Overview:

This Dimir deck leverages Etrata, the Silencer as a unique assassination commander, focusing on cloning, flickering, and bounce effects to repeatedly trigger Etrata's exile ability while avoiding her library-shuffle drawback. The primary win condition involves stacking three "hit counters" on exiled creatures belonging to a single opponent via Etrata combat triggers. Secondary strategies include cloning powerful creatures, leveraging initiative/dungeon value with Ravenloft Adventurer, and controlling the board with targeted removal and bounce. Etrata is essential as the enabler and primary win vector, but her high recast cost and reliance on combat damage make the strategy vulnerable to removal and evasion blockers.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize ramp (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Dimir Signet) and card selection (Opt, Read the Bones). Deploy cloning enablers like Mirror Box or Spark Double to copy Etrata. Use bounce (Call to Heel, Geistwave) to save Etrata from removal or reset her after a trigger.
2. Assassination Engine (Turns 4-7): Cast Etrata equipped with evasion/protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Mask of Riddles). Attack with clones/copies (Helm of the Host, Identity Thief) to exile creatures and place hit counters. Utilize flicker effects (Deadeye Navigator, Ghostly Flicker) to bypass Etrata's shuffle trigger and reuse her ability.
3. Win Condition Execution:
   • Etrata Triggers: Land 3+ combat triggers with Etrata or her clones on a single opponent to force a loss. Crashing Drawbridge provides haste for surprise attacks.
   • Alternative Value: Leverage Mari, the Killing Quill for card draw/Treasure from exiled creatures. Complete dungeons via Ravenloft Adventurer for incremental damage. Clone opponents' threats with Auton Soldier or Clever Impersonator.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color fixing), early ramp, and at least one piece of interaction or card draw.
• Prioritize hands containing Etrata enablers: clone effects (Spark Double, Stunt Double), bounce/flicker (Deadeye Navigator, Ghostly Flicker), or protection (Swiftfoot Boots).
• Avoid hands lacking blue/black sources, early plays, or ways to protect/abuse Etrata.

Key Tips:

• Avoid Shuffling Etrata: Use bounce/flicker before her trigger resolves to keep her on the field. Crystal Shard and Erratic Portal offer repeatable bounce.
• Maximize Clones: Helm of the Host creates non-legendary Etrata copies that stay permanently. Mirror Box protects against legend rule.
• Protect the Engine: Equip Etrata with Swiftfoot Boots for hexproof/haste. Use counterspells (Disallow, Refute) defensively.
• Transmute Tutoring: Muddle the Mixture (finds 2-CMC clones/protection), Perplex (finds 3-CMC key pieces like Deadeye Navigator), Dimir House Guard (finds 4-CMC bombs like Helm of the Host).
• Recursion: Recover key artifacts with Academy Ruins/Buried Ruin and creatures with Phyrexian Reclamation/Oversold Cemetery.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Reliance: Repeated removal increases Etrata's cost drastically, stalling the game plan. Lack of efficient protection beyond boots.
• Evasion Counters: Flying/reach blockers, Propaganda effects, or hexproof/shroud on opponents nullify Etrata's triggers.
• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void cripple recursion (Phyrexian Reclamation, Oversold Cemetery).

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Recovering multiple clones/flicker enablers is slow. Limited mass recursion.
• Combo Speed: The 3-trigger requirement is slow; faster combo/aggro decks can outpace it.
• Anti-Synergy: Mari, the Killing Quill exiles creatures independently, potentially denying Etrata targets.

Minor

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Destroys key equipment/clone support (Helm of the Host, Mirror Box).
• Mana Constraints: Several tap lands (e.g., Shipwreck Marsh) and high-CMC spells can delay setup.

Most Important Cards:

• Helm of the Host (Creates permanent Etrata clones for multiple triggers)
• Deadeye Navigator (Flickers Etrata to avoid shuffling and reuse triggers)
• Swiftfoot Boots (Essential protection/evasion for Etrata)
• Mari, the Killing Quill (Secondary value engine from exiled creatures)
• Muddle the Mixture (Tutors key 2-CMC cards like Phantasmal Image or protection)
• Spark Double (Creates non-legendary Etrata copy)
• Academy Ruins (Recurs critical artifacts like Helm or Lithoform Engine)
• Ghostly Flicker (Protects Etrata and resets her trigger)
• Crystal Shard (Bounces Etrata pre-trigger or disrupts opponents)
• Ravenloft Adventurer (Provides initiative value and incremental damage)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Capable of T7-9 wins with perfect hands (ramp → Etrata → Helm/flicker), but typically requires multiple combat phases to secure kills.

Resilience: 4/10

• Moderate protection (hexproof boots, counterspells) and recursion exist, but heavy reliance on Etrata and artifacts makes it vulnerable to targeted removal and hate pieces.

Consistency: 6/10

• Transmute tutors and card selection provide reliable access to key pieces, but the 3-trigger win condition demands specific sequencing and board presence.

Interaction: 7/10

• Strong suite of counterspells (Disallow, Unwind), targeted removal (Feed the Swarm, V.A.T.S.), and bounce (Sudden Substitution, Snap). Lacks board wipes beyond niche options like Cacophony Unleashed.

Rating Justification:

The deck demonstrates focused synergy and efficient interaction, enabling T7-9 wins through cloned Etrata triggers, but its slow, combat-dependent win condition and vulnerability to commander removal cap its ceiling. Resilience issues prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5