Overview:

This Dimir deck leverages The Master, Formed Anew to cheat massive creatures into play by exiling them with a takeover counter, then copying them for just {U}{B}. The strategy combines manifest/cloak mechanics (e.g., Cloudform, Cryptic Coat) to create cheap exile targets, bounce/reanimation (e.g., Cavern Harpy, Portal of Sanctuary) to reuse The Master, and high-impact payoffs like Phage the Untouchable or Bringer of the Last Gift. Candlekeep Sage acts as a critical "hidden commander," providing card draw whenever The Master enters or leaves. The deck aims to win via copied creature triggers, combat, or attrition from forced sacrifices/board resets.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana fixing (fetch lands, Command Tower), card selection (Serum Visions, Brainstorm), or manifest/cloak enablers (Cryptic Coat, Write into Being). Prioritize casting Candlekeep Sage for consistent draw.
2. Commander Activation (Turns 3-6): Cast The Master, Formed Anew, exiling a manifested/cloaked creature or a low-value token. Copy a high-impact creature (e.g., Phage the Untouchable for instant-kill potential, Lord of Change for card advantage). Use bounce effects (Portal of Sanctuary, Dour Port-Mage) to recast The Master and copy additional threats.
3. Win Condition Execution (Turns 5-9):
   • Combat/Triggers: Attack with copied threats like Phage (one-shot kill), Lord of the Void (steal creatures), or Brainstealer Dragon (drain life).
   • Board Control: Deploy Bringer of the Last Gift or Shefet Archfiend to reset the board asymmetrically.
   • Attrition: Leverage Thieving Amalgam or Vile Mutilator to drain life and disrupt opponents.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color fixing) and at least one of:
  • Early manifest/cloak enabler (e.g., Cryptic Coat, Ransom Note).
  • Card draw/selection (e.g., Serum Visions, Diabolic Vision).
  • Bounce effect (e.g., Geistwave, Portal of Sanctuary).
• Prioritize hands containing Candlekeep Sage or a path to cast The Master by turn 4.
• Avoid hands lacking mana sources, enablers, or payoff creatures.

Key Tips:

• Protect The Master: Use Teferi's Time Twist or bounce effects to dodge removal. Candlekeep Sage ensures card advantage even if The Master is countered.
• Maximize Manifest/Cloak: Turn face-down creatures into exile targets for The Master. Primordial Mist and They Came from the Pipes generate multiple bodies.
• Recursion: Reuse ETB effects with Body Double or Port of Karfell. Mortuary Mire retrieves key creatures.
• Disrupt Opponents: Time Devastation Tide or Umbilicus to reset boards while preserving your copied threats. Use Familiar's Ruse to counter spells while bouncing The Master.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Removing The Master after exiling a creature permanently exiles the payoff. Lacks protection beyond limited bounce.
• Graveyard Hate: Shuts down Body Double, Port of Karfell, and Mortuary Mire recursion.
• Anti-Copy Effects: Solemnity/Torpor Orb nullify The Master's ability and key ETBs (e.g., Noxious Gearhulk).

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Struggles to rebuild after mass removal; limited recursion for non-creatures.
• Combo Speed: Outraced by decks winning before T6; minimal fast mana/tutors.
• Stack Interaction: Limited counterspells; struggles against uncounterable threats.

Minor

• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Vulnerable to hate targeting Umbilicus, Primordial Mist, or equipment.
• Mana Constraints: High density of taplands slows early setup; lacks explosive ramp.

Most Important Cards:

• The Master, Formed Anew (Primary cheat engine)
• Candlekeep Sage (Critical card draw engine)
• Phage the Untouchable (One-shot win condition)
• Portal of Sanctuary (Protects/reuses The Master)
• Cryptic Coat (Creates cheap exile targets)
• Bringer of the Last Gift (Asymmetric board reset)
• Primordial Mist (Generates manifest bodies)
• Cavern Harpy (Bounces The Master/reusable ETB)
• Devastation Tide (Board reset synergy)
• Brainstealer Dragon (Value engine/life drain)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via Phage or board dominance by T7-9, but setup is multi-step and susceptible to disruption.

Resilience: 4/10

• Heavily commander-reliant with limited protection. Recovers poorly from wipes but has card draw from Candlekeep Sage.

Consistency: 6/10

• Strong card selection (brainstorm effects, scry) and Candlekeep Sage provide reliable draw, but lacks tutors for key combo pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Reality Shift, Get Out) and bounce, but minimal counterspells and no stack protection for combos.

Rating Justification:

This deck aims for T7-9 wins through high-impact copied creatures and attrition, aligning with Casual/Focused Casual benchmarks. Its dependency on the commander and vulnerability to disruption limit its speed and resilience, preventing higher optimization despite solid card selection.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5