Overview:

This Orzhov deck leverages Ketramose's exile-triggered card draw to fuel a flicker/reanimator strategy, generating value through ETB effects and incremental life drain. The deck combines efficient removal, flicker enablers, and synergies with Panharmonicon/Elesh Norn to create board presence while controlling opponents through exile effects. Though lacking infinite combos, it threatens through Gray Merchant/Sheoldred life swings and value accumulation.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to control the board through exile-based removal while using flicker effects on creatures like Gray Merchant of Asphodel and Skyclave Apparition to generate card advantage via Ketramose. Key phases:

1. Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks, exile threats with Swords to Plowshares, and establish card draw through minor exile triggers.
2. Engine Activation (Turns 5-7): Resolve Panharmonicon or Elesh Norn to amplify ETB effects, then cycle value creatures like Spirited Companion with Teleportation Circle.
3. Closing (Turns 8+): Drain opponents via Gray Merchant loops or overwhelm with reanimated/flickered threats like Sheoldred, the Apocalypse.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, 1-2 ramp pieces (Sol Ring/Orzhov Signet), and at least one enabler (flicker spell or exile-based removal).
• Prioritize early interaction (Swords/Path) over slow value engines in faster metas.

Key Tips:

• Time board wipes like Farewell after establishing flicker protection (Eerie Interlude).
• Use Lion Sash to control opposing graveyards while buffing your attackers.
• Chain Abdel Adrian flickers with token producers like Black Market Connections for wide boards.

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending before securing Panharmonicon/Elesh Norn protection.
• Wasting exiles on minor threats instead of saving triggers for Ketramose activation.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Lacks protection against Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void shutting off Ketramose's draw.
• No infinite combos make closing games slow against lifegain decks.

Moderate:

• Heavy reliance on 4+ CMC engines (Panharmonicon/Teleportation Circle).
• Limited counterspells for non-creature threats.

Minor:

• Commander-dependent card draw mitigated by 13 standalone draw sources.

Most Important Cards:

• Panharmonicon
• Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Teleportation Circle
• Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
• Animate Dead
• Farewell
• Black Market Connections
• Skyclave Apparition
• Lae'zel's Acrobatics

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win ~T8-10 through incremental value. No fast mana beyond Sol Ring.

Resilience: 7/10

• 8 flicker protections, 7 recursion effects, and 13 draw sources mitigate disruption.

Consistency: 6/10

• 14 flicker effects and 8 tutors for key roles (fetchlands for mana fixing).

Interaction: 8/10

• 16 targeted removals (6 exile), 4 board wipes, and 3 anti-graveyard tools.

Rating Justification:

This deck outperforms casual precons (4.0) through superior interaction and engine potential but lacks the speed/redundancy of optimized combo decks (6.0+). Its T8-10 threat window and ability to grind through 2-3 disruptions align with upgraded casual (4.5-5.5) benchmarks. The absence of game-ending combos and reliance on combat damage prevent higher ratings.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5