Overview:

This Yuriko deck utilizes Ninjutsu mechanics to deploy evasive attackers, enabling consistent Yuriko triggers that drain opponents while drawing cards. The commander serves as the central engine, leveraging low-cost unblockable creatures to repeatedly activate her ability. Secondary threats include high-impact ninjas like Fallen Shinobi for theft and Throat Slitter for removal. Topdeck manipulation ensures high-mana-value reveals for maximum damage output.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy evasive 1-drops (e.g., Changeling Outcast, Gingerbrute, Ornithopter). Use cantrips (Ponder, Brainstorm) or scry effects (Faerie Seer, Halimar Depths) to set high-CMC topdecks. Cast Arcane Adaptation to make all creatures Ninjas.
2. Commander Activation (Turns 2-4): Attack with an unblocked creature, then Ninjutsu Yuriko onto the battlefield. Prioritize protecting her with boots or Cunning Evasion. Trigger her ability immediately to drain the table and draw.
3. Mid-Game Value (Turns 4-6): Ninjutsu in key ninjas: Ingenious Infiltrator for draw, Prosperous Thief for Treasures, or Mistblade Shinobi for bounce. Manipulate the topdeck with Telling Time or Portent to maximize Yuriko triggers. Cast delve spells (Treasure Cruise, Dig Through Time) for card advantage.
4. Win Condition Execution:
   • Yuriko Drain: Chain multiple Yuriko triggers per turn cycle using Ninjutsu and evasion enablers (Aqueous Form, Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive). Reveal high-CMC cards (e.g., Devastation Tide, Silent-Blade Oni) for significant life loss.
   • Combat/Theft: Close games with ninja swarms or stolen threats via Fallen Shinobi/Silent-Blade Oni. Use Thousand-Faced Shadow to copy key attackers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with ≥2 lands (including UB sources), ≥1 evasive 1-drop, and ≥1 enabler (cantrip, Ninja, or ramp like Sol Ring).
• Prioritize hands containing Arcane Adaptation, early Yuriko access, or topdeck manipulation.
• Avoid hands lacking evasive creatures or with only high-CMC spells.

Key Tips:

• Ninjutsu Sequencing: Return creatures with ETB effects (e.g., Faerie Seer) to hand for reuse. Use Walker of Secret Ways to bounce ninjas safely.
• Topdeck Control: Hold instant-speed manipulation (Brainstorm, Commit) to set high-CMC cards before Yuriko triggers. Smoke Shroud rebuys from the graveyard.
• Protection: Cunning Evasion and Azra Smokeshaper protect key ninjas from removal. Counter board wipes with Counterspell/Negate.
• Maximize Triggers: Satoru Umezawa grants Ninjutsu to non-ninja creatures and provides card selection. Attack multiple opponents per turn to amplify drain.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes (e.g., Damnation) cripple the creature-based engine, forcing slow rebuilds.
• Anti-evasion effects (e.g., Silent Arbiter, Propaganda) prevent Ninjutsu activation and Yuriko triggers.
• Graveyard hate (e.g., Rest in Peace) shuts off delve spells and Smoke Shroud recursion.

Moderate

• Targeted removal on Yuriko increases her tax, delaying the core strategy.
• Rule of Law effects limit Ninjutsu activations per turn.
• Lifegain strategies offset Yuriko's incremental drain.

Minor

• Limited artifact/enchantment removal struggles against resolved hate pieces.
• Mana base includes taplands (e.g., Dimir Aqueduct), potentially slowing early plays.

Most Important Cards:

• Arcane Adaptation (Makes all creatures Ninjas, enabling mass Yuriko triggers)
• Ingenious Infiltrator (Draw engine on Ninja damage)
• Satoru Umezawa (Grants Ninjutsu to all creatures, provides card selection)
• Changeling Outcast (Unblockable 1-drop enabling early Ninjutsu)
• Brainstorm (Topdeck manipulation for high-CMC reveals)
• Fallen Shinobi (Theft effect on damage, generates massive value)
• Sol Ring (Accelerates early Ninjutsu plays)
• Devastation Tide (High-CMC topdeck target for large drain)
• Cunning Evasion (Protects Ninjas from removal/blocks)
• Prosperous Thief (Generates Treasures for mana acceleration)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Capable of threatening T5-6 wins through stacked Yuriko triggers or combat damage, accelerated by evasive creatures and topdeck manipulation.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recovers slowly from board wipes; relies on protection spells and Ninjutsu's inherent bounce for durability. Limited recursion outside graveyard synergies.

Consistency: 8/10

• High density of evasive creatures, Ninjas, and card selection ensures reliable access to Yuriko triggers and key pieces. Tutors like Dimir Infiltrator add redundancy.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient counterspells (Counterspell, Negate), targeted removal (Murderous Cut, Price of Fame), and bounce (Consign) handle threats but lack board wipes or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck achieves high consistency and speed through its evasive creature suite and topdeck manipulation, enabling T5-6 wins via Yuriko drain or ninja combat. However, its reliance on maintaining a board presence and vulnerability to disruption caps resilience, placing it below optimized competitive tiers.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5