Powering Up Wilhelt to a Zombie Powerhouse | Commander Tune-Ups #89

We're taking a Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver zombie deck and upgrading it into a combo MACHINE!
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[@firstandlast.1254]

Man oh man, the combination of pace and depth of this deck tech is hard to match. Great video Nerds!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Really appreciate it!

[@djbisson9819]

Almost fell asleep without my daly nerds. Thanks for another vid you two.

[@firstandlast.1254]

Do not despair!!!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Can’t have that! ❤️

[@zchadowhd]

Yes i love my daly nerds

[@lunarlight3131]

The nerds are the best duo in mtg. Best.duo.ever.

[@InsomniaticVampire]

Lots of interesting ways to build this deck. I made mine a little more beefy with Death Tyrant. When the decayed zombies die, DT makes an untapped zombie for each.

[@ollmeister4632]

I added some drain to my Wilhelt Deck with Meathook and Bastion of Remembrance. These two deal so much damage over time and I always tutor for them to otk with gravecrawler and phyrexian altar. This deck is one of my all time favorites because it plays so smooth and is has way more depth to it than you might think if you hear zombie tribal

[@lelandwhitehead56]

Consider looking at Tombstone Stairwell if you like that sort of gameplay. it creates a load of zombies that die on EVERY turn, not just yours.

[@coreynj]

I feel like The Scarab God would be a fantastic addition for this deck since you're creating so many tokens.

[@Chaoslorden]

I love these deck techs where you tune up people's decks. ❤️

[@donavandavis1542]

I was literally just sitting at my desk looking up ideas for my wilhelt deck I'm building. So glad I opened KZbin because this was the first video on my feed!!

[@Cynsham]

Same I was debating whether I wanted to build a wilhelt deck like a couple days ago

[@donavandavis1542]

@@Cynsham the nerds have to stop reading our minds.

[@Fausto_4841]

There's a lot of mill that comes in this deck. Wilhelt CAN be built to mill, but with what comes in the pre-con is not enough to support it. The card that trades your damage into mill looks tempting, but it turns your opponent's starting life from 40 to 92.

[@ChadGurney]

The art on Ravenous Rotbelly is \m/. Great content boys!

[@Fausto_4841]

In what game where you play Wilhelt have you EVER 4 mana left up to flash in Overcharged Amalgam to counter anything? An Offer You Can't Refuse is the perfect counter spell for this deck bc you hardly ever have more than 1 or 2 mana left after your turn. Add Graveborn Muse. Yes, she will do a lot of damage to us, but she will speed up the deck. Wilhelt was really powerful right out of the box, but it was pretty slow. I also would have made room for Bastion of Rememberance, the fact that it's on a enchantment and not on a body is worth the slot. You didn't mention Blood Artist, but I wonder if it was already part of the deck you didn't have to adjust. I would have Bastion before Blood Artist. Pinging when opponent creatures die is nice, but I prefer doing damage to the whole table when my things die. Also, I keep Poppet. I know it's slow and fragile, but that's what makes so sweet to pull off. I know there is aversion to infinites, but I think if you can pull off a 7 piece combo that takes 3 turns being vulnerable you deserve to go infinite. Even the people who get salty about infinites respect the Poppet Combo. Don't sleep on the fact it will make you a decayed zombie for every instant and sorcery you play. I've got a Balmor deck that loves it's PT-ST

[@mikegames7719]

I have been looking for a while how to make overcharged amalgam good in wilhelt...I also just can't find it. I never find myself having leftover mana.

[@violetstyles255]

Another combo for anyone on a budget is Liliana, Untouched by Death, any sac outlet, and Shambling Ghast. -3 Liliana and then sac the ghast choosing to create a treasure. Use that treasure to cast the ghast and rinse and repeat

[@charliemarlow647]

Gotta love a good zombie tribal deck! My favourite commander for it is Varina because having white gives you access to some sweet cards like Corpse Knight, God-Eternal Oketra and Necromancer's Covenant.

[@muhlor]

you have like a gazillion options to turn Wilhelt into a faceroller either with tribal or infinite combos. Who the heck needs white for Zombies? eeew!!

