Overview:

This is a tempo-oriented deck that leverages Raffine, Scheming Seer's connive ability to generate card advantage and board presence while maintaining strong control elements through countermagic and removal.

Primer:

The deck operates on multiple axes, primarily focusing on establishing early threats while maintaining control through a suite of efficient interaction. Raffine, Scheming Seer serves as both a card selection engine and a way to grow creatures through connive triggers. The deck can establish early pressure through efficient creatures like Serra Ascendant and Esper Sentinel while protecting its gameplan with premium countermagic.

The secondary gameplan involves utilizing graveyard synergies through cards like Bone Miser and Archfiend of Ifnir, capitalizing on the discarded cards from connive. The deck can pivot between aggressive tempo plays and a more controlling stance thanks to powerful interaction pieces like Cyclonic Rift, Mana Drain, and Fierce Guardianship. Card advantage engines like Alhammarret's Archive and Teferi's Ageless Insight can double the effectiveness of connive triggers.

Weaknesses:

The deck is vulnerable to graveyard hate, which can shut down its recursive elements and reduce the value of connive. It's also relatively dependent on its commander for card selection and advantage, making it susceptible to repeated removal. The mana base, while solid, could benefit from more sources of black mana for consistently casting cards like Toxic Deluge.

Most Important Cards:

• Alhammarret's Archive
• Smothering Tithe
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
• Mana Drain
• Cyclonic Rift
• Teferi's Protection
• Mystic Remora
• Land Tax
• Fierce Guardianship
• Force of Negation

Attribute Ratings:

• Speed: 7/10
• Resilience: 8/10
• Consistency: 7/10
• Interaction: 9/10

Rating Justification:

This deck sits comfortably in the 7.0-7.5 range due to its ability to establish early threats while maintaining strong interaction. While it lacks the explosive fast mana and turn 2-3 wins of higher-powered decks, it can consistently threaten wins or establish control by turns 5-6. The high density of premium interaction and efficient threats puts it above focused casual decks but below truly competitive builds.

Final power level rating: 7.0 - 7.5

The deck demonstrates strong optimization with premium interaction pieces and efficient threats, but its reliance on combat damage and lack of infinite combos keeps it from reaching higher power levels. It's well-positioned to compete at focused competitive tables while having enough interaction to occasionally punch up at higher-powered pods.