Overview:

This Teysa, Orzhov Scion deck operates as an aristocrats strategy focused on recursive creature sacrifice, token generation, and death-trigger value. Teysa serves as both a token engine and targeted removal enabler, synergizing with the deck's numerous black creatures and white token payoffs. The primary win conditions involve draining opponents through Blood Artist effects and overwhelming with boosted tokens via Cathars' Crusade or Intangible Virtue. Secondary lines leverage reanimation loops with cards like Marshal's Anthem and Storm of Souls, while Syr Konrad, the Grim provides incremental damage from graveyard activity.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), token generators (Hanged Executioner, Field of Souls), and value creatures (Morbid Opportunist, Pitiless Plunderer).
2. Engine Activation (Turns 3-6): Establish sacrifice outlets (Ashnod's Altar, Fleshtaker) and death triggers (Bastion of Remembrance, Elenda, the Dusk Rose). Use Teysa to convert black creature deaths into Spirits.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):
   • Drain: Amplify Blood Artist/Marauding Blight-Priest triggers through mass sacrifice (Martial Coup, Barrensteppe Siege).
   • Token Overrun: Boost Spirits with Intangible Virtue or Cathars' Crusade for lethal combat.
   • Graveyard Loops: Recur creatures with Oversold Cemetery/Archpriest of Shadows to fuel Syr Konrad triggers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including WB sources
• Prioritize early ramp (mana rocks) or 1-2 engine pieces (Pitiless Plunderer, Bastion of Remembrance)
• Look for payoff/draw synergy pairs (Skullclamp + token generator)
• Avoid hands lacking sacrifice outlets or death triggers

Key Tips:

• Use Luminous Broodmoth + non-flyers for recursive sacrifice fodder
• Helm of the Host on Teysa creates exponential Spirits and removal opportunities
• Altar of Bhaal enables surprise reanimation during opponents' turns
• King of the Oathbreakers protects key Spirits while generating tokens

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy graveyard reliance makes it vulnerable to Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void
• Limited instant-speed interaction for combo disruption

Moderate

• Board wipes reset token/swarm progress
• Struggles against flying-heavy decks without Windborn Muse

Minor

• High mana value cards (Hoarding Broodlord, Storm of Souls) can lead to clunky draws
• Token strategies are soft to Virulent Plague-style effects

Most Important Cards:

• Ashnod's Altar (Sacrifice engine + mana acceleration)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Primary damage engine)
• Cathars' Crusade (Token overrun enabler)
• Elenda, the Dusk Rose (Scalable token generator)
• Blood Artist (Key drain effect)
• Marshal's Anthem (Mass reanimation + anthem)
• Pitiless Plunderer (Treasure generation for explosive turns)
• Bastion of Remembrance (Drain + token generation)
• Skullclamp (Card draw from 1/1 tokens)
• Luminous Broodmoth (Recursive sacrifice fodder)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish lethal drains/swarms by T7-9, but lacks fast mana for explosive starts.

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple recursion engines (Oversold Cemetery, Archpriest of Shadows) mitigate removal, but graveyard dependency creates fragility.

Consistency: 6/10

• Moderate tutor density (Hoarding Broodlord, Finale of Devastation) balanced by strong card draw from sacrifice synergies.

Interaction: 4/10

• Targeted removal (Ruthless Lawbringer, Hanged Executioner) and pillow fort effects, but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused casual power with T7-9 win potential through synergistic combat/drain strategies, but its graveyard dependency and moderate speed prevent higher optimization. The balance between resilience and meta vulnerabilities aligns with the Focused Casual tier.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0