Overview:

This Izzet deck helmed by Captain Howler, Sea Scourge focuses on discard synergies to power up evasive creatures and generate value. The strategy revolves around cycling/discard outlets like Merfolk Looter and Glint-Horn Buccaneer to trigger Howler's combat damage draw engine, Rielle, the Everwise's card advantage, and direct damage payoffs like Magmakin Artillerist. Secondary win conditions include The Locust God token swarms and Chandra's Ignition board-wipe finishers. While the commander enables key synergies, the deck has redundancy with other discard payoffs, functioning as a mid-range value engine with multiple damage vectors.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy discard outlets (Merfolk Looter, Smuggler's Copter, Key to the City) and value engines (Currency Converter, Compulsion). Use cheap cyclers like Censor and Obsessive Search to trigger discard synergies while developing mana.
2. Mid-Game Pressure (Turns 4-6): Cast Howler or hidden commanders like Glint-Horn Buccaneer/Rielle, the Everwise. Activate mass discard via Windfall or Cathartic Reunion to pump attackers and draw into threats. Use evasion enablers (Aqueous Form, Invisible Stalker) to connect combat damage.
3. Finishers (Turns 6+):
   • Combat: Swing with Howler (often 7+ power) or unblockable creatures enhanced by discard triggers.
   • Burn: Amplify Glint-Horn Buccaneer/Magmakin Artillerist with mass discard.
   • Token Overrun: Generate Locust God tokens with Frantic Search loops.
   • Big Spells: Chandra's Ignition on a pumped creature or Three Steps Ahead for lethal copies.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (prioritize Command Tower, Stormcarved Coast).
• Ensure at least one discard outlet (Merfolk Looter, Izzet Charm) and one payoff (Cunning Survivor, Surly Badgersaur).
• Value hands with early protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Aqueous Form) for key creatures.

Key Tips:

• Use Containment Construct to cast discarded cards, turning Windfall into a ritual.
• Wonder and Anger in the graveyard grant evasion/haste to all creatures.
• Frantic Search untaps lands after casting Howler, enabling surprise pumps.
• Three Steps Ahead can copy Chandra's Ignition or counter key threats.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Wonder, Anger, and recursion via Squee, Goblin Nabob are vulnerable to Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void.
• Commander Dependency: Howler's ward isn't enough against repeated removal; losing it neuters the primary draw engine.

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Recovering from Blasphemous Act requires rebuilding discard outlets.
• Hand Disruption: Opposition Agent/Narset, Parter of Veils cripple draw/discard synergies.

Minor

• Artifact Hate: Vandalblast disrupts Smuggler's Copter/Currency Converter.
• Slow Start: Clunky hands without early discard outlets lead to durdling.

Most Important Cards:

• Rielle, the Everwise (Card advantage engine)
• Glint-Horn Buccaneer (Direct damage payoff)
• Windfall (Mass discard enabler)
• The Locust God (Alternative win condition)
• Frantic Search (Mana acceleration + discard)
• Containment Construct (Discard mitigation)
• Chandra's Ignition (Board wipe finisher)
• Currency Converter (Treasure/token generator)
• Cathartic Reunion (Discard/draw burst)
• Three Steps Ahead (Versatile interaction/combo)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Threatens wins via combat/burn around T7-9. Fast mana is limited, relying on incremental discard triggers rather than explosive combos.

Resilience: 4/10
Minimal protection for key pieces beyond Howler's ward. Graveyard reliance creates critical vulnerabilities.

Consistency: 6/10
Abundant card draw and 12+ discard outlets ensure regular access to synergies, but lacks high-impact tutors.

Interaction: 5/10
Has targeted removal (Prismari Command, Censor) and flexible counters via Three Steps Ahead, but reactive tools are sparse.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused casual build with T7-9 win potential through combat and incremental burn, but its reliance on unprotected engines and graveyard-sensitive strategies limits resilience. Matches the "Focused Casual" tier (4.5) in speed but is held back by critical vulnerabilities.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5