Overview:

This Jeskai flicker deck leverages Shiko, Paragon of the Way's ETB ability to repeatedly cast low-CMC spells from the graveyard, generating value through ETB triggers and incremental damage. The strategy focuses on blinking Shiko and other key creatures to abuse enter/exit effects while maintaining board control through interaction and wipes. While synergistic, it lacks infinite combos and relies on midrange value accumulation.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck aims to cast/recast Shiko (enabled by 7+ flicker spells) to generate free spell copies from the graveyard while maintaining tempo with ETB value creatures like Reflector Mage and Recruiter of the Guard. Win conditions involve stacking damage from Impact Tremors/Warleader's Call and scaling with Soulherder/Terror of the Peaks. Key phases:

1. Setup (Turns 1-4): Ramp with Sol Ring/Arcane Signet, cast low-CMC cantrips (Faithless Looting, Thrill of Possibility) to fill the graveyard with Shiko fuel.
2. Value Engine (Turns 5+): Deploy Shiko alongside flicker enablers like Ephemerate/Thassa, Deep-Dwelling, generating recursive value from spells like Prismari Command and creatures like Imperial Recruiter.
3. Closing: Amplify ETB damage with Panharmonicon, clear blockers via Brago, King Eternal blinks, and finish with Terror of the Peaks triggers or combat damage from buffed creatures.

Key Tips:

• Prioritize casting Shiko only when you have flicker protection (Ephemerate, Eerie Interlude) or a graveyard stocked with impactful ≤3 MV targets.
• Use Frantic Search/Frantic Search to simultaneously dig for answers and enable Shiko's recursion.
• Displacer Kitten turns noncreature spells into free flicker triggers – sequence instants post-combat to maximize value.

Weaknesses:

Critical: None
Moderate:

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) disrupts Shiko's recursion engine
• Commander-reliant value generation (3+ removals on Shiko cripples the deck)
• Limited closing speed (no infinite combos, relies on incremental damage)
  Minor:
• Vulnerable to Drannith Magistrate/Containment Priest effects
• Mediocre recovery from mass land destruction

Most Important Cards:

• Panharmonicon
• Thassa, Deep-Dwelling
• Displacer Kitten
• Brago, King Eternal
• Terror of the Peaks
• Impact Tremors
• Ephemerate
• Soulherder
• Recruiter of the Guard
• Frantic Search

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win ~T9-10 via ETB damage accumulation. No fast mana beyond Sol Ring, and limited cost reduction.

Resilience: 6/10

• 8+ flicker effects protect key creatures, 5 counterspells/removal answer threats. However, heavy reliance on Shiko creates a single point of failure.

Consistency: 6/10

• 6 tutors (including Imperial Recruiter/Recruiter of the Guard), 10+ card draw/filtering effects. Redundant flicker engines but graveyard setup can be inconsistent.

Interaction: 7/10

• 10 targeted removals (Swords to Plowshares, Chaos Warp), 3 board wipes, 3 counterspells. Lacks free interaction but answers most common threats.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Optimized Casual" (5.0) and "High-Power Casual" (5.5) on the rubric. It exceeds precon-level synergy with strong flicker engines and interaction but lacks:

• Fast mana (only Sol Ring)
• Infinite combos
• Turn 8-9 "effective win" speed
• cEDH-level protection (free counters, hexproof)

While capable of overwhelming tables through value, it can't consistently race true combo decks or break through stax locks. Its deliberate pacing and reliance on combat damage align with the 5.0-5.5 range.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5