Overview:

This Temur (RUG) deck leverages the partner commanders Pako, Arcane Retriever and Haldan, Avid Arcanist to create a value engine centered around land ramp, spell recursion, and commander damage. Pako exiles cards from opponents' libraries when attacking, growing in power while Haldan grants access to cast noncreature spells from the exiled pool. The deck employs extra turn spells, efficient interaction, and protection packages to enable Pako as a primary threat while maintaining card advantage through powerful draw engines like Rhystic Study and Mystic Remora. Alternate win conditions include Thassa's Oracle synergies and overwhelming value from Arcane Bombardment.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Ramp (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana dorks (Llanowar Elves, Birds of Paradise) and land-based ramp (Three Visits, Explore, Azusa, Lost but Seeking) to accelerate Pako's early appearance. Use fetch lands and triomes to fix colors.
2. Commander Deployment (Turns 3-5): Cast Pako with protection backup (Tamiyo's Safekeeping, Swiftfoot Boots). Begin attacking immediately to exile opponents' cards and grow Pako's power.
3. Value Generation (Turns 4-6): Use Haldan to cast high-impact exiled spells, particularly extra turn effects (Time Warp, Temporal Manipulation). Maintain board control with Cyclonic Rift and counterspells.
4. Win Conditions:
   • Commander Damage: Equip Winged Boots or use Rogue's Passage to ensure Pako connects. A 21-power Pako can eliminate players in two hits.
   • Thassa's Oracle: Win via devotion/self-mill enabled by exiling your own library through repeated Pako attacks.
   • Arcane Bombardment: Chain free spells from graveyard exiles for overwhelming value.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 2-3 lands including green sources.
• Seek early ramp (1-2 mana dorks or land-fetch spells).
• Value protection spells (Heroic Intervention, Deflecting Swat) and card advantage engines (Rhystic Study, Mystical Tutor).
• Avoid hands without early plays or color-fixing.

Key Tips:

• Sequencing: Cast Haldan only when needed to avoid telegraphing plays. Use his ability to cast opponents' interaction spells.
• Protection Priority: Keep Pako alive through combat tricks like Tyvar's Stand and Gaea's Gift.
• Oracle Setup: Use Solve the Equation to tutor Thassa's Oracle when your library is nearly empty from Pako exiles.
• Bombardment Value: Prioritize casting instants/sorceries pre-combat to maximize Arcane Bombardment triggers.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on Pako: Repeated removal can cripple the strategy given the 7-mana recast cost.
• Vulnerable to Drannith Magistrate and Opposition Agent which block key mechanics.

Moderate

• Limited board wipe recovery outside Cyclonic Rift and Seasons Past.
• Cursed Totem/Linvala, Keeper of Silence nullifies mana dorks and Pako's growth.

Minor

• Moderate artifact/enchantment removal package risks being overwhelmed by permanent-based strategies.
• Rule of Law effects slow extra turn chains and Bombardment value.

Most Important Cards:

• Pako, Arcane Retriever (Primary threat & value engine)
• Thassa's Oracle (Alternate win condition)
• Arcane Bombardment (Value multiplier)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset)
• Mystic Remora (Early card advantage)
• Deflecting Swat (Free protection)
• Time Warp (Tempo/combat win enabler)
• Fierce Guardianship (Free counterspell)
• Dryad of the Ilysian Grove (Mana fixing/ramp)
• Mystical Tutor (Key spell recursion)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can threaten T5-6 wins via commander damage or Oracle, accelerated by extra turns. Slower than pure combo decks but consistent.

Resilience: 6/10

• Strong protection suite and recursion (Eternal Witness, Regrowth), but commander dependency creates fragility.

Consistency: 8/10

• 14 ramp sources, 8 tutors, and 10+ draw engines ensure reliable access to key pieces.

Interaction: 7/10

• 12 targeted removal/counterspells including free casts, though lacks permanent-based stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates optimized casual power with T6-7 win potential through well-protected commander damage and efficient value engines. While lacking the speed of top-tier combos, its resilience through free interaction and redundancy earns it a high-power casual rating. The combination of fast mana, tutors, and multiple win paths places it just below cEDH viability.

Power level: 7.0 - 7.5