Overview:

This Meren of Clan Nel Toth deck revolves around incremental value from sacrifice, graveyard recursion, and life-drain effects. The commander enables persistent reanimation loops using experience counters, leveraging creatures with death/ETB triggers like Gray Merchant of Asphodel, Kokusho, the Evening Star, and Plaguecrafter. Key sacrifice outlets (Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, Ashnod's Altar) and tutors (Entomb, Diabolic Intent) ensure consistent access to critical pieces. While lacking infinite combos, the deck threatens wins through attrition, mass reanimation (Living Death, Rise of the Dark Realms), and Syr Konrad, the Grim damage triggers.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana dorks (Llanowar Elves, Deathrite Shaman), sacrifice fodder (Sakura-Tribe Elder, Blood Pet), or tutors (Entomb/Buried Alive to set up graveyard targets like Gray Merchant).
2. Engine Activation (Turns 4-5): Cast Meren, then sacrifice creatures to Yawgmoth or Viscera Seer to build experience counters. Recur value pieces like Eternal Witness or Plaguecrafter each turn.
3. Mid-Game Pressure (Turns 6-8): Loop high-impact creatures (Gray Merchant, Kokusho) with Meren’s recursion, draining opponents. Use Living Death or Rise of the Dark Realms to flood the board.
4. Closing the Game: Amplify life loss via Syr Konrad, Blood Artist, and repeated Gray Merchant triggers. Sheoldred, Whispering One and Braids, Arisen Nightmare grind opponents into topdeck mode.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with early ramp (dorks, Sol Ring) and a sacrifice outlet or recursion target.
• Prioritize Entomb/Buried Alive if paired with reanimation spells (Animate Dead, Reanimate).
• Avoid hands lacking green/black sources or with only high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Use Phyrexian Tower/High Market to sacrifice creatures in response to removal.
• Noxious Revival can loop key creatures like Gray Merchant with Meren’s recursion.
• Heroic Intervention protects against board wipes during critical turns.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) permanently disrupts recursion engines.
• Relies heavily on Meren; repeated removal slows experience counter accumulation.

Moderate

• Struggles against fast combo decks due to slower setup.
• Limited answers to enchantments/artifacts (only Haywire Mite, Tear Asunder).

Minor

• Life loss from Dark Confidant/Yawgmoth can become a liability.
• Token strategies dilute Plaguecrafter/Accursed Marauder effects.

Most Important Cards:

• Meren of Clan Nel Toth (Recursion engine/experience counter generator)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Primary life-drain win condition)
• Yawgmoth, Thran Physician (Sacrifice outlet, card draw, -1/-1 synergy)
• Living Death (Mass reanimation/reset button)
• Diabolic Intent (Tutor with sac synergy)
• Sheoldred, Whispering One (Recurring reanimation and forced sacrifices)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Passive damage amplifier)
• Ashnod's Altar (Mana generation + sacrifice outlet)
• Buried Alive (Graveyard setup)
• Toxic Deluge (Board wipe that preserves Meren)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten lethal via Gray Merchant loops or Living Death by turns 7-8, but lacks explosive early combos.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursion provides recovery, but graveyard dependency and commander reliance create critical vulnerabilities.

Consistency: 7/10

• Abundant tutors (Entomb, Diabolic Intent, Buried Alive) and card draw (Dark Confidant, Skullclamp) ensure reliable access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Assassin's Trophy, Snuff Out) and board wipes (Toxic Deluge) are present but limited against noncreature strategies.

Rating Justification:

The deck’s T7-8 win potential via attrition and recursion aligns with the "Focused" tier (6.0), but its reliance on Meren and vulnerability to graveyard hate cap its resilience. While consistent, it lacks the speed or protection to reach higher tiers.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5