Totentanz, Swarm Piper

Gameplan

Totentanz turns every nontoken creature death into a Rat token, then weaponizes the swarm by handing out deathtouch so attackers trade up or force chump blocks. You build a wide board through sacrifice, aristocrats payoffs, and the rat tribal package, then close with mass damage or a single overwhelming alpha strike. Each turn you sacrifice fodder for value, refill with Rats, and grind opponents out.

Key Cards

• Marrow-Gnawer — Doubles down on rat tribal, letting you sacrifice a Rat to make a Rat for every Rat you control.
• Pack Rat — Scales Rats into a game-ending board while feeding Totentanz's death triggers.
• Blade of the Bloodchief — Turns the constant stream of creature deaths into a lethal equipped attacker.
• Ashnod's Altar — Free sacrifice outlet that converts nontoken creatures into mana and Rats simultaneously.
• Pitiless Plunderer — Generates Treasure off every death, fueling the deathtouch ability and explosive turns.
• Goblin Bombardment — Repeatable free sac outlet that pings opponents while churning out Rats.

Upgrade Path

Add a sacrifice loop like Ashnod's Altar plus Pitiless Plunderer and a recurring creature (Gravecrawler, Reassembling Skeleton) for engine consistency, and lean into aristocrats drains so you don't rely solely on combat. Tighten the mana base with fast rocks (Arcane Signet, talismans) and tutors like Diabolic Intent that double as sac fodder, then add free outlets such as Viscera Seer and Carrion Feeder. For top-end, Pitiless/Mahadi Treasure generation enables explosive deathtouch-fueled finishes and protects against board wipes.