Vampires of the Innistrad Block

Some of the Innistrad Block vampires have one thing in common, when they deal combat damage to a player, they gain a +1/+1 counter. If you utilize the right vampires and right supporting cards, you can make a very lethal vampire deck. If you are running a vampire deck based around gaining +1/+1 counters and slowly beefing up your army, you should also incorporate cards with "proliferate" such as spread the sickness or other cards like that. I'm gonna post some recommended vampires for a vampire deck from the Innistrad Block.

The first vampire I want to discuss is Markov Blademaster. Markov blademaster costs 3 to play and is a 1/1 with double strike and whenever it deals combat damage to a player it gets a +1/+1 counter. Now the double strike part really calls my attention, double strike is a real nifty ability to have for creatures.

Erdwal ripper is another vampire of choice. It costs 3 mana to play and is a 2/1 with haste, and much like Markov Blademaster, it gains a +1/+1 counter when it deals combat damage to a player. This compliments well with other counter gaining vampires. The haste helps with early game strikes against your opponent, and  a decent 2/1 creature for defending.

 Another vampire worthwhile is Stromkirk noble. Stromkirk noble is a 1/1 that gains +1/+1 counters as it deals combat damage to a player and can not be blocked by humans! Stromkirk noble only costs 1 red mana to play and is really effective early game and if it can get beefed up and survive, it can be a game changer late game.

Falkenrath Marauders is a 2/2 flying with haste for 5 mana and when it deals combat damage to a player, you put 2 +1/+1 counters on it, so it functions as an effective sucker punch and gets beefed up x2 compared to its other counter gaining vampire relatives.

An awesome addition to a vampire deck with counters is Rakish heirs. It is a 2/2 that costs 3 mana to play. It is a good addition because it adds an additional +1/+1 counter when any vampire you control deals combat damage to a player, including adding a +1/+1 counter on itself.

Bloodline keeper/Lord of Lineage is a black vampire that is a 3/3 that transforms into a 5/5. As Bloodline keeper, you may tap it and put a 2/2 flying vampire on the field and you may pay one swamp to transform Bloodline keeper into Lord of Lineage. As Lord of Lineage, it gives other vampires you control +2/+2 and you may tap it and put a 2/2 black vampire with flying onto the field.

Just as the Zombies have Diregaf captain, the vampires have their own captain, Stromkirk captain. Stromkirk captain costs 3 mana to play, 1 must be a mountain and another a swamp. It gives all other of your vampires +1/+1 and first strike. Having 4 of these on the field would devastate the enemy and provide strong creatures for your defense.

I personally think that the whole "attack each turn if able" mechanic is a little risky, but if you like the combination of attacking each turn and gaining counters, Bloodcrazed Neonate is a vampire worth having. Bloodcrazed neonate costs 2 mana to play and must attack each turn if able. It also gains a +1/+1 counter when it deals combat damage to a player.

 Stromkirk patrol is a 5 mana 4/3. This is a decent card for its mana cost and it has the counter gaining ability that the other vampires have. Stromkirk Patrol is not in my deck, but i personally would put in the card if I hadn't substituted it for Markov blademaster.

And last but certainly not least is the Legendary Olivia Voldaren. Olivia Voldaren can decimate and cripple your opponents army in a few turns. Olivia Voldaren is a 3/3 with 2 abilities. The first ability costs 2 mana, one must be red, and deals 1 damage to target creature, it becomes a vampire. Its second ability costs 3 uncolored mana and 2 swamps, and it allows you to take control of target vampire. Olivia gains a +1/+1 counter when it deals damage with her ability.