Overview:

This Will, Scion of Peace deck leverages life-gain synergies to enable explosive cost reduction for game-ending spells. The strategy unfolds in three phases: establishing lifegain engines (Soul Warden effects), scaling with amplification (Angel of Vitality, Cleric Class), and deploying discounted threats/control spells (Hullbreaker Horror, Time Warp). While lacking infinite combos, it uses stax-like value engines (Elesh Norn, Smothering Tithe) and alt-win conditions (Felidar Sovereign, Angel of Destiny) to pressure opponents.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Early Setup: Play 1-2 mana lifegain creatures (Soul Warden, Lunarch Veteran) and incremental value engines (Fountain of Renewal, Cleric Class).
2. Midgame Scaling: Cast Will, Scion of Peace with protection (Swiftfoot Boots) to enable 5-10 mana cost reduction per turn. Use amplified lifegain to power Resplendent Angel token generation and card advantage (Teferi, Temporal Pilgrim).
3. Endgame Conversion: Deploy discounted haymakers like Kiora Bests the Sea God or lock opponents with Hullbreaker Horror + instant-speed interaction. Alternate win paths via Felidar Sovereign life total or Angel of Destiny combat triggers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (preferably duals)
• Require at least 1 lifegain engine + 1 protection/draw spell
• Prioritize snow basics when keeping Search for Glory

Key Lines:

• T3 Will into T4 Supreme Verdict (discounted by 3-5 mana from lifegain)
• Elesh Norn + Soul Warden = 2x lifegain triggers per creature ETB
• The One Ring protection layer into Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset emblem

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending creatures before Farewell/Verict
• Wasting cost reduction on low-impact spells
• Holding interaction against decks with recursive threats

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Board wipes cripple lifegain engine density (16 creature-based triggers)
• No graveyard recursion for Will after 3+ removals

Moderate:

• Limited artifact/enchantment removal (4 answers total)
• High dependence on snow basics for Search for Glory

Minor:

• Slow mana base (9 taplands)
• Vulnerable to flying blockers pre-Angel token swarm

Most Important Cards:

• Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
• Smothering Tithe
• The One Ring
• Teferi, Who Slows the Sunset
• Felidar Sovereign
• Farewell
• Sphinx's Revelation
• Resplendent Angel
• Dovin's Veto
• Hullbreaker Horror

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Requires 3+ turns to enable meaningful cost reduction. Earliest effective wins (Felidar trigger) achievable T7-8 with perfect curves.

Resilience: 4/10
Folds to early creature removal but recovers via planeswalkers/artifacts. Lacks free protection spells for critical turns.

Consistency: 6/10
12 card draw engines and 3 tutors (Search for Glory, Finale of Revelation) provide redundancy. Snow basics enable consistent land drops.

Interaction: 7/10
9 counterspells, 6 targeted removal, and 3 board wipes. Lacks stack protection but answers most permanent types.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Focused Casual" (rubric 4.5) and "Optimized Casual" (5.0). While it lacks the speed/tutoring of true high-power builds, its layered lifegain synergies and control elements outpace precons. The ability to pivot between combo-like discount turns and grindy value mirrors stronger 5.0 decks, but its fragility to early interaction prevents higher rankings.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0