Overview:

Bess, Soul Nourisher pilots a Selesnya token/counters strategy focused on swarming with 1/1 creatures, amplifying them through Bess' scaling attack trigger, and leveraging +1/+1 counter synergies. The deck combines wide token generation with proliferate effects and anthem enchantments to create overwhelming board states, while using protection spells to preserve its army.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to flood the board with 1/1 tokens (Citizens, Soldiers, Saprolings) to trigger Bess' counter accumulation. Key payoffs like Doubling Season, Mondrak, Glory Dominus, and Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation exponentially multiply token production, while Beastmaster Ascension and Akroma's Will convert the swarm into lethal threats. Secondary lines use counter synergies with The Ozolith and Hardened Scales to create massive creatures.

Key Phases:

1. Token Generation (Turns 1-4): Deploy early engines like Rabble Rousing, Tendershoot Dryad, and Archangel Elspeth while ramping with Sol Ring and Nature's Lore.
2. Bess Amplification (Turns 5-6): With 5+ tokens on board, attack with Bess to give all 1/1s +5/+5 or more. Concordant Crossroads enables immediate alpha strikes.
3. Overrun (Turns 7+): Convert board presence into wins via Akroma's Will indestructible/double-strike turns or Champion of Lambholt evasion.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and 1-2 token generators (Myrel, Shield of Argive, March of the Multitudes)
• Prioritize protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Mithril Coat) if Bess is in opener
• Avoid slow starts without T1-T3 plays

Critical Interactions:

• Mondrak, Glory Dominus + Scurry Oak creates exponential Squirrels
• Resourceful Defense preserves counters through board wipes
• Staff of the Storyteller turns token generation into card draw

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Board wipe vulnerability (reliant on 4 protection spells)
• No infinite combos to bypass stalled boards

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from repeated removal
• Limited card advantage without token generation

Minor:

• Weak to Cursed Totem-style effects shutting off counter manipulation

Most Important Cards:

• Doubling Season
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus
• Beastmaster Ascension
• Akroma's Will
• Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation
• The Ozolith
• Resourceful Defense
• Rabble Rousing
• Heroic Intervention
• Archangel Elspeth

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T6-T7 kills with optimal draws through Bess pumps
• Lacks fast mana or 2-card combos for earlier wins

Resilience: 5/10

• 4 protection spells and counter-preservation effects
• Struggles against back-to-back wipes

Consistency: 7/10

• 12+ token generators and 8 counter amplifiers
• Limited tutors (3) for key pieces

Interaction: 5/10

• 5 targeted removal spells (Swords to Plowshares, Archdruid's Charm)
• No countermagic, relies on combat tricks

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and Focused (6.0) on the rubric. It has strong synergy and multiple paths to victory through combat, but lacks the speed (T8-10 wins), interaction density, and combo potential of higher tiers. The heavy reliance on board presence without instant-win alternatives caps its ceiling. Comparable to upgraded precons but more focused than true jank.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5