Overview:

This Kenrith, the Returned King deck combines lifegain synergies, +1/+1 counter strategies, and control elements with multiple combo lines. The deck leverages Kenrith's versatile abilities to reanimate threats, draw cards, and pump creatures while utilizing powerful stax pieces and interaction to protect its gameplan. Key strengths include multiple win conditions (Aetherflux Reservoir, infinite life-drain combos, and overwhelming creature value) supported by strong card draw and tutor effects. However, it lacks cEDH-level speed and protection redundancy.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to outvalue opponents through lifegain triggers and proliferate synergies while threatening infinite combos with Exquisite Blood/Dina, Soul Steeper or Aetherflux Reservoir. The three-phase plan includes:

1. Early Setup: Deploy lifegain engines (Soul Warden, Essence Warden) and ramp (Burgeoning, Sol Ring) to enable Kenrith activations.
2. Midgame Value: Use Panharmonicon/Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines to amplify ETB triggers and Archangel of Thune to grow creatures. Protect key pieces with Teferi's Protection and Leyline of Sanctity.
3. Combo Finish: Assemble Exquisite Blood + lifegain-punishment effects or convert life totals into Aetherflux Reservoir kills. Backup plans include Luminarch Ascension tokens and Avacyn, Angel of Hope board dominance.

Key Interactions:

• Exquisite Blood + Dina, Soul Steeper creates infinite life loss
• Isochron Scepter imprinting Dovin's Veto or Mana Drain for recurring counters
• The One Ring + Alhammarret's Archive for massive card advantage
• Gaea's Cradle enables explosive Kenrith activations post-board development

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and at least 1 early ramp piece
• Prioritize hands containing combo enablers or protection if interaction is present
• Avoid slow starts without lifegain engines or card draw

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Relies on 2-card combos with limited tutors (only Demonic Tutor)
• Key enchantments (Exquisite Blood, Luminarch Ascension) vulnerable to removal

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes without Kenrith online
• Light graveyard hate protection for reanimation lines

Minor:

• Mana base resilient to Blood Moon due to basics and Chromatic Lantern

Most Important Cards:

• Exquisite Blood
• Dina, Soul Steeper
• Aetherflux Reservoir
• Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
• Panharmonicon
• Demonic Tutor
• Mana Drain
• Teferi's Protection
• The One Ring
• Gaea's Cradle

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Fastest T4 wins with perfect draws (Exquisite Blood + Dina)
• Average combo assembly by T6-7
• Limited fast mana beyond Sol Ring

Resilience: 7/10

• Multiple protection pieces (Grand Abolisher, Drannith Magistrate)
• Kenrith provides graveyard recursion
• Vulnerable to focused enchantment removal

Consistency: 6/10

• 5 tutors (Demonic Tutor, Artificer Class, etc.)
• Strong card draw engines (Drogskol Reaver, The One Ring)
• Multiple redundant lifegain triggers

Interaction: 7/10

• A-tier counters (Mana Drain, Dovin's Veto)
• Board wipes (Cyclonic Rift)
• Stax elements (Drannith Magistrate, Grand Abolisher)

Rating Justification:

This deck exceeds optimized casual (5.5) through combo potential and interaction quality but lacks the speed/protection redundancy of true cEDH. Comparable to High-Power Casual (6.0) with:

• Multiple T4-5 win lines
• Strong stax elements
• Limited free interaction
• Tutor density below cEDH standards

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5