Overview:

This Grixis Rat tribal deck leverages Wick, the Whorled Mind to generate value through Snail tokens and convert them into direct damage/card advantage. It combines Rat synergies with artifact-based combo potential and high-efficiency tutors/draw engines. The deck operates on two axes: incremental value via Rat/Snail token generation and explosive wins through infinite mana/damage combos.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to flood the board with Rats to trigger Wick's Snail generation, then uses sacrifice outlets like Phyrexian Altar or Ashnod's Altar to convert tokens into damage and card draw. It features multiple infinite combos using Nim Deathmantle, artifact altars, and token generators like Pitiless Plunderer. Backup plans include Peer into the Abyss/Ad Nauseam draw engines and Massacre Wurm attrition.

Key Lines:

1. Infinite Mana/Damage:
   • Nim Deathmantle + Ashnod's Altar + any creature that creates 2+ bodies on death (e.g., Redcap Gutter-Dweller)
   • Phyrexian Altar + Pitiless Plunderer + free sac outlet (Wick's ability)
2. Token Overload:
   Roaming Throne (naming Rat) doubles all Rat ETBs, while Kindred Discovery provides massive draw.
3. Turbo Draw:
   Necropotence/Ad Nauseam into Demonic Consultation for combo assembly.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and early Rat generators (Burglar Rat, Nezumi Informant)
• Prioritize artifact mana (Mana Vault, Mind Stone) for rapid Wick deployment
• Reject hands lacking either early creatures or combo enablers

Key Tips:

• Use Roaming Throne before casting Wick for doubled Snail triggers
• Time Peer into the Abyss after establishing Necropotence for maximum value
• Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth supercharges Cabal Coffers for explosive black mana

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Heavy reliance on artifact combo pieces vulnerable to Vandalblast effects
• Limited protection for key engines (only Essence Capture as countermagase)

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes due to low creature recursion
• Commander-dependent Snail generation (3+ removals cripple strategy)

Minor:

• Some anti-synergy between Necropotence and discard-triggered cards

Most Important Cards:

• Phyrexian Altar
• Nim Deathmantle
• Pitiless Plunderer
• Necropotence
• Ad Nauseam
• Demonic Tutor
• Roaming Throne
• Ashnod's Altar
• Kindred Discovery
• Imperial Seal

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Can assemble T5-6 infinite mana via multiple combo lines, accelerated by Mana Vault/Ancient Tomb. Demonic Consultation enables T4 wins with perfect draws.

Resilience: 5/10
Multiple combo lines provide redundancy, but artifact dependency creates fragility. Limited protection beyond Cyclonic Rift.

Consistency: 8/10
12 tutors (including Demonic Tutor, Imperial Seal, Whir of Invention) and potent draw engines ensure frequent combo access.

Interaction: 5/10
Moderate removal suite (Toxic Deluge, Go for the Throat), but lacks free counterspells. Opposition Agent provides unique disruption.

Rating Justification:

The deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.5) and Focused Competitive (7.0), demonstrating:

• cEDH-level tutors/engines but slower mana base
• Multiple infinite lines but vulnerability to artifact hate
• Commander-centric value engine with alternative wincons

Power level: 6.0-6.5