Overview:

This Kaalia of the Vast deck is a classic "cheat big threats" build, leveraging the commander's ability to bypass mana costs for Angels, Demons, and Dragons. The strategy revolves around deploying Kaalia early (supported by rituals like Dark Ritual and protection like Lightning Greaves), then using her attack trigger to cheat game-ending threats like Avacyn, Angel of Hope or Archfiend of Despair. Secondary win conditions include combat damage amplification (Gisela, Blade of Goldnight, Terror of the Peaks), infinite combat steps via Aurelia, the Warleader + Helm of the Host, and value-driven attrition with reanimation (Reanimate, Phyrexian Reclamation). Kaalia is the linchpin, making the deck highly commander-centric but vulnerable to removal.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Cast ramp (Sol Ring, Talisman of Indulgence, Orzhov Signet) or rituals (Dark Ritual) to accelerate Kaalia.
   • Protect Kaalia with Swiftfoot Boots, Mother of Runes, or Deflecting Swat.
   • Use looting (Faithless Looting, Night's Whisper) to discard high-CMC creatures for later reanimation.

2. Commander Deployment (Turns 3-5):

   • Cast Kaalia as early as Turn 2-3 with ritual support.
   • Attack immediately to cheat threats like Terror of the Peaks (burn) or Drana and Linvala (stax).

3. Mid-Game Domination (Turns 5-7):

   • Chain attack triggers with extra combat enablers (Aurelia, the Warleader).
   • Tutor for key pieces using Demonic Tutor, Burning-Rune Demon, or Razaketh, the Foulblooded.
   • Deploy board protection (Teferi's Protection, Flawless Maneuver) before alpha strikes.

4. Win Condition Execution:

   • Combat Overkill: Cheat Gisela, Blade of Goldnight + Balefire Dragon for massive damage doubling/board clearing.
   • Infinite Combats: Aurelia, the Warleader + Helm of the Host creates exponential combat phases.
   • Reanimation Loops: Recur Rune-Scarred Demon or Vilis, Broker of Blood with Phyrexian Reclamation for value.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with Kaalia + protection (boots/greaves) or fast mana (Sol Ring + Dark Ritual).
• Prioritize at least 2-3 lands (including color-fixing like Command Tower).
• Avoid hands clogged with high-CMC creatures without ramp or looting.

Key Tips:

• Use Quicksilver Amulet as a backup for Kaalia’s ability.
• Phyrexian Reclamation can recover key creatures after board wipes.
• Serra's Emissary set to "Instants" or "Sorceries" can lock out interaction.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Repeated removal of Kaalia (costing {W}{B}{R} + tax) cripples the deck’s primary engine.
• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Lacks mass recursion; Wrath of God or Ruinous Ultimatum resets progress.
• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void nullifies reanimation lines.

Moderate

• Anti-Cheating Stax: Aven Mindcensor, Hushbringer, or Containment Priest block Kaalia’s triggers.
• Mana Constraints: High density of tapped duals (e.g., Boros Garrison) slows early turns.

Minor

• Limited Stack Interaction: Only 6 counterspells/protection spells (e.g., Rebuff the Wicked, Reprieve).
• Artifact Reliance: Vandalblast cripples signets/equipment.

Most Important Cards:

• Kaalia of the Vast (Primary engine)
• Dark Ritual (Turn 1-2 Kaalia enabler)
• Avacyn, Angel of Hope (Indestructible board lock)
• Helm of the Host (Infinite combats with Aurelia)
• Teferi's Protection (Mass protection)
• Demonic Tutor (Tutor any answer/combo piece)
• Gisela, Blade of Goldnight (Damage amplifier)
• Razaketh, the Foulblooded (Sacrifice fodder tutor)
• Phyrexian Reclamation (Graveyard recursion)
• Terror of the Peaks (Burn on creature ETB)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can deploy Kaalia + game-ending threats by Turn 3-4 with ideal draws (rituals + protection).

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate protection (greaves, Flawless Maneuver) but folds to repeated removal or stax.

Consistency: 6/10

• Strong tutors (Demonic Tutor, Burning-Rune Demon) offset high variance of creature draws.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Terminate) but lacks counterspell density.

Rating Justification:

This deck has explosive T3-5 potential but suffers from commander dependency and limited recovery from board wipes. Its speed aligns with high-power casual tiers, but resilience issues cap its ceiling.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5