Overview:

This Alela, Cunning Conqueror deck is a Faerie tribal control build focused on casting flash-enabled spells during opponents' turns to generate an evasive Faerie army. The commander enables token generation, goads threats, and rewards reactive play. The deck combines tempo tools (counterspells, bounce), tribal synergies, and incremental value engines like Bitterblossom and Kindred Discovery. Primary win conditions include combat damage amplified by Faerie lords (Scion of Oona, Tegwyll, Duke of Splendor), extra turns via Notorious Throng, and life drain from Sheoldred, the Apocalypse.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Game (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Dimir Signet), set up value engines (Bitterblossom, Mystic Remora), and hold up interaction (Counterspell, Spellstutter Sprite).
2. Mid-Game (Turns 4-6): Cast Alela on opponents' end steps to trigger token generation. Use flash creatures (Faerie Harbinger, Brazen Borrower) to disrupt opponents while building your board. Activate Dire Undercurrents for card advantage or discard pressure.
3. Late Game (Turns 7+): Overwhelm with Faerie swarms buffed by Scion of Oona or Patchwork Banner. Cast Notorious Throng post-combat for an extra turn and lethal tokens. Leverage Cyclonic Rift or Raise the Palisade to reset opponents’ boards.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including duals like Watery Grave), early interaction (e.g., Spellstutter Sprite), and at least one value engine (Bitterblossom, Faerie Mastermind).
• Prioritize hands with flash enablers (High Fae Trickster) or protection (Swiftfoot Boots) if Alela is critical.
• Avoid slow hands lacking early plays or color fixing.

Key Tips:

• Maximize Triggers: Cast at least one instant/flash spell per opponent’s turn to flood the board with Faeries.
• Protect Alela: Use Turn Aside, March of Swirling Mist, or Maze of Ith to keep her safe, as her token generation is pivotal.
• Leverage Goad: Force opponents’ creatures to attack each other with Alela’s trigger, reducing pressure on your life total.
• Combo Potential: Pair Kindred Discovery with mass token generation (e.g., Notorious Throng) for explosive card draw.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Alela’s removal halts token generation, and recasting her for {2}{U}{B} becomes costly after repeated kills.
• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Relies heavily on creature tokens; lacks mass recursion to recover from Damnation or Toxic Deluge.

Moderate

• Graveyard Reliance: Notorious Throng’s prowl and Dig Through Time are disrupted by Bojuka Bog or Ashiok, Dreaming Render.
• Anti-Token Tech: Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb nullify key abilities; Propaganda-effects hinder combat wins.

Minor

• Limited Mana Acceleration: Relies on rocks and lacks green’s explosive ramp, slowing late-game plays.
• Stack-Centric: Struggles against uncounterable threats or Veil of Summer-protected spells.

Most Important Cards:

• Alela, Cunning Conqueror (Token engine and goad enabler)
• Bitterblossom (Persistent token generation)
• Notorious Throng (Game-ending extra turn + token swarm)
• Kindred Discovery (Draw engine with Faerie synergy)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset and tempo swing)
• Sheoldred, the Apocalypse (Life drain and card advantage)
• Scion of Oona (Tribal lord with shroud)
• Mana Drain (Counterspell + mana acceleration)
• Dire Undercurrents (Asymmetric card advantage)
• Tegwyll, Duke of Splendor (Card draw on Faerie death)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Threatens wins via combat or Notorious Throng around turns 8-10. Lacks fast mana or infinite combos to accelerate.

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple counterspells and phasing effects protect key pieces, but token-based strategies are inherently fragile to wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card draw (Kindred Discovery, Faerie Mastermind) and tutors (Faerie Harbinger) ensure access to tribal synergies.

Interaction: 8/10

• Robust suite of counterspells (Mana Drain, Archmage’s Charm), removal (Pongify, Damnation), and stax (Propaganda).

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused midrange-control build with strong interaction and tribal synergy, but its combat-centric win conditions and reliance on Alela’s triggers cap its speed. It aligns with the "Optimized Casual" tier, threatening wins via combat or value around T8-10.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5