Shared Commander deck
The Scarab God - community staples
The Scarab God · BU · 100 cards · 38 lands
Want a deck like this for your commander?
Grimoire builds a full 100-card list from the whole card pool or just the cards you own.
Bracket 3 - UpgradedCommander 1Creatures 37Instants 8Sorceries 3Artifacts 7Enchantments 6Lands 38
Export this deck
Plain decklist format - works with Moxfield, Archidekt, Deckstats, TappedOut, Cockatrice and most phone apps.
Open somewhere else - the list is copied for you, then paste it in:
Show the raw list
Strategy
The Scarab God leads a deck built from the cards players most often run with it, sacrificing its own creatures for value and draining the table. The list holds 12 ramp pieces, 9 pieces of targeted interaction, 2 board wipes and 9 sources of card draw, at an average mana value of 3.28.
Early: The early turns belong to ramp. Warren Soultrader and the other 12 ramp pieces exist to get The Scarab God out well before its printed cost of 5 would allow.
Mid: Once the commander is down, the deck wants to be doing two things at once: advancing its own board and answering everyone else's. Counterspell is the first answer you will usually reach for, and Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver keeps the hand full while you do it.
Late: Hold Cyclonic Rift for the turn the table gets ahead of you - with 2 in the deck you can afford to use one early and still have an answer later. At 3.28 average mana value the top end is middling, which means most turns hold two spells.
Win conditions: Wins by draining life a few points at a time while the board keeps recurring.
- Diregraf Captain - Core to the plan
- Rooftop Storm - Core to the plan
- Death Baron - Core to the plan
- Gravecrawler - Core to the plan
- Diregraf Colossus - Core to the plan
- Gray Merchant of Asphodel - Core to the plan
- Lord of the Accursed - Core to the plan
- Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver - Card draw
~$625.83
estimated to build this deck
Commander (1)
The Scarab God
Legendary Creature — God
At the beginning of your upkeep, each opponent loses X life and you scry X, where X is the number of Zombies you control.
{2}{U}{B}: Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Create a token that's a copy of it, except it's a 4/4 black Zombie.
When The Scarab God dies, return it to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.
Creatures (37)
Diregraf Captain
Creature — Zombie Soldier
$0.34
Deathtouch
Other Zombie creatures you control get +1/+1.
Whenever another Zombie you control dies, target opponent loses 1 life.
Death Baron
Creature — Zombie Wizard
$4.43
Skeletons you control and other Zombies you control get +1/+1 and have deathtouch. (Any amount of damage they deal to a creature is enough to destroy it.)
Gravecrawler
Creature — Zombie
$1.29
This creature can't block.
You may cast this card from your graveyard as long as you control a Zombie.
Diregraf Colossus
Creature — Zombie Giant
$4.98
This creature enters with a +1/+1 counter on it for each Zombie card in your graveyard.
Whenever you cast a Zombie spell, create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Creature — Zombie
$1.08
When this creature enters, each opponent loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. You gain life equal to the life lost this way. (Each {B} in the mana costs of permanents you control counts toward your devotion to black.)
Lord of the Accursed
Creature — Zombie
$0.18
Other Zombies you control get +1/+1.
{1}{B}, {T}: All Zombies gain menace until end of turn.
Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver
Legendary Creature — Zombie Warrior
$9.04
Whenever another Zombie you control dies, if it didn't have decayed, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token with decayed. (It can't block. When it attacks, sacrifice it at end of combat.)
At the beginning of your end step, you may sacrifice a Zombie. If you do, draw a card.
Cemetery Reaper
Creature — Zombie
$0.33
Other Zombie creatures you control get +1/+1.
{2}{B}, {T}: Exile target creature card from a graveyard. Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
Undead Augur
Creature — Zombie Wizard
$0.14
Whenever this creature or another Zombie you control dies, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Gleaming Overseer
Creature — Zombie Wizard
$0.12
When this creature enters, amass Zombies 1. (Put a +1/+1 counter on an Army you control. It's also a Zombie. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token first.)
Zombie tokens you control have hexproof and menace.
Grave Titan
Creature — Giant
$0.37
Deathtouch
Whenever this creature enters or attacks, create two 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens.
Cryptbreaker
Creature — Zombie
$0.49
{1}{B}, {T}, Discard a card: Create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
Tap three untapped Zombies you control: You draw a card and you lose 1 life.
Undead Warchief
Creature — Zombie
$13.95
Zombie spells you cast cost {1} less to cast.
