Overview:

This Golgari Insect tribal deck helmed by Grist, the Hunger Tide combines token generation, graveyard recursion, and sacrifice synergies. Grist serves as a resilient token generator and removal tool, while the deck leverages Insect synergies through Zask, Skittering Swarmlord (a "hidden commander") to recur creatures and mill for value. The primary win conditions include overwhelming with token swarms amplified by Parallel Lives, draining via Syr Konrad, the Grim/Mirkwood Bats, and graveyard-fueled combos like Altar of Dementia + recursive creatures. The deck operates on a midrange axis, balancing board presence with incremental value from death triggers.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Cast mana dorks (e.g., Deathrite Shaman, Nantuko Elder) or ramp spells (Sol Ring, Cryptolith Rite).
   • Activate Grist’s +1 to mill and generate Insect tokens, prioritizing filling the graveyard for recursion.
   • Deploy key enablers like Skullclamp or Zask, Skittering Swarmlord to establish card advantage.

2. Midgame Value (Turns 5-7):

   • Exploit sacrifice outlets (Nantuko Husk, Altar of Dementia) with tokens or recursive Insects like Graveshifter.
   • Resolve payoff engines: Parallel Lives doubles tokens, Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest buffs the board, and Syr Konrad, the Grim pings opponents.
   • Reanimate threats like Hornet Queen or Giant Adephage using Dread Return or Stitch Together.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 7+):

   • Token Overload: Flood the board with Insects via Scute Swarm, Hornet Queen, or Grist’s ultimate (-6 ability), then swing with Mazirek-boosted creatures.
   • Incremental Drain: Trigger Syr Konrad, the Grim and Mirkwood Bats repeatedly through token deaths or Altar of Dementia mills.
   • Combo Potential: Loop recursive Insects (e.g., Canoptek Tomb Sentinel with Zask) to mill opponents out with Altar of Dementia or drain with Syr Konrad.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including green/black sources.
• Prioritize early ramp (Sol Ring, Cryptolith Rite) or token generators (Grist, Scute Swarm).
• Look for key synergy pieces: Zask, Skittering Swarmlord, Skullclamp, or Syr Konrad, the Grim.
• Avoid hands lacking ramp or graveyard setup.

Key Tips:

• Use Zask to rebuy Insects from the graveyard and mill for fuel.
• Sacrifice tokens to Altar of Dementia to mill opponents while fueling Syr Konrad.
• Protect critical engines like Parallel Lives with Beast Within or Assassin’s Trophy.
• Shifting Woodland can copy key permanents (e.g., Parallel Lives) in the late game.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples recursion, Syr Konrad, and Zask.
• Board Wipes: Lacks mass recursion; rebuilding after a wipe is slow without Parallel Lives or Syr Konrad.
• Anti-Token Tech: Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb shuts down key abilities; Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite annihilates tokens.

Moderate

• Slow Setup: Minimal fast mana beyond Sol Ring delays key plays like Hornet Queen.
• Limited Interaction: Few answers to flyers or combo decks; relies on situational removal (Bane of the Living).

Minor

• Mana Base: Multiple tapped lands (e.g., Temple of Malady, Myriad Landscape) slow early turns.
• Combo Fragility: Altar loops require multiple pieces with no redundancy for Zask/Canoptek Tomb Sentinel.

Most Important Cards:

• Zask, Skittering Swarmlord (Recursion engine and tribal synergy)
• Parallel Lives (Doubles token output for combat/drain wins)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Primary damage engine via death triggers)
• Altar of Dementia (Sac outlet for milling and combo potential)
• Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest (Anthem effect for combat dominance)
• Skullclamp (Draws cards from token sacrifices)
• Grist, the Hunger Tide (Token generation and flexible removal)
• Dread Return (Reanimates game-ending threats)
• Scute Swarm (Scales exponentially with land drops)
• Cryptolith Rite (Mana acceleration for swarm strategies)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish threats by turn 5-6 but lacks fast combo lines; primary wins occur around turns 7-9.

Resilience: 4/10

• Recursion exists (Zask, Graveshifter), but over-reliance on graveyard makes it fragile to hate.

Consistency: 6/10

• Redundant token generators and Syr Konrad provide multiple angles, but limited tutors hinder combo assembly.

Interaction: 5/10

• Spot removal (Assassin’s Trophy, Beast Within) is solid but lacks countermagic or stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a mid-power casual level, leveraging synergistic but slow token/graveyard strategies. While it can threaten wins via combat or drain around turns 7-9, its susceptibility to graveyard hate and lack of fast mana/tutors cap its ceiling. The balance of speed and resilience aligns with the Focused Casual tier.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5