Varina, Lich Queen - Synergies

Varina's first ability triggers when its controller attacks with one or more Zombies. Varina does not need to attack. The ability triggers once per attack event, not once per attacking Zombie, and the relevant number is the number of Zombies declared as attackers.

Commander anchor and Zombie WizardVarina, Lich QueenSLD versionView card ->

The trigger instructs the player to draw, then discard, then gain life. The discard quantity and life gained equal the number of attacking Zombies. A draw-replacement effect can change the number of cards actually drawn without changing the discard quantity or life gained, and the discard is mandatory. Attempting to draw from an empty library follows ordinary loss rules, and Dredge and other draw replacements apply to individual draws according to their rules.

Discard-value graveyard engineHaakon, Stromgald ScourgeSLD versionView card ->Mass loot payoffBone MiserSPG versionView card ->

Non-Zombie attackers do not increase the number. A creature put onto the battlefield attacking was not declared as an attacker and does not increase the number. Zombies that leave combat after attacking remain counted, and extra combat phases can create additional Varina triggers.

Safe attack supportReconnaissanceSLD versionView card ->Zombie evasion and discard outletHordewing SkaabMIC versionView card ->

Varina's second ability does not use a tap symbol, so summoning sickness does not restrict it. Paying {2} and exiling two cards from the controller's graveyard are activation costs. The exiled cards may have any card types, but cards in another player's graveyard cannot pay the cost. The created token is a tapped 2/2 black Zombie creature token and does not have decayed unless another effect grants it.

Token multiplier and direct Varina combo pieceAnointed ProcessionPAKH versionView card ->

Discarding may enable madness, dredge, flashback, jump-start, retrace, escape, unearth, disturb, embalm, eternalize, reanimation, and graveyard casting. Graveyard setup and safe Varina exile fuel are separate; protected recursion assets should not be treated as expendable fuel.

Native Zombie, self-recurring attacker, and combo pieceGravecrawlerSLD versionView card ->Native Zombie lord and death payoffDiregraf CaptainSLD versionView card ->Mass recursion, board reset, and finisherLiving DeathG03 versionView card ->

Varina is a Zombie Wizard. Native Wizard identity is secondary to the Zombie attack plan, and changeling makes an object a Zombie and Wizard in all zones. Do not recommend generic Wizard cards without direct mechanical evidence.

Zombie Wizard graveyard-cast supportGisa and GeralfPEMN versionView card ->

Direct precon: null. Varina was an included card in Subjective Reality from Commander 2018, whose face commander is Aminatou, the Fateshifter. Treat this as included-card commander conversion with high friction, not as Varina's face precon.

MTGAlternate display name for VarinaLinda, Kandarian QueenSubjective Reality conversionView card ->Subjective Reality face commanderAminatou, the Fateshifter2X2 versionView card ->

Varina plus Anointed Procession plus Ashnod's Altar plus Altar of Dementia is library-bounded without recycling and not inherently lethal. Gravecrawler plus Phyrexian Altar is commander-independent at base; Varina may satisfy the Zombie prerequisite but is not required.

Free sacrifice outlet, mill outlet, and combo pieceAltar of DementiaBRR versionView card ->Mana sacrifice outlet and combo-family pieceAshnod's AltarBRR versionView card ->Zombie cost reduction and combo-family pieceRooftop StormINR versionView card ->Zombie token multiplier and copy-rules reviewNecrodualityDBL versionView card ->