Overview:

This Sultai deck leverages Zaxara, the Exemplary as a potent mana engine and token generator, focusing on X-cost spells and Hydra synergies. The primary strategy involves ramping into massive X-spells like Exsanguinate or Villainous Wealth, which simultaneously advance the board via Zaxara's token creation. Secondary win conditions include overwhelming combat with giant Hydras enhanced by counter-doublers like Branching Evolution and Doubling Season, or enabling unblockable attacks via Herald of Secret Streams. Zaxara is essential as both a mana accelerator and the core token engine, though its low toughness makes it vulnerable to removal. The deck includes "hidden commander" elements with Unbound Flourishing amplifying X-values and Selvala, Heart of the Wilds enabling explosive mana.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Farseek) and protection (Lightning Greaves, Swiftfoot Boots). Cast Zaxara ASAP to enable token generation. Use low-cost Hydras like Mossborn Hydra or Voracious Hydra (X=1-2) to establish board presence.
2. Mana Amplification (Turns 3-6): Deploy mana enhancers like Selvala, Heart of the Wilds, Kami of Whispered Hopes, or Wilderness Reclamation. Use card draw (The Great Henge, Garruk's Uprising) to refill. Protect Zaxara with Heroic Intervention or March of Swirling Mist.
3. Win Condition Activation (Turns 5-8):
   • X-Spell Finishers: Cast Exsanguinate (X≥10) to drain the table, Blue Sun's Zenith (X≥10) to deck opponents, or Villainous Wealth to steal wins.
   • Combat Overkill: Swing with massive Hydras (e.g., Kalonian Hydra, Primordial Hydra) boosted by counter doublers. Use Herald of Secret Streams for unblockable damage or Rogue's Passage for key eliminations.
   • Value Engine: Leverage The Ozolith to preserve counters and Unbound Flourishing to double X-effects.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color-fixing like Command Tower), at least one ramp spell, and Zaxara or a tutor (e.g., Green Sun's Zenith).
• Prioritize hands with early protection (e.g., Swiftfoot Boots) or a counter doubler if mana is sufficient.
• Avoid hands lacking ramp or with only high-CMC spells.

Key Tips:

• Sequence X-Spells Wisely: Cast low-X Hydras early for board presence, saving high-X spells for lethal turns. Zaxara, the Exemplary triggers on cast, so prioritize instant-speed X-spells (e.g., Repulsive Mutation) for post-combat surprises.
• Protect Critical Engines: Use counterspells (Counterspell, Condescend) to shield Zaxara or Unbound Flourishing. The Ozolith ensures counter persistence through board wipes.
• Mana Sinks: Selvala, Heart of the Wilds and Kami of Whispered Hopes turn large creatures into explosive mana sources. Pair with Wilderness Reclamation for double activations.
• Recovery: Leverage Trailtracker Scout or Eternal Witness (if added) to recur key spells from the graveyard.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipes: Mass removal (e.g., Wrath of God) devastates token armies and resets counter stacks. Limited recursion exacerbates this.
• Anti-Token/Counters Hate: Cursed Totem shuts down Zaxara's token generation and Selvala's mana ability. Torpor Orb nulls ETB triggers from Hydroid Krasis/The Goose Mother.
• Commander Dependency: Removing Zaxara repeatedly cripples the deck's engine due to high recast costs (up to {9}).

Moderate

• Graveyard Disruption: Exiling effects (e.g., Rest in Peace) hinder Trailtracker Scout and Lifeblood Hydra recursion.
• Stack Interaction: Heavy counterspell decks can disrupt key X-spells before Zaxara triggers resolve.
• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Targeting Doubling Season, Unbound Flourishing, or mana rocks slows the deck significantly.

Minor

• Aggro Strategies: Early creature swarms can pressure life totals before defenses stabilize.
• Color-Specific Hate: Mistcutter Hydra mitigates blue threats, but Choke-effects could strain mana.

Most Important Cards:

• Zaxara, the Exemplary (Mana engine and token generator)
• Unbound Flourishing (Doubles X-values and copies X-spells)
• Selvala, Heart of the Wilds (Explosive mana based on Hydra power)
• Doubling Season (Amplifies Hydra tokens and +1/+1 counters)
• Exsanguinate (Primary life-drain win condition)
• The Great Henge (Card draw, counters, and lifegain)
• Branching Evolution (Redundant counter doubling)
• Herald of Secret Streams (Enables unblockable combat wins)
• Blue Sun's Zenith (Decking opponent/refueling)
• Voracious Hydra (Flexible removal/threat)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Capable of T6-8 wins via Exsanguinate (X≥10) or combat with doubled Hydras, but requires setup turns for mana/counters.

Resilience: 5/10

• Includes protection and counter synergy persistence (The Ozolith), but over-reliant on Zaxara and vulnerable to wipes/hate pieces.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong ramp suite and card draw (The Great Henge, Garruk's Uprising), but lacks tutors for non-creature X-spells like Villainous Wealth.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient counterspells (Counterspell, Condescend), targeted removal (Curse of the Swine, Repulsive Mutation), and combat tricks, but limited stack control for protecting combos.

Rating Justification:

The deck achieves T7-8 wins through potent X-spells or Hydra combat, supported by strong ramp and counter synergies, aligning with the "Focused" tier (6.0). However, vulnerability to board wipes and commander reliance caps resilience, preventing higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5