Overview:

Karador, Ghost Chieftain pilots a resilient graveyard-based midrange/combo deck leveraging Abzan colors to recur value creatures and assemble infinite loops. The strategy focuses on filling the graveyard via self-mill (Hermit Druid, Grist, the Hunger Tide), Entomb effects, and sacrifice outlets, then using Karador’s cost reduction and recursion to generate overwhelming board states. Key win conditions include infinite death/ETB loops with Karmic Guide/Reveillark-style combos paired with Phyrexian Altar and Corpse Knight, as well as explosive reanimation via Eerie Ultimatum or Finale of Devastation. The deck operates at a focused power level with strong redundancy but remains vulnerable to graveyard hate.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
This deck aims to flood the graveyard with creatures using tutors (Survival of the Fittest, Entomb) and self-mill (Hermit Druid), then exploit Karador’s cost reduction to repeatedly cast key creatures. The primary paths to victory are:

1. Infinite Combos: Karmic Guide + Reveillark + Sacrifice Outlet (e.g., Phyrexian Altar) generates infinite ETB/death triggers, which can be converted to damage via Corpse Knight or mill via Altar of Dementia.
2. Reanimation Swarms: Eerie Ultimatum or Vivien on the Hunt to recur multiple threats like Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite and Ashen Rider, overwhelming opponents.
3. Stax Lock: Archon of Emeria + Thalia, Guardian of Thraben to slow opponents while assembling combo pieces.

Key Lines:

• T1: Entomb → Karmic Guide, setting up early reanimation.
• T2: Hermit Druid activation (mills ~5-10 cards with basics in deck), fueling Karador discounts.
• T3: Birthing Pod to convert mana dorks into Fiend Artisan or Priest of Fell Rites.
• T4+: Recur Dauthi Voidwalker to steal opponents’ exiled threats or deploy Vorinclex for land acceleration.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2–3 lands, at least one graveyard filler (Hermit Druid, Buried Alive), and a recursion engine (Survival of the Fittest, Necromancy).
• Avoid hands lacking early creatures or graveyard interaction.

Interaction Tips:

• Use Dauthi Voidwalker to exile opponents’ key combo pieces.
• Teferi’s Protection protects against board wipes during combo setup.
• Force of Vigor clears hate pieces like Rest in Peace at instant speed.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void shuts down 70% of the deck’s strategy.
• Combo Fragility: Key pieces like Hermit Druid and Birthing Pod have minimal protection.

Moderate:

• Slow Recovery: Limited counterspells; relies on Veil of Summer and Abrupt Decay for reactive plays.
• Mana Constraints: Despite dual lands, color requirements for Eerie Ultimatum can strain resources.

Minor:

• Board Wipes: Luminous Broodmoth and Karmic Guide provide some resilience.

Most Important Cards:

• Survival of the Fittest
• Birthing Pod
• Hermit Druid
• Phyrexian Altar
• Karmic Guide
• Necromancy
• Fiend Artisan
• Corpse Knight
• Dauthi Voidwalker
• Eerie Ultimatum

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can threaten T4–5 wins with ideal hands (e.g., T1 Entomb → T2 Reanimate Karmic Guide + Sac Outlet). Average goldfish win: T6–7.

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple recursion engines (Karador, Volrath’s Stronghold) but folds to resolved graveyard hate. Limited protection for combo pieces.

Consistency: 8/10

• 12+ tutors (Survival, Entomb, Faeburrow Elder), 7+ recursion spells, and redundant combo lines.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Assassin’s Trophy) but lacks free counterspells. Relies on stax effects (Archon of Emeria) for proactive disruption.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized (6.5) and Focused Competitive (7.0). It has the speed (T5–6 potential) and redundancy of a 7.0 deck but lacks the interaction density and graveyard hate resilience seen in true cEDH builds. Its reliance on creature-based combos and vulnerability to common hate cards (e.g., Soul-Guide Lantern) anchor it in the high-power casual range.

Power level: 6.5 – 7.0