Overview:

This Acererak the Archlich deck combines dungeon synergies, zombie token generation, and black mana acceleration to fuel life-drain combos and explosive sorcery finishers. While the commander enables token pressure and occasional dungeon value, the deck's core strategy revolves around assembling infinite mana via sacrifice outlets (Ashnod's Altar/Phyrexian Altar) paired with token generators like Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder, then converting it into game-ending Torment of Hailfire or storm via Tendrils of Agony. Secondary lines leverage swamp-based mana doublers (Cabal Coffers, Crypt Ghast) to power out drain effects like Aetherflux Reservoir and Pontiff of Blight.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1–4): Deploy mana accelerants (Sol Ring, Dark Ritual, Lake of the Dead) and cost reducers (Jet Medallion, Heartless Summoning). Use Acererak to venture into Lost Mine of Phandelver for incremental value.
2. Midgame Combo Assembly (Turns 5–7): Tutor or draw into key pieces like Phyrexian Altar and Endrek Sahr. Generate infinite mana via Sahr's Thrull tokens (cast a MV5 creature with Heartless Summoning → create 5 Thrulls → sacrifice to Altar for 10 mana → repeat).
3. Finishers: Pump infinite mana into Torment of Hailfire, chain spells into Tendrils of Agony, or activate Aetherflux Reservoir 50+ times. Backup plans include zombie swarm with Undead Warchief or Diregraf Colossus.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, 1–2 ramp pieces, and a combo enabler (Altar, Sahr, or mana doubler).
• Prioritize hands with K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth for life-to-mana conversion.
• Reject hands lacking black mana sources or early plays.

Key Tips:

• Use Panharmonicon to double Acererak's token generation and dungeon triggers.
• Cabal Ritual with threshold enabled provides BBBBB for critical turns.
• Cabal Paladin punishes artifact-heavy lines (e.g., recurring Chrome Mox).

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting to zombie tribal without combo protection.
• Wasting life on K'rrik before securing a wincon.

Weaknesses:

• Critical:
  • Relies on fragile 2-card combos (Altar + Sahr) with minimal redundancy.
  • No protection for key artifacts beyond Imp's Mischief.
• Moderate:
  • Slow recovery from graveyard hate (Rest in Peace cripples Reanimate/Unearth).
  • Life total volatility from Phyrexian Arena/Carnival of Souls.
• Minor:
  • Weak to flying threats (limited removal for evasive creatures).

Most Important Cards:

• Ashnod's Altar
• Phyrexian Altar
• Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder
• Cabal Coffers
• Torment of Hailfire
• Aetherflux Reservoir
• K'rrik, Son of Yawgmoth
• Crypt Ghast
• Lake of the Dead
• Tendrils of Agony

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Capable of T4–5 wins with perfect draws (e.g., T1 Dark Ritual into Heartless Summoning, T3 Endrek Sahr + Altar). Average goldfish win: T7–8.

Resilience: 4/10

• Dies to targeted artifact removal or graveyard hate. Limited recursion (Reanimate only).

Consistency: 5/10

• Only 2 tutors (Demonic Tutor absent), but strong draw engines (Phyrexian Arena, Sign in Blood).

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient single-target removal (Fatal Push, Snuff Out), but lacks counterspells or mass artifact/enchantment answers.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 5.5–6.0 power level. It exceeds precon-level synergy with combo potential and swamp-based mana scaling but lacks the speed (T7–8 average wins) and redundancy of optimized lists. Key weaknesses (artifact fragility, low interaction density) prevent it from consistently competing at high-power tables. It aligns closest with "Optimized Casual/Strong Precon" (5.0) but edges toward "Focused" (6.0) due to its combo ceiling.

Power level: 5.5 – 6.0