Overview:

This Sultai mutate/copy deck leverages Kotis, the Fangkeeper's combat-triggered theft ability alongside a dense mutate package and cloning effects. The primary strategy involves building tall mutate stacks for value generation while creating token copies to multiply triggers. Though synergistic, the deck lacks infinite combos, relies on fragile creature stacks, and has limited interaction.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy low-cost mutate targets (e.g., Sea-Dasher Octopus) early, then mutate high-impact creatures like Auspicious Starrix to generate permanent advantage. Use cloning effects (Helm of the Host, Rite of Replication) to multiply mutated creatures and their triggers. Kotis provides supplemental value through stolen spells but isn't essential to the main game plan.

Key Phases:

1. Ramp Setup: Use 1-2 CMC dorks (Llanowar Elves) and land ramp (Three Visits) to reach 4-5 mana by T3-4.
2. Mutate Stacking: Mutate onto evasive creatures (Dreamtail Heron) to trigger land drops, card draw, and permanent cheating.
3. Clone Warfare: Copy mutated creatures with Quasiduplicate and Extravagant Replication to exponentially increase triggers.
4. Overwhelm: Win through sheer board presence from Auspicious Starrix triggers or cloned Insatiable Hemophage life drain.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands + 1-2 ramp pieces
• Prioritize early mutate enablers (Migratory Greathorn) over high-CMC clones
• Reject hands without green mana sources

Key Tips:

• Mutate order matters: Place draw engines (Dreamtail Heron) atop for recurring value
• Use Vesuvan Duplimancy to clone creatures when targeting them with combat tricks
• Time Archipelagore mutations to lock down opposing boards pre-combat

Avoid Traps:

• Overextending mutate stacks before establishing clone engines
• Wasting theft opportunities from Kotis on low-X attacks
• Holding interaction instead of developing mutate targets

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No protection for mutate stacks (dies to Farewell/Cyclonic Rift)
• Limited answers to flyers/evasive strategies

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes
• Relies on maintaining creature board presence

Minor:

• Some tapped lands slow early development

Most Important Cards:

• Auspicious Starrix
• Doubling Season
• Helm of the Host
• Rite of Replication
• Vesuvan Duplimancy
• Primal Vigor
• Archipelagore
• Extravagant Replication
• Insatiable Hemophage
• Semblance Anvil

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win ~T8-9 through mutate value. No fast mana or 2-card combos.

Resilience: 4/10

• Dies to 1-2 well-timed removals. Limited recursion (Boneyard Lurker only).

Consistency: 6/10

• 11 clone effects and 14 mutate creatures provide redundancy. Light tutoring.

Interaction: 3/10

• Only 5 targeted removals, 2 counterspells. Reactive tools are afterthoughts.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and Focused Casual (4.5). While it has clear synergies and a focused game plan, the lack of:

• Infinite combos
• Free interaction
• Commander-centric lines
• Stax resistance
  keeps it below true optimized status. Comparable to upgraded precons but with better tribal focus.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0