Overview:

This Mardu (RWB) deck leverages Celes, Rune Knight as a value engine, combining persist recursion, +1/+1 counter synergies, and sacrifice outlets to create explosive combo finishes. The strategy focuses on recurring creatures with persist/ETB effects via Ashnod's Altar/Phyrexian Altar loops while using Celes to offset -1/-1 counters and scale the board. Key combos like Murderous Redcap + sac outlet + Celes enable infinite damage via All Will Be One or Impact Tremors, supported by efficient tutors and protection.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
The deck aims to assemble a persist/sacrifice loop by Turn 5-6 using Celes' +1/+1 counter distribution to enable infinite recursion. Key phases:

1. Setup: Ramp with Sol Ring, Land Tax, and fetchlands while deploying persist creatures (Putrid Goblin, Murderous Redcap).
2. Engine Assembly: Tutor for sac outlets (Goblin Bombardment, Blasting Station) and protection (Teferi's Protection, Flawless Maneuver).
3. Combo Execution: Loop persist creatures with Celes to generate infinite ETB/death triggers, converting them into damage via All Will Be One or draining with Mayhem Devil.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands, a ramp piece, and 1-2 combo enablers.
• Prioritize Arcane Signet/Chromatic Lantern in slow metas; favor Esper Sentinel/Grand Abolisher in interactive pods.

Key Tips:

• Use Yawgmoth, Thran Physician to cycle persist creatures for card draw and counter manipulation.
• Nim Deathmantle provides backup recursion if Celes is unavailable.
• Cauldron of Souls protects your board while enabling persist triggers.

Avoid Traps:

• Don't overextend into board wipes without Cauldron Haze backup.
• Prioritize protecting Celes over early aggression – her counter distribution is critical for combo sustainability.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) permanently disrupts persist loops.
• Commander dependency: 3+ Celes removals cripple counter generation.

Moderate:

• Limited stack interaction (only 3 free spell redirects).
• No innate card advantage beyond Celes' ETB.

Minor:

• Weak to flying/evasion without Luminous Broodmoth.

Most Important Cards:

• All Will Be One
• Ashnod's Altar
• Phyrexian Altar
• Murderous Redcap
• Yawgmoth, Thran Physician
• Nim Deathmantle
• Persist
• Diabolic Intent
• Vampiric Tutor
• Teferi's Protection

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Can assemble T4-5 kills with ideal hands (e.g., T1 Sol Ring → T2 Persist → T3 Celes + sac outlet). Average goldfish win: T6-7.

Resilience: 6/10
Free protection spells (Deflecting Swat, Flawless Maneuver) and recursion (Sun Titan, Reanimate) mitigate disruption, but graveyard reliance creates fragility.

Consistency: 7/10
10 tutors (including Razaketh/Diabolic Intent) and 5 persist creatures ensure combo redundancy. Celes' card filter smooths draws.

Interaction: 6/10
Efficient removal (Swords to Plowshares, Deadly Rollick) and board wipes, but lacks counterspell density.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Optimized" (6.5) and "Focused Competitive" (7.0) on the rubric. It consistently threatens T6-7 wins with layered protection but falters against dedicated graveyard strategies. The combo resilience and tutor density exceed Tier 6.5 expectations, while the critical weakness to GY hate prevents Tier 7.0 status.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0