Overview:

This Izzet Pirate/Shark deck helmed by Captain Howler, Sea Scourge employs a discard-matters combat strategy. The deck leverages Pirates' inherent artifact synergies and discard triggers to create explosive combat turns while maintaining card flow. Howler acts as both a discard payoff amplifier and card advantage engine, enabling massive +X/+0 buffs on attackers while refueling hands. Secondary themes include Vehicle synergies with The Belligerent/Boosted Sloop and Shark token generation via Shark Typhoon. The strategy focuses on swarming with evasive Pirates, stacking discard triggers, and closing games through enhanced combat damage.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy artifact enablers like Oaken Siren, Gleaming Barrier, and Izzet Signet. Cast low-cost Pirates (Goblin Tomb Raider, Brineborn Cutthroat) to enable raid triggers and start pressuring opponents.
2. Discard Engine Activation (T3-5): Use Faithless Looting, Thrill of Possibility, and Windfall to fuel Howler's triggers. Equip Pirate Hat/Arm-Mounted Anchor to generate discard value while attacking.
3. Combat Payoff Phase (T4-7): Deploy key enhancers like Shared Animosity and Roaming Throne (naming Pirate). Use Howler's triggered ability to pump attackers like Marauding Mako or Skyship Buccaneer, often drawing 3-5 cards per combat via Fearless Swashbuckler and Howler synergies.
4. Late-Game Closers: Resolve Shark Typhoon for evasive threats or Mizzix's Mastery to recur game-changing sorceries. Magmakin Artillerist provides reach through repeated discard damage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including color sources
• Prioritize early Pirates, discard outlets (Thrill of Possibility, Radical Idea), or artifact ramp
• Avoid hands lacking both creatures and discard enablers

Key Tips:

• Use Swiftfoot Boots/Captain's Hook to protect and enhance key Pirates
• Time Windfall effects when low on cards to maximize draws while disrupting opponents
• Roaming Throne doubles Howler's discard triggers and Pirate tribal abilities
• Monument to Endurance turns discards into flexible value streams

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on combat damage leaves it vulnerable to fog effects and mass removal
• Limited instant-speed interaction (only 4 counterspells) struggles against combo decks

Moderate

• Artifact-heavy strategy susceptible to Vandalblast/Null Rod effects
• Discard synergies disrupted by Leyline of Sanctity/Narset, Parter of Veils

Minor

• Moderate ramp package can lead to slower starts
• Some high-CMC cards (Voracious Greatshark, Gorehorn Raider) risk being stranded

Most Important Cards:

• Captain Howler, Sea Scourge (Primary engine/payoff)
• Roaming Throne (Trigger doubler for Pirates)
• Shared Animosity (Combat damage multiplier)
• Windfall (Mass discard enabler)
• Shark Typhoon (Alternative win condition)
• The Belligerent (Top-deck manipulation & treasure)
• Arm-Mounted Anchor (Discard-driven card advantage)
• Magmakin Artillerist (Direct damage payoff)
• Brallin, Skyshark Rider (Secondary discard payoff)
• Swiftfoot Boots (Protection for key creatures)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Can threaten lethal via combat around T7-8 with ideal draws, but lacks fast mana or instant-win combos.

Resilience: 4/10
Limited protection spells and few recursion effects make recovery from wipes challenging.

Consistency: 6/10
Numerous Pirates and discard outlets provide redundancy, but lacks high-impact tutors.

Interaction: 3/10
Minimal removal suite focused on creature bounce (Bigfin Bouncer) and situational counterspells.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused tribal build with clear synergies but lacks the speed and interaction density of optimized lists. Its T7-8 combat win potential and moderate resilience align with Casual/Focused Casual tiers, though artifact/discard vulnerabilities prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5