Overview:

This Kaalia of the Vast deck focuses on cheating out high-impact Angels/Demons/Dragons through its commander's attack trigger, supported by protection spells, combat enhancers, and a backup infinite lifedrain combo. The strategy balances aggressive creature deployment with midrange value elements, leveraging one of EDH's most iconic commanders.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck aims to resolve Kaalia by turn 3-4 using mana rocks and land tutors, then swing immediately to cheat game-ending threats like Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Aurelia, the Warleader. Backup plans include:

1. Combat Overkill: Multiple combat phases (Aurelia), damage multipliers (Gisela), and board-wide protection (Akroma's Will)
2. Infinite Combo: Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond for instant table kill
3. Stax Elements: Archangel of Tithes, Linvala, Keeper of Silence to slow opponents

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3 lands (including at least 1 colored source)
• 1-2 ramp pieces (Sol Ring/Signet/Talisman)
• Either Kaalia protection (Greaves/Darksteel Plate) or a high-impact creature Reject hands without early mana development or that rely solely on 5+CMC threats.

Key Play Patterns:

• T1-T2: Land, mana rock, or land tutor (Land Tax/Prismatic Vista)
• T3: Kaalia with protection mana held up (Boros Charm/Swat)
• T4+: Attack with Kaalia to deploy Razaketh (tutor chains) or Avacyn (indestructible board)
• Late Game: Bolas's Citadel or Wound Reflection to close stalled games

Critical Interactions:

• Giada, Font of Hope + Resplendent Angel creates exponential angel tokens
• Dihada, Binder of Wills -3 fuels both creature deployment and treasure-based combos
• Teferi's Protection protects both creatures and life total during alpha strikes

Avoid Traps:

• Don't overextend without indestructible effects vs board wipe-heavy metas
• Prioritize tutoring protection over threats if facing interaction-heavy pods
• Use Imp's Mischief defensively rather than offensively

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Commander-dependent strategy (3+ removals on Kaalia cripples the deck)
• Limited graveyard recovery for key pieces
• Weak to flying hate and Drannith Magistrate effects

Moderate:

• High average CMC (3.1) creates vulnerability to stax pieces
• Life payment lands (9 sources) compound aggro matchups

Minor:

• Some redundant angel tribal effects lack immediate impact
• Limited stack interaction outside combat phase

Most Important Cards:

• Exquisite Blood
• Sanguine Bond
• Demonic Tutor
• Vampiric Tutor
• Smothering Tithe
• Bolas's Citadel
• Teferi's Protection
• Deflecting Swat
• Razaketh, the Foulblooded
• Avacyn, Angel of Hope

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T4 kills with ideal Kaalia->Aurelia->extra combat lines
• Average goldfish win: T7-8 via combat damage
• Backup combo requires T5+ setup without ramp

Resilience: 5/10

• 7 protection spells for Kaalia
• Limited creature recursion (only 3 sources)
• Foldsto back-to-back board wipes

Consistency: 7/10

• 9 tutors + 8 card draw engines
• Multiple redundant combat enhancers (3 extra combat effects)
• Color fixing supports 3-color demands

Interaction: 6/10

• 14 targeted removal (5 instant-speed)
• 3 board wipes (1 instant-speed)
• Limited countermagic (2 spells)

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and Focused (6.0) on the rubric. It exceeds precon-level decks through tutor density and combo potential (5.5 tier) but lacks the speed (T7 vs T6 benchmark) and free interaction of true high-power builds. The Kaalia dependency and moderate resilience place it below dedicated combo decks. Comparable to upgraded precons with focused gameplans but vulnerable to targeted disruption.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0