Overview:

This Derevi stax/combo deck combines resource denial with efficient win conditions, leveraging powerful stax pieces like Winter Orb and Trinisphere to slow opponents while using Derevi's ability to break parity. The deck can pivot between assembling infinite mana combos (Isochron Scepter + Dramatic Reversal) or Thassa's Oracle/Walking Ballista kills, supported by high-density tutoring and free counterspells.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Lock opponents out with stax effects while developing mana advantage through Derevi's untap triggers and fast artifacts. Tutor into infinite mana or card-draw loops to execute a combo finish. Key phases:

1. Early Game: Deploy mana accelerants (Mana Vault, Birds of Paradise) and stax pieces (Drannith Magistrate, Winter Orb).
2. Mid Game: Use Derevi combat triggers to sustain lock pieces while tutoring for combo components with Survival of the Fittest or Enlightened Tutor.
3. End Game: Resolve Thassa's Oracle with deck depletion via Intuition-fueled lines or generate infinite mana for Walking Ballista.

Key Tips:

• Use Null Rod strategically to disable opponents' artifacts without crippling your own mana rocks.
• Seedborn Muse + Emergence Zone enables instant-speed combo assembly.
• Force of Vigor protects against opposing stax while advancing your board.

Avoid Traps:

• Don't overcommit to stax without a clear path to break parity.
• Prioritize protecting Grand Arbiter Augustin IV over generic value pieces.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Relies on unprotected 2-card combos (Oracle requires deck depletion; Scepter requires board presence).
• Null Rod/Winter Orb can backfire without Derevi activation.

Moderate:

• Limited graveyard recursion for combo pieces.
• Vulnerable to Blood Moon effects despite basic land fetches.

Most Important Cards:

• Survival of the Fittest
• Gaea's Cradle
• Thassa's Oracle
• Smothering Tithe
• Winter Orb
• Seedborn Muse
• Mana Vault
• Lion's Eye Diamond
• Force of Will
• Mana Drain

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 8/10
Theoretical T3 wins via T1 Mana Vault → T2 Scepter/Reversal → T3 Oracle. Average goldfish win by T4-5.

Resilience: 7/10
12 free/protective counterspells and Grand Abolisher defend combos, but stax reliance creates vulnerability to artifact hate.

Consistency: 9/10
9 tutors (including Intuition and Survival of the Fittest) plus Rhystic Study ensure combo access.

Interaction: 8/10
14 instant-speed answers (5 free) and stax-based disruption. Lacks board wipes but compensates with lockdown.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH Tier 2 levels (rubric 9.0) due to T2-3 win potential with protection and stax that broadly counters meta strategies. It lacks the absolute speed of T1 decks like Najeela but surpasses optimized casual builds through combo redundancy and high-density interaction.

Power level: 8.5 - 9.0