Overview:

This mono-black deck leverages Zenos yae Galvus // Shinryu, Transcendent Rival as a transformative commander enabling asymmetric board control and alternate win conditions. The primary strategy revolves around forced sacrifice effects (Fleshbag Marauder, Plaguecrafter), targeted removal, and death-trigger value engines (Morbid Opportunist, Blood Artist) to control the board while advancing toward win conditions. Zenos serves as both a board wipe enabler (via his -2/-2 ETB) and a wincon catalyst – his transformation into Shinryu creates a "Burning Chains" effect that wins the game when the chosen opponent loses. Secondary win paths include voltron commander damage (enhanced by equipment like Blackblade Reforged and Vorpal Sword), life drain (Gray Merchant of Asphodel, Exsanguinate), and creature-based attrition. The deck relies heavily on sacrifice outlets (Viscera Seer, Disciple of Bolas) and recursion (Reanimate, Victimize) to maintain value.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Jet Medallion) and value creatures (Dark Confidant, Viscera Seer). Use targeted removal (Infernal Grasp, Go for the Throat) to disrupt opponents. Prioritize casting Zenos when opponents have key creatures to exploit his ETB.
2. Midgame Control (Turns 5-7): Activate sacrifice engines (Fleshbag Marauder, Accursed Marauder) paired with death payoffs (Syr Konrad, Blood Artist). Recur threats with Reanimate/Victimize. Equip Zenos/Shinryu with Swiftfoot Boots/Champion's Helm for protection and Blackblade Reforged/Vorpal Sword for damage amplification.
3. Win Condition Execution (Turns 7+):
   • Shinryu's Burning Chains: Eliminate the chosen opponent via combat, drain (Exsanguinate, Gray Merchant), or forced sacrifice to trigger the win.
   • Voltron: Attack with equipped commander (prioritize unblockability via Rogue's Passage). Activate Vorpal Sword's instant-win ability if mana permits.
   • Life Drain: Resolve large Exsanguinate or Gray Merchant with high devotion.
   • Attrition: Grind opponents out with repeated sacrifice effects and Syr Konrad triggers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including utility (Bojuka Bog, Cabal Stronghold).
• Prioritize early ramp (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) or card draw (Sign in Blood, Night's Whisper).
• Ensure interaction (1-2 removal spells) or a sacrifice outlet/value engine (Viscera Seer, Morbid Opportunist).
• Avoid hands lacking black sources or containing only high-CMC spells without ramp.

Key Tips:

• Commander Sequencing: Cast Zenos when an opponent controls a resilient creature (indestructible/recursive) to delay his transformation. Protect him with Kaya's Ghostform/Swiftfoot Boots to ensure Shinryu's trigger.
• Sacrifice Synergy: Sacrifice creatures targeted by Zenos' ETB to immediately transform him. Use Feign Death effects to save key creatures from your own sacrifice triggers.
• Mana Amplification: Exploit Crypt Ghast/Cabal Stronghold with numerous Swamps for large Exsanguinate or Vorpal Sword activations. K'rrik enables explosive plays but manage life total carefully.
• Recursion Targets: Prioritize Gray Merchant, Massacre Wurm, or Summon: Primal Odin with Reanimate/Victimize.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Removing Zenos/Shinryu repeatedly cripples the core strategy and wincon. Limited protection beyond equipment.
• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void shuts down recursion (Reanimate, Victimize) and value engines (Syr Konrad).
• Artifact Vulnerability: Heavy reliance on equipment (wincons) and mana rocks makes Vandalblast/Bane of Progress devastating.

Moderate

• Board Wipe Recovery: Limited mass reanimation; relies on slow rebuilds after wipes.
• Combo Inefficiency: Wincons (Vorpal Sword, Shinryu trigger) require significant setup/mana without fast combos.
• Non-Creature Threats: Minimal answers to enchantments/artifacts beyond Feed the Swarm.

Minor

• Life Total Pressure: K'rrik/Phyrexian Arena/Sign in Blood can accelerate life loss against aggressive decks.
• Card Advantage Gaps: Draw engines are slow (Phyrexian Arena) or one-shot (Read the Bones), risking empty hands in prolonged games.

Most Important Cards:

• Vorpal Sword (Primary alternate wincon)
• K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth (Mana acceleration/life-to-resource conversion)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life drain finisher)
• Crypt Ghast (Mana doubling for Swamps)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Passive damage engine)
• Reanimate (Key recursion for threats)
• Fleshbag Marauder (Sacrifice engine)
• Exsanguinate (Scalable life drain)
• Swiftfoot Boots (Commander protection)
• Phyrexian Arena (Sustained card draw)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Wins typically occur around turns 8-10 via gradual attrition, large drains, or equipped commander. Fastest wins (T7) require perfect draws with K'rrik/Vorpal Sword.

Resilience: 4/10

• Recursion and protection exist but are easily disrupted by graveyard/exile effects. Over-reliance on commander and artifacts creates fragility.

Consistency: 5/10

• Moderate card draw and some tutors (Expedition Map for lands), but lacks redundancy for key combo pieces or threat tutoring.

Interaction: 7/10

• Excellent targeted creature removal (10+ spells) and sacrifice effects. Lacks stack interaction and limited non-creature answers.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a Casual/Focused level, leveraging efficient removal and sacrifice synergies but lacking the speed, redundancy, or protection for higher tiers. Its T8-10 win potential via combat, drains, or conditional combos aligns with Optimized Casual, though resilience issues prevent a higher rating.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5