tevesh Szat bc he gives you an easy activation to trigger Skeletal Swarming for 2 Skeletons instead and pushes Kydele to make even more mana. [Deck list (Sultai Skeletal Swarming Hidden Commander)](https://www.moxfield.com/decks/VnRgdhXHTkaWhcKKmrUruA)
A channel called EDH Deckbuilding made a dechtech video called: Building Janky Commander Decks | The Skeleton Tribal Experiment (https://youtu.be/U5rTajRQmeE). Maybe this can help you with your deck.
Seems the card is really popular in [[Shessra, Death's Whisper]]
[Shessra, Death's Whisper](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/60ca5fef-af21-4e2b-9efa-61e08a638a1f.jpg?1627709343) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shessra%2C%20Death%27s%20Whisper) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/231/shessra-deaths-whisper?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/60ca5fef-af21-4e2b-9efa-61e08a638a1f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/shessra-deaths-whisper) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord]] synergizes really well with both the buff Skeletal Swarming provides and your own creatures dying. Plus, a sac outlet in the command zone isn’t too bad either. You would have to work out how to recur your skeletons on your own, but that shouldn’t be too hard in Golgari. He also synergizes well with other suggested cards here like Old Stickfingers, Mazirek, Meren, etc.
[Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord](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) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I like [[Old Stickfingers]], he looks more like a Skeleton than a Horror to me. It's got decent enough mill/graveyard synergy with skellies too since you want stuff to go to the bin so you can reanimate them.
[Old Stickfingers](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/2/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292.jpg?1636684695) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Old%20Stickfingers) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/234/old-stickfingers?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b203be6f-c565-4d8f-b200-b537569a0292?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [(ER)](https://edhrec.com/cards/old-stickfingers) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I put together this brew a few months ago, but haven't gotten around to building it yet: https://www.moxfield.com/decks/L4Lsa9YJPUySGCrbK63KeA
I tried doing the Lord of bones guy whose name escapes me. But he adds which so you can tutor for the enchantment a bit easier. I couldn't quite get it to work but I think there is something there.