Overview:

This Etali, Primal Conqueror deck leverages aggressive ramp and creature-copy synergies to exploit Etali’s cascade-like ETB trigger, while employing multiple infinite combos as backup win conditions. The strategy focuses on cheating out or cloning Etali to generate overwhelming value, supported by Gruul’s explosive mana capabilities and redundant combo lines.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck aims to resolve Etali as early as Turn 3-4 via fast mana (Mana Vault, Grim Monolith), then clone/flicker it (Kiki-Jiki, Twinflame) to cascade into opponents’ spells. Backup infinite combos using Food Chain + Squee, the Immortal (infinite mana) or Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame (infinite hasty tokens) provide alternative win paths. Poison counters via transformed Etali serve as a tertiary threat.

Key Lines:

1. Primary Line: Cast Etali → Clone with Heat Shimmer/Orthion → Exile 8+ spells per combat phase.
2. Combo Line 1: Food Chain + Squee → Infinite RG mana → Finale of Devastation X=10+ or Etali spam.
3. Combo Line 2: Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame → Infinite 2/2 hasty tokens.
4. Stax Bypass: Deflecting Swat, Veil of Summer, and Conqueror’s Flail protect critical turns.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2+ ramp sources (e.g., Sol Ring + Llanowar Elves).
• Prioritize T3 Etali setups or Gamble for combo pieces.
• Reject hands lacking early mana acceleration.

Critical Sequencing:

• Deploy Ruby Medallion/Urza’s Saga before big turns.
• Time Panharmonicon to double Etali triggers.
• Use Emergence Zone for surprise combo finishes.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Relies on 2-card combos vulnerable to interaction (e.g., Food Chain removal).
• Limited recursion for key artifacts/enchantments.

Moderate:

• Struggles against Drannith Magistrate/Rule of Law effects.
• Weak to land destruction targeting Ancient Tomb/Urza’s Saga.

Minor:

• Poison plan requires combat damage setup.

Most Important Cards:

• Food Chain
• Dualcaster Mage
• Finale of Devastation
• Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
• Grim Monolith
• Squee, the Immortal
• Deflecting Swat
• Mana Vault
• Twinflame
• Orthion, Hero of Lavabrink

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 8/10

• T3 Etali via fast mana, T4-5 infinite combos. Mana cheats (Jeska’s Will, Seething Song) enable explosive turns.

Resilience: 6/10

• 6+ protection spells but combos require specific pieces. Limited graveyard recursion outside Eternal Witness.

Consistency: 7/10

• 8 tutors (e.g., Gamble, Worldly Tutor) and redundancy in clone effects. Sylvan Library provides card selection.

Interaction: 5/10

• Spot removal (Beast Within) and stack interaction (Pyroblast), but lacks board wipes. Relies on racing over controlling.

Rating Justification:

The deck operates at high-powered casual levels with cEDH-adjacent speed (T3-5 goldfish) but lacks the interaction density and redundancy of tuned competitive lists. It exceeds optimized casual (5.5) through combo velocity but falls short of cEDH viability due to fragility. Matches the "Focused Competitive" (7.0) tier in goldfish speed but resilience aligns with "Optimized" (6.5).

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0