[@charliemarlow647]

@@muhlor those who don't solely care for power ;)

[@krimson459]

I think the tribal lands (Unclaimed Territory, Secluded Courtyard, etc) have a place in this deck specifically for Field of the Dead land variety. If you aren't running field of the dead then you probably want a high swamp count for cards like Cabal Coffers but if you ARE running FotD then I think they make sense.

[@gtfawaynotnow]

Wilhelt is my fav dimir commander and zombie is my fav tribe. ❤ In my opinion the zombie tribe is like the Swiss Army knife of tribes bc there is a zombie card or combo for nearly every effect you can think of. I guess you are somewhat limited on selection but I’m shocked you didn’t add Liliana dreadhorde general which you yourselves highly recommended. I cannot even imagine a zombie deck without that planeswalker. Also unholy grotto is another auto include for zombie tribal.

[@dylanl.9655]

Lili is already in there! One of the best curve toppers for sure

[@EpsiilonKuro]

This is just my opinion, but Buried Alive can work really well if you have Poxwalkers in your deck. Poxwalkers can come to the field for free if you cast a spell from anywhere other than your hand, so it works really well in tandem with Gravecrawler. I also like Scourge Of Nel Toth as the third option for Buried Alive. I hope this helps any fellow Zombie tribal players 😁

[@yavivanov6650]

I don't know, 3/1 death touch is pretty bad, even if it returns tapped once or twice a game. If you want to exploit sack loops gravecrawler should be enough

[@EpsiilonKuro]

@@yavivanov6650 eh honestly after you said that and I gave it more thought, it is pretty bad 😂 thanks for helping me smooth out my deck a little lol

[@guzman8573]

Gravecrawler and Neltoth are great especially when you have Tormod giving you free 2/2 zombies when anything leaves the graveyard

[@12jacobmar]

I haven't had luck with Wilhelt so this was greatly needed!

[@NitpickingNerds]

Hope this helped!

[@freedomstripe]

Speaking from experience, it become very easy to deck yourself with Kindred Discovery

[@TheGreatBryan25]

Been there, done that. Lol

[@Courtney-Jai]

Building a similar deck but I added abit more flavour I just ordered the evil dead secret lair , so it's ash vs the evil dead with a little emphasis on equipping all the zombies with weapons and having sefris as my commander so when one dies I venture into the dungeon

[@yavivanov6650]

My favourite channel has an episode about my favourite commander OH MY GaoD

[@overknox6558]

If I may: buried alive is very much worth keeping. Its a deck that cares about the gy, and it can win some games on the spot with things like Wonder or Filth in the deck, specially with urborg (while at the same time geting the gravecrawler for the combo piece, or a lord for some critical dmg points)

[@natureboy95]

I do believe I shall be sharing this video with my friend Candace, see if she finds anything fun to add or edit for her own Wilhelt deck :)

[@lelandwhitehead56]

For Village Rites, it's important to note that you can use it on the Decayed zombies created by Wilhelt while the Decayed trigger is on the stack. They were going to die anyway. 1 mana draw 2 isn't bad at all.

[@WikkitKlown]

Saw in half would be fun in this deck

[@Memelord4dayz]

Guy check out raving Dead. Huge hitter on the battlefield!

[@robertfrizzell1970]

buried alive incredible. poor choice to cut.

[@Pixel165]

Sleeping on Dreadhorde invasion 🤕🤕 and gravespawn sovereign is hella clunky

[@Fausto_4841]

Love the little draw and token generator. I don't think I've ever had the tokens get lifelink when they reach 6 power.

[@Pixel165]

@User #4841 Yeah it practicly never comes up but happened to me once when I dropped a coat of arms

[@islarf5095]

A non zombie creature I like for my wilhelt deck is Skirsdag High Priest. Tap 2 of your decayed zombie creatures (and itself) and make a 5/5 flying demon token

[@vasylpark2149]

Village rites is not the best bang for your buck, but it is a good solid sac draw spell for it's cost.