Zombie creatures you control get +2/+1.
Champion of the Perished
Creature — Zombie
$0.81
Whenever another Zombie you control enters, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Gisa and Geralf
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard
$0.3
When Gisa and Geralf enters, mill four cards.
Once during each of your turns, you may cast a Zombie creature spell from your graveyard.
Zombie Master
Creature — Zombie
$0.42
Other Zombie creatures have swampwalk. (They can't be blocked as long as defending player controls a Swamp.)
Other Zombies have "{B}: Regenerate this permanent."
Headless Rider
Creature — Zombie
$2.9
Whenever this creature or another nontoken Zombie you control dies, create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
Cleaver Skaab
Creature — Zombie Horror
$4.47
{3}, {T}, Sacrifice another Zombie: Create two tokens that are copies of the sacrificed creature.
Zul Ashur, Lich Lord
Legendary Creature — Zombie Warlock
$0.88
Ward—Pay 2 life. (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays 2 life.)
{T}: You may cast target Zombie creature card from your graveyard this turn.
Fleshbag Marauder
Creature — Zombie Warrior
$0.19
When this creature enters, each player sacrifices a creature of their choice.
Hordewing Skaab
Creature — Zombie Horror
$5.57
Flying
Other Zombies you control have flying.
Whenever one or more Zombies you control deal combat damage to one or more of your opponents, you may draw cards equal to the number of opponents dealt damage this way. If you do, discard that many cards.
Lord of the Undead
Creature — Zombie
$8.97
Other Zombie creatures get +1/+1.
{1}{B}, {T}: Return target Zombie card from your graveyard to your hand.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
Legendary Creature — Zombie Cleric
$21.55
Intimidate (This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or creatures that share a color with it.)
Whenever a Human deals damage to you, destroy it.
Other non-Human creatures you control get +1/+1 and have undying. (When a creature with undying dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard
$0.79
Zombies you control have flying.
{U}, {T}, Sacrifice another nontoken creature: Create an X/X blue Zombie creature token, where X is the sacrificed creature's toughness.
Ghoulcaller Gisa
Legendary Creature — Human Wizard
$3.98
{B}, {T}, Sacrifice another creature: Create X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens, where X is the sacrificed creature's power.
Plague Belcher
Creature — Zombie Beast
$0.36
Menace
When this creature enters, put two -1/-1 counters on target creature you control.
Whenever another Zombie you control dies, each opponent loses 1 life.
Midnight Reaper
Creature — Zombie Knight
$0.23
Whenever a nontoken creature you control dies, this creature deals 1 damage to you and you draw a card.
Accursed Marauder
Creature — Zombie Warrior
$0.28
When this creature enters, each player sacrifices a nontoken creature of their choice.
Eternal Skylord
Creature — Zombie Wizard
$0.16
When this creature enters, amass Zombies 2. (Put two +1/+1 counters on an Army you control. It's also a Zombie. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token first.)
Zombie tokens you control have flying.
Sidisi, Undead Vizier
Legendary Creature — Zombie Snake
$9.97
Deathtouch
Exploit (When this creature enters, you may sacrifice a creature.)
When Sidisi exploits a creature, you may search your library for a card, put it into your hand, then shuffle.
Noxious Ghoul
Creature — Zombie
$1.23
Whenever this creature or another Zombie enters, all non-Zombie creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn.
Grimgrin, Corpse-Born
Legendary Creature — Zombie Warrior
$1.95
Grimgrin enters tapped and doesn't untap during your untap step.
Sacrifice another creature: Untap Grimgrin and put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Whenever Grimgrin attacks, destroy target creature defending player controls, then put a +1/+1 counter on Grimgrin.
Prophet of the Scarab
Creature — Zombie Wizard
$0.22
Vigilance
When this creature enters, draw cards equal to the number of Zombies you control or the number of Zombie cards in your graveyard, whichever is greater.
Overcharged Amalgam
Creature — Zombie Horror
$0.35
Flash
Flying
Exploit (When this creature enters, you may sacrifice a creature.)
When this creature exploits a creature, counter target spell, activated ability, or triggered ability.
Warren Soultrader
Creature — Zombie Goblin Wizard
$16.4
Pay 1 life, Sacrifice another creature: Create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")
Overseer of the Damned
Creature — Demon
$0.26
Flying
When this creature enters, you may destroy target creature.
Whenever a nontoken creature an opponent controls dies, create a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token.
