Overview:

This Elsha deck is a high-octane Jeskai storm/combo build leveraging Elsha's topdeck casting ability to chain noncreature spells. The primary win conditions involve generating massive storm counts for Aetherflux Reservoir, Brain Freeze, or Grapeshot, supported by infinite mana combos (e.g., Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter) and Thassa's Oracle/Underworld Breach lines. Elsha acts as a value engine and storm enabler but isn't strictly essential, as the deck packs redundant combo pieces and tutors. Key strengths include blistering speed, extensive free interaction, and multiple protected win paths.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy fast mana (Mox Diamond, Chrome Mox, Mana Vault) and card selection (Ponder, Preordain). Establish stax/control with Drannith Magistrate, Esper Sentinel, or Narset, Parter of Veils.
2. Engine Activation (Turns 2-4): Cast Elsha or deploy combo enablers like Birgi, God of Storytelling/Storm-Kiln Artist. Use tutors (Gamble, Enlightened Tutor, Mystical Tutor) to find Isochron Scepter, Underworld Breach, or win conditions.
3. Combo Execution (Turns 3-5):
   • Storm: Chain cantrips with cost reducers (Birgi) or topdeck manipulation (Sensei's Divining Top) to fuel Aetherflux Reservoir, Brain Freeze, or Grapeshot.
   • Infinite Mana: Dramatic Reversal imprinted on Isochron Scepter with 3+ mana rocks → cast win condition.
   • Breach Lines: Underworld Breach + Lion's Eye Diamond + Brain Freeze for mill win or Thassa's Oracle.
   • Kitten Lines: Displacer Kitten + Elsha to repeatedly cast noncreatures from top for storm.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 1-2 lands, fast mana, and at least one: tutor, card selection, or combo piece.
• Prioritize hands enabling T1-T2 stax (Drannith Magistrate, Esper Sentinel) or T2-T3 Elsha.
• Avoid hands lacking mana acceleration or without a clear path to tutor/engine.

Key Tips:

• Protect Critical Turns: Use free counters (Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship) or silence effects (Silence, Orim's Chant) during combo execution.
• Leverage Topdeck: With Elsha, cast noncreatures from top to preserve hand resources. Sensei's Divining Top enables instant-speed draws.
• Breach Sequencing: Exile redundant cards first to fuel escape costs. Wheel of Fortune/Windfall refuels Breach.
• Interaction Timing: Deploy stax early; hold counters for opposing win attempts or critical hate pieces.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples Underworld Breach and recursion.
• Rule of Law effects (Deafening Silence, Eidolon of Rhetoric) prevent storm chains.
• Artifact mass removal (Vandalblast) devastates mana base and combo pieces.

Moderate

• Drannith Magistrate/Grand Abolisher prevents casting commanders/combos from hand.
• Anti-search effects (Opposition Agent) disrupt tutor reliance.
• Early targeted discard can strip key combo pieces pre-protection.

Minor

• Creature-focused boards can pressure life total pre-Aetherflux activation.
• Thassa's Oracle countered post-Breach mill can cause loss.

Most Important Cards:

• Underworld Breach (Primary combo engine)
• Lion's Eye Diamond (Breach combo fuel, ritual)
• Isochron Scepter (Dramatic Reversal infinite mana)
• Aetherflux Reservoir (Storm life-drain wincon)
• Thassa's Oracle (Alt wincon with Breach/self-mill)
• Dramatic Reversal (Infinite mana with rocks + Scepter)
• Birgi, God of Storytelling (Mana generation for storm)
• Gamble (Tutor for Breach/LED)
• Force of Will (Free protection/disruption)
• Mystical Tutor (Finds key instants/sorceries)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 9/10

• Capable of T1-T3 wins with perfect hands (e.g., T1 Breach + LED + Brain Freeze) and consistent T3-T5 goldfish kills.

Resilience: 8/10

• Extensive free interaction (7+ free counters), silence effects, and stax pieces protect combos. Recursion via Breach provides recovery, but GY hate is devastating.

Consistency: 9/10

• 10+ tutors, 8+ cantrips, and redundant combo engines ensure reliable access to win conditions.

Interaction: 9/10

• 15+ stack interaction spells (counters, silence), mostly free/cheap. Lacks permanent removal beyond Chain of Vapor/Swords to Plowshares.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH Tier 1.5 levels with T1-T3 win potential through protected combos (Breach, Scepter, Storm) and near-unbreakable locks via stax. Its speed and consistency are exceptional, but vulnerability to GY hate and Rule of Law prevents Tier 0 status.

Power level: 9.0 - 9.5