Overview:

This Selesnya (G/W) deck helmed by Sovereign Okinec Ahau focuses on explosive +1/+1 counter synergy and combat dominance. The commander amplifies modified creatures by distributing additional counters when attacking, enabling rapid scaling. The deck combines Equipment, Auras, and counter-doubling effects to create oversized threats, supported by a secondary lifegain/infinite damage combo with Heliod, Sun-Crowned + Walking Ballista. Key themes include evasion (flying, unblockable effects), commander protection, and resilient counter storage via The Ozolith. While reliant on creature combat, it has multiple avenues to bypass traditional blockers and recover from setbacks.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3):
   • Deploy mana accelerants (Wild Growth, Sol Ring, Three Visits) and low-cost Equipment (Cliffhaven Kitesail, Zephyr Boots).
   • Establish early threats like Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar or Mirri, Weatherlight Duelist to pressure opponents and draw cards.

2. Counter Engine Activation (T3-5):

   • Cast Okinec Ahau with protection (Mithril Coat, Whispersilk Cloak).
   • Deploy counter multipliers: Hydra's Growth, Bristly Bill, Spine Sower, Fangs of Kalonia. Use The Ozolith to preserve counters through removal.

3. Combat Domination (T5+):

   • Equip evasion tools (Psychic Paper, Silver Shroud Costume) to bypass defenses.
   • Trigger Okinec Ahau's ability repeatedly with modified attackers, scaling into lethal Return of the Wildspeaker or Garruk, Primal Hunter draws.

4. Alternate Win Cons:

   • Assemble Heliod, Sun-Crowned + Walking Ballista for infinite damage.
   • Use Old Gnawbone treasure generation to fuel massive Finale of Devastation or Quilled Greatwurm recursion.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including G/W sources) and at least one ramp piece.
• Prioritize early Equipment/aura deployment or a critical mass engine (Keeper of Fables, Greater Good).
• Avoid hands lacking proactive plays before T3.

Key Tips:

• Use Reconnaissance to safely trigger Okinec Ahau’s ability without losing attackers.
• Teferi's Protection and Heroic Intervention protect against wipes during critical counter-stacking turns.
• Puresteel Paladin enables free Equipment swaps to maximize evasion and damage triggers.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipe Vulnerability: Relies heavily on creature presence; Farewell exiling creatures/counters is devastating.
• Counter Disruption: The Ozolith is the only counter preservation; Suncleanser or Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider cripples the strategy.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Reliance: Key pieces like Hydra's Growth or The Ozolith are soft to widespread removal (Bane of Progress).
• Slow Combo Assembly: Heliod/Ballista lacks redundancy and requires tutor sequencing.

Minor

• Limited Stack Interaction: Minimal counterspells; relies on Tyvar's Stand for protection.
• Mana Constraints: High equipment/aura density can lead to clunky draws without sufficient ramp.

Most Important Cards:

• Heliod, Sun-Crowned (Combo enabler, counter synergy)
• Walking Ballista (Primary infinite damage outlet)
• The Ozolith (Counter preservation/redistribution)
• Hydra's Growth (Exponential counter scaling)
• Greater Good (Card draw engine with massive creatures)
• Teferi's Protection (Board wipe immunity)
• Puresteel Paladin (Equipment synergy/free equips)
• Kodama of the West Tree (Trample enabler + land ramp)
• Fangs of Kalonia (Massive counter doubling)
• Enlightened Tutor (Key piece fetcher)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten lethal via combat or Heliod combo by T6-7, but lacks turbo ramp for earlier wins.

Resilience: 5/10

• Multiple protection spells and The Ozolith mitigate losses, but core strategy remains vulnerable to repeated wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong tutor/draw package (Worldly Tutor, Return of the Wildspeaker) ensures access to key pieces.

Interaction: 4/10

• Spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Generous Gift) handles threats but lacks stack control outside combat tricks.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused combat scaling with a viable combo finish, operating efficiently in the T6-8 range. While resilient to single-target removal, its dependence on board presence and vulnerability to exile effects cap its power below optimized tiers. The Heliod combo adds flexibility but lacks the redundancy of higher-tier decks.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0