[@uniqueatbest9646]

In my experience, Gravespawn Sovereign can be a huge payoff, but most of the time you're going to be one short, it's a little too intensive on mana and the ability cost to really pop off each game, still a cool zombie, definitely include if you're running loads more graveyard synergy.

[@dhantefranklin336]

Agreed. I ended up cutting it.

[@Phe0nix1986]

Awesome video and thank you for the decklist!!!

[@joebertalmio6438]

So much more CMC...

[@fresh21627]

Great video. Love zombies 🧟‍♂️. Great adds n cuts. Thnks 😊

[@thomasdick6797]

Ngl, I actually got this precon when it came out and was super disappointed, I didn't know what direction to take it and i Didn't want to just play the same deck that everyone copied online, but it's been long enough that I think it'll be a nice deck to play, thanks for the video and ideas

[@mikeashe7270]

Always make sure a zombie deck has plague Belcher, overcharged Alamgam has been soo couch for my Wilhelt deck so many times as well as grimgrin. And I agree empty the laboratory into a lucky Gary is such a fun win

[@Jonzin4BeatzNYC]

2 cards missing here in this upgrade. A. Sakashima's Will 2. Grave Titan lol Wish I was going to Philly so I could jam some EDH games with you but I will be heading to Albany to spend my birthday with the love of my life and JoKoy.

[@johnreese5739]

(Potentially) hot take but I think that Wilhelt is one of the best dimir controller at the moment, from a power level perspective that is.

[@natetaylor2346]

I mean, a lot of the cards you added came with the commander deck you could buy 🤷‍♂️

[@el_maoo]

love how they called the puppet combo janky and slow after including an even slower and more janky combo in the deck

[@MrPikawika4444]

I mean it matters on how powerful you want to get but buried alive has so many combos you can instantly get in your graveyard for reanimation.

[@vauk5081]

I might turn my The Scarab God deck into a Wilhelt deck. Spice of life and whatnot.

[@timwilliams92]

I’m gonna do the same

[@jamessimms9407]

yup. same been running TSG for like 2 years now. Its fun but gotta get so many pieces together to do some serious damage. Played wilhelt before might just take my TSG and change it!

[@coltonsilli1351]

Love how you guys use DI or disposable income. Great channel!!!

[@cdevans97]

my first commander

[@kingnido6606]

Fresh cut beezy Looking sharp 💚

[@HectorGallegosmusic]

I like village rites in my Teysa Karlov aristocratic deck. Let’s me sac a creature to drain opponents…then draws me 2 cards. At instant speed. I’m not saying it’s a fantastic card, but it works well in my sac deck. Can’t imagine replacing it with a better one drop that let’s me draw and drain.

[@bazzam429]

I think if you're going to play zombies, you have to enjoy playing with the graveyard, however i love champion of the perished, and gisa ghoulcaller. Imagine sacrificing that 20/20 and making 20 2/2s. Also I'd put in living death.

[@JL-xv9di]

Lol, I watched the zombie video from three years ago right before this. You've come a long way on production values.

[@moomoomiltank]

Guys don’t kill Amber, don’t let the cat out of the bag 💰

[@GoStarlightRedGo]

Hol on… r we just not gonna acknowledge that fresh Azz fade on beezy!!! I c u my boi!

[@constantinensh8866]

Where did the Deadly Dispute cut come from? Does the precon already have it in?

[@brendans1983]

Beezy looking like Drago from Rocky IV 👌

[@mmmbetter55]

Yeah I cut Tainted Adversary (after I briefly put it in) and all the other cards that made Decayed Zombies from the deck, because they're not useful. The only thing you want making decayed Zombies is Wilhelt.

[@ChrisMcGiggity]

Great video nerds!! Also going to a tribal commander tournament soon and heavily debating between wilhelt and varina. Infinite combo isnt allowed so kinda torn which to use and what to include instead of combos. Any suggestions welcome!

