Overview:

This Selesnya Bear tribal deck focuses on leveraging Kudo, King Among Bears' ability to standardize creature stats while amplifying them through +1/+1 counters and tribal synergies. The strategy revolves around deploying low-cost Bears and support creatures, then overwhelming opponents through combat with anthem effects like Cathars' Crusade and Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite. While lacking infinite combos, it achieves victory through board-wide buffs and midrange value engines.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy Bear-tribe creatures and token generators early while using Kudo’s static ability to enable power/toughness-based synergies. Use +1/+1 counter synergies (Ayula, Queen Among Bears, Rishkar, Peema Renegade) to outscale opponents. Convert board presence into lethal damage through anthem effects (Beastmaster Ascension, Unnatural Growth) and evasion enablers (Champion of Lambholt).

Key Phases:

1. Early Setup (T1-4):
   Ramp with mana dorks (Llanowar Elves) and land tutors (Cultivate). Establish key Bear lords (Ayula, Adaptive Automaton) and card draw engines (Beast Whisperer, Assemble the Players).
2. Midgame Scaling (T5-7):
   Deploy counter generators (Arwen, Weaver of Hope, Pledge of Unity) and protection (Unbreakable Formation). Use fight spells (Savage Swipe) for targeted removal.
3. Endgame (T8+):
   Overwhelm with buffed boards via Cathars' Crusade or Titania's Command, leveraging evasion from Elesh Norn or Champion of Lambholt.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands and at least 1 ramp spell.
• Prioritize early card advantage engines (Assemble the Players, Welcoming Vampire).
• Avoid hands without green mana sources or creature density.

Key Tips:

• Time anthem effects post-boardwipe recovery.
• Use Inspiring Call proactively before sweepers.
• Leverage Kudo’s ability to enable Savage Swipe’s +2/+2 bonus.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Minimal mass recursion/protection beyond Inspiring Call.
• Slow Recovery: Limited card advantage engines compared to high-power decks.

Moderate:

• Targeted Removal: Key pieces like Ayula and Elesh Norn lack hexproof.
• Mana Curve Clumps: Multiple 4-5 MV cards create tempo risks.

Minor:

• Basic Land Reliance: Immune to non-basic hate but lacks utility lands.

Most Important Cards:

• Ayula, Queen Among Bears
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
• Cathars' Crusade
• Beastmaster Ascension
• Champion of Lambholt
• Adaptive Automaton
• Titania's Command
• Unnatural Growth
• Inspiring Call
• Rishkar, Peema Renegade

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfishes lethal around T8-10 via combat. Lacks explosive mana or combo potential.

Resilience: 4/10

• Partial protection (Unbreakable Formation) and moderate card draw. Folds to 2+ well-timed sweepers.

Consistency: 6/10

• 12+ card advantage sources but only 3 tutors (Spoils of Victory, Fertilid, Stormkeld Vanguard).

Interaction: 5/10

• 9 targeted removal spells (Swords to Plowshares, Path to Exile) but no counterspells or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck exceeds precon-level synergy and focus (rubric 4.0) with coherent tribal payoffs and counter synergies but lacks the speed (T8+ wins vs T8-10 benchmark) and protection of optimized lists (5.0-5.5). Its combat-focused plan and moderate interaction align with 4.0-4.5 ("Casual/Precon" to "Focused Casual").

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5