Overview:

This Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow deck employs a ninjutsu-driven tempo strategy, leveraging evasive 1-power creatures to enable consistent commander activations. The primary win condition revolves around stacking high mana-value topdecks (e.g., Temporal Trespass, Shadow of Mortality) for Yuriko's damage triggers while maintaining board control through ninja value engines. Yuriko serves as both the primary damage source and card advantage engine, with backup plans including extra turn spells and cloned attackers via Thousand-Faced Shadow.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy unblockable creatures (Changeling Outcast, Gingerbrute) or flying threats (Baleful Strix). Use Arcane Adaptation or Tetsuko Umezawa to enable ninjutsu enablers.
2. Ninjutsu Chain (T3+): Cycle Yuriko and other ninjas (Prosperous Thief, Moon-Circuit Hacker) to generate card advantage and life drain. Use Scroll Rack/Brainstorm to position high-CMC cards.
3. Midgame Pressure: Deploy value ninjas like Fallen Shinobi (stealing spells) and Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni (reanimation). Activate Satoru Umezawa to give all creatures ninjutsu.
4. Closing: Chain extra turns (Temporal Mastery, Temporal Trespass) for multiple Yuriko triggers. Use Thousand-Faced Shadow to clone high-impact attackers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• At least 1 evasive creature (prioritize 1-drops)
• 2-3 lands (preferably untapped UB sources)
• Topdeck manipulation (Ponder, Sensei's Divining Top) or protection (Misdirection)
• Avoid hands without ninjutsu enablers or excessive high-CMC spells

Key Tips:

• Use Smoke Shroud recursion to make key ninjas evasive
• Time Lim-Dûl's Vault after shuffle effects for perfect topdeck setup
• Silver-Fur Master reduces ninjutsu costs - sequence plays accordingly
• Commandeer can steal game-winning sorceries while preserving mana for ninjutsu

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes cripple the evasive creature base needed for ninjutsu
• Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void nullify Yuriko's graveyard recursion targets
• Cursed Totem shuts off ninjutsu activation costs

Moderate

• Propaganda/Ghostly Prison effects tax ninjutsu activation
• Fast creature-based combos outpace the incremental damage plan
• Drannith Magistrate blocks commander ninjutsu from command zone

Minor

• Spot removal on key value ninjas (Prosperous Thief, Ingenious Infiltrator)
• Rule of Law effects slow the multiple ninjutsu activations per turn
• Life gain strategies mitigate Yuriko's incremental damage

Most Important Cards:

• Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow (Primary damage engine & card advantage)
• Scroll Rack (Topdeck manipulation for maximized triggers)
• Arcane Adaptation (Universal ninja typing for all creatures)
• Temporal Trespass (High-impact topdeck + extra turn synergy)
• Sensei's Divining Top (Consistent trigger optimization)
• Thousand-Faced Shadow (Combat trick cloning & extra triggers)
• Lim-Dûl's Vault (Precision topdeck stacking)
• Fierce Guardianship (Free protection for critical turns)
• Satoru Umezawa (Alternative ninjutsu enabler & card advantage)
• Demonic Tutor (Flexible combo/answer retrieval)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Capable of dealing 10+ life loss per player by T4-5 with ideal topdecks, but requires setup turns. Extra turns accelerate clock significantly.

Resilience: 6/10
Multiple protection spells (Fierce Guardianship, Misdirection) and recursive threats (Smoke Shroud), but heavily reliant on maintaining evasive creatures.

Consistency: 8/10
14 evasive 1-drops, 8 topdeck manipulators, and premium tutors ensure reliable access to key pieces. Yuriko's card draw sustains momentum.

Interaction: 7/10
Efficient counterspells (An Offer You Can't Refuse), targeted removal (Deadly Rollick), and stack interaction (Commandeer) disrupt opponents while preserving tempo.

Rating Justification:

This deck consistently threatens T6-7 kills through optimized Yuriko triggers and extra turns, with robust interaction/protection for a tempo strategy. While vulnerable to wide removal, its redundancy and card selection warrant placement in optimized casual tiers.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0