Overview:

This Shorikai, Genesis Engine deck focuses on artifact and Vehicle synergies, leveraging the commander's card advantage and Pilot generation to crew a fleet of powerful Vehicles. The strategy combines incremental value from token generation, artifact recursion, and mid-game threats like Cyberdrive Awakener to overwhelm opponents. While lacking infinite combos, it can generate explosive turns through Vehicle swarms and pseudo-stax effects like Propaganda.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy Shorikai early to generate Pilot tokens and card advantage. Use cost-reduction effects (Etherium Sculptor, Kotori, Pilot Prodigy) to cheat out Vehicles like Parhelion II and Thunderhawk Gunship. Transition into mid-game threats by animating artifacts via Cyberdrive Awakener or assembling Mechtitan Core. Protect the board with Teferi's Protection and Flawless Maneuver, then close games through combat or mass artifact recursion with Dance of the Manse.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and early ramp (Sol Ring, Vedalken Engineer)
• Prioritize Shorikai enablers over high-cost Vehicles
• Avoid hands lacking artifact synergies or card draw

Key Tips:

• Use Intruder Alarm with Sai, Master Thopterist for token generation
• Time Cyberdrive Awakener after deploying multiple noncreature artifacts
• Unwinding Clock enables Shorikai activation on every turn

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending into board wipes without protection
• Investing heavily in Mechtitan Core without backup recursion
• Holding counterspells for minor threats instead of protecting key engines

Weaknesses:

Critical: None
Moderate:

• Vulnerable to artifact wipes (Vandalblast, Bane of Progress)
• Limited redundancy for Vehicle animation effects
  Minor:
• Slow vs. fast combo decks
• Weak to Stony Silence effects

Most Important Cards:

• Cyberdrive Awakener
• Anointed Procession
• Rhystic Study
• Mechtitan Core
• Unwinding Clock
• Teferi's Protection
• Emry, Lurker of the Loch
• Skullclamp
• Dance of the Manse
• Thopter Spy Network

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Establishes threats by T4-5, but wins typically require T8-10 combat
• Etherium Sculptor accelerates artifacts, but lacks fast mana

Resilience: 7/10

• Multiple recursion engines (Academy Ruins, Salvager)
• Protection spells cover key turns

Consistency: 6/10

• Shorikai provides reliable draw, but limited tutors
• Redundant Vehicle payoffs compensate

Interaction: 7/10

• Efficient removal (Swords, Cyclonic Rift)
• Counterspells lack free options

Rating Justification:

This deck exceeds precon-level focus (4.0) with synergistic payoffs and protection, but lacks the speed/tutoring of optimized lists. It aligns with 4.5 ("Focused Casual") on the rubric due to:

• T9-11 win potential through Vehicle swarms
• Moderate stax resistance via recursion
• No deterministic combos or fast locks
• Interaction suite tailored for mid-power metas

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5