Overview:

This Katilda, Dawnhart Prime deck is a Human tribal build focusing on +1/+1 counters and token synergies. The core strategy involves ramping via Katilda's mana dork ability, creating a wide board of Humans, and amplifying their power through counter synergies like Cathars' Crusade and Doubling Season. Win conditions include combat overrun, token swarms, and a non-tutored Midnight Guard + Presence of Gond infinite token combo. The deck operates at a casual power level with moderate resilience and interaction but lacks fast mana or consistent tutors.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy Katilda early to accelerate Human-based mana, then flood the board with synergistic creatures like Kyler, Sigardian Emissary and Scurry Oak. Use counter doublers and anthem effects to scale threats, leveraging lifegain triggers (e.g., Soul Warden) for incremental value. The backup infinite token combo requires assembling two specific pieces without dedicated tutors.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, Katilda, and 1–2 Humans (e.g., Essence Warden, Devoted Druid).
• Prioritize early ramp (Sol Ring, Talisman of Unity) if Katilda isn’t in the opener.
• Avoid hands lacking Humans or counter enablers.

Key Tips:

• Time Katilda’s pump ability post-wrath or when counters are maximized.
• Use Abzan Falconer and Ainok Bond-Kin to grant evasion.
• Protect Katilda with Darksteel Mutation or Valorous Stance if removal is anticipated.

Avoid Traps:

• Don’t overcommit to the board without counter backup.
• Preposterous Proportions is too slow for its cost.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Heavy reliance on Katilda for mana; 3+ removals cripple the deck.
• No graveyard hate or answers to combo/stax.

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes.
• Limited redundancy for key effects (only 1 counterspell).

Minor:

• Vulnerable to fliers without Abzan Falconer.

Most Important Cards:

• Doubling Season
• Cathars' Crusade
• Midnight Guard
• Presence of Gond
• Kyler, Sigardian Emissary
• Branching Evolution
• Herd Baloth
• Scurry Oak
• Unnatural Growth
• Sol Ring

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish wins around T8–10 via combat. No fast mana beyond Sol Ring/Arcane Signet.

Resilience: 4/10

• Vulnerable to board wipes and commander removal. Limited recursion (Unnatural Restoration only).

Consistency: 5/10

• Moderate card draw (Mentor of the Meek, Lunarch Veteran) but lacks tutors for key pieces.

Interaction: 4/10

• Few targeted removals (Clear Shot, Darksteel Mutation) and situational counters (Mana Tithe).

Rating Justification:

The deck sits between 4.0 (Casual/Precon) and 5.0 (Optimized Casual). It lacks the speed (T8–10 vs. T8–10 benchmark) and redundancy of 5.0 decks but exceeds precon-level synergy with counter doublers and combo potential. Weak interaction and commander dependency prevent higher ratings.

Power level: 4.0 – 4.5