Graveborn Muse
Creature — Zombie Spirit
$12.26
At the beginning of your upkeep, you draw X cards and you lose X life, where X is the number of Zombies you control.
Instants (8)
Cyclonic Rift
Instant
$30.27
Return target nonland permanent you don't control to its owner's hand.
Overload {6}{U} (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")
An Offer You Can't Refuse
Instant
$3.01
Counter target noncreature spell. Its controller creates two Treasure tokens. (They're artifacts with "{T}, Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")
Mana Drain
Instant
$51.22
Counter target spell. At the beginning of your next main phase, add an amount of {C} equal to that spell's mana value.
Village Rites
Instant
$0.28
As an additional cost to cast this spell, sacrifice a creature.
Draw two cards.
Sorceries (3)
Army of the Damned
Sorcery
$1.06
Create thirteen tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens.
Flashback {7}{B}{B}{B} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
Demonic Tutor
Sorcery
$62.17
Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.
Distant Melody
Sorcery
$0.35
Choose a creature type. Draw a card for each permanent you control of that type.
Artifacts (7)
Wayfarer's Bauble
Artifact
$0.3
{2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
Arcane Signet
Artifact
$0.42
{T}: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity.
Talisman of Dominance
Artifact
$0.97
{T}: Add {C}.
{T}: Add {U} or {B}. This artifact deals 1 damage to you.
Enchantments (6)
Rooftop Storm
Enchantment
$2.02
You may pay {0} rather than pay the mana cost for Zombie creature spells you cast.
Endless Ranks of the Dead
Enchantment
$4.75
At the beginning of your upkeep, create X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens, where X is half the number of Zombies you control, rounded down.
Necroduality
Enchantment
$6.33
Whenever a nontoken Zombie you control enters, create a token that's a copy of that creature.
Rhystic Study
Enchantment
$67.53
Whenever an opponent casts a spell, you may draw a card unless that player pays {1}.
Black Market Connections
Enchantment
$9.15
At the beginning of your first main phase, choose one or more —
• Sell Contraband — Create a Treasure token. You lose 1 life.
• Buy Information — Draw a card. You lose 2 life.
• Hire a Mercenary — Create a 3/2 colorless Shapeshifter creature token with changeling. You lose 3 life. (It is every creature type.)
Black Market
Enchantment
$4.99
Whenever a creature dies, put a charge counter on this enchantment.
At the beginning of your first main phase, add {B} for each charge counter on this enchantment.
Lands (38)
Bojuka Bog
Land
$1.24
This land enters tapped.
When this land enters, exile target player's graveyard.
{T}: Add {B}.
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
Legendary Land
$55.46
Each land is a Swamp in addition to its other land types.
Unholy Grotto
Land
$0.37
{T}: Add {C}.
{B}, {T}: Put target Zombie card from your graveyard on top of your library.
Phyrexian Tower
Legendary Land
$28.43
{T}: Add {C}.
{T}, Sacrifice a creature: Add {B}{B}.
Accursed Duneyard
Land
$0.45
{T}: Add {C}.
{2}, {T}: Regenerate target Shade, Skeleton, Specter, Spirit, Vampire, Wraith, or Zombie. (The next time it would be destroyed this turn, instead tap it, remove it from combat, and heal all damage on it.)
Takenuma, Abandoned Mire
Legendary Land
$11.85
{T}: Add {B}.
Channel — {3}{B}, Discard this card: Mill three cards, then return a creature or planeswalker card from your graveyard to your hand. This ability costs {1} less to activate for each legendary creature you control.
Mortuary Mire
Land
$0.29
This land enters tapped.
When this land enters, you may put target creature card from your graveyard on top of your library.
{T}: Add {B}.
Three Tree City
Legendary Land
$28.42
As Three Tree City enters, choose a creature type.
{T}: Add {C}.
{2}, {T}: Choose a color. Add an amount of mana of that color equal to the number of creatures you control of the chosen type.
Otawara, Soaring City
Legendary Land
$26.49
{T}: Add {U}.
Channel — {3}{U}, Discard this card: Return target artifact, creature, enchantment, or planeswalker to its owner's hand. This ability costs {1} less to activate for each legendary creature you control.
Crypt of Agadeem
Land
$4.05
This land enters tapped.
{T}: Add {B}.
{2}, {T}: Add {B} for each black creature card in your graveyard.
Basic lands: 19 Swamp 7 Island
Built with Grimoire — Commander deck building from your collection.
Try it free