Overview:

This Riku of Many Paths deck leverages modal spells to trigger Riku's value-generating abilities, focusing on card advantage, token generation, and +1/+1 counters. The commander acts as the central engine, rewarding players for casting flexible spells like Mystic Confluence and Primal Command. Secondary strategies include token swarms via Shark Typhoon and Harmonic Prodigy, mana acceleration through Cryptolith Rite, and explosive turns enabled by Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient. While lacking infinite combos, it aims to win through combat with buffed creatures, stolen threats via Mob Rule, or value-driven attrition.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Izzet Signet), ramp spells (Glimpse the Core), and value engines like Archmage Emeritus. Cast low-CMC modal spells (Bushwhack, Izzet Charm) to trigger Riku’s abilities.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 5-7): Resolve high-impact modal spells (Verdant Confluence, Sublime Epiphany) to maximize Riku’s triggers. Use Cryptolith Rite or Wilderness Reclamation to untap mana sources for spell-slinging. Generate tokens with Shark Typhoon or Riku’s bird ability.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 7+): Overwhelm with Hullbreaker Horror bounce-locks, Klauth-fueled big spells, or Mob Rule alpha strikes. Use Skullclamp and Ashnod's Altar to convert tokens into card advantage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 3 lands (including color-fixing), 1-2 ramp pieces, and an early modal spell.
• Keep hands with Harmonic Prodigy, Archmage Emeritus, or Cryptolith Rite for explosive starts.
• Avoid hands with only high-CMC spells or no interaction.

Key Tips:

• Sequence modal spells to maximize Riku’s triggers (e.g., Mystic Confluence choosing 3 modes grants 3 Riku triggers).
• Use Riptide Laboratory to protect key Wizards like Riku or Lier, Disciple of the Drowned.
• Wilderness Reclamation enables instant-speed modal spells during opponents’ turns for surprise interaction.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander-dependent strategy: Losing Riku repeatedly cripples the deck’s engine.
• Limited graveyard recursion makes the deck vulnerable to Rest in Peace effects.

Moderate

• Slow mana base: 10+ tapped lands delay critical early plays.
• Fragile token generators: Shark Typhoon and bird tokens fold to Cursed Totem or Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines.

Minor

• Minimal stack protection: Only Defabricate and Sublime Epiphany counter key threats.
• No infinite combos reduce late-game inevitability against faster decks.

Most Important Cards:

• Riku of Many Paths (Engine: card advantage, tokens, and scaling threat)
• Harmonic Prodigy (Doubles Riku/Archmage triggers)
• Shark Typhoon (Token generation and cycling flexibility)
• Cryptolith Rite (Mana acceleration for spell chains)
• Klauth, Unrivaled Ancient (Explosive mana for big turns)
• Mystic Confluence (Flexible interaction + Riku triggers)
• Sublime Epiphany (Multi-mode counter/bounce/clone)
• Hullbreaker Horror (Soft lock with instant-speed spells)
• Archmage Emeritus (Draw engine for spellcasting)
• Wilderness Reclamation (Untap lands for reactive plays)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Can establish value engines by T4-5 but lacks fast combo kills. Wins typically materialize T8+ through incremental advantage.

Resilience: 4/10
Heavily reliant on Riku staying alive. Limited protection outside Swiftfoot Boots and Simic Charm, though Riptide Laboratory provides recursion.

Consistency: 6/10
Moderate card draw (Archmage Emeritus, Flame of Anor) and modal flexibility compensate for low tutor density.

Interaction: 7/10
Strong suite of modal removal (Primal Command, Quandrix Command) and counterspells (Defabricate, Sublime Epiphany), though lacks board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a midrange value engine with solid interaction but struggles to close games quickly. Its T8-10 win potential and reliance on a vulnerable commander align it with optimized casual tiers, while its modal flexibility elevates it above precons.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5