Overview:

This Teysa Karlov deck focuses on death triggers and token generation to drain opponents through aristocrat effects. It combines incremental value with combo potential using Exquisite Blood + Sanguine Bond/Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose for infinite lifedrain. The deck leverages sacrifice outlets, token generation, and redundancy in death payoff cards to grind opponents down while maintaining board control through forced sacrifices like Grave Pact.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy death-trigger payoffs (e.g., Zulaport Cutthroat, Cruel Celebrant) early, then sacrifice tokens/recurring creatures (Reassembling Skeleton, Ophiomancer) to drain opponents. Key phases:

1. Setup (Turns 1–4): Play mana rocks, token generators, and low-cost payoffs. Use Viscera Seer or Phyrexian Tower as early sacrifice outlets.
2. Amplification (Turns 5–7): Cast Teysa Karlov to double triggers. Chain sacrifices with Pitiless Plunderer or Pawn of Ulamog for mana/advantage.
3. Closure: Either assemble Exquisite Blood + lifedrain enabler for an instant win or overwhelm with tokens from Mondrak, Glory Dominus/Elenda, the Dusk Rose.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, a sacrifice outlet, and at least 1 payoff (e.g., Bastion of Remembrance + Viscera Seer).
• Avoid hands without early plays (ramp/payoffs).

Key Tips:

• Prioritize protecting Teysa with Flare of Fortitude or Boromir, Warden of the Tower.
• Use Drivnod, Carnage Dominus as backup for Teysa’s trigger-doubling.
• The Meathook Massacre doubles as both a board wipe and a wincon.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies on Teysa/Drivnod for trigger doubling (fold to repeated removal)
• Combo pieces lack redundancy (only 1 copy of Exquisite Blood/Sanguine Bond)

Moderate

• Slow recovery from graveyard exile (e.g., Bojuka Bog)
• Limited counterspells for combo protection

Minor

• Some enters-tapped lands slow early plays

Most Important Cards:

• Exquisite Blood
• Sanguine Bond
• Pitiless Plunderer
• Ashnod's Altar
• Grave Pact
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus
• Drivnod, Carnage Dominus
• Elenda, the Dusk Rose
• The Meathook Massacre
• Zulaport Cutthroat

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Can win via combo as early as T6 with perfect draws, but typically closes games T8–10 through incremental drain.

Resilience: 4/10
Heavily commander-dependent; struggles against repeated removal or graveyard hate. Limited free protection spells.

Consistency: 6/10
Multiple token generators and death payoffs provide redundancy, but combo tutors are sparse (only Diabolic Intent).

Interaction: 5/10
Moderate spot removal (Path to Exile, Swords to Plowshares) but lacks counterspells. Relies on Grave Pact for proactive control.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between optimized casual and high-power casual, leveraging strong synergies and a game-ending combo but held back by commander dependency and limited interaction.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5