Overview:

Eshki Dragonclaw leads a Temur combat-focused deck that leverages casting both creature and noncreature spells each turn to grow Eshki while generating explosive mana through high-power creatures like Savage Ventmaw and Old Gnawbone. The deck uses multiple combat phases (via Aggravated Assault, Hellkite Charger, and Full Throttle) to convert this mana into overwhelming damage. Key tutors like Finale of Devastation and Green Sun's Zenith ensure consistency in assembling critical pieces.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Ramp & Setup: Use 1-2 mana dorks (Birds of Paradise, Elvish Mystic) and land tutors (Three Visits, Sylvan Scrying) to accelerate into key creatures. Cast Eshki by T3-4 with protection (Alpha Authority, Swiftfoot Boots).
2. Value Engine: Cast a creature and noncreature spell each turn to trigger Eshki’s card draw and +1/+1 counters. Use Rhythm of the Wild to ensure creatures enter with haste or counters.
3. Mana Conversion: Deploy high-power creatures (Savage Ventmaw, Ancient Copper Dragon) to generate combat mana. Use this mana to fuel extra combats via Aggravated Assault or Hellkite Charger, chaining into lethal damage.
4. Win Conditions:
   • Infinite combats with Savage Ventmaw + Aggravated Assault (requires 8 power to generate 6 mana for activation).
   • Selvala, Heart of the Wilds + 8+ power creature for infinite mana/combats.
   • Overwhelm with Old Gnawbone Treasures and Anzrag, the Quake-Mole forced blocks.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (prioritize untapped duals), 1-2 ramp spells, and at least one creature tutor or protection piece.
• Avoid slow starts without T1-T2 ramp or Eshki enablers.

Key Tips:

• Sequence Eshki after establishing at least one creature/noncreature spell per turn (e.g., cast Llanowar Elves T1, Rhythm of the Wild T2, Eshki T3).
• Tutor Selvala, Heart of the Wilds early to enable explosive turns.
• Protect Eshki with Fierce Guardianship and Deflecting Swat during critical combat phases.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies on Commander Triggers: 3+ removals on Eshki cripples card draw and +1/+1 counter synergy.
• Glass Cannon Combos: Aggravated Assault/Hellkite Charger require specific board states and lack redundancy.

Moderate

• Slow Recovery from Board Wipes: Limited recursion outside Rite of Renewal.
• Vulnerable to Stax: Rule of Law effects disrupt the "cast both spells" engine.

Minor

• Color Fixing Reliance: Nonbasic-heavy mana base is soft to Blood Moon but has basic tutors.

Most Important Cards:

• Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
• Hellkite Charger
• Savage Ventmaw
• Aggravated Assault
• Old Gnawbone
• Ancient Copper Dragon
• Finale of Devastation
• Green Sun's Zenith
• Bloom Tender
• Rhythm of the Wild

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can win via infinite combats as early as T5 with optimal ramp and Selvala.

Resilience: 6/10

• Free protection spells and hexproof equipment mitigate removal, but combo reliance remains fragile.

Consistency: 7/10

• 6+ tutors and card draw from Eshki/Bred for the Hunt ensure key pieces are accessible.

Interaction: 6/10

• S-tier counterspells (Fierce Guardianship) and artifact/enchantment removal (Boseiju, Who Endures), but limited board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between optimized casual and focused competitive due to explosive combo potential and tutor density, but its reliance on combat-based wins and vulnerability to interaction cap its ceiling.

Power level: 6.0 - 7.0