Hello, I'm Danna.
I recently noticed that my previous article on zombie decks is now at the top of Google searches. It's been at the top for a while now, so I'm happy to know that people are still reading it, unless the algorithm has changed. It's hard to get caught at the top of searches...
I'm not good at English, so it might be hard to read.
Sorry, the following is in Japanese. If you want to read it, please comment...
So I'm going to write about zombies again. Well, I can't talk about anything but zombies in Magic the Gathering. I've only played Zombie decks since I was born.
The subject of this article is the "Zombie Version of the Power 9."
I understand that opinions may vary, so I'm open to differing views.
"Objection! This zombie is truly worthy of the Power 9!"
We welcome such opinions in the comments section, so please make your suggestions. Decisions might be made based on personal judgment and bias. I'm into that. Bring it on. We will consider updating periodically.
Due to the length of the text, I will present it in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2.
- Zombie version of Power 9 Selection Criteria
- Zombie version of Power 9 (1-4)
- Click here for the second part
Zombie version of Power 9 Selection Criteria
・Must be a zombie creature.
・It must be zombie-like not only in type but also in effect.
・Cost-effectiveness must be "off the charts".
・Danna's preference
Zombie version of Power 9 (1-4)
1 Stitcher's Supplier
The opening act features "Stitcher's Supplier."
"Some might have already foreseen its ranking from the title – 'Oh, this one? What's the big deal, it's just average,' you might think."
But it's truly that powerful. This card can fill up your graveyard with a staggering 7 cards, including itself, all in one go. An absurd ability that doesn't match its 1-mana cost. You could even call it the Ancestral Recall of the zombie realm.
Deploy it on your first turn and keep attacking.
Since it contributes to graveyard filling, it's not easily blocked (probably).
Underestimating it as just a 1-point attacker could lead to a perilous situation building up unnoticed...
Ah... what a truly zombie-like approach to combat... It's a zombie that warns, "Don't underestimate me, danger awaits if you do." Just as its name suggests, it truly supplies to the Stitcher.
2 Geralf's Messenger
Next up is "Geralf's Messenger".
When I first saw it, I thought, "Huh, isn't this card a bit sneaky?" That's how impactful this zombie is.
Just by being on the field, it deals 2 damage. Even if it's taken out, it comes back stronger, and deals 2 damage again. Despite the triple mana symbols of 3, it comes with many extras.
Those who have built zombie decks or light tribal decks might empathize, but tribes with few finishers suffer a weak end game.
It was down to 2 life points... How many times has this kind of showdown happened? Because in the late game, just a few points of damage often don't make a difference. That's why this card's ability to deliver 4 damage all by itself is remarkably cost-effective.
In the middle or end of a game when the Eldrazi massacre begins, this card shines frequently (from my personal experience with limited play).
Also, part of the reason I chose it was because it was a card I simply admired.
While nowadays you can purchase Ghoulcaller's Bell relatively cheaply, I remember it being a bit more expensive in the past.
As someone who enjoys the game as a "hobby," I hesitated to buy it for a while. Well, I'm quite happy that it eventually became more affordable.
3 Rotting Rats
The third zombie is "Rotting Rats."
It's a zombie that possesses a discard effect, a form of hand disruption that affects each player.
Hand disruption, a specialty of black, is quite prevalent among zombies, and similar cards like "Liliana's Specter" and "Liliana's Reaver" could be mentioned.
So, why "Rotting Rats" instead of those cards? The answer lies in its overwhelming trait: the ability to be resurrected.
With just this one card, you can enjoy the discard effect twice. This can prove devastating in multiplayer games (probably).
Even outside of multiplayer, it's easy to use for discard or sacrifice effects, truly embodying the essence of zombies. This, for a common card, is quite remarkable.
Even if you're playing a deck that randomly drops cards from the top of the deck, it's fine. Thanks to its resurrection ability, you can enjoy the discard effect once, and then resurrect it from the graveyard to inflict more discard when your opponent is feeling comfortable and relaxed, thinking, "Oh? Could this be a winning strategy??" This mischievous action is possible, making it a perfect card for subtle zombie deck players.
4 Diregraf Colossus
The final card in Part 1 is "Gempalm Polluter."
Oh boy... I had a lot of favorite cards among the 3-mana zombies, so I was quite torn (a matter of personal preference).
Amidst excellent zombies like "Zombie Master," "Lord of the Undead," "Undead Warchief," and the likes, why "Diregraf Colossus"...
The reason is purely because of my personal preference.
The zombie-like mechanics... The effect of bringing along another creature when you cast a zombie is something I like, but what truly captures me is how he grows larger due to the zombies gathering in the graveyard. It's exactly the transformation into a giant that I really appreciate.
By combining "Gravecrawler" and "Phyrexian Altar," you can recreate an overwhelming world of the dead through an infinite combo (I'm not a fan of infinite combos, so I won't do it though).
Zombies that are solid in the early, middle, and late game without vulnerabilities are rare, and this zombie who remains fresh no matter when you deploy him, I recommend as the Power 9 of the zombie realm.
Click here for the second part
Cooming soon....
The second part of this series will introduce zombies with a quirk or two.
All of them are wonderful. Just one of them can change the game.
These are such zombies.
