Overview:

This Nicol Bolas, the Ravager deck combines Grixis control elements with planeswalker synergy and zombie amass mechanics. It leverages high-impact planeswalkers, powerful card advantage engines, and a critical mass of interaction to dominate late-game scenarios. While lacking cEDH-level speed, it compensates with robust value generation and multiple avenues to victory.

Primer:

Core Strategy: The deck operates as a midrange control build with three primary paths to victory:

1. Planeswalker Dominance: Deploy multiple Bolas variants (Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God, Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh) supported by The Chain Veil and The Elderspell to achieve game-ending ultimates.
2. Zombie Army Overrun: Use redundant amass effects (Dreadhorde Invasion, Enter the God-Eternals) combined with zombie lords (Gleaming Overseer, Eternal Skylord) to create overwhelming board states.
3. Big Mana Payoffs: Exploit Bolas's Citadel/Omniscience with Torment of Hailfire or Command the Dreadhorde for explosive finishes.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3+ mana sources including fast mana (Mana Vault, Mox Diamond)
• Prioritize early interaction (Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship) or card engines (Rhystic Study, Waste Not)
• Avoid hands without planeswalker support or board presence

Key Tips:

• Time The Elderspell to convert opposing planeswalkers into loyalty counters for your Bolas variants
• Use God-Eternal Bontu as both card draw and sacrifice outlet for zombie tokens
• The Locust God provides critical draw synergy with wheels and Consecrated Sphinx
• Protect Omniscience with free counterspells for game-ending turns

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No infinite mana combos despite high mana investment in Planar Bridge/Omniscience
• Relies on easily removed value engines (Bolas's Citadel, Consecrated Sphinx)

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from early stax pieces (Rest in Peace, Drannith Magistrate)
• Limited redundancy for planeswalker ultimates

Minor:

• Some tapped lands slow early development
• Life payment mechanics (Bolas's Citadel, Mana Vault) strain survivability

Most Important Cards:

• Bolas's Citadel
• Omniscience
• Consecrated Sphinx
• Rhystic Study
• Demonic Tutor
• Vampiric Tutor
• The Scarab God
• The Locust God
• Torment of Hailfire
• Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Fast mana enables T3 Bolas flips but wincons typically land T7-8. Omniscience provides T5-6 potential with perfect draws.

Resilience: 7/10

• 10+ protection spells (Force of Will, Soul Manipulation) and recursion (Deliver Unto Evil, The Eldest Reborn). Vulnerable to back-to-back wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• 7 tutors (including Demonic Tutor, Planar Bridge) and 15+ draw engines. Redundant amass effects but planeswalker ultimates lack redundancy.

Interaction: 8/10

• 14 targeted removal, 5 counterspells (2 free), 4 board wipes. Excellent quality (Mana Drain, Cyclonic Rift) but light on stax answers.

Rating Justification:

This deck exceeds optimized casual (5.5) through premium interaction and tutors but lacks cEDH's T3 win consistency. Its T7-8 goldfish speed and reliance on resolved planeswalkers place it between Focused (6.0) and Optimized (6.5). The combination of free interaction and multiple win paths elevates it above typical 6.0 lists, while the absence of compact combos prevents 7.0 status.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0