Overview:

This Grixis deck focuses on amassing Zombie armies while leveraging Nicol Bolas planeswalker synergies and midrange control elements. The strategy combines incremental value from zombie token buffs, planeswalker ultimates, and selective reanimation. While lacking infinite combos, it aims to overwhelm through attrition and key haymakers.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy amass enablers (Dreadhorde Invasion, Eternal Skylord) to build a resilient Zombie army while disrupting opponents with discard and removal. Use proliferate effects (Flux Channeler, Tezzeret's Gambit) to accelerate planeswalker ultimates from multiple Nicol Bolas variants. Finish games through either:
1) A massive Zombie army enhanced with flying/deathtouch
2) The Elderspell-fueled planeswalker ultimates
3) Command the Dreadhorde reanimation swings

Key Phases:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Ramp with signets/talismans
   • Establish amass engines or disruptive creatures
   • Protect life total with targeted removal (Terminate, Bedevil)

2. Midgame Pivot (Turns 5-7):

   • Flip commander for card advantage
   • Deploy planeswalkers or zombie lords
   • Set up proliferate triggers

3. Endgame Execution:

   • Activate Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God's emblem
   • Swing with 10+ power hexproof Zombie army
   • Reanimate multiple threats with Deliver Unto Evil

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands + 1 ramp piece
• Prioritize early interaction (Counterspell, Drown in Ichor)
• Avoid hands with multiple 6+ CMC cards

Weaknesses:

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from board wipes
• Limited planeswalker protection
• High average CMC (3.8) creates clunky draws
• Relies on resolving 4-5 mana enablers

Minor:

• Some anti-synergy between zombie tokens and Whelming Wave
• Mana base vulnerable to Blood Moon effects

Most Important Cards:

• Kess, Dissident Mage
• The Elderspell
• Command the Dreadhorde
• Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God
• The Locust God
• Soul Diviner
• Flux Channeler
• Patient Rebuilding
• Deliver Unto Evil
• Dreadhorde Invasion

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 4/10
Reaches critical mass around T8-10. High-impact turns require 7+ mana for ultimatums/planeswalkers.

Resilience: 5/10
Moderate recursion (Command the Dreadhorde, Deliver Unto Evil) and 8 counterspells, but key engines remain vulnerable.

Consistency: 4/10
Limited tutors (Diabolic Tutor only) and situational draw. Relies on top-decking synergistic pieces.

Interaction: 6/10
12 targeted removal spells + 4 board wipes. Instant-speed answers lack efficiency (Countersquall vs free counters).

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at the upper end of casual play (Rubric 4.0-4.5). It outpaces precons through better interaction and focused zombie synergies but lacks:

• The fast mana/combos of 5.0+ decks
• Redundancy for key effects
• Early stax/resource denial

While capable of explosive turns with Cruel Ultimatum or Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh, it requires multiple setup pieces and struggles against faster combo decks. The balanced mix of threats and answers places it slightly above average casual tables but below optimized builds.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5