Overview:

This Nalia de'Arnise deck is a midrange Orzhov Party build focusing on incremental value through creature typing synergies and +1/+1 counter distribution. While it has strong recursion and board protection tools, it lacks fast win conditions or game-ending combos, relying instead on grindy combat advantages. The deck operates at a focused casual power level with moderate interaction and resilience.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to assemble a full Party (Cleric/Rogue/Warrior/Wizard) to activate Nalia de'Arnise's combat buffs while leveraging topdeck manipulation and recursive value engines. Key phases:

1. Party Assembly: Use flexible typers like Changeling Outcast and Universal Automaton alongside synergistic picks like Archivist of Oghma (Cleric) and Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire (Rogue) to enable Nalia's abilities.
2. Value Engine Activation: Cast creatures from the top of library via Nalia while generating card advantage through Black Market Connections and Morbid Opportunist.
3. Combat Domination: Amplify +1/+1 counters with Cathars' Crusade and Lae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion, then swing with deathtouch-enabled creatures using Nalia's triggered ability.
4. Recursion Backups: Utilize Phyrexian Reclamation and Ascend from Avernus to recover from board wipes.

Key Interactions:

• Oona's Blackguard + Rogue typers = Card disruption engine
• Selfless Glyphweaver flip into Deadly Vanity = Asymmetric board wipe
• Felidar Retreat landfall + Myriad Landscape = Token/counter generation

Mulligan Priorities:

1. 3 lands (including WB sources)
2. 1-2 Party creatures across different types
3. Early value engine (Smuggler's Share, Tocasia's Welcome)
4. Avoid hands without creature diversity

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void invalidates recursion package
• Lacks infinite combos or alternate win conditions
• Heavy reliance on maintaining 4+ creature board presence

Moderate:

• Slow recovery from early board wipes
• Limited stack interaction (only 5 instant-speed answers)
• Color-intensive requirements strain manabase

Minor:

• Blood Moon effects minimally impactful
• Life loss from Black Market Connections manageable

Most Important Cards:

• Oona's Blackguard (Rogue synergy core)
• Archpriest of Iona (Scaling threat/evasion enabler)
• Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire (Tutor-on-a-stick)
• Black Market Connections (Card advantage engine)
• Cathars' Crusade (Counter amplification)
• Phyrexian Reclamation (Recursion)
• Selfless Spirit (Board protection)
• Ascend from Avernus (Mass recursion)
• Felidar Retreat (Value generator)
• Grim Hireling (Treasure/removal utility)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• No T1-4 win conditions
• First significant threat deployment ~T5-6
• Combat kills require multiple combat steps

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple recursion engines (Phyrexian Reclamation, Sevinne's Reclamation)
• Indestructible protection (Unbreakable Formation, Selfless Spirit)
• Vulnerable to typal hosers like Cursed Totem

Consistency: 6/10

• 4 tutors (Varragoth, Coveted Prize, etc.) + topdeck manipulation
• Redundant Party enablers (8 Changelings/typists)
• Draw engines scale with board state

Interaction: 5/10

• 10 targeted removal (Swords, Despark, etc.)
• 3 board wipes (Austere Command, Deadly Vanity)
• Minimal stack interaction (No counterspells)

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Rubric 4.5 (Focused Casual) and 5.0 (Optimized Casual):

• Outpaces precons with synergistic combat and recursion
• Lacks fast mana (<5 ramp pieces) and infinite combos
• Interaction suite sufficient for casual metas but folds to optimized stacks
• Win speed (T8-10) aligns with 4.5-5.0 benchmarks

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0