Overview:

This Simic deck helmed by Ezuri, Stalker of Spheres focuses on proliferating +1/+1 counters to overwhelm opponents through massive creatures, unblockable threats via Herald of Secret Streams, and alternate win conditions like Simic Ascendancy. The strategy leverages Ezuri's proliferate-triggered card draw and counter-doubling effects from Branching Evolution/Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus to snowball value.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy low-cost creatures with evolve/counter synergies (Cloudfin Raptor, Gyre Sage) early. Use Ezuri's ETB proliferate and 15+ proliferate sources to amplify counters, enabling mana dorks like Incubation Druid to fuel explosive turns. Protect key pieces with Slip Out the Back/Mutational Advantage while drawing heavily off Ezuri's ability. Win via:

1. Overwhelming combat damage with unblockable creatures
2. Simic Ascendancy counter victory
3. Walking Ballista ping kills

Mulligan Priorities:

• 2-3 lands (prioritize untapped UG sources)
• Early proliferate engine (Thrummingbird, Contentious Plan)
• At least 1 counter-generating creature
  Avoid hands without early board presence or proliferate triggers.

Key Tips:

• Chain Ezuri recasts with proliferate triggers: His ETB doubles as both counter acceleration and card draw fuel.
• Save protection spells for critical mass turns when counter-doublers like Branching Evolution are active.
• Use The Ozolith to preserve counters through removals and enable surprise lethals with Herald of Secret Streams.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies on board presence for all wincons (folds to repeated wipes)
• Limited redundancy for Simic Ascendancy/Herald of Secret Streams

Moderate

• Slow recovery from graveyard hate affecting Evolution Witness
• Minimal land destruction protection beyond Boseiju, Who Endures

Minor

• Some dead draws if counter engines are removed

Most Important Cards:

• Simic Ascendancy
• Herald of Secret Streams
• Master Biomancer
• Branching Evolution
• The Ozolith
• Walking Ballista
• Contagion Engine
• Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus
• The Great Henge
• Zameck Guildmage

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Goldfish win ~T8-10 through combat/ascendancy without disruption.

Resilience: 6/10
12 protection/interaction spells and counter-preservation tools, but creature dependency creates wipe vulnerability.

Consistency: 7/10
15 proliferate sources + 8 card draw engines ensure steady counter growth despite limited tutors.

Interaction: 7/10
S-tier counterspells (Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship) and targeted removal, but lacks board wipes beyond Cyclonic Rift.

Rating Justification:

A focused +1/+1 counters deck with strong synergies and protection but no infinite combos or fast mana. Matches Optimized Casual benchmarks with T8-10 wins through combat/alt-win conditions.

Power level: 5.0 - 6.0