Overview:

This Jeskai (WUR) deck leverages Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker and Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar as a Voltron/Combo hybrid. The core strategy amplifies Ishai's +1/+1 counters from opponent spellcasting into a one-shot kill via double strike, damage multipliers, and Kediss' damage spread. Secondary win conditions include infect via Grafted Exoskeleton, infinite extra combats with Full Throttle recursion, and Jeska, Thrice Reborn tripling damage. The deck prioritizes protecting Ishai while disrupting opponents with free counterspells and stax-adjacent pieces like Grand Abolisher and Trouble in Pairs.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Mana Drain), protection (Esper Sentinel, Robe of Stars), and card advantage engines (Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora). Cast Ishai ASAP to start counter accumulation.
2. Midgame Amplification (Turns 4-6): Equip Ishai with Blackblade Reforged, Leyline Axe, or Grafted Exoskeleton. Use Temur Battle Rage, Unleash Fury, or Jeska, Thrice Reborn to multiply damage. Activate Kediss to spread lethal to all opponents.
3. Endgame Overkill: Recur extra combat steps via Full Throttle/Grim Reaper's Sprint or lock opponents with Grand Abolisher + free interaction (Fierce Guardianship, Force of Will).

Mulligan Priorities:

• 2-3 lands (prioritize colored sources)
• 1-2 mana accelerants (Sol Ring, signets)
• At least 1 protection spell (Gods Willing, Blacksmith's Skill) or equipment
• Avoid hands without early interaction or Ishai enablers

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection/Robe of Stars to dodge board wipes targeting Ishai.
• Jeska, Thrice Reborn's -X ability can clear blockers before a lethal swing.
• The Sound of Drums turns Ishai into a 2-hit KO while goading opponents.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to repeated commander removal (Ishai's recast cost escalates rapidly).
• Relies entirely on 2-3 key creatures (Ishai, Kediss, Jeska) for damage output.

Moderate

• Limited recovery from board wipes (only Teferi's Protection as mass protection).
• Weak to Drannith Magistrate/Cursed Totem shutting down commander synergies.

Minor

• Lower threat density outside Ishai makes the deck predictable.
• Limited artifact/enchantment removal beyond Disenchant/Stroke of Midnight.

Most Important Cards:

• Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker (Primary damage engine)
• Kediss, Emberclaw Familiar (Damage multiplier)
• Blackblade Reforged (Exponential power scaling)
• Jeska, Thrice Reborn (Triple damage enabler)
• Grafted Exoskeleton (Infect wincon)
• Fierce Guardianship (Free protection)
• Teferi's Protection (Mass evasion)
• Rhystic Study (Card advantage engine)
• Grand Abolisher (Combat phase protection)
• The Sound of Drums (Damage doubler + political tool)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Capable of T4-T6 kills with ideal draws (e.g., T1 Sol Ring -> T2 Ishai -> T3 double strike + Kediss), but requires multiple pieces to align.

Resilience: 5/10
While packing free interaction and phasing effects, the deck falters if Ishai is removed 3+ times. Limited recursion outside Grim Reaper's Sprint.

Consistency: 6/10
Strong card draw engines but lacks tutors for key equipment. Relies on drawing natural synergies.

Interaction: 8/10
Exceptional stack interaction (Force of Will, Mana Drain, Fierce Guardianship) and targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Chaos Warp).

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a high-power casual level with cEDH-adjacent interaction and T4-T6 kill potential, but its commander dependency and lack of infinite combos cap its ceiling. The robust interaction suite elevates it above typical optimized builds, while fragility to removal prevents higher rankings.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0