Overview:

This Bant (WUG) deck leverages Sakashima of a Thousand Faces and Sidar Kondo of Jamuraa to execute a potent token-copy strategy. The core plan revolves around cloning high-impact creatures (especially Sakashima) while bypassing the legend rule, then exploiting Sidar Kondo's evasion ability to connect with small/unblockable tokens. Win conditions include overwhelming token armies, commander damage via cloned Sakashimas, life-trigger wins with Angel of Destiny, and infinite combos using Helm of the Host. Sakashima is essential as the primary enabler/value multiplier, while Sidar Kondo provides crucial evasion. The strategy is highly vulnerable to commander removal targeting Sakashima.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize ramp (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Cultivate, Kodama's Reach) and card draw. Cast Sidar Kondo early to enable evasion. Protect Sakashima with boots/hexproof if possible.
2. Establish Value Engines (Turns 3-6): Cast Sakashima, copying Sidar Kondo initially for evasion or a key value creature (e.g., Adrix and Nev, Twincasters, Bramble Sovereign). Deploy token doublers (Doubling Season, Parallel Lives, Anointed Procession) and cloning engines (Progenitor Mimic, Extravagant Replication). Use tutors (Worldly Tutor, Chord of Calling) to find critical pieces.
3. Generate Overwhelming Advantage (Turns 5-8): Clone high-impact creatures like Angel of Destiny (life-trigger win), Adrix and Nev (exponential tokens), or Trostani, Selesnya's Voice (life gain/stabilization). Leverage instant-speed clones (Stunt Double, Cackling Counterpart) for surprise blocks or end-step value. Activate Lithoform Engine to copy key spells/abilities.
4. Execute Win Condition:
   • Combat: Swing wide with tokens made unblockable by Sidar Kondo. Clone Sakashima copying a large threat (e.g., Progenitor Mimic) for massive commander damage.
   • Life Trigger: Attack with cloned Angel of Destiny to gain life and trigger its end-step win condition.
   • Infinite Combos: Equip Helm of the Host to Sakashima (copying itself) to create infinite non-legendary Sakashima tokens during combat. Use Rite of Replication (kicked) on a token doubler or value creature for exponential tokens/mana.
   • Lock: Transform key permanents into lands via Imprisoned in the Moon/Song of the Dryads.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color fixing), early ramp, and Sidar Kondo or a path to Sakashima.
• Prioritize hands containing a token doubler, clone effect, or tutor. Hands with protection (Swiftfoot Boots) or evasion enablers are stronger.
• Avoid hands lacking ramp, color fixing, or a clear early play. High-CMC hands without acceleration are risky.

Key Tips:

• Protect Sakashima: He is the linchpin. Prioritize hexproof/shroud equipment and counterspell protection. Copying Sidar Kondo first often provides immediate evasion.
• Sequence Clones Wisely: Copying your own token doublers (Adrix and Nev, Doubling Season) creates exponential value. Copying opponents' value engines can be potent but less reliable.
• Maximize Evasion: Sidar Kondo enables all your power-2-or-less tokens (including most clones entering as copies). Prioritize cloning creatures that benefit from evasion or create tokens themselves.
• Leverage Instant Speed: Use flash clones (Stunt Double, Undercover Operative) defensively or for end-step value. Supplant Form doubles as removal and cloning.
• Win Condition Flexibility: Angel of Destiny wins via life gain, not combat damage. Helm combo wins at combat. Rite of Replication on a doubler creates absurd tokens. Adapt to the board state.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme Commander Reliance: Removing Sakashima cripples the deck's core strategy. Recosting him repeatedly is mana-intensive and disrupts development.
• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Mass removal (Wrath of God, Blasphemous Act) resets token armies and cloned engines, requiring significant rebuilding time.
• Anti-Token/Clone Hate: Torpor Orb, Hushbringer, Cursed Totem, and Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite shut down ETB clones, token generation, and utility dorks.

Moderate

• Graveyard Reliance: Recursion like Eternal Witness and retrace (Spitting Image) is vulnerable to grave hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void).
• Combo Disruption: Spot removal on Helm of the Host or key combo creatures (Sakashima) stops infinite lines. Counterspells on critical sorceries (Rite of Replication) are impactful.
• Stack Interaction Gaps: Limited counterspells make resolving key sorceries (Rite, Chord) or protecting combos against disruption difficult.

Minor

• Mana Base Inconsistency: Several tapped lands and reliance on basics can slow early development slightly.
• Limited Non-Creature Interaction: Answers for resolved enchantments/artifacts are sparse beyond Swords to Plowshares, Sundering Growth, and land-transformation auras.

Most Important Cards:

• Sakashima of a Thousand Faces (Core enabler, bypasses legend rule, value multiplier)
• Doubling Season (Exponential token/counter output)
• Anointed Procession (Crucial token doubler redundancy)
• Parallel Lives (Essential token doubler redundancy)
• Helm of the Host (Infinite combo with Sakashima, standalone value)
• Adrix and Nev, Twincasters (Token doubler on a cloneable body)
• Worldly Tutor (Finds key creatures/clone targets)
• Chord of Calling (Tutor key creatures at instant speed)
• Rite of Replication (Massive token generation, combo potential)
• Bramble Sovereign (Creature-copying engine)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via Helm combo or overwhelming tokens around turns 7-8 in ideal scenarios. Relies on setup (ramp, doublers, commander) before exploding.

Resilience: 5/10

• Decent recursion (Eternal Witness) and protection for Sakashima, but heavily reliant on the commander and vulnerable to board wipes/reset effects. Recovery from setbacks is slow.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong tutor suite (Worldly Tutor, Chord of Calling), solid ramp, and multiple redundant token doublers/clone effects ensure reliable access to core strategy pieces.

Interaction: 4/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Swords, Sundering Growth) and land transformation exist, but minimal stack interaction (counterspells) and limited answers to resolved non-creature permanents hinder disruption/protection.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates high consistency and a clear T7-8 win potential through combat, combo, or overwhelming tokens, aligning with the Focused tier (6.0). However, its critical vulnerability to commander removal and board wipes, coupled with limited interaction, prevents higher resilience ratings and caps its power level. The reliance on setup turns for explosive plays places it solidly in the T7-8 win benchmark.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5