[@Fidofie]

A bit late to the party, but I'd like to hear your thoughts on Unholy Grotto and Phyrexian Delver in an edh zombie deck. Grotto is basically Volrath's Stronghold in this deck and Delver is a very costly Reanimate, but on a zombie. Even later to the party on this one, but I just wanted to tell you that I completely followed your advice on how to update the Strefan pre con deck, and it performs so well! Keep up the good work! 😊

[@ty_sylicus]

They didn't start with the precon but, lots of great picks here all the same.

[@famousstranger8468]

You forgot to add grave titan

[@tristanherrick7273]

Nice haircut, Beezy

[@RazgrizAce67]

As an avid NN fan. All my decks have multiple MDFC's.

[@blacfiberx7x]

What an awesome deck build. I have a question about Mikaeus, since he puts a +1/+1 on other zombies, ot to mention all the other counters, how exactly will he be able bring zombies back from the graveyard? I'm sure I'm just missing something. Thanks for all you do. Cheers

[@DMCDCW]

Amazing content

[@NitpickingNerds]

Thank you!

[@dubbsmt6128]

I like Gisa and Geralf more because I run Sidisi Undead Vizier. Cast Sidisi sac her to herself find the G and G play that and then you can keep casting Sidisi each turn

[@jayjayhooksch1]

Overcharged amalgam and gravespawn sovereign are both too resource intensive, they will never do their thing. I would replace them with shambling ghast and Liliana, untouched by death. Liliana is just a good card on her own (plays nicely with rooftop storm too) and is a combo with shambling ghast, a sac outlet and a drain creature.

[@Arsenjohn]

If neceoduality is an add go ahead in put in a “ reflections of litijara”. Boom, two chances to pull the same card. And it’s a $2 card

[@jayjayhooksch1]

Reflections doesn't work with reanimate effects since it's on cast rather than on ETB. Pretty big deal in Zombie tribal.

[@brightonpopsoff4970]

Bruh I love you guys

[@jeremymoore7167]

i wonder if a scarab god deck was also considered.

[@patricklynch4074]

I'm pretty brand new and my first deck is the wilhelt precon! Im struggling to build it cuz im not sure whether to prioritize theme or powerful staples, multiple strats or hard on one. Rn i have zombie token buffing, a few staples, some mill and recur stuff, but i have too many cards already. Not sure how many draw cards, opponent discards, counters, etc i should add

[@Csteffee9]

Wizards should print a black and/or blue version of beast within and a dimir qasali pridemage or rec sage zombie! Artifact/ enchantment removal is the only thing I find myself wanting in my build. My favorite deck to play on game nights! Solid deck tech. Personally don't love gravespawn sovereign.

[@jayjayhooksch1]

Feed the swarm for enchantment removal and Gate to Phyrexia for artifact removal. Not as good as a rec sage zombie, wouldn't that be a dream, but at least it's an option.

[@Csteffee9]

@@jayjayhooksch1 I use feed the swarm for enchantments and resculpt for artifacts. A piece that has synergy would be amazing though

[@mmmbetter55]

I've been waiting for this one!

[@Pok-qq9lt]

does necroduality and rotcleaver realy chains that much? because the 2nd rotcleaver is a token and then it does not trigger necroduality. so it ends. its not a kombo, right ?

[@davidhowell1415]

I’m starting to realize I’m not a normal player because I spend $200 on half my mana base.

[@kodalaforce4687]

Could you guys upgrade my The Scarab God zombie commander deck?

[@tongaexpress]

What do you do about flyers and defending because I stomp decks like this with flyers.

[@dustfinger_until_dawn]

I am sad that no one mentioned tombstone stairwell

[@krevin543]

Not sure how mikaeus the unhallowed combos here, can someone help me out?

[@danmen1094]

¿What about a Liliana, dread horde general?

[@lukeyuginovich3962]

Do you guys have a deck teck for scarab god zombie deck?

[@steveirwinismydaddy4216]

Amber carrying the show with her presence

[@NitpickingNerds]

She makes it so much better

[@Goodthrust69]

Trying to guess the timestamp of when you praise Grave Titan. My guess is 26:18.

