Overview:

This deck leverages Kiora, Sovereign of the Deep to cheat out massive Kraken, Leviathan, Octopus, and Serpent creatures while generating cascading value through free spell casts. The primary win conditions involve overwhelming opponents with high-power creatures, board control via bounce/tap effects, and token generation from cards like Spawning Kraken and Koma, Cosmos Serpent. While lacking infinite combos, it uses stax-adjacent locks like Stormtide Leviathan and Archetype of Imagination to restrict opponents.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Early Ramp & Setup: Prioritize land acceleration (Cultivate, Rampant Growth) and cost reducers (Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma, Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty) to cast Kiora by T4–5.
2. Kiora Value Engine: Cast high-CMC sea monsters to trigger Kiora’s free spell cascade. Chain free casts into more threats (e.g., casting Hullbreaker Horror off Inkwell Leviathan’s trigger).
3. Board Dominance: Deploy game-ending threats like Koma, Cosmos Serpent (token army + lockdown) or Overwhelming Stampede with 8/8+ creatures. Use bounce/tap effects (Scourge of Fleets, Breaching Leviathan) to reset opponents.

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3+ lands (preferably untapped).
• At least 1 ramp spell (e.g., Sol Ring, Arcane Signet).
• A high-CMC sea monster or Quest for Ula’s Temple. Avoid hands without early ramp or payoff.

Key Tips:

• Sequence Threats: Cast cheaper sea monsters first (e.g., Reservoir Kraken) to enable Kiora’s triggers for bigger spells.
• Protect Kiora: Use Heroic Intervention and Stubborn Denial to counter removal targeting Kiora.
• Leverage Stax: Stormtide Leviathan + Archetype of Imagination locks out non-flying attackers.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: 3+ Kiora removals cripple the deck’s value engine.
• No Infinite Combos: Relies on combat damage, vulnerable to lifegain/fog strategies.

Moderate

• Slow Recovery: Limited graveyard recursion; board wipes reset progress.
• Interaction Gaps: Only 7 targeted removal/counterspells.

Minor

• Mana Base Fragility: 8 tapped lands and minimal land recursion.

Most Important Cards:

• Koma, Cosmos Serpent
• Hullbreaker Horror
• Spawning Kraken
• Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty
• Quest for Ula’s Temple
• Aesi, Tyrant of Gyre Strait
• Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma
• Stormtide Leviathan
• Overwhelming Stampede
• Prime Speaker Zegana

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Requires T4–5 to cast Kiora, T7–10 for lethal swings.

Resilience: 6/10

• Ward 3 on Kiora and hexproof/indestructible protection, but folds to repeated removal.

Consistency: 7/10

• 8 ramp spells, 3 cost reducers, and Monster Manual provide redundancy for big threats.

Interaction: 5/10

• Limited to 7 targeted removals/counters and bounce sorceries (e.g., Engulf the Shore).

Rating Justification:

The deck’s T7–10 win potential, reliance on combat damage, and moderate interaction density align with optimized casual play. While powerful, it lacks cEDH-speed combos or stax locks.

Power level: 4.5 – 5.5