Overview:

This Azorius flicker/token deck leverages Niko, Light of Hope's Shard token generation and creature-copying ability to generate incremental value through ETB triggers and token multiplication. While lacking infinite combos, it aims to overwhelm opponents with flying tokens and board-wide synergies supported by efficient interaction and flicker recursion.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck focuses on exiling/recurring creatures for value via Soulherder, Thassa, Deep-Dwelling, and Conjurer's Closet, using Niko’s Shard tokens as both card advantage engines and temporary creature copiers. Win conditions center on token armies amplified by Anointed Procession/Mondrak, Glory Dominus and evasive threats like Dream Trawler or Ancient Gold Dragon.

Key Lines:

1. Early Setup: Ramp with artifacts (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) while establishing flicker engines (Teleportation Circle, Displacer Kitten).
2. Midgame Value: Use Ephemerate or Semester's End to protect key creatures while generating Shard tokens. Activate Niko’s copy ability to clone high-impact threats like Hullbreaker Horror.
3. Late Game: Overwhelm with doubled tokens (Hero of Bladehold + Mondrak) or lock opponents via Propaganda/Sludge Monster while drawing into finishers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, at least 1 ramp artifact, and 1 flicker enabler (e.g., Cloudshift + Soulherder).
• Avoid hands lacking early board presence or creature targets for Niko’s ability.

Key Tips:

• Time flicker effects to dodge removal and maximize ETB value (e.g., reset Aerial Extortionist after attacks).
• Use Sharding Sphinx/Skycat Sovereign as resilient token generators that benefit from flying synergies.
• Protect Mondrak/Anointed Procession with Swiftfoot Boots or counterspells.

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting to board before establishing token doublers.
• Wasting Shard tokens on low-impact creatures early.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No graveyard recursion for key enchantments/artifacts (e.g., losing Mondrak/Anointed Procession cripples the primary wincon).

Moderate:

• Vulnerable to Toxic Deluge/Cyclonic Rift due to reliance on wide boards.
• Limited card advantage without active flicker engines.

Minor:

• Basic-heavy mana base weak to Blood Moon, but sufficient duals mitigate this.

Most Important Cards:

• Anointed Procession
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus
• Soulherder
• Thassa, Deep-Dwelling
• Displacer Kitten
• Supreme Verdict
• Hullbreaker Horror
• Hero of Bladehold
• Teleportation Circle
• Sharding Sphinx

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Goldfishes wins via token swarm around T9-10. No fast mana or cost reducers, but efficient flicker loops accelerate value.

Resilience: 6/10
Flicker effects protect key creatures, counterspells (Counterspell, No More Lies) guard critical pieces. Weak to back-to-back board wipes.

Consistency: 5/10
Moderate draw (Curiosity Crafter, Bident of Thassa) and 3 token doublers, but lacks tutors for combo-like reliability.

Interaction: 7/10
A-Tier removal (Swords to Plowshares, Farewell) and counterspells. Propaganda provides unique defensive scaling.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at the upper end of Casual/Precon (4.0) with Optimized Casual (5.0) elements. Its T9-10 win speed and reliance on combat align with 4.5-5.0, but the lack of infinite combos and moderate protection keep it below high-power tiers. Key strengths (flicker recursion, flying evasion) compensate for slower setup compared to pure combat precons.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0