Overview:

This Abaddon the Despoiler deck leverages cascade triggers from the commander's ability to fuel storm synergies and explosive spell chains. It combines ritual-based mana acceleration, storm payoffs like Tendrils of Agony/Grapeshot, and infinite combos using Birgi, God of Storytelling + Grinning Ignus to achieve deterministic wins. The deck can pivot between storming off with Abaddon's cascade value or assembling protected combo finishes.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Early Setup: Deploy mana rocks (e.g., Sol Ring, Ruby Medallion) and card engines like Mystic Remora/Necropotence. Use free interaction (Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship) to protect key plays.
2. Combo Lines:
   • Infinite Storm: Birgi + Grinning Ignus generates infinite red mana and storm count for Grapeshot/Brain Freeze
   • Breach Loops: Underworld Breach + Past in Flames enables graveyard recursion of rituals and wincons
   • Big Mana: Mana Geyser/Jeska's Will into Exsanguinate or Peer into the Abyss
3. Storm Pivot: Use Abaddon's cascade on cheap spells (e.g., Dark Ritual, Gitaxian Probe) to chain into higher MV storm enablers like Thousand-Year Storm

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2+ mana sources (land + rock)
• Prioritize combo pieces (Birgi, Breach) or tutors (Gamble, Solve the Equation)
• Reject hands without early interaction or mana acceleration

Key Tips:

• Sequence Abaddon after establishing 3+ life loss from opponents (via Descent into Avernus, Guttersnipe)
• Use Errant, Street Artist to copy critical cascade triggers or storm spells
• Protect combo turns with Defense Grid and free counterspells
• Leverage Kess, Dissident Mage as a redundant graveyard engine

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Foldsto grave hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void)
• Dies to Rule of Law effects pre-interaction
• Relies on fragile combo creatures (Birgi/Kess)

Moderate

• Limited board wipes (only 3 mass removal spells)
• Life payment engines (Necropotence, Bolas's Citadel) risk self-damage

Minor

• High storm count required for non-infinite wins

Most Important Cards:

• Birgi, God of Storytelling
• Underworld Breach
• Grinning Ignus
• Mana Geyser
• Necropotence
• Past in Flames
• Solve the Equation
• Gamble
• Aetherflux Reservoir
• Errant, Street Artist

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 8/10

• Can win via T3 Birgi + Ignus combo with perfect draw, typically T5-6 through interaction.

Resilience: 6/10

• 6 free protection spells and recursion, but combo pieces remain vulnerable to instant-speed removal.

Consistency: 7/10

• 8 tutors and strong draw engines, but storm lines require specific sequencing.

Interaction: 7/10

• 10 instant-speed answers including 4 free counters, lacks permanent-based removal.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between optimized storm and high-power combo archetypes, featuring fast wins but lacking cEDH-level redundancy/protection. Its ability to pivot between storm and deterministic combos while leveraging cascade value justifies a high-power casual to focused competitive rating.

Power level: 7.0 - 7.5