Overview:

This Esper (WUB) deck helmed by G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn is a spell-slinging token/aristocrats strategy focused on casting noncreature spells to generate and buff 1/1 Hero tokens while leveraging legendary creature synergies. The commander enables scalable token production and growth via his "Throw Wide the Gates" ability, paying life equal to a spell's mana value to create a Hero with X +1/+1 counters. Secondary themes include legendary tribal payoffs (e.g., Ardbert, Warrior of Darkness), graveyard recursion (Emet-Selch of the Third Seat), and life-drain effects (Bastion of Remembrance). G'raha Tia is essential as the primary token engine, but his 3 CMC and lack of innate protection make him vulnerable to removal. The deck relies on incremental value from multiple noncreature casts per turn rather than explosive combos.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize mana fixing/ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Talismans, Archaeomancer's Map) and value engines like Tome of Legends or Urianger Augurelt. Cast low-CMC noncreature spells (e.g., Swords to Plowshares, Transpose) to trigger G'raha Tia and create initial Heroes.
2. Token Amplification (Turns 4-7): Deploy key legends like Alisaie Leveilleur (cost reduction), Archmage Emeritus (card draw), or Bastion of Remembrance (drain). Cast multiple noncreature spells per turn to grow Heroes and trigger payoffs (e.g., Estinien Varlineau counters, Y'shtola, Night's Blessed damage). Use card advantage (Into the Story, Dig Through Time) to maintain momentum.
3. Win Condition Execution (Turns 7-10+):
   • Combat: Overwhelm with massive Heroes buffed by Champions from Beyond (Full Party: +4/+4) or equipment like Dancer's Chakrams. Propaganda protects your life total.
   • Life Drain: Leverage Bastion of Remembrance, Exsanguinate, or Papalymo Totolymo sacrifices to drain opponents.
   • Recursion Value: Recast potent instants/sorceries from the graveyard with Torrential Gearhulk or Emet-Selch of the Third Seat.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3+ lands, including color fixing (e.g., Command Tower, Talismans).
• Prioritize early ramp (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) or a T2-3 G'raha Tia play.
• Include at least 1-2 low-CMC noncreature spells (e.g., Swords, Baleful Strix) for early triggers.
• Value hands with card draw (Tome of Legends, Syphon Mind) or protection (Void Rend).
• Avoid hands lacking colored sources or clogged with high-CMC spells.

Key Tips:

• Maximize Triggers: Sequence spells to trigger G'raha Tia, Archmage Emeritus, and other "cast" effects optimally. Alisaie reduces second-spell costs, enabling double triggers.
• Protect Key Engines: Use Thancred Waters to grant indestructible to G'raha Tia or other legends. White Auracite exiles threats.
• Leverage Recursion: Emet-Selch enables cheap recasts from the graveyard. Transpose rebounds for extra value.
• Manage Life Total: G'raha Tia's ability costs life; offset with lifelink (Dancer's Chakrams) or gain triggers (Bastion, Y'shtola).

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipes: Cleansing Nova, Crux of Fate devastate token armies. Limited mass recursion makes recovery slow.
• Anti-Token/Spell Hate: Cursed Totem shuts off equipment "Job select," Rule of Law/Eidolon of Rhetoric cripple multi-spell turns.
• Commander Reliance: Removing G'raha Tia repeatedly stalls the core engine due to recast costs and lack of redundancy.

Moderate

• Graveyard Disruption: Scavenger Grounds exiling shuts off Emet-Selch, Torrential Gearhulk, and flashback (Lingering Souls).
• Fast Aggro: Struggles against early combat pressure before establishing chump blockers or Propaganda.

Minor

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Loses value if key pieces (Tome of Legends, Bastion) are destroyed, but has some recursion.
• Mana Base Inconsistency: Several taplands (e.g., Arcane Sanctum, Idyllic Beachfront) can slow early turns.

Most Important Cards:

• G'raha Tia, Scion Reborn (Primary token engine)
• Champions from Beyond (Token generation and win condition)
• Bastion of Remembrance (Aristocrats drain payoff)
• Archmage Emeritus (Card draw engine)
• Emet-Selch of the Third Seat (Graveyard recursion enabler)
• Alisaie Leveilleur (Cost reduction for multi-spell turns)
• Tome of Legends (Early card advantage)
• Propaganda (Stall for token setup)
• Exsanguinate (Scalable life-drain finisher)
• Torrential Gearhulk (Recur high-impact instants)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Wins typically occur around turns 9-11 via combat or drain. Slow setup due to incremental token growth and limited fast mana/tutors.

Resilience: 4/10

• Vulnerable to board wipes and commander removal. Some protection (Thancred, Void Rend) and recursion (Emet-Selch), but lacks comprehensive recovery.

Consistency: 6/10

• Solid card draw (Archmage Emeritus, Into the Story) and token generation, but few tutors for key pieces like Bastion or Exsanguinate.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Swords, Snuff Out, Void Rend) and board wipes (Cleansing Nova). Limited counterspells beyond Sublime Epiphany.

Rating Justification:

The deck's slow speed (T9-11 wins) and reliance on incremental value place it in the Casual/Focused tier. While resilient to targeted disruption, its critical weakness to board wipes and commander dependence prevents higher optimization. Adjusted for multiplayer pacing, it aligns with precons but surpasses them in synergy.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0