Overview:

This Mardu (R/W/B) deck leverages Isshin, Two Heavens as One to double attack-trigger effects, creating overwhelming board states through token generation (e.g., Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, Hero of Bladehold), combat damage amplification (e.g., Hellrider, Fervent Charge), and value engines (e.g., Audacious Thief, Caustic Bronco). Isshin is essential as the strategy's core enabler, making his protection critical. The deck wins primarily through combat swarms amplified by triggered damage/lifedrain effects and secondary combos like Helm of the Host + Aurelia, the Warleader for infinite combat phases. "Hidden commanders" include Karlach, Fury of Avernus for extra combats and Goro-Goro, Disciple of Ryusei for haste/dragon tokens.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Ramp with Sol Ring, signets (Boros Signet, Orzhov Signet), or Sword of the Animist. Deploy low-cost attackers like Skyknight Vanguard or value pieces like Fable of the Mirror-Breaker. Prioritize casting Isshin by turn 3-4.
2. Board Development (Turns 3-5): Attack with Isshin to double triggers from token generators (Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin, Leonin Warleader), card draw (Audacious Thief, Caustic Bronco), or damage dealers (Hellrider, Tectonic Giant). Use Lightning Greaves/Swiftfoot Boots to protect Isshin.
3. Combat Amplification (Turns 5-7): Deploy finishers like Aurelia, the Warleader for extra combats, Karlach, Fury of Avernus to untap attackers, or Brutal Hordechief to force unfavorable blocks. Pump the board with Fervent Charge or Gleam of Battle.
4. Win Condition Execution:
   • Combat: Overwhelm with tokens boosted by anthem effects (Adriana, Captain of the Guard, Tori D'Avenant, Fury Rider) and damage multipliers (Hellrider, Mishra, Claimed by Gix).
   • Combo: Equip Helm of the Host to Aurelia, the Warleader or Karlach, Fury of Avernus to create nonlegendary copies that trigger infinite combat phases.
   • Direct Damage: Leverage doubled lifedrain (Campaign of Vengeance, Commissar Severina Raine) or Revenge of Ravens for passive wins.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color fixing), early ramp, and at least one attack-trigger creature or Isshin.
• Prioritize hands with protection (Boros Charm, boots) against removal-heavy metas.
• Avoid hands lacking ramp, Isshin enablers, or with only high-CMC spells.

Key Tips:

• Protect Isshin: Boots, Boros Charm (indestructible), and March of Otherworldly Light are vital. Without Isshin, the deck loses potency.
• Sequence Triggers: Deploy token generators before damage amplifiers. Attack with Isshin first to maximize triggers.
• Leverage Extra Combats: Karlach, Fury of Avernus untaps attackers, enabling multiple lethal waves. Pair with Goro-Goro for haste.
• Recover from Wipes: Use Sun Titan or Otharri, Suns' Glory to recur key pieces. Rabble Rousing's hideaway can cheat finishers post-wipe.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Reliance: Removal targeting Isshin cripples the deck's engine, as most triggers are halved without him.
• Board Wipes: Mass removal (e.g., Damnation) devastates token-based strategies; recovery is slow without Isshin.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Shuts down recursion from Sun Titan, Otharri, or Bala Ged Recovery (if included).
• Stax Effects: Cursed Totem disables activated abilities (Krenko, Goro-Goro), while Torpor Orb nulls ETB triggers (Leonin Warleader, Hero of Bladehold).

Minor

• Flying Threats: Limited reach makes flyers problematic if tokens lack evasion.
• Artifact/Enchantment Focus: Heavy reliance on equipment (Helm, Sword) and enchantments (Fervent Charge) makes it vulnerable to targeted removal.

Most Important Cards:

• Isshin, Two Heavens as One (Strategy enabler: doubles attack triggers)
• Aurelia, the Warleader (Extra combats, combo piece with Helm)
• Karlach, Fury of Avernus (Extra combats, untaps attackers)
• Helm of the Host (Combo enabler: infinite combat with Aurelia/Karlach)
• Adeline, Resplendent Cathar (Token generation/scaling threat)
• Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin (Explosive token generation)
• Hero of Bladehold (Token generation + anthem effect)
• Fervent Charge (Combat damage amplifier)
• Boros Charm (Protection, finisher, or removal)
• Rabble Rousing (Token generation + card advantage)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can threaten wins by turns 6-7 via combat swarms or Helm combos, accelerated by ramp and doubled triggers.

Resilience: 5/10

• Some protection (boots, Boros Charm) and recursion (Sun Titan), but heavily commander-dependent and struggles against repeated wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• High density of attack triggers and token generators ensures redundancy; lacks tutors for combo pieces but draws well via attack triggers.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient removal (Swords to Plowshares, Chaos Warp, Damn, Despark) handles threats, but minimal stack interaction beyond protection spells.

Rating Justification:

The deck achieves Speed 7 with consistent T6-7 win potential through combat or Helm combos, amplified by Isshin's doubling effect. However, Resilience 5 limits it due to commander dependency and slow recovery from wipes, preventing higher optimization. This aligns with the "Focused" tier (T7-8 wins) on the rubric.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5