Overview:

This Atraxa, Grand Unifier deck leverages a hybrid strategy of value-driven flicker synergies and compact cEDH-grade combo finishes. The commander serves as both a card advantage engine and a combo facilitator, enabling explosive draws via her ETB while supporting multiple win conditions. The deck combines stax elements (Drannith Magistrate, Grand Abolisher), infinite mana lines (Food Chain + exiling creatures), and Thoracle/Consultation combos with robust interaction and fast mana. Atraxa's ability to refuel hands makes her integral to maintaining momentum, though backup win conditions allow the deck to function through commander disruption.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy fast mana (Mana Vault, Sol Ring), stax pieces (Esper Sentinel, Drannith Magistrate), or value engines (Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora). Use tutors to find combo pieces or protection.
2. Midgame Value (T3-5): Cast Atraxa to refuel, prioritizing flicker effects (Ephemerate, Displacer Kitten) to reuse her ETB. Establish board control with Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines or Yarok, the Desecrated to amplify ETB triggers.
3. Win Condition Execution:
   • Thoracle Combo: Demonic Consultation/Tainted Pact + Thassa's Oracle (prioritize Grand Abolisher protection).
   • Food Chain Infinite: Exile Eternal Scourge/Misthollow Griffin to Food Chain for infinite mana, then cast Kinnan, Bonder Prodigy to dump library.
   • Flicker Lock: Pair Displacer Kitten/Emiel the Blessed with Teferi, Time Raveler to control opponents' interaction.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with fast mana, a tutor, or early interaction.
• Prioritize hands containing Food Chain, Demonic Consultation, or protection (Force of Will, Grand Abolisher).
• Avoid slow hands without ramp or combo potential.

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection to dodge board wipes during combo setup.
• Eldrazi Displacer + Peregrine Drake generates infinite mana with sufficient colored sources.
• The One Ring provides critical card draw and protection in the turn cycle before comboing.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies heavily on resolving key noncreature spells (Consultation, Food Chain) vulnerable to counterspells.
• Graveyard hate (Bojuka Bog) disrupts recursion lines and Eternal Witness loops.

Moderate

• Drannith Magistrate/Containment Priest blocks Food Chain lines and flicker synergies.
• Torpor Orb nullifies Atraxa's ETB and other value engines.

Minor

• Limited basic land count makes the deck susceptible to Blood Moon/Back to Basics.
• High life payment from Peer into the Abyss/Toxic Deluge can be risky in aggressive metas.

Most Important Cards:

• Demonic Consultation (Primary combo enabler)
• Thassa's Oracle (Primary win condition)
• Food Chain (Infinite mana engine)
• Grand Abolisher (Combo protection)
• Force of Will (Free interaction)
• Mana Vault (Explosive ramp)
• Teferi's Protection (Phase-out protection)
• Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines (Stax/ETB amplifier)
• Vampiric Tutor (Consistency tool)
• Displacer Kitten (Value/flicker synergy)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 9/10

• Capable of T2-3 wins with perfect draws (Consultation/Oracle + protection) and T4-5 wins consistently.

Resilience: 8/10

• Multiple layers of protection (counterspells, Teferi's Protection, Grand Abolisher) and redundant win conditions mitigate disruption.

Consistency: 9/10

• 10+ tutors, high card quality, and Atraxa's card selection ensure reliable access to combo pieces.

Interaction: 8/10

• Premium counterspells (Mana Drain, Force of Will) and targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares) handle most threats.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH viability with T2-3 win potential through protected combos and robust interaction, but slightly slower than Tier 0/1 due to some suboptimal inclusions (e.g., Approach of the Second Sun). Its resilience and tutor density place it near the top of Tier 2 cEDH.

Power level: 8.5 - 9.0