Overview:

This Ivy, Gleeful Spellthief deck leverages hexproof creatures, mutate synergies, and targeted spell duplication to generate poison counters via Venerated Rotpriest or build overwhelming threats with auras. The strategy combines Aura Voltron elements with a backup poison wincon, supported by clone effects and mutate value engines.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to:

1. Deploy hexproof creatures (Slippery Bogle, Gladecover Scout) or Ivy herself
2. Target them with auras/mutate spells to trigger Ivy's copy effect
3. Convert spell duplication into poison counters via Venerated Rotpriest or massive creatures via Ancestral Mask
4. Protect key pieces with phasing (Slip Out the Back), counterspells (Swan Song), and hexproof

Key Lines:

• Rotpriest Wins: Cast 1-mana protection spells (Tamiyo's Safekeeping) targeting any creature - Ivy copies onto herself, triggering Rotpriest twice per cast. 5 spells = 10 poison counters.
• Mutate Value: Stack mutate creatures (Dreamtail Heron, Gemrazer) on hexproof bases for card draw, removal, and land ramp
• Aura Overload: Use Strong Back cost reduction to flood the board with auras, amplified by Vesuvan Duplimancy cloning

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands + early creature (Bogle/Scout) + protection spell
• Prioritize Venerated Rotpriest + hexproof creature openings
• Reject hands without early creatures or protection

Critical Sequencing:
T1: Land + Slippery Bogle
T2: Land + Venerated Rotpriest
T3: Cast Tamiyo's Safekeeping on Bogle - Ivy copies to herself, Rotpriest triggers x2 (2 poison)
T4: Slip Through Space on Bogle - Draw 2 cards, Rotpriest triggers x2 (4 poison)

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No graveyard recursion for auras/mutate stacks
• Relies on 4x hexproof creatures as primary Rotpriest carriers

Moderate:

• Weak to board wipes (only 3 counterspells)
• Limited poison redundancy beyond Rotpriest

Minor:

• Slow vs flying blockers without Pouncing Shoreshark

Most Important Cards:

• Venerated Rotpriest
• Ancestral Mask
• Season of Growth
• Isochron Scepter
• Torpor Orb
• Twinning Staff
• Vesuvan Duplimancy
• Dreamtail Heron
• Gemrazer
• Tamiyo's Safekeeping

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• T5 poison kill possible (Rotpriest + 3 instant casts)
• T4 Isochron Scepter imprint enables infinite poison with 7 mana

Resilience: 5/10

• Hexproof bases protect against spot removal
• Foldsto T3-T4 board wipes pre-counterspell mana

Consistency: 6/10

• 8x 1-mana protection spells enable Rotpriest triggers
• Lacks tutors for key pieces beyond draw engines

Interaction: 6/10

• 7x counterspells (Swan Song, An Offer You Can't Refuse)
• Pouncing Shoreshark bounce and Gemrazer enchantment removal

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized (6.0) and Focused Competitive (7.0). It has:

• cEDH-speed poison kills with perfect hands (T4-T5)
• Multiple protection layers for key pieces
• But lacks free interaction (Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship)
• No infinite mana combos
• Vulnerable to early stax pieces

Power level: 6.0-6.5