Overview:

Thisrixrixis Dragon tribal deck leverages Nicol Bolas as a value engine, combining dragon synergies with reanimation and control elements. While capable of explosive turns with treasure generation and dragon swarms, it lacks deterministic combos and relies on incremental value through combat damage. The deck operates at midrange speed with moderate interaction and resilience.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck aims to deploy high-impact Dragons starting T4-6 using cost reducers (Dragonlord's Servant, Carnelian Orb of Dragonkind) and treasure generators (Ancient Copper Dragon, Goldspan Dragon). Key phases:

• Ramp Setup: Early mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) and cost reducers enable casting Dragons ahead of curve.
• Value Engine Activation: Dragons like Utvara Hellkite and Lathliss, Dragon Queen generate token armies, amplified by Dragon Tempest for direct damage and haste.
• Finishers: Balefire Dragon and Wrathful Red Dragon enable board control, while planeswalker Bolas provides card advantage and targeted removal. Reanimation via Bladewing the Risen and Rivaz of the Claw offers late-game recursion.

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3+ lands with at least two colors
• Early ramp (mana rocks or Dragonlord's Servant)
• At least one Dragon payoff (Kindred Discovery, Dragon Tempest)

Key Tips:

• Prioritize flipping Nicol Bolas only when protected by counterspells
• Use Roaming Throne naming Dragon to double ETB triggers
• Chain treasure generation from Ancient Copper Dragon into extra Dragon casts

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No protection for key Dragons beyond limited counterspells
• Weak to graveyard hate (exiles recursion targets)

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes
• High average CMC creates vulnerability to stax

Minor:

• Limited instant-speed interaction for stacked combats

Most Important Cards:

• Ancient Copper Dragon
• Utvara Hellkite
• Goldspan Dragon
• Dragon Tempest
• Kindred Discovery
• Bladewing the Risen
• Rivaz of the Claw
• Grimoire of the Dead
• Mana Drain
• Roaming Throne

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can deploy game-winning dragons by T6-7 with optimal ramp, but lacks turbo combos. Fastest goldfish: T6 via T3 Ganax, Astral Hunter + T4 Ancient Copper Dragon treasure chain.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion (Reanimate, Haven of the Spirit Dragon) but vulnerable to exile effects. Counterspells provide limited protection for key turns.

Consistency: 5/10

• 8 dragon tutors/cost reducers and card draw engines (Kindred Discovery, Phyrexian Arena), but no top-tier tutors for combo assembly.

Interaction: 6/10

• 14 interaction pieces including Mana Drain and Soul Shatter, but lacks free counterspells. Primarily answers threats reactively.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between High-Power Casual (5.5) and Focused (6.0). While capable of T7-8 wins through dragon swarms and treasure acceleration, it lacks the redundancy and protection of true cEDH decks. The interaction suite aligns with 6.0 thresholds, but slower threat deployment compared to T5-6 combo decks keeps it below optimized tiers. Comparable to upgraded precons with focused tribal synergies but missing critical fast mana and compact wincons.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0