Overview:

This Chulane, Teller of Tales deck leverages creature-based value engines and ETB synergies to generate overwhelming card advantage and mana acceleration. The commander acts as the linchpin, enabling recursive bouncing of creatures to replay ETB effects like card draw (Coiling Oracle, Mulldrifter), ramp (Lotus Cobra), and disruption (Mystic Snake). The deck features multiple combo lines with Aluren + Cloudstone Curio for infinite ETB triggers, supported by Laboratory Maniac/Jace, Wielder of Mysteries as alternative win conditions. Secondary strategies include stax elements (Propaganda, Silent Arbiter) and midrange value via Panharmonicon/Kodama of the East Tree.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize mana dorks (Avacyn's Pilgrim, Lotus Cobra), Chulane enablers (Soulherder, Shrieking Drake), and value ETBs. Use Sylvan Scrying/Urza's Saga to fix mana.
2. Engine Activation (Turns 4-6): Cast Chulane, then chain low-CMC creatures to draw cards and ramp. Bounce creatures like Eternal Witness or Mulldrifter with Chulane’s ability or Ephemerate for recursion.
3. Combo/Lock Setup:
   • Aluren Lines: Cast Aluren to enable free creature chains. Pair with Cloudstone Curio + 0-3 CMC creatures (e.g., Ornithopter, Whitemane Lion) for infinite ETBs or mana (via Peregrine Drake).
   • Lab Man/Jace: Mill/draw out with Chulane’s engine or Tireless Provisioner/Smothering Tithe for mana to cast Omniscience.
4. Endgame: Overwhelm with value from Panharmonicon/Kodama of the East Tree or lock opponents with Hullbreaker Horror + Mana Vault bounce loops.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, Chulane enablers (bounce creatures), and at least one ramp/ETB value piece.
• Prioritize Aluren or Cloudstone Curio in combo-heavy metas.
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or reliant solely on high-CMC bombs.

Key Tips:

• Use Fiend Hunter + Cloudshift for permanent exile.
• Kodama of the East Tree chains with landfall triggers (Tireless Provisioner) to flood the board.
• Glacial Chasm + Maze of Ith buys time against aggressive decks.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Chulane removal cripples the engine; limited protection beyond counterspells.
• Anti-ETB Hate: Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullify 70% of the deck’s value.
• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace disrupts recursion (Eternal Witness, Sun Titan).

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Cloudstone Curio, Aluren, and Panharmonicon are high-priority targets.
• Board Wipes: Struggles to rebuild after Farewell/Dusk // Dawn.

Minor

• Slow Mana Base: Multiple tapped lands (e.g., Azorius Chancery) delay critical turns.
• Limited Stack Interaction: Only 7 counterspells; vulnerable to resolved combos.

Most Important Cards:

• Chulane, Teller of Tales (Engine: draw/ramp)
• Aluren (Combo enabler)
• Cloudstone Curio (Infinite ETB loops)
• Laboratory Maniac (Alt wincon)
• Kodama of the East Tree (Value multiplier)
• Smothering Tithe (Mana for Omniscience lines)
• Hullbreaker Horror (Control lock)
• Eternal Witness (Recursion)
• Mana Drain (Protection/ramp)
• Urza's Saga (Tutor for Curio/Sol Ring)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T6-7 wins via Aluren/Curio combos or T8+ value domination. Lacks fast mana beyond Sol Ring/Mana Vault.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursion (Sun Titan, Eternal Witness) and counterspells provide recovery tools, but over-reliance on Chulane and key enchantments creates fragility.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card draw from Chulane and tutors (Spellseeker, Recruiter of the Guard) ensure engine access, but combo pieces aren’t directly searchable.

Interaction: 6/10

• Counterspells (Mana Drain, Dovin's Veto) and targeted removal (Path to Exile) handle threats, but lacks board wipes beyond Farewell.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 6.0 - 6.5 power level, capable of T6-7 combo wins with moderate resilience. Its speed aligns with the "Focused" tier, but reliance on unprotected enchantments and Chulane’s vulnerability to removal prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5