Overview:
A token-focused Golgari deck centered around Hazel of the Rootbloom, utilizing Squirrel tribal synergies and token multiplication to generate massive mana advantage and overwhelm opponents through both combat damage and aristocrat strategies.
Primer:
The deck operates on multiple synergistic layers, with Hazel of the Rootbloom serving as both a token multiplier and mana engine. The primary gameplan involves establishing a token-generating engine through cards like Deep Forest Hermit, Chatterfang, Squirrel General, and Scurry Oak, then leveraging these tokens for both offensive pressure and utility through Hazel's mana ability. The deck can quickly snowball through token multiplication effects and payoffs like Beastmaster Ascension and Moldervine Reclamation.
The secondary strategy involves aristocrat-style gameplay through cards like Zulaport Cutthroat and Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, allowing the deck to convert its token army into various resources. The deck maintains flexibility by including strong interaction pieces and protection effects, while cards like Skullclamp and Shamanic Revelation ensure consistent card advantage. The mana base supports both aggressive starts and longer games through utility lands and proper color distribution.
Weaknesses:
The deck is vulnerable to board wipes, though it includes some protection through Heroic Intervention and can rebuild quickly. Graveyard hate and effects that prevent token creation can significantly hamper the deck's gameplan. The reliance on creature-based strategies makes it susceptible to creature-heavy hate pieces, though the deck includes enough removal to handle most threats.
Most Important Cards:
- Chatterfang, Squirrel General
- Skullclamp
- Growing Rites of Itlimoc
- Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
- Deep Forest Hermit
- Scurry Oak
- Moldervine Reclamation
- Academy Manufactor
- Beastmaster Ascension
- Eldrazi Monument
Attribute Ratings:
- Speed: 6/10
- Resilience: 7/10
- Consistency: 7/10
- Interaction: 6/10
Rating Justification:
The deck operates at a focused but not fully optimized level, typically establishing its engine by turns 4-5 and threatening wins around turns 7-8. While it includes powerful synergies and some high-impact cards, it lacks the explosive fast mana and instant-win combinations found in higher-powered decks. The inclusion of interaction and protection elements, combined with its ability to rebuild after disruption, places it solidly in the focused-optimized range.
Final power level rating: 6.0 - 6.5
The deck demonstrates consistent execution of its strategy with meaningful interaction, placing it in the focused to optimized range. While it can generate significant advantage and threaten wins through multiple angles, it operates at a fair pace that allows for interaction and doesn't rely on particularly fast or unfair strategies.
Hazel of the Rootbloom