Overview:

This Grixis (U/B/R) deck helmed by Anhelo, the Painter combines spell-copying synergies with Zombie token generation. The primary strategy leverages Anhelo's "casualty 2" ability to copy impactful instant/sorcery spells each turn, generating value through token creation, card draw, and disruption. Zombie tokens serve dual purposes: fueling Anhelo's casualty cost and acting as a win condition when amplified by lords like Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver, The Scarab God, or Gisa, the Hellraiser. Anhelo is essential as the core enabler, but his fragility (1 toughness) and reliance on tokens make him vulnerable. The deck wins through overwhelming token armies, value attrition, and occasional copied haymakers like Cruel Ultimatum or Army of the Damned.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Signets, Fellwar Stone) and cheap token generators (Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia, Cryptbreaker, Poppet Stitcher). Prioritize casting Anhelo once you have a 2-power creature to sacrifice. Use card-filtering spells (Thrill of Possibility, Demand Answers) to find key pieces.
2. Engine Activation (Turns 4-6): Cast Anhelo with casualty fodder ready. Use his ability to copy token-generating spells (Startle, Rise of the Dread Marn, Gisa's Bidding) or card draw (Honor the God-Pharaoh, Big Score). Copying these spells doubles tokens/cards while building your board. Protect Anhelo with sac fodder or counterspells.
3. Value Amplification (Turns 5-7): Deploy Zombie lords (Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver, The Scarab God, Undead Augur) to make tokens threatening. Use copy enhancers (Twinning Staff, Reverberate, Return the Favor) to multiply spells further. Recur key instants/sorceries with Cormela, Glamour Thief or Eternal Witness effects.
4. Win Condition Execution (Turns 7+):
   • Token Overrun: Flood the board with copied token spells (e.g., copied Army of the Damned creates 26 Zombies). Swing wide with lords boosting power/toughness.
   • Value Lock: Copy disruptive spells (Syphon Flesh, Terminate) while drawing excessively via Archmage Emeritus or Undead Augur. Use The Scarab God's life drain to grind opponents out.
   • Haymaker Copy: Duplicate Cruel Ultimatum or Clone Legion for devastating tempo swings.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3+ lands, including at least two untapped sources.
• Prioritize early ramp (Signet, Sol Ring, Fellwar Stone) or a turn 1-2 token generator (Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia, Cryptbreaker).
• Ensure access to Anhelo's casualty enablers (tokens) or card draw to find them.
• Hands with protection (Flip the Switch, Bedevil) or copy enhancers (Twinning Staff) are stronger against interaction.
• Avoid hands lacking token production, ramp, or Anhelo synergy.

Key Tips:

• Casualty Fodder Management: Always maintain expendable 2-power creatures. Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver's decayed tokens are ideal fodder. Sacrifice decayed tokens before combat to Anhelo or Cryptbreaker.
• Copy Sequencing: Copy card draw first to refuel (e.g., copy Big Score to draw 4, create 4 Treasures). Save copy spells (Reverberate) to chain with Anhelo's trigger.
• Graveyard Utilization: Leverage flashback (Army of the Damned, Rotten Reunion) and recursion (Cormela, Glamour Thief) to reuse spells. Cabal Coffers + Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth enables massive Dread Summons/From Under the Floorboards.
• Protection is Critical: Anhelo dies to a stiff breeze. Use counterspells (Flip the Switch), sacrifice outlets (Wilhelt), or recursion to preserve him. Copying Revenge of the Drowned can bounce threats.
• Maximize Judith/Gisa: Judith, Carnage Connoisseur gives copied spells deathtouch/lifelink or Imps. Gisa, the Hellraiser amplifies Zombies and generates tokens when targeting opponents.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to board wipes: Loses casualty fodder, tokens, and lords simultaneously. Minimal recovery outside slow rebuilds with Endless Ranks of the Dead.
• Commander reliance: Anhelo is essential for the core strategy. Repeated removal (especially sacrifice/tuck effects) cripples the deck due to escalating costs and lack of haste enablers.
• Graveyard hate: Shuts down recursion (Cormela, Army of the Damned flashback), Rise from the Tides, and The Scarab God's ability.

Moderate

• Anti-token effects: Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb disable token generation from Poppet Stitcher/Jadar and deathtouch from Judith. Rakdos Charm/Echoing Truth can decimate the board.
• Stack interaction: Limited counterspells make resolving key spells (Anhelo, Army of the Damned) risky against blue decks.
• Mana inefficiency: High average CMC with slow mana base (many tapped lands). Struggles under Thalia, Guardian of Thraben-type effects.

Minor

• Artifact/Enchantment removal: Hits key engines like Twinning Staff, Endless Ranks of the Dead, and mana rocks, but the deck has some answers (Prismari Command, Bedevil).
• Flying threats: Limited flying blockers outside Talrand, Sky Summoner's Drakes.

Most Important Cards:

• Anhelo, the Painter (Core strategy enabler: spell copying)
• Cormela, Glamour Thief (Mana fixing, spell recursion)
• Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver (Token generation, card draw, fodder synergy)
• The Scarab God (Zombie lord, inevitability engine, recursion)
• Twinning Staff (Copy multiplier, standalone copy effect)
• Army of the Damned (Primary token win condition, flashback)
• Archmage Emeritus (Card draw engine with copying)
• Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia (Consistent token generation for casualty)
• Cabal Coffers + Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth (Mana amplification for X-spells)
• Judith, Carnage Connoisseur (Spell enhancer, alternative token generator)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Wins typically around turns 8-10 via token swarms or copied haymakers. Fastest wins (T7) require ideal setups like Coffers/Urborg into copied Army of the Damned.

Resilience: 4/10

• Weak to board wipes and commander removal with slow recovery. Some recursion (Cormela, Scarab God) and card draw mitigate setbacks, but reliance on board presence is a major liability.

Consistency: 6/10

• Redundant token generators and solid card draw (Archmage Emeritus, Undead Augur, draw spells) provide reliable access to the game plan. Lacks tutors for key non-creature spells.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Terminate, Bedevil, Tragic Slip) and some counterspells/soft counters (Flip the Switch). Limited stack control and no stax pieces.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a casual level, leveraging Anhelo's copying for value but lacking the speed, protection, and efficient win conditions of higher-tier decks. Its T8-10 win potential and vulnerability to common disruption align with the "Casual/Precon" to "Focused Casual" range on the rubric. Resilience issues prevent a higher rating.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5