[@energetek661]

Dimir and Amber!! What could be better!?!?😁😁😁💙🖤

[@NitpickingNerds]

Nothing!

[@dylan9624]

Would endless ranks of the dead be a good add to this?

[@izzydarkhart4144]

1 mana for 2 cards, and the downside is losing a zombie token? I'm not seeing the downside to village rights, lol. I have used it and never felt bad about it. You are spitting hairs I guess.

[@rippujin1735]

Lol now I’m regretting all my decisions from building my Wilhelt deck

[@equos5060]

Galea Kindler of Hope maybe? Pleeeeaseeee! It's soo hard for me to make it work!

[@dhantefranklin336]

Death Tyrant 1000% should be in any Wilhelt deck. A lot of the time, I find myself using tutors to search for it rather than Rooftop Storm! Also, Noosegraf Mob is overlooked in a lot of zombie decks.

[@davidhowell1415]

Push my zombie cards!!!

[@a_guy_in_orange7230]

I said it was tomorrow yesterday so lets go, SHOW ME 19:26 babyyyyyyyyy Edit: Okay maybe next week

[@chelseacomer1363]

Wasn't prosper the first 4cmc do the thing you want plus card draw commander?

[@joranmoore5663]

What do y'all think of Ghoulcaller's Chant?

[@speznaleague2710]

I think the mana curve is to high in this deck. I play a lot of Wilhelt. Stronger decks will stomp you before you can play most of your expensive cards. i would leave some cheaper spells in it. Got zombies are also: relentless dead, gray merchant of asphodel, crypbreaker, nightscape familiar and Diregraf Colossus. "scarab god" is very good as well. Oh ye and all Blood artist like effects make your infinit Gravecrawler combo allmost unstoppable.

[@gazetronix]

What about the mana curve?

[@BillyCharleneGarris]

Hey fellow nerds , love the video and all the others, I run a lot of zombies and goblins decks but would love some advice for a certain zombie deck I have , the commander is Thraximunder , please help me speed the deck up and I'm running a lot of the cards you guys are talking about but also a lot of curses , love the deck but been having problems with people out playing me with the speed of their decks

[@BillyCharleneGarris]

Also I been running 10 basic lands per color of the commander with a lot of lands with special abilities

[@BillyCharleneGarris]

One more thing since the deck I have is also a heavy sacrifice deck I run black market, figured it would help out ... Thanks for all your guys videos too

[@radiodemon5774]

Can I get your opinion on Vonas hunger? I think it might be the greatest thing ever.

[@jayjayhooksch1]

You can have my opinion, fwiw. If you have the city's blessing it's obviously strong. However, when you have the city's blessing it's likely that you would have had the mana to cast even stronger options; gravepact, living death, kindred dominance. I think even cards like Liliana, Dreadhorde General and Ravenous Rotbelly are going to be more effective since they synergize with everything else you have going on. The rest of the time, when you don't have the city's blessing, this card is pretty bad. Overall I would say it doesn't make the list, as it does too little early and is outclassed late.

[@radiodemon5774]

But in the late game you get a one sided wipe that you can easily double spell with. At instant speed. And in the early game before you have blessing it’s bad, but it’s better than uncastable kindred dominance

[@WayfarersBauble]

Acceptable

[@NitpickingNerds]

❤️

[@xkidxander]

Could someone look at my deck what would be the most impotant upgrade i have about 20-30€ left for upgrades?

[@jacobglass5744]

Moxfield 15:15

[@rthayes00]

Amber 🥰, great vid

[@Goatzilla117]

Replace village rites with pot of greed, it's way better.

[@matthewanderson3261]

89 is a special number for me. Maybe it's a sign.

[@NitpickingNerds]

MAYBE IT IS

[@tedbauermeister5183]

The best upgrade for a Wilhelt commander deck is making The Scarab God your commander instead

[@RiskyComment]

No Grave Titan? I'm disappointed

[@NitpickingNerds]

But can you say you’re surprised?

[@Demon-command]

All of my income from selling art goes to feeding my cat, Larry. The struggle is real. 🐈

[@NitpickingNerds]

#FeedAmber