Overview:

This Shiko, Paragon of the Way deck leverages Jeskai flicker synergies and graveyard recursion to generate explosive value turns through spell copying. The core strategy focuses on abusing Shiko's ETB trigger with blink effects, suspending high-impact sorceries, and converting copied spells into game-winning advantage through Storm-Kiln Artist treasures and Underworld Breach recursion.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to cast/recast Shiko using flicker spells (Ephemerate, Displacer Kitten) to repeatedly copy MV ≤3 spells from graveyard/exile. Key suspended threats (Ancestral Vision, Wheel of Fate) and free-cast enablers (Underworld Breach, Jeska's Will) amplify value. Secondary lines use Dualcaster Mage + Twinflame for token swarms and Storm-Kiln Artist/Birgi, God of Storytelling to convert spell copies into mana advantage.

Key Phases:

1. Setup (T1-3): Deploy mana rocks, suspend key spells, and stock graveyard with Faithless Looting/Careful Study.
2. Engine Activation (T4-5): Resolve Shiko with protection, flicker to copy ramp/draw spells, or suspend payoffs.
3. Conversion (T5+): Chain copied spells into Storm-Kiln treasure generation, Underworld Breach recursion loops, or Twinning Staff-enhanced finishers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3 lands with multiple colors
• 1-2 mana accelerants (Sol Ring, Mox Amber)
• Flicker spell or graveyard filler
  Avoid hands without early interaction or graveyard setup.

Critical Sequencing:

1. T2 Mystical Tutor -> T3 suspend Ancestral Vision
2. Underworld Breach + Frantic Search for graveyard recursion loops
3. Displacer Kitten + noncreature spells for repeated Shiko blinks

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Dies to graveyard hate (Rest in Peace shuts off Shiko/Underworld Breach)
• Commander-dependent (3 removals cripple strategy)

Moderate:

• Limited board wipe recovery
• Suspend vulnerabilities (Vampire Hexmage/Disallow counters)

Minor:

• Some ETB-tapped lands slow early turns

Most Important Cards:

• Underworld Breach
• Teferi, Time Raveler
• Dualcaster Mage
• Storm-Kiln Artist
• Rhystic Study
• Smothering Tithe
• Jeska's Will
• Cyclonic Rift
• Twinning Staff
• Enlightened Tutor

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can execute game-winning Storm turns with 5+ copied spells by T6-7. Suspended threats auto-resolve T5-8. Lacks T3-4 "oops I win" lines.

Resilience: 5/10
12 counterspells/redirects and graveyard recursion provide midgame protection. Fold to early stax (Rule of Law) or Shiko-focused removal.

Consistency: 6/10
7 tutors and 10+ draw engines find key pieces, but requires specific graveyard setup. Multiple redundant flicker effects (8+).

Interaction: 7/10
Premium counters (Fierce Guardianship, Swan Song) and targeted removal. Lacks permanent-based hate for wide boards.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at optimized casual levels (rubric 5.0-5.5) with:

• T6-8 deterministic wins via spell copy chains
• cEDH-level interaction density
• Commander-centric strategy vulnerable to focused hate
  Comparable to upgraded precons with faster engines but weaker late-game than focused combo decks. Lacks free mana rocks (Mana Crypt) and instant-win combos of 6.0+ decks.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5