Overview:

This Azorius deck leverages Abdel Adrian and Candlekeep Sage to create a potent flicker/value engine. Abdel exiles your nonland permanents to create Soldier tokens, then returns them when he leaves. Candlekeep Sage ensures each Abdel flicker draws cards. The deck combines token generation, enter/leave battlefield triggers, and initiative synergies to overwhelm opponents. Abdel is the engine's core, enabling explosive token generation and card advantage when flickered. The strategy relies heavily on Abdel's presence but includes redundancy through cards like Displacer Kitten and Soulherder. Secondary win conditions include dungeon completion via initiative and combat with boosted tokens.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup (Turns 1-4): Ramp with artifacts (Sky Diamond, Solemn Simulacrum), establish value engines like Soulherder or Oji, the Exquisite Blade, and deploy initiative creatures (White Plume Adventurer, Goliath Paladin).
2. Commander Engine (Turns 4-6): Cast Abdel Adrian with Candlekeep Sage in command zone. Flicker Abdel immediately with cheap spells (Ephemerate, Cloudshift) to exile key permanents, create tokens, and draw cards. Prioritize exiling permanents with ETB/LTB effects.
3. Value Amplification (Turns 5-8): Use mass flicker effects (Lae'zel's Acrobatics, Another Round) to reset Abdel, generate token armies, and recur ETB triggers. Deploy anthem effects (Intangible Virtue, Inspiring Leader) to make tokens threatening.
4. Win Conditions:
   • Combat: Overwhelm with token swarms boosted by Captain of the Watch or Inspiring Leader.
   • Infinite Mana: Peregrine Drake + recurring flicker (e.g., Archaeomancer + Ghostly Flicker) fuels Diluvian Primordial or Threefold Thunderhulk.
   • Dungeons: Initiative creatures pressure life totals and provide card advantage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with Abdel Adrian, at least one flicker spell (e.g., Ephemerate), and 3 lands.
• Prioritize early ramp (Solemn Simulacrum, Sky Diamond) or initiative enablers (White Plume Adventurer).
• Avoid hands without blue/white sources or with only high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Sequence Flickers Wisely: Exile permanents with ETB/LTB triggers (e.g., Meteor Golem, Reflector Mage) before tokens to maximize value.
• Protect Abdel: Hold up Slip On the Ring or Hallowed Respite to dodge removal.
• Initiative Stacking: Multiple initiative sources accelerate dungeon completion for game-ending effects.
• Displacer Kitten Synergy: Cast noncreature spells to flicker value permanents like Soulherder or Oji.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Repeated removal on Abdel Adrian cripples the engine due to escalating tax.
• Board Wipes: Mass removal (e.g., Damnation) exiles tokens permanently and resets progress.
• Anti-Flicker Hate: Torpor Orb/Hushbringer null ETB triggers; Rest in Peace blocks graveyard recursion.

Moderate

• Stax Effects: Rule of Law limits flicker spell sequencing; Cursed Totem disables Displacer Kitten.
• Initiative Disruption: Losing the initiative delays dungeon value and token generation.

Minor

• Mana Base: 11 taplands slow early development.
• Combo Vulnerability: Lacks counterspells to protect Peregrine Drake loops.

Most Important Cards:

• Displacer Kitten (Recurring flicker engine for noncreature spells)
• Peregrine Drake (Mana combo piece)
• Soulherder (Scales with flickers and enables repeatable blinks)
• Oji, the Exquisite Blade (Card selection and free flickers)
• White Plume Adventurer (Initiative engine and untap synergy)
• Captain of the Watch (Token anthem and immediate board presence)
• Another Round (Mass flicker for explosive token generation)
• Diluvian Primordial (Win condition with infinite mana)
• Ephemerate (Low-cost, rebound-enabled flicker)
• Intangible Virtue (Token scaling for combat wins)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via tokens/combat or infinite mana combos around turns 8-10, but setup is gradual.

Resilience: 4/10

• Recovers poorly from commander removal or board wipes; lacks mass recursion. Protection is limited to single-target flickers.

Consistency: 6/10

• Multiple flicker effects and card draw from commanders provide redundancy, but key combo pieces (Peregrine Drake) lack tutors.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Generous Gift, Detention Sphere) and tempo tools (Reflector Mage), but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck executes a focused flicker/token strategy with clear win conditions, but its reliance on Abdel Adrian and vulnerability to disruption caps its speed and resilience. It operates efficiently in casual metas but falters against fast combo or heavy interaction, aligning with upgraded precons.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5