Overview:

This Abzan (W/B/G) Karador deck is a graveyard-centric midrange strategy focused on creature recursion, value engines, and combo finishes. The commander serves as both a cost reducer (based on creatures in graveyard) and a recurring reanimation outlet, enabling persistent threats. The deck utilizes self-mill (Hermit Druid, Buried Alive), sacrifice synergies (Phyrexian Altar, Luminous Broodmoth), and powerful reanimation targets (Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, Craterhoof Behemoth) to dominate the board. Key combos include Kokusho, the Evening Star loops with recursion and Tombstone Stairwell token explosions.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Ramp with dorks (Birds of Paradise, Llanowar Elves) and land tutors (Crop Rotation, Prismatic Vista).
   • Fill the graveyard via Hermit Druid, Buried Alive, or Survival of the Fittest. Key early targets include Fiend Artisan, Priest of Fell Rites, and combo pieces.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6):
   • Reanimate threats like Elesh Norn or Kokusho using Necromancy, Loyal Retainers, or Karador.
   • Deploy stax pieces (Archon of Emeria, Deafening Silence) to slow opponents.
   • Generate card advantage with Tymna the Weaver, The Great Henge, and Spinner of Souls.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 5+):
   • Combat: Overrun with Craterhoof Behemoth or Elesh Norn-enhanced boards.
   • Combo: Loop Kokusho via sac outlets (Phyrexian Altar) + recursion (Luminous Broodmoth, Vesperlark).
   • Token Swarm: Tombstone Stairwell + Poison-Tip Archer/Corpse Knight for incremental life loss.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, at least one ramp source (dork/land tutor).
• Prioritize enablers: Hermit Druid, Buried Alive, or Survival of the Fittest.
• Avoid hands lacking graveyard filling or Karador cost reduction enablers.

Key Tips:

• Use Volrath's Stronghold to recycle key creatures.
• Teferi's Protection protects against board wipes during critical turns.
• Fiend Artisan tutors for combo pieces or answers.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples recursion engines.
• Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullifies ETB triggers (Elesh Norn, Skyclave Apparition, Craterhoof).

Moderate

• Fast combo decks can outpace this midrange strategy.
• Drannith Magistrate blocks Karador/commander-centric recursion.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond Silence and Flawless Maneuver.
• High reliance on creature-based strategies (vulnerable to mass removal).

Most Important Cards:

• Hermit Druid (Graveyard engine)
• Survival of the Fittest (Tutor + graveyard setup)
• Phyrexian Altar (Sac outlet + combo enabler)
• Craterhoof Behemoth (Primary finisher)
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite (Stax/combat win)
• Kokusho, the Evening Star (Life drain combo)
• Tombstone Stairwell (Token swarm engine)
• Necromancy (Flexible reanimation)
• Teferi's Protection (Protection)
• Archon of Emeria (Stax effect)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Capable of T5-7 wins via reanimation or combos, but lacks turbo reanimation packages seen in higher tiers.

Resilience: 7/10
Strong recursion (Karador, Eerie Ultimatum) and protection (Flawless Maneuver, Teferi's Protection), but folds to graveyard exile.

Consistency: 8/10
Abundant tutors (Survival of the Fittest, Entomb) and card draw (Tymna, The Great Henge) ensure reliable access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10
Focused on creature/artifact removal (Swords to Plowshares, Assassin's Trophy), but lacks counterspells and struggles against noncreature combos.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates strong consistency and resilience through recursion/tutors but operates at a T5-7 win pace typical of Focused decks. While it can disrupt opponents with stax and has combo potential, its reliance on the graveyard and slower clock compared to optimized lists caps its power.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0