Overview:

This Rasputin Dreamweaver deck focuses on generating infinite mana through flicker loops and utilizing artifact-based combos to win via mill or direct damage. The core strategy revolves around abusing Rasputin's dream counters for mana acceleration, paired with flicker effects to reset his counters and enable infinite mana combos. Key win conditions include Altar of Dementia, Blasting Station, and Walking Ballista, supported by efficient tutors and high-value draw engines.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to assemble infinite mana using Rasputin Dreamweaver + flicker effects (e.g., Eldrazi Displacer, Deadeye Navigator) or Peregrine Drake + Deadeye Navigator. Once infinite mana is achieved, it converts to victory via:

• Altar of Dementia: Mill opponents out by sacrificing infinitely flickered creatures.
• Walking Ballista/Blue Sun's Zenith: Direct damage or forced draw.
• Blasting Station/Phyrexian Altar: Sacrifice loops for damage or mana.

Key Phases:

1. Ramp & Setup: Use fast mana (Mana Vault, Sol Ring) to deploy Rasputin early. Tutor for combo pieces with Enlightened Tutor, Fabricate, or Spellseeker.
2. Flicker Engine: Pair Rasputin with Deadeye Navigator or Displacer Kitten to generate 7+ mana per cycle. Use Archaeomancer/Mystic Sanctuary to recur critical spells.
3. Combo Execution: Protect the combo with free counterspells (Fierce Guardianship, Force of Negation) and close the game immediately.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, a ramp artifact, and at least one flicker effect or tutor.
• Prioritize early interaction (Esper Sentinel, Rhystic Study) to stall opponents.

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi, Time Raveler to cast sorceries at instant speed and lock opponents out of interaction.
• Cyclonic Rift overloaded post-infinite mana ensures a clear board for combat or combo kills.

Weaknesses:

Moderate:

• Relies on artifact/enchantment-based combos vulnerable to Vandalblast or Bane of Progress.
• Limited graveyard recursion beyond Sevinne's Reclamation.

Minor:

• Slow recovery if multiple stax pieces (e.g., Drannith Magistrate) resolve.

Most Important Cards:

• Deadeye Navigator
• Altar of Dementia
• Phyrexian Altar
• Mana Vault
• Teferi, Time Raveler
• Consecrated Sphinx
• Cyclonic Rift
• Enlightened Tutor
• Fierce Guardianship
• Peregrine Drake

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can generate infinite mana as early as T4 with perfect draws (e.g., T1 Sol Ring → T2 Mana Vault → T3 Rasputin + flicker enabler). Average goldfish win by T6.

Resilience: 7/10

• 8+ counterspells and Teferi's Protection protect combos, but creature-based engines remain vulnerable to board wipes.

Consistency: 8/10

• 10+ tutors (e.g., Mystical Tutor, Recruiter of the Guard) and redundant combo lines (flicker, artifact loops) ensure reliable assembly.

Interaction: 8/10

• S-tier counterspells (Mana Drain, Force of Negation) and targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares) handle most threats.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at the Focused Competitive tier (rubric 7.0) due to its ability to consistently win or lock games by T5-6 with protected combos. While slightly slower than cEDH decks due to fewer free interaction spells and reliance on 3-card combos, it surpasses optimized casual builds with its tutor density and high-impact stax elements (Lavinia, Azorius Renegade, Grand Arbiter Augustin IV).

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0