I think the key strength of the adaptive by is to fight with global effects when possible. Stall with haunting spirits or ethereal soldiers and insubstantiate , and whatever nonsense you can think of. Bonewing or Necromancer might be a good add, or even a tomb lord with drive or inspire. You can use broken bones and the bone circle lich, since they are a ton of HP when boosted. Use essence drain, glimpse of Death/doom, dead zone Voodoo, ancients protection, despoil, soul bane, dark rising (if u run boost), and throw in one very weird spell like plague or something so they don't expect it. Anathema and decay with a xulous for execute damage.
Was this before or after they removed surge? Because liches can't do anything better than a good stuff. Besides maybe fw lightning theme and ... losing