Overview:

This Zimone, Paradox Sculptor deck focuses on +1/+1 counter synergies with a compact infinite turns combo as its primary win condition. It leverages high-quality ramp, tutors, and interaction to consistently assemble either a Sage of Hours combo or massive counter-based threats. While not cEDH-tier, it operates efficiently in optimized metas with strong card quality and protection.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to generate explosive value through Zimone's counter-doubling ability while threatening a T5-7 Sage of Hours infinite turns combo. Secondary wincons include overwhelming with doubled Hydras (Kalonian/Mossborn) or Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy cheats. Key phases:

1. Acceleration: Deploy fast mana (Mana Vault, Chrome Mox) and dorks (Birds of Paradise) to cast Zimone by T2-3.
2. Counter Engine: Activate Zimone's doubling ability on creatures like Gyre Sage/Seedborn Muse to generate mana advantage.
3. Combo Finish: Tutor Sage of Hours (Neoform/Intuition) and use Zimone's ability to add 5+ counters per turn cycle for infinite turns.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2+ mana sources and either ramp or card selection (Brainstorm/Sensei's Top).
• Prioritize T1 accelerant (Sol Ring/Llanowar Elves) into T2 Zimone.
• Reject hands without blue mana or counter protection.

Key Tips:

• Use Copy Artifact to clone Mana Vault/Thran Dynamo for explosive turns.
• Seedborn Muse + Zimone enables quadrupled counters per rotation.
• Kinnan can cheat Managorger Hydra/Nissa, Who Shakes the World as backup threats.

Avoid Traps:

• Don't overextend counter engines without Heroic Intervention backup.
• Prioritize tutoring protection (Fierce Guardianship) before assembling Sage combo.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Relies on keeping Sage of Hours/Seedborn Muse on board (no graveyard recursion).

Moderate:

• Limited counterplay to stax pieces like Torpor Orb.
• Color-intensive mana base vulnerable to Blood Moon.

Minor:

• Recovers well from single removal via redundant counter sources.

Most Important Cards:

• Sage of Hours
• Seedborn Muse
• Doubling Season
• Hardened Scales
• Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy
• Mana Vault
• Rhystic Study
• Counterbalance
• Teferi's Ageless Insight
• Transmute Artifact

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• T3 Zimone → T4-5 Sage combo possible with optimal draws. Fast mana enables explosive starts.

Resilience: 6/10

• 8 counterspells + Heroic Intervention protect key pieces. Dies to repeated removal on Zimone/Sage.

Consistency: 8/10

• 7 tutors (Transmute Artifact/Whir/Mystical) + topdeck manipulation (Sensei's Top) find combo pieces reliably.

Interaction: 7/10

• S/A-tier counters (Fierce Guardianship/Swan Song) + targeted removal. Lacks board wipes for wide strategies.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Optimized" (6.5) and "Focused Competitive" (7.0) on the rubric. It consistently threatens T5-7 wins with Sage combo through interaction but lacks cEDH-level speed/protection. The density of free counters and fast mana pushes it above typical "Optimized Casual" decks, while its reliance on creature-based combos prevents higher rankings.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0