Dimir Dirge

A reanimator deck centered around maintaining a balance of cards in the graveyard while leveraging the Dread mechanic to deliver powerful hits if left unchecked.

The Creatures:

Cruel Somnophage: This creature provides self-mill and later emerges as a formidable threat that usually draws early removal, using up opponent resources and paving the way for your real heavy hitters.

Likeness Looter: A clever enabler that not only facilitates the return of graveyard creatures—granting them flying—but also offers a draw ability when needed.

Picklock Prankster: A dual-purpose card that contributes to self-mill and can occasionally provide card advantage. It also serves as an effective chump blocker when required.

The Ancient One: A massive creature for minimal cost, dependent on self-mill to function effectively. With Dread or the use of Likeness Looter, it can surprise with a one-time flying attack. Its activated ability can further fuel the graveyard and, in rare cases, mill out the opponent.

Abhorrent Oculus: A centerpiece with dual functionality. While its casting cost involves graveyard exile, this must be managed carefully to avoid disrupting your engine. However, it can be cheated into play with Lively Dirge, Likeness Looter, the Dread mechanic, or Virtue of Persistence for powerful results.

Overlord of the Balemurk: Offers early-game self-mill and later transitions into a robust creature, aiding in board control.

The Spells:

Cut Down: Reliable early removal to handle smaller threats.

Into the Flood Maw: Acts as a stall mechanism to buy time or clear a path for key attacks.

Not Dead After All: Keeps vital creatures alive and can utilize the Dread mechanic for surprise plays.

Bitter Triumph: Solid removal that also contributes to the graveyard setup.

Founding the Third Path: Brings immense value by synergizing with most spells in the deck, enabling flexible plays and graveyard interaction.

Lively Dirge: A powerful reanimation spell, essential for retrieving key threats like Abhorrent Oculus or even multiple Cruel Somnophage, turning the tide of battle.

Wail of the Forgotten: Functions as early bounce or setup, with a late-game mode that brings significant versatility. Combines effectively with Founding the Third Path.

Virtue of Persistence: Offers early-game removal with the potential to become a late-game finisher if not addressed promptly.

The Gameplan:

Self-mill as quickly as possible to get Abhorrent Oculus on the board by any means necessary. Leverage your other threats to distract the opponent while advancing this main goal. The deck struggles against control and graveyard-hate strategies but holds its own against aggro and midrange. Your backup plan includes overwhelming the opponent with large creatures like Cruel Somnophage, which scales in size rapidly, and The Ancient One, which can serve as both an attacking powerhouse and bait for opponent’s removal.

Managing your graveyard is crucial to balance; the deck relies on having cards in the graveyard to operate but must avoid over-exiling due to Abhorrent Oculus. Properly timing your plays and making the right choices for removal can keep the strategy consistent. Overall, this deck offers a blend of strategic interactions that make for engaging gameplay.