Overview:

This Abzan (W/B/G) deck helmed by Pippin, Warden of Isengard and Merry, Warden of Isengard is a synergistic token engine focused on generating massive value from Food, Treasure, and creature tokens. The strategy leverages token doublers like Anointed Procession and Doubling Season, amplified by Academy Manufactor, to create overwhelming board states. Key win conditions include combat overkill via Craterhoof Behemoth, Champion of Lambholt, or Pippin's +3/+3 army pump, and passive drains through Mirkwood Bats/Revel in Riches. The commanders enable token generation and act as critical synergy pieces, with Merry providing Soldier tokens and Pippin offering a finisher ability.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Deploy mana dorks (Birds of Paradise, Delighted Halfling), land-based ramp (Three Visits, Cultivate), and early token generators (Prosperous Innkeeper, Gala Greeters).
   • Prioritize casting Merry first to trigger her Soldier token generation, then Pippin to start stockpiling Foods.
   • Establish value engines like Trail of Crumbs or Toski, Bearer of Secrets.

2. Midgame Synergy (Turns 4-6):

   • Resolve token multipliers (Anointed Procession, Chatterfang, Squirrel General) to amplify Food/Treasure/Soldier production.
   • Use The Great Henge or Beast Whisperer for card draw.
   • Deploy key combo pieces: Mirkwood Bats + token sac outlets (Viscera Seer, Witch's Oven), or Revel in Riches for alt-win potential.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):

   • Combat Overkill: Tutor Craterhoof Behemoth via Chord of Calling or Finale of Devastation, or activate Pippin’s ability with 4+ Foods to swing for lethal.
   • Passive Drain: Mirkwood Bats + token sacrifice loops (e.g., Cauldron Familiar + Witch's Oven).
   • Treasure Victory: Revel in Riches with Pitiless Plunderer or Smothering Tithe.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including green/white/black sources).
• Prioritize early ramp (dorks, Sol Ring) and at least one token generator (Prosperous Innkeeper, Sam, Loyal Attendant).
• Mulligan away hands lacking token synergy or ramp.

Key Tips:

• Use Academy Manufactor to convert every Food into a Treasure/Clue/Food trio, turbocharging Mirkwood Bats and Revel in Riches.
• Shalai, Voice of Plenty protects your board; prioritize casting her before deploying key pieces.
• Seedborn Muse + Gavony Township lets you pump your board every turn cycle.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes (e.g., Wrath of God) annihilate token-based strategies; limited recursion beyond Dusk // Dawn.
• Stax pieces like Torpor Orb (shuts ETB token generators) or Cursed Totem (disables dorks/Pippin’s ability).

Moderate

• Graveyard hate disrupts Dusk, Cauldron Familiar, and Trail of Crumbs.
• Artifact removal targeting Smothering Tithe, The Great Henge, or token doublers slows the engine.

Minor

• Flyers can bypass ground defenses, though Birds of Paradise/Shalai mitigate this.

Most Important Cards:

• Academy Manufactor (Triples token output, enabling explosive synergy)
• Anointed Procession/Doubling Season (Token/counter multipliers)
• Mirkwood Bats (Primary drain engine)
• Craterhoof Behemoth (Combat finisher)
• Chatterfang, Squirrel General (Token doubler + removal)
• The Great Henge (Card draw + counters)
• Revel in Riches (Alt-win condition)
• Seedborn Muse (Untap synergy with Food/Treasure)
• Finale of Devastation (Tutor + finisher)
• Pitiless Plunderer (Treasure generation from deaths)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can threaten wins via combat or drain loops by turns 5-7, accelerated by token doublers and explosive mana from Treasures.

Resilience: 5/10

• Limited protection beyond Heroic Intervention/Shalai; recovery from wipes relies on drawing Dusk // Dawn or rebuilding with dorks.

Consistency: 8/10

• High density of token generators, tutors (Chord of Calling, Eladamri's Call), and card draw engines ensure key pieces are accessible.

Interaction: 6/10

• Targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Anguished Unmaking) and artifact/enchantment hate (Krosan Grip) are present but not overwhelming.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at Focused power with T7-8 win potential through combat or drain combos, supported by strong token synergy and tutors. While fast and consistent, its reliance on board presence and vulnerability to wipes/stax keeps it below cEDH viability.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0