Overview:
This is a political combat deck that uses goading and suspect mechanics to force opponents to attack each other while generating card advantage through Nelly's triggered ability. The deck employs a mix of defensive measures and combat manipulation to control the battlefield.
Primer:
The deck's primary strategy revolves around using Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser to suspect creatures and force combat between opponents while staying protected through various defensive measures. The deck generates value through forced combat triggers and political cards that encourage aggressive play from opponents. Key defensive pieces like Ghostly Prison, Teferi's Protection, and Comeuppance help ensure survival while the strategy develops.
The deck wins through either combat damage after weakening opponents or by leveraging powerful creatures like Gisela, Blade of Goldnight to close out games. The inclusion of cards like Smothering Tithe and various mana rocks ensures consistent resource generation, while cards like Professional Face-Breaker and Grenzo, Havoc Raiser provide additional value engines through combat.
Weaknesses:
- The deck is heavily reliant on combat and creature-based strategies, making it vulnerable to mass removal and pillowfort effects.
- Limited combo potential means it can struggle against faster, more combo-oriented decks.
- The mana base is somewhat light at 25 lands, though this is partially offset by artifact ramp.
- The deck can struggle if opponents refuse to engage in combat or run heavy control strategies.
Most Important Cards:
- Smothering Tithe
- Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
- Teferi's Protection
- Ancient Tomb
- Professional Face-Breaker
- Ghostly Prison
- Akroma's Will
- Esper Sentinel
- Reconnaissance
- Disrupt Decorum
Attribute Ratings:
- Speed: 5/10
- Resilience: 7/10
- Consistency: 6/10
- Interaction: 7/10
Rating Justification:
This deck falls into the 6.0-6.5 range due to its consistent strategy execution and reasonable interaction suite. While it lacks the explosive power of higher-rated decks, it has enough defensive capabilities and value generation to compete in focused pods. The deck's political nature and combat focus make it more suitable for longer games, typically winning around turns 7-8 through accumulated advantage or combat damage.
Final power level rating: 6.0 - 6.5
The deck is stronger than typical casual builds (5.0-5.5) due to its interaction suite and efficient value engines, but lacks the fast mana and combo potential to push it into the 7.0+ range. Its reliance on combat and political elements naturally caps its ceiling, though it can perform consistently within its power band.
Nelly Borca, Impulsive Accuser