Overview:

This Mardu reanimator deck leverages Kroxa and Kunoros to recur creatures from the graveyard while using midrange value engines. The strategy focuses on incremental advantage through creature recursion, graveyard filling, and moderate lifegain synergies. While it has some reanimation redundancy, it lacks high-impact targets or fast combos, relying on attrition and board presence.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck aims to fill the graveyard with creatures (via self-mill like Corpse Churn and Crow of Dark Tidings), then recur them using the commander’s attack/ETB trigger or spells like Zombify/Diabolic Servitude. Key threats include Gloomfang Mauler for Backup synergy and Ripscale Predator for menace pressure. Secondary themes include lifegain payoffs (Starlit Soothsayer surveil) and sacrifice outlets like Bushmeat Poacher.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with early self-mill (Corpse Churn) or recursion (Reassembling Skeleton).
• Ensure 3+ lands with access to all three colors.
• Prioritize ramp (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) to cast the 6-mana commander.

Key Tips:

• Use Panharmonicon to double Kroxa’s ETB/attack triggers.
• Reassembling Skeleton and Putrid Goblin provide repeatable sacrifice fodder.
• Time Expel the Interlopers to clear large threats while preserving your board.

Avoid Traps:

• Don’t overcommit to the graveyard before establishing recursion.
• Season of the Burrow is too slow – prioritize cheaper recursion.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) shuts down 70% of the strategy.
• No infinite combos or game-ending bombs.

Moderate:

• Slow setup (commander costs 6, minimal fast mana).
• Limited interaction for non-creature threats.

Minor:

• Basic-heavy mana base struggles with color requirements.

Most Important Cards:

• Panharmonicon
• Reassembling Skeleton
• Putrid Goblin
• Bushmeat Poacher
• Diabolic Servitude
• Vesperlark
• Sol Ring
• Arcane Signet
• Corpse Churn
• Crow of Dark Tidings

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 3/10

• No fast combos. Earliest impactful plays (Kroxa + recursion) occur T5-6.

Resilience: 4/10

• Graveyard reliance is a critical vulnerability, but some redundancy in recursion (10+ enablers).

Consistency: 4/10

• Limited tutors (only Ruthless Negotiation flashback) and situational draw. Relies on self-mill variance.

Interaction: 3/10

• Removal is conditional (Legion’s Judgment, Swift Response). No counterspells or stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a Casual/Precon (4.0) level with upgrades toward Focused Casual (4.5). It’s slower than optimized reanimator decks (which can cheat out Razaketh T3) but more cohesive than jank builds. Key limitations are the lack of explosive reanimation targets (e.g., Ashen Rider, Archon of Cruelty) and minimal protection against hate. It aligns with the rubric’s T10-12 combat win benchmark but lacks the speed or inevitability of higher-tier decks.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5