Overview:

This Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief deck focuses on leveraging aura spells and targeted creature buffs to create exponential value through Ivy's copy ability. The strategy revolves around enchanting low-cost hexproof creatures like Slippery Bogle or Invisible Stalker, then copying those auras onto Ivy to trigger constellation effects, draw engines, and massive creature growth. Key win conditions include overwhelming combat damage via aura-stacked creatures, token armies from Vesuvan Duplimancy/Adrix and Nev, Twincasters, and infinite draw loops with Stormchaser Drake + Curiosity effects. Ivy acts as both an enabler for aura duplication and a secondary threat.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy hexproof creatures (Slippery Bogle, Invisible Stalker) or Ivy herself. Use mana dorks (Llanowar Elves, Birds of Paradise) and enchantment-based ramp (Utopia Sprawl, Wild Growth).
2. Value Engine Activation (T3-5): Cast auras like Keen Sense or Curiosity on non-Ivy creatures to trigger Ivy's copy effect. Use the duplicated auras to draw cards via Eidolon of Blossoms, Setessan Champion, or Tanglespan Lookout.
3. Board Domination (T5+):
   • Amplify threats with Ancestral Mask or Auramancer's Guise
   • Create token copies via Vesuvan Duplimancy when targeting protected creatures
   • Use Adrix and Nev, Twincasters to double token production
4. Win Conditions:
   • Combat overkill with 20+/20+ hexproof/unblockable creatures
   • Stormchaser Drake + Curiosity + Ivy copy effect for infinite draw (requires instant-speed wincon)
   • Token swarm enhanced by Craterhoof Behemoth-like effects (though none are present - combat damage is primary)

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 1-2 hexproof creatures or Ivy + protection (Tamiyo's Safekeeping)
• Prioritize early ramp (Utopia Sprawl, mana dorks) and at least one card draw aura
• Avoid hands without early plays or aura targets

Key Tips:

• Use Vesuvan Duplimancy on cheap targeted spells like Tamiyo's Safekeeping to create permanent token copies of key creatures
• Double Major on Ivy creates a non-legendary copy that can further multiply aura triggers
• Strong Back reduces aura costs dramatically when stacked on a single creature
• Protect critical enchantments with Curator's Ward and Shielding Plax

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to board wipes (Wrath of God resets all progress)
• Relies heavily on keeping 1-2 key creatures alive despite hexproof protection
• No inherent wincon beyond combat damage - struggles to close against life gain

Moderate

• Enchantment removal (Cleansing Nova) disrupts key engines
• Limited instant-speed interaction for stacked combos
• High dependency on resolving Ivy early

Minor

• Moderate susceptibility to flyers despite some reach sources
• Somewhat vulnerable to artifact hate (targeting Arcane Signet, Twinning Staff)

Most Important Cards:

1. Vesuvan Duplimancy (Token generation engine)
2. Adrix and Nev, Twincasters (Token multiplier)
3. Setessan Champion (Card draw + counters)
4. Ancestral Mask (Primary damage scaling)
5. Curiosity (Draw engine/combo piece)
6. Stormchaser Drake (Infinite draw enabler)
7. Slippery Bogle (Hexproof aura carrier)
8. Eidolon of Blossoms (Card advantage)
9. Tamiyo's Safekeeping (Critical protection)
10. Auramancer's Guise (Combat finisher)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish threatening boards by T5-6 but lacks turbo-aura payoffs. Infinite draw requires specific setup without a direct wincon.

Resilience: 4/10

• Hexproof protection helps but foldsto board wipes. Limited recursion beyond Eternal Witness effects.

Consistency: 6/10

• Strong card draw from constellation effects but lacks high-impact tutors. Relies on drawing key auras naturally.

Interaction: 5/10

• Decent counterspell suite (Counterspell, Arcane Denial) but minimal permanent removal. Protection spells focus on own threats.

Rating Justification:

This deck shows focused synergy with multiple paths to value generation but lacks the speed and redundancy of higher-tier lists. While capable of explosive turns with aura stacking, its combat-focused win conditions and vulnerability to reset effects place it in optimized casual tiers.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5