Overview:

This deck leverages Hashaton, Scarab's Fist to convert discarded creatures into 4/4 Zombie tokens while using Esper's control tools and reanimation packages. It combines discard synergies, zombie tribal elements, and high-impact Praetors/Stax creatures to overwhelm opponents. The strategy focuses on incremental value through card selection and token generation rather than fast combo kills.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck operates as a midrange attrition engine with three key phases:

1. Discard Fuel: Use enablers like Putrid Imp, Ledger Shredder, and Skirge Familiar to discard creatures while drawing/digging for threats.
2. Token Generation: Convert discarded creatures into 4/4 Zombies via Hashaton, amplified by Mondrak, Glory Dominus and The Scarab God.
3. Reanimation/Stax Payoffs: Reanimate game-warping creatures like Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite and Toxrill, the Corrosive while protecting them with Teferi's Protection and counterspells.

Key Lines:

• Dream Halls enables free spellcasting by discarding creatures, which then become Zombies via Hashaton.
• Rhystic Study + Notion Thief creates asymmetric draw advantage.
• Tortured Existence loops creatures between graveyard and hand for repeated token generation.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and at least 1 discard outlet (e.g., Bog Witch, Thought Courier).
• Prioritize early interaction (Esper Sentinel, Path to Exile) if lacking engine pieces.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) shuts off reanimation and token generation.
• Relies on maintaining 3+ discard outlets to function.

Moderate:

• Slow to recover from board wipes targeting Zombie tokens.
• Limited protection for Hashaton beyond counterspells.

Minor:

• High mana curve (avg CMC 3.2) can lead to clunky draws.

Most Important Cards:

• Demonic Tutor
• Rhystic Study
• Smothering Tithe
• Toxic Deluge
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
• Toxrill, the Corrosive
• Teferi's Protection
• Dream Halls
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus
• The Scarab God

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can deploy game-winning threats by T5-6 with optimal reanimation/discard draws. Lacks T3-4 combos.

Resilience: 5/10

• Multiple recursion engines (Reanimate, Animate Dead) but vulnerable to graveyard exile. Limited free protection spells.

Consistency: 7/10

• 6 tutors (including Demonic Counsel, Razaketh) and strong draw engines (Consecrated Sphinx, Rhystic Study).

Interaction: 8/10

• Premium removal (Swords to Plowshares, Anguished Unmaking) and counterspells (Counterspell, An Offer You Can't Refuse).

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Optimized Casual" (5.5) and "Focused" (6.0) on the rubric. It has:

• T7-8 win potential via combat/stax locks vs T6-7 benchmark for 6.0
• Strong tutor density but lacks cEDH-level fast mana
• Robust interaction suite comparable to 6.0 decks
• Vulnerable to common graveyard hate keeping it below 6.5

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0