EDH Optimizer
Zombies Commander decks
Zombies is a kindred archetype: the deck is built around one creature type and the cards that pay you for having many of them. It is mostly played in black and Dimir. Its most characteristic cards are Gravecrawler, Undead Augur, Death Baron: not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear in these decks far above what is normal for the same colors.
Cards that define the archetype
Ranked by how much MORE they are played inside the archetype than in the rest of Commander. Generic staples (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet…) fall out for exactly that reason: they are played everywhere equally.
| Card | Commanders | Avg. inclusion | Excess |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravecrawler | 29 | 62% | +69 pts |
| Undead Augur | 24 | 56% | +59 pts |
| Death Baron | 22 | 57% | +53 pts |
| Lord of the Accursed | 19 | 59% | +46 pts |
| Diregraf Colossus | 18 | 55% | +44 pts |
| Endless Ranks of the Dead | 18 | 51% | +44 pts |
| Champion of the Perished | 17 | 50% | +41 pts |
| Headless Rider | 17 | 49% | +41 pts |
| Cemetery Reaper | 16 | 58% | +39 pts |
| Undead Warchief | 15 | 46% | +37 pts |
| Gray Merchant of Asphodel | 28 | 59% | +35 pts |
| Village Rites | 20 | 44% | +35 pts |
| Cryptbreaker | 14 | 50% | +34 pts |
| Zul Ashur, Lich Lord | 14 | 49% | +34 pts |
| Midnight Reaper | 15 | 45% | +33 pts |
| Fleshbag Marauder | 16 | 49% | +32 pts |
| Grave Titan | 13 | 46% | +31 pts |
| Lord of the Undead | 12 | 44% | +29 pts |
| Zombie Apocalypse | 12 | 47% | +29 pts |
| Zombie Master | 11 | 49% | +27 pts |
| Army of the Damned | 11 | 47% | +26 pts |
| Carrion Feeder | 12 | 47% | +26 pts |
| Rooftop Storm | 10 | 68% | +24 pts |
| Accursed Marauder | 14 | 49% | +24 pts |
| Bontu's Monument | 14 | 44% | +20 pts |
| Necroduality | 8 | 55% | +20 pts |
| Diregraf Captain | 8 | 71% | +20 pts |
| Dreadhorde Invasion | 8 | 42% | +18 pts |
| Liliana, Dreadhorde General | 8 | 42% | +18 pts |
| Phyrexian Tower | 11 | 39% | +18 pts |
Commanders for Zombies
Ranked by how central this archetype is to their decks and by how played each commander is, according to EDHREC data.
By color identity
Black
Blue · Black
Blue · Black · Red
Black · Red
White · Blue · Black
Blue
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🛠️ Build a deck like this 📥 Analyze my deckFrequently asked questions
What is the best commander for a Zombies deck?
The most-built commanders for this archetype are Sauron, the Dark Lord, The Scarab God, Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver. EDH Optimizer has the full list of 73 commanders with their recommended cards, ranked by how central Zombies is to their decks.
Which cards are must-haves in a Zombies deck?
The three most characteristic are Gravecrawler, Undead Augur, Death Baron. They are not the most-played cards in the format, but the ones that appear far more inside this archetype than in the rest of Commander — which is what actually makes them essential here.
What colors is Zombies played in?
The most common color identities are Black, Blue · Black, Blue · Black · Red. The "By color identity" section groups the commanders and links to the best cards for each combination.
How much does a Zombies deck cost?
It depends on the price cap PER CARD you set. Each commander page lists the best cards in three tiers (up to €2, up to €10 and no cap), and the optimizer only suggests swaps that fit the cap you pick.