Overview:

This Nicol Bolas-themed Grixis deck combines planeswalker control, zombie token synergies, and incremental value through proliferate mechanics. While lacking infinite combos, it aims to dominate through board wipes, reanimation, and overwhelming with loyalty ultimates from multiple Bolas iterations. The deck operates at a mid-to-late game pace with moderate interaction and resilience.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck focuses on three pillars:

1. Planeswalker Dominance: Leverage Deepglow Skate and proliferate effects (Flux Channeler, Tezzeret's Gambit) to accelerate Nicol Bolas planeswalker ultimates.
2. Zombie Army: Use amass mechanics (Dreadhorde Invasion, Gleaming Overseer) to create evasive threats enhanced by zombie lords.
3. Graveyard Value: Recur key creatures/planeswalkers via The Scarab God and Command the Dreadhorde.

Key Sequencing:

• Early Game: Ramp with signets and Solemn Simulacrum, deploy zombie tokens for defense.
• Mid Game: Cast Nicol Bolas variants, protect them with counterspells and Lazotep Plating.
• Late Game: Activate planeswalker ultimates or overwhelm with The Locust God/The Scarab God value engines.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands + 2 ramp pieces.
• Prioritize early interaction (Countersquall, Bedevil) against fast decks.
• Avoid hands with only high-CMC planeswalkers without protection.

Critical Interactions:

• The Elderspell + any Bolas planeswalker = immediate ultimate activation
• Kess, Dissident Mage recasting Command the Dreadhorde for massive reanimation turns
• Flux Channeler proliferating both zombie +1/+1 counters and planeswalker loyalty

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No protection against enchantment-based hate like Rest in Peace or The Immortal Sun
• Relies on 6+ mana planeswalkers vulnerable to creature swarms

Moderate:

• Limited card advantage outside planeswalker activations
• Weak to Blood Moon effects with 10+ nonbasic lands

Minor:

• 35% of lands enter tapped, slowing early development

Most Important Cards:

1. The Scarab God
2. Deepglow Skate
3. Command the Dreadhorde
4. The Elderspell
5. Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God
6. Dreadhorde Invasion
7. Kess, Dissident Mage
8. The Locust God
9. Flux Channeler
10. Solemn Simulacrum

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Requires 6+ turns to deploy key planeswalkers/ultimates
• No fast mana beyond Sol Ring

Resilience: 6/10

• 7 counterspells and 5 board wipes provide protection
• Vulnerable to repeated commander removal due to high recast costs

Consistency: 5/10

• Only 3 tutors (Diabolic Tutor, The Eldest Reborn, Deliver Unto Evil)
• Relies on zombie token generation for early board presence

Interaction: 7/10

• 14 targeted removal spells including Bedevil and Terminate
• Lacks free counterspells for critical protection

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and High-Power Casual (5.5) on the rubric. While it lacks the speed of T8-9 combo kills, its planeswalker focus and value engines can overwhelm unprepared tables. The inclusion of multiple Bolas ultimates as win conditions and decent interaction suite elevates it above typical precon levels, but mana inefficiency and reliance on fragile permanents prevent higher rankings.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5