Overview:

This Saruman, the White Hand deck leverages noncreature spellcasting to amass Orc armies and convert +1/+1 counters into direct damage through synergistic payoffs. The primary win conditions involve explosive All Will Be One triggers, combat damage from massive armies, and spell-based burn effects like Soul's Fire. While not cEDH-tier, it employs high-quality tutors and free interaction to execute its gameplan efficiently.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy Saruman early (T3-4 via Dark Ritual/Jeska's Will) and chain noncreature spells to build an Orc Army. Protect the army with The Ozolith and convert counters into damage via All Will Be One. Backup plans include copying key spells (Fury Storm/Dualcaster Mage) and leveraging Sauron, the Dark Lord's card advantage. The deck can pivot between explosive All Will Be One kills (T6-8) and grindy value through Rhystic Study/Archmage Emeritus.

Key Lines:

1. Saruman + 3+ noncreature spells per turn = 8/8+ Army by T5
2. All Will Be One + Army growth = 10+ damage per spell cast
3. Kess, Dissident Mage + recursion spells = recurring board wipes/burn

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands + 1 accelerant (Dark Ritual/Sol Ring)
• Prioritize early protection (Counterspell/Swan Song) over pure value
• Reject hands lacking red mana sources for critical T3 Saruman casts

Critical Sequencing:

1. T1: Land + Mana Crypt/Vault (not listed but implied via power) → T2 Saruman
2. T3: Jeska's Will → cast 2-3 cantrips → 5/5 Army
3. T4: All Will Be One + 1cmc spell = 5 damage trigger

Protection Protocol:

• Hold free interaction (Fierce Guardianship/Deflecting Swat) for All Will Be One turns
• Use Malakir Rebirth/Underground River to protect key creatures

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No instant-speed protection for All Will Be One (relies on counterspells)
• Limited graveyard recursion beyond Kess/Snapcaster

Moderate:

• Vulnerable to enchantment removal (All Will Be One/Rhystic Study are linchpins)
• Requires multiple turns to rebuild after Army exile

Minor:

• 18% basic land count weak to Blood Moon/Back to Basics
• Relies on resolving 4cmc commander for optimal function

Most Important Cards:

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Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Goldfish T6 kills via All Will Be One + 3 spells
• T3 Saruman enables early army growth
• Lacks T3-4 infinite combos

Resilience: 7/10

• 8 free/low-cost interaction spells
• The Ozolith provides counter insurance
• Struggles against layered discard+counters

Consistency: 8/10

• 7 tutors + 10+ draw engines
• Multiple redundant amass effects
• Mana base supports 3-color demands

Interaction: 9/10

• 14 targeted removal/counters
• Cyclonic Rift/Toxic Deluge for wipes
• Shadowspear answers hexproof

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Focused" (6.0) and "Optimized" (6.5) on the rubric. While lacking T3-4 wins, it exceeds typical casual decks with:

• cEDH-grade interaction suite
• Redundant tutor/draw engine density
• Multiple protected win lines
  However, it's held back by:
• Commander dependency for optimal play
• No true infinite combos
• Vulnerable primary win condition

Power level: 6.0-6.5