Overview:

This Bant flicker deck leverages Lagrella's exile-trigger synergy to generate value through ETB effects and +1/+1 counters. While capable of assembling infinite mana combos and overwhelming board states, its moderate tutor density and reliance on creature-based value engines place it in the optimized casual tier.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck aims to abuse ETB triggers through flicker effects enabled by Lagrella, the Magpie and supporting cards like Emiel the Blessed and Thassa, Deep-Dwelling. Key phases:

• Early Setup: Ramp with cards like Cultivate and Wood Elves while establishing value engines like Rhystic Study
• Midgame Value: Use Lagrella's exile ability to reset opponents' threats while amplifying your own ETB effects with Panharmonicon
• Win Conditions:
  • Infinite mana via Peregrine Drake + Emiel the Blessed into Craterhoof Behemoth or Titan of Industry
  • Combat overrun using +1/+1 counters from Brokers Ascendancy and repeated flicker effects
  • Lockout potential with Sakashima of a Thousand Faces copying Lagrella to permanently exile key threats

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and 2 ramp pieces
• Prioritize early flicker enablers like Teleportation Circle
• Avoid hands without creature-based value engines

Key Tips:

• Use Venser, Shaper Savant as reusable interaction when flickered
• Chain Archaeomancer flickers with instant-speed interaction
• Protect combo turns with Teferi's Protection and Heroic Intervention

Weaknesses:

Moderate:

• Relies on creature-based value vulnerable to board wipes
• Limited redundancy for infinite mana combo (only 1 Peregrine Drake)
• Slow recovery from graveyard hate

Minor:

• Moderate tutor density for combo pieces
• Some high-CMC payoffs vulnerable to early aggression

Most Important Cards:

• Emiel the Blessed
• Peregrine Drake
• Panharmonicon
• Seedborn Muse
• Craterhoof Behemoth
• Thassa, Deep-Dwelling
• Sakashima of a Thousand Faces
• Teferi's Protection
• Cyclonic Rift
• The Great Henge

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Theoretical T5-6 wins with perfect draws (Emiel+Drake+Payoff)
• Average goldfish win around T8-9 through incremental value

Resilience: 7/10

• Multiple protection spells (Heroic Intervention, Swiftfoot Boots)
• Strong recursion package (Sun Titan, Karmic Guide)
• Vulnerable to stacked removal on key enablers

Consistency: 6/10

• 8 creature tutors via ETB effects
• Strong card draw engines (Rhystic Study, Guardian Project)
• Lacks direct combo piece tutors

Interaction: 7/10

• 10 instant-speed answers including free Fierce Guardianship
• Board wipes and targeted removal at multiple CMC tiers
• Limited stack interaction beyond counterspells

Rating Justification:

The deck sits between Focused (T7-8) and Optimized (T6-7) tiers. While capable of explosive turns with its infinite mana combo, the lack of fast mana and limited tutor density for combo pieces prevents it from consistently racing higher-tier decks. Its strong interaction suite and protection packages elevate it above typical casual builds, but it lacks the redundancy and speed of true cEDH lists. Comparable to upgraded precon decks with focused wincons but not cEDH-viable consistency.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5