Overview:

Teval, the Balanced Scale leads a Sultai graveyard strategy focused on self-mill, land recursion, and zombie token generation. The deck aims to fill its graveyard with value creatures and lands, then reanimate threats like Craterhoof Behemoth or swarm with tokens from Field of the Dead/Teval. Key combos include Gravecrawler + sac outlet + Blood Artist for infinite drain and Necrotic Ooze leveraging graveyard abilities.

Primer:

Core Strategy:

1. Early Setup: Use Hermit Druid, Hedron Crab, and Stitcher's Supplier to mill key creatures/lands. Ramp with Cultivate/Farseek to cast Teval by T4.
2. Midgame Value: Reanimate threats via Animate Dead/Victimize or generate zombie tokens through Teval’s triggers and Crawling Sensation. Life from the Loam/Ramunap Excavator recur lands for Field of the Dead.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Overwhelm with Craterhoof Behemoth + zombie horde.
   • Triumph of the Hordes for infect kills.
   • Gravecrawler + Woe Strider/Phyrexian Altar (not listed but implied) + Blood Artist for infinite drain.
   • Living Death as a reset/OTK.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with early mill/ramp (e.g., Stitcher's Supplier + Rampant Growth).
• Avoid land-heavy hands without enablers.

Key Tips:

• Protect Hermit Druid/Teval with Force of Despair or recursion.
• Use Buried Alive to dump Gravecrawler, Necrotic Ooze, and Blood Artist.
• Command Beacon ensures Teval recasts post-removal.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Foldsto Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void.
• Glass Cannon Combos: Gravecrawler lines require unremoved sac outlets.

Moderate

• Slow Board Development: Relies on incremental token generation.
• Limited Interaction: Minimal counterspells for combo protection.

Minor

• Tapped Lands: Slower mana base but mitigated by fetchlands.

Most Important Cards:

• Hermit Druid
• Craterhoof Behemoth
• Field of the Dead
• Living Death
• Gravecrawler
• Buried Alive
• Demonic Tutor
• The Gitrog Monster
• Blood Artist
• Necrotic Ooze

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Theoretical T5-6 wins via Hermit Druid mill into reanimation, but typically T7-8.

Resilience: 5/10
Recovers via graveyard recursion but critically weak to hate.

Consistency: 7/10
10+ tutors/mill enablers ensure key pieces are accessible.

Interaction: 5/10
Spot removal and board wipes but lacks free counterspells.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 5.0-6.0 power level. It has optimized elements (tutors, combos) and can win T6-8, but its grave dependency and interaction gaps prevent higher tiers. It aligns with "Optimized Casual" (T8-10) but can spike into "Focused" with a fast Hermit Druid start.

Power level: 5.0 - 6.0