Overview:

This Esper control/combo deck helmed by Y'shtola, Night's Blessed leverages life manipulation, noncreature spellcasting, and incremental value engines to dominate the late game. The strategy focuses on draining opponents through triggered abilities (Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, Bloodchief Ascension), explosive X-spells (Exsanguinate), and Aetherflux Reservoir activations. Y'shtola serves as both a card advantage engine (via life loss triggers) and a damage amplifier for high-CMC noncreature spells. The deck features multiple infinite mana lines (e.g., Displacer Kitten + Mystic Remora/Sensei's Divining Top + mana rocks) and powerful recursion engines like Bolas's Citadel and Emet-Selch of the Third Seat.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Talisman of Progress), stax pieces (Propaganda, Trouble in Pairs), and value engines (Smothering Tithe, Mystic Remora). Protect with free interaction (Fierce Guardianship, Force of Negation).
2. Mid-Game Engine Building (Turns 5-7): Cast Y'shtola and begin triggering her damage/life gain through 3+ MV noncreature spells. Activate Bolas's Citadel for free spells or assemble infinite mana with Displacer Kitten + Mystic Remora + mana rocks.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 6-8+):
   • Infinite mana into Exsanguinate/Aetherflux Reservoir
   • Bolas's Citadel storm turns with Sensei's Divining Top
   • Sheoldred, the Apocalypse + wheel effects (Windfall)
   • Luminarch Ascension angel swarm

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including color fixing
• Prioritize early interaction (Esper Sentinel, Mana Drain) or value engines (Smothering Tithe, Black Market Connections)
• Ensure access to at least one free protection spell (Fierce Guardianship, Flawless Maneuver)
• Reject hands without early plays or color balance

Key Tips:

• Use Displacer Kitten to reset planeswalkers (Teferi, Time Raveler), dodge removal, and generate infinite blinks with Mystic Remora/Sensei's Divining Top
• Bolas's Citadel + Sensei's Divining Top + Aetherflux Reservoir creates an instant-win storm loop
• Y'shtola, Night's Blessed pairs with Curiosity/Ophidian Eye for massive card draw on spellcasting
• Use Phyrexian Reclamation to recur combo pieces like Displacer Kitten

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Vulnerable to Drannith Magistrate/Lavinia, Azorius Renegade shutting off key commanders and cast-from-exile effects
• Rule of Law effects cripple the spell-slinging strategy
• Lacks board wipe recovery outside Sevinne's Reclamation

Moderate

• Struggles against fast aggro before stax pieces are established
• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) disrupts Phyrexian Reclamation/Emet-Selch
• Collector Ouphe nullifies artifact mana and Aetherflux Reservoir

Minor

• Limited creature-based interaction for resolved threats
• Life payment mechanics (Bolas's Citadel, Necropotence) can become dangerous

Most Important Cards:

• Bolas's Citadel (Primary win engine/combo piece)
• Displacer Kitten (Infinite mana/combo enabler)
• Aetherflux Reservoir (Life-based win condition)
• Sheoldred, the Apocalypse (Passive life drain engine)
• Smothering Tithe (Critical ramp/draw engine)
• Sensei's Divining Top (Citadel combo piece, filtering)
• Mystic Remora (Card advantage, combo piece)
• Teferi, Time Raveler (Protection, recursion enabler)
• Force of Negation (Free interaction)
• Emet-Selch of the Third Seat (Graveyard recursion engine)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can threaten T5-6 wins with ideal draws (Citadel + Top + Reservoir) but typically closes games T7-9

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple protection spells and recursion, but core combos are fragile to specific hate

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card selection (Top, Dig Through Time) but limited tutors for key artifacts

Interaction: 8/10

• Excellent suite of free counterspells, board wipes, and targeted removal

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates T6-7 win potential through efficient combos and strong interaction, but its reliance on specific permanents and vulnerability to common stax pieces keeps it below cEDH tiers. The balance between control elements and combo finish aligns with high-powered casual play.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0