Overview:

This Riku of Many Paths deck leverages modal spells and triggered abilities to generate value through tokens, card advantage, and combat threats. Riku amplifies modal effects by exiling cards, buffing itself, or creating fliers, while the deck synergizes with instant/sorcery casting and token generation. Key themes include spell-slinging value engines (e.g., Archmage Emeritus, Young Pyromancer), token swarms enabled by Purphoros, God of the Forge, and explosive finishers like Craterhoof Behemoth. Riku acts as both an enabler (via modal spell triggers) and a win condition (with trample and counters), supported by redundancy in token generators and cost reducers like Goblin Electromancer.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana dorks (Birds of Paradise, Bloom Tender), cost reducers (Goblin Anarchomancer, Harmonic Prodigy), and value engines (Third Path Iconoclast, Young Pyromancer). Cast modal spells like Simic Charm or Inscription of Abundance to trigger Riku’s abilities.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-7): Resolve key payoffs like Purphoros, God of the Forge or Archmage Emeritus to amplify damage and draw. Use Roaming Throne (naming Wizard/Shaman) to double triggers from Veyran, Voice of Duality and Harmonic Prodigy. Cast modal bombs like Mystic Confluence for flexibility.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 6-9):
   • Token Overload: Flood the board with tokens via Third Path Iconoclast/Young Pyromancer and finish with Craterhoof Behemoth or Purphoros’s burn.
   • Combo Potential: Tooth and Nail into Purphoros + Craterhoof for immediate lethal.
   • Commander Damage: Buff Riku with counters and trample for 21 commander damage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 2-3 lands, early ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Farseek), and at least one token generator or modal spell.
• Keep hands with Purphoros, God of the Forge, Roaming Throne, or Harmonic Prodigy if supported by mana.
• Avoid slow hands with high-CMC spells and no early plays.

Key Tips:

• Use Cryptolith Rite to turn tokens into mana for explosive turns.
• Sakashima's Will can clone Craterhoof Behemoth or steal opponents’ key creatures.
• Protect Riku with Swiftfoot Boots (via Phantom Interference’s token) or Simic Charm’s hexproof.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Riku’s removal cripples modal spell payoffs, and the deck lacks reliable recursion for it.
• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Token swarms and key creatures (e.g., Purphoros) struggle to recover from mass removal.
• Anti-Synergy Hate: Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb disable mana dorks and ETB triggers.

Moderate

• Limited Fast Mana: Relies on dorks and signets; slow against decks with artifact acceleration.
• Graveyard Reliance: Recursion tools like Songcrafter Mage are easily disrupted.

Minor

• Clunky Mana Base: Multiple enters-tapped lands (e.g., Ketria Triome, Rockfall Vale) slow early plays.

Most Important Cards:

• Purphoros, God of the Forge (Primary win condition via token burn)
• Craterhoof Behemoth (Combat finisher)
• Harmonic Prodigy (Doubles Riku/Shaman/Wizard triggers)
• Roaming Throne (Doubles token/damage triggers)
• Tooth and Nail (Tutors game-ending creatures)
• Cryptolith Rite (Mana acceleration for tokens)
• Archmage Emeritus (Card draw engine)
• Young Pyromancer (Token generation)
• Mystic Confluence (Versatile modal interaction)
• Bloom Tender (Explosive mana for Riku’s colors)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Threatens wins via Purphoros/Craterhoof around T7-9. Modal spells provide flexibility but lack cEDH-level explosiveness.

Resilience: 5/10

• Limited protection for key pieces and weak recovery from board wipes. Some redundancy in token generators.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card draw (Archmage Emeritus, Return of the Wildspeaker) and tutors (Tooth and Nail) ensure access to win conditions.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient counterspells (Cryptic Command, Decisive Denial) and modal removal (Mystic Confluence), but lacks stack control for high-power metas.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused spell-slinger build with T7-9 win potential through token swarms and combo finishers. While it lacks the speed and protection of higher-tier decks, its synergy and redundancy place it above casual tiers.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5