Overview:

This Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines deck focuses on token generation, ETB amplification, and proliferate synergies. The commander supercharges token-creating ETB effects (doubling Mite generation from cards like Skrelv's Hive and Basilica Shepherd) and disrupts opponents' strategies by nullifying their ETB triggers. The deck wins through overwhelming token armies buffed by anthem effects (True Conviction, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite), poison via toxic/proliferate, or Approach of the Second Sun. Key token doublers like Anointed Procession and Mondrak, Glory Dominus amplify the strategy, while proliferate engines (Grateful Apparition, Contagion Engine) accelerate poison counters and +1/+1 synergies.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize ramping with Sol Ring, Land Tax, or Archaeomancer's Map while deploying early token generators (Skrelv's Hive, Flensing Raptor). Use Recruiter of the Guard to fetch key utility creatures like Esper Sentinel or Skrelv, Defector Mite.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6): Cast Elesh Norn to double ETBs and lock out opponent triggers. Deploy doublers (Anointed Procession, Mondrak) and token engines (Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, White Sun's Twilight). Use Scroll Rack or Smuggler's Share to maintain card advantage.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 6-10):
   • Combat: Overwhelm with tokens boosted by True Conviction, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, or Crawlspace-protected swarms.
   • Poison: Spread counters via toxic Mites and proliferate (Contagion Engine, Norn's Choirmaster).
   • Alternate: Cast Approach of the Second Sun twice using tutors like Inventor's Fair or Scroll Rack to cycle it back.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including color fixers (Cavern of Souls, Command Beacon).
• Prioritize early token engines (Skrelv's Hive, Welcoming Vampire) or protection (Grand Abolisher, Teferi's Protection).
• Avoid hands lacking ramp or token generators.

Key Tips:

• Use Phyrexian Vindicator + Akroma's Will to reflect damage and wipe boards.
• Hall of Heliod's Generosity recurs critical enchantments like Anointed Procession.
• Blind Obedience slows opponents and synergizes with extort for incremental life gain.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Torpor Orb effects cripple ETB-dependent token generation and removal (Annex Sentry, Basilica Shepherd).
• Board wipes (especially exiling like Farewell) devastate the go-wide strategy with limited recovery tools.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment hate disrupts key doublers (Mondrak, Skrelv's Hive) and engines (The Great Henge).
• Poison counters are slow without dedicated proliferate payoffs; opponents can stabilize with lifegain.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond Silence and Reprieve.
• High mana costs for finishers (True Conviction, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite) risk tempo loss.

Most Important Cards:

• Anointed Procession (Token doubling)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token doubling + indestructible synergy)
• Skrelv's Hive (Sustained Mite generation)
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite (Anthem + board control)
• Approach of the Second Sun (Alternate wincon)
• Contagion Engine (Proliferate enabler)
• Adeline, Resplendent Cathar (Scaling token generation)
• Teferi's Protection (Board wipe protection)
• Land Tax (Mana consistency)
• Smuggler's Share (Card/Treasure generation)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can threaten wins via combat or poison around turns 8-10, with Approach offering a slower but reliable backup.

Resilience: 5/10
Limited recursion and reliance on board presence make it vulnerable to wipes, but Teferi's Protection and indestructible effects provide partial recovery.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong card draw (Smuggler's Share, Welcoming Vampire) and tutors (Recruiter of the Guard, Inventor's Fair) ensure access to key pieces.

Interaction: 6/10
Efficient spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Seal from Existence) and stax (Blind Obedience), but lacks counterspells for stack battles.

Rating Justification:

The deck’s focused token/proliferate strategy and tutor density enable consistent T8-10 wins, but its vulnerability to common disruption and slower clock place it below high-power tiers. It excels in casual metas but struggles against faster combo or heavy control.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5