Overview:

This Boros (R/W) deck leverages discard synergies, graveyard recursion, and aggressive combat centered around transforming commander Joshua, Phoenix's Dominant. Joshua enables card filtering and sets up Phoenix's Saga abilities for damage and reanimation. The deck aims to discard cards for value (e.g., Marauding Mako, Monument to Endurance), recur threats with cards like Sun Titan and Feldon of the Third Path, and win through combat pumps (Angelfire Ignition, Genji Glove) or damage amplification (The Rollercrusher Ride). Joshua/Phoenix acts as a key enabler and finisher, but the strategy relies heavily on graveyard setup and is vulnerable to disruption.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup (Turns 1-3): Play mana rocks (Sol Ring, Boros Signet), discard outlets (Thrill of Possibility, Witch's Mark), or early value (Wall of Omens). Prioritize transforming Joshua using his ability or discard effects.
2. Graveyard Synergy (Turns 3-5): Discard high-impact creatures (Etali, Primal Storm, Sun Titan) or Phoenixes (Flamewake Phoenix). Recur them with Sevinne's Reclamation, Phoenix's Saga III, or Feldon of the Third Path. Use Underworld Breach for explosive graveyard casts.
3. Win Condition (Turns 5-8):
   • Combat: Equip Buster Sword or Genji Glove to pumped creatures. Use Angelfire Ignition for indestructible tramplers or Waltz of Rage for board-cleaving attacks.
   • Damage Amplification: Deploy The Rollercrusher Ride with Delirium active (4+ card types in graveyard) to double noncombat damage from sources like Screaming Nemesis.
   • Commander Finisher: Resolve Phoenix's Saga III to reanimate multiple creatures for a lethal swing.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including red/white sources.
• Prioritize early ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) or discard/draw (e.g., Thrill of Possibility, Reckless Impulse).
• Ensure access to a discard outlet or Joshua transformation enabler.
• Avoid hands lacking graveyard setup or exceeding 4 CMC average.

Key Tips:

• Discard Timing: Discard high-value targets (e.g., Anger) before recurring them. Monument to Endurance rewards discards with card draw, Treasures, or life loss.
• Protection: Use Loran's Escape or Celestial Armor to shield key pieces like Joshua or Feldon of the Third Path.
• Saga Manipulation: Transform Phoenix early to maximize Rising Flames damage. Use Zirda, the Dawnwaker to reduce activation costs (e.g., Feldon’s {2}{R} → {R}).
• Combat Tricks: Genji Glove enables double-strike and extra combats. Seismic Stomp ensures unblocked attacks.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Hate (e.g., Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void): Cripples recursion, Phoenix revival, and Underworld Breach.
• Board Wipes: Struggles to rebuild after mass removal without immediate recursion.
• Anti-Recursion Stax (e.g., Dauthi Voidwalker): Exiles key creatures, nullifying Phoenix/Feldon.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Destroys essential equipment (Buster Sword) or value engines (Monument to Endurance).
• Hand Disruption: Forced discards waste setup turns if graveyard hate follows.
• Speed Disparity: Lacks fast mana for T3-4 wins; slower than combo-centric decks.

Minor

• Flyers: Limited reach; relies on equipment for evasion.
• Mana Base Fragility: 10+ tapped lands (e.g., Path of Ancestry) slow early plays.

Most Important Cards:

• Underworld Breach (Graveyard recursion engine)
• Sun Titan (Recurs low-CMC permanents)
• The Rollercrusher Ride (Damage doubler/finisher)
• Feldon of the Third Path (Recurs creatures as hasty artifacts)
• Monument to Endurance (Discard payoff: draw/Treasure/life loss)
• Buster Sword (Combat damage card advantage/cheat)
• Zirda, the Dawnwaker (Reduces activation costs)
• Anger (Grants haste from graveyard)
• Genji Glove (Double strike + extra combats)
• Flamewake Phoenix (Recursive threat enabled by power 4+)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Wins typically occur T7-9 via combat or amplified damage. Fast mana is limited, and combos require setup (e.g., Feldon + high-power creature + equipment).

Resilience: 4/10

• Recursion (e.g., Sevinne's Reclamation, Phoenix) offers recovery, but heavy reliance on graveyard makes it fragile to hate. Protection spells are sparse.

Consistency: 6/10

• Strong card draw (e.g., Thrill of Possibility, Light Up the Stage) and discard synergies ensure strategy access, but lacks tutors for specific win conditions.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Fateful Absence) and combat tricks (Seismic Stomp), but minimal stack interaction or board wipes beyond Final Showdown.

Rating Justification:

The deck executes a focused combat/recursion plan with T7-9 wins via synergies like equipment pumps or damage doubling, aligning with Optimized Casual (5.0). However, graveyard dependency and moderate resilience cap its ceiling.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5