Overview:

This Sultai deck helmed by Kotis, the Fangkeeper focuses on making Kotis unblockable and leveraging its combat damage trigger to cast free spells from opponents' libraries. The strategy revolves around equipping Kotis with evasion-enhancing auras/equipment (e.g., Aqueous Form, Brotherhood Regalia) and power boosts (e.g., Blackblade Reforged, Power Fist) to maximize damage and exiled card value. Secondary themes include +1/+1 counter synergies (e.g., Yathan Tombguard, Host of the Hereafter) and graveyard recursion (e.g., Lasyd Prowler, Wail of War). Kotis is critical as the primary value engine, though the deck lacks robust protection beyond its indestructibility.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize ramping with Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, or Sultai Devotee while deploying evasion tools like Aether Tunnel or Trailblazer's Boots.
2. Commander Deployment (Turns 3-5): Cast Kotis and attach key equipment/auras to ensure unblockable attacks. Use Rogue's Passage as backup evasion.
3. Value Generation (Turns 5+): Connect with Kotis to exile opponents' libraries, casting free spells (prioritizing removal or threats). Use The Key to the Vault for additional exile synergy.
4. Win Conditions:
   • Combat: Amplify Kotis’ power with Blackblade Reforged or Strong Back for commander damage.
   • Stolen Spells: Leverage high-impact cards exiled via Kotis’ trigger.
   • Graveyard Value: Recur threats with Lasyd Prowler or Wail of War while generating tokens via Essence Anchor.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, at least one ramp artifact, and an evasion enabler (aura/equipment).
• Prioritize Brotherhood Regalia, Aqueous Form, or Rogue's Passage to ensure Kotis connects.
• Avoid hands lacking ramp or evasion tools.

Key Tips:

• Use Wishclaw Talisman to fetch critical equipment like Fireshrieker for double-strike synergy.
• Yathan Tombguard turns Kotis’ small hits into card draw.
• Host of the Hereafter redistributes counters if Kotis is removed.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Reliance: Kotis’ indestructibility doesn’t prevent exile, bounce, or -X/-X effects, which cripples the deck’s value engine.
• Artifact/Enchantment Vulnerability: Heavy reliance on equipment/auras makes the deck soft to mass removal like Bane of Progress.

Moderate

• Slow Setup: Limited ramp and no fast mana beyond Sol Ring delay Kotis’ deployment.
• Graveyard Dependence: Renew abilities and recursion (e.g., Lasyd Prowler) are disrupted by common graveyard hate.

Minor

• Low Interaction: Minimal counterspells or instant-speed removal to protect Kotis mid-combat.
• Fragile Board Presence: Few creatures outside Kotis can pressure opponents independently.

Most Important Cards:

• Brotherhood Regalia (Ensures unblockable + wards Kotis)
• Blackblade Reforged (Scales Kotis’ power with lands)
• The Key to the Vault (Synergizes with Kotis’ exile trigger)
• Wishclaw Talisman (Tutors critical pieces)
• Power Fist (Trample + snowballing counters on Kotis)
• Yathan Tombguard (Draws cards on counter triggers)
• Lasyd Prowler (Graveyard recursion + counter synergy)
• Strong Back (Massive power boost for Kotis)
• Host of the Hereafter (Counter redistribution)
• Essence Anchor (Token generation + graveyard synergy)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 4/10

• Threatens incremental value from Turn 5 onward but lacks explosive combos or fast mana to accelerate wins.

Resilience: 5/10

• Kotis’ indestructibility and graveyard recursion provide some recovery, but key pieces remain vulnerable.

Consistency: 5/10

• Limited tutors and draw engines make finding evasion/ramp inconsistent despite Kotis’ card advantage.

Interaction: 3/10

• Minimal removal (e.g., Caustic Exhale, Piercing Exhale) and no counterspells beyond Spectral Denial.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a Casual/Precon level, aiming for combat wins around Turns 8-10 with moderate resilience but slow setup. Its reliance on Kotis and vulnerability to common removal align it with the 4.0-4.5 range, though low interaction and speed cap its ceiling.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5