Welcome to the world of the undead! Whether you are a necromancer or an enthusiast of the dark side, this guide is the perfect introduction to the notorious Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord deck. Jarad is not your typical commander. He is a lich lord with an insatiable thirst for vengeance, and his army of the undead is a force to be reckoned with.
Why choose an undead theme, you ask? Well, for starters, the undead have some of the most powerful abilities in the game that can overwhelm your opponents. From sacrificing creatures to returning them from your graveyard, the undead theme offers a unique and versatile gameplay that is unmatched. So, let’s take a look at the overview of the deck.
This optimized casual budget deck is centered around Jarad’s quest for revenge and undead minions. It includes a variety of powerful necromancy spells and creatures, as well as efficient removal and control cards. The deck has sufficient mana and card draw sources, with basic lands and a selection of nonbasic lands.
The inclusion of combo cards like Wall of Blood allows for additional win conditions and synergy with the overall theme of the deck. Now, let’s dive into the different aspects of the deck and explore how to unleash the madness of the undead!
Building the Undead Army
To build a strong undead army, you need to carefully select powerful creatures that fit the overall theme of the deck. Cards like Ghoulcaller Gisa, Gravecrawler and Necrotic Ooze bring great value to the table. These creatures are not only strong on their own, but their abilities synergize incredibly well with those of other creatures in the deck.
Maximizing on creature abilities is crucial for this deck. Cards like Cemetery Reaper and Gray Merchant of Asphodel bring multiple benefits, from producing tokens to draining your opponent’s life. It’s essential to prioritize creatures with multiple abilities that work together.
Exploring graveyard mechanics is key for this deck to work effectively. Cards like Satyr Wayfinder and Stinkweed Imp provide you with graveyard fillers, which will be vital when casting spells like Patriarch’s Bidding. The graveyard also acts as an extension of your hand, giving you access to spells like Dread Return and Victimize.
Overall, the key to dominating with this deck is to choose powerful creatures that synergize well with the undead theme. Maximizing on creature abilities and exploring graveyard mechanics will provide you with a formidable army that will give your opponents a run for their money.
Spells for Control and Removal
Building an army of undead minions is a formidable strategy, but it won’t guarantee you victory without the right control and removal spells to back it up. Let’s explore the options Jarad’s deck has to offer when it comes to handling threats on the board.
Spot removal is essential in dealing with pesky creatures and planeswalkers that can disrupt your undead horde. Spells like Beast Within and Putrefy are versatile options that can deal with any permanent type. Golgari Charm is another great choice, as it can also protect your creatures from board wipes or remove pesky enchantments. Mass removal spells are equally important to control the board and maintain dominance.
Patriarch’s Bidding can be a double-edged sword, but it’s a powerful tool that can bring back all of your creatures while affecting your opponents’ decks. Dread Return and Mulch can fill up your graveyard while giving you card advantage, which is essential for this deck to function. Graveyard hate and recursion are also part of the Golgari’s arsenal. Vraska’s Contempt and Entombish Restoration can remove problematic creatures while returning your own from the graveyard.
Deathreap Ritual and Phyrexian Arena are must-have enchantments that guarantee card advantage for your deck. Greed and Fecundity can also draw you more cards while sacrificing your creatures for value. Overall, Jarad’s deck offers a variety of options to deal with any threats on the board. Balancing control and aggression is the key to this deck’s success, so prioritizing removing key threats and maintaining a healthy supply of cards in your hand and graveyard is essential.
Mana Base and Ramp Options
Choosing the right lands and ramp spells is crucial in creating a powerful Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord Deck. Including both basic and nonbasic lands gives the deck a solid foundation. Basic lands such as Swamps and Forests provide reliable mana sources, while nonbasic lands like Command Tower and Woodland Cemetery add versatility and flexibility to the deck.
Artifacts such as Sol Ring and Golgari Signet offer mana acceleration and allow for more efficient use of resources. Combining these with Deathrender helps getting creatures out earlier in the game. Including these options to the deck gives it a strong start and helps create a foundation for an unstoppable army of undead creatures.
Playing the Deck
Playing Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord is all about timing and balance. You need to assess the board state continuously, identify key cards from your opponent’s deck, and consider the available resources. At times, you may need to hold off on playing your creatures and spells until the right moment, while at other times, you may need to take immediate action.
Choosing the right time to act is key here. There’s no point in playing a key card if it’s only going to get countered or destroyed immediately by an opponent’s card. Instead, wait for an opening or bait out the counter spell before playing your card. You also need to consider your own life total, as Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord’s ability will take life from you as well. At times, it may be worth sacrificing some life to pull off a big combo or secure a win condition.
Balancing controlling the game and winning the game is the tricky part. You need to play enough control and removal cards to stay in the game, but not so much that you run out of resources or fall behind in the game. Conversely, you also need to play enough creatures and spells to apply pressure and win the game, but not so much that you leave yourself open to a board wipe or other form of removal.
Overall, playing Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord requires skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. With the right timing and balance, you can dominate the game and unleash the full power of your undead minions. So go forth, and let the lich lord reign supreme!