Overview:

This Gruul deck helmed by Gimli, Mournful Avenger focuses on generating token creatures, sacrificing them for value, and leveraging Gimli's abilities to grow into a massive threat while controlling the board. The primary strategy involves creating expendable creatures (Goblins, Eldrazi Spawn/Scions, Elves) via cards like Krenko, Mob Boss, Awakening Zone, and Hordeling Outburst, then sacrificing them to outlets like Goblin Bombardment, Makeshift Munitions, or Skirk Prospector. This fuels Gimli's +1/+1 counters, triggers his fight ability, and enables damage-based wins. Secondary themes include +1/+1 counter synergy (Hardened Scales, The Ozolith, Kami of Whispered Hopes) and token swarm combat finishes. Gimli is essential as the engine for growth, removal, and potential commander damage, but the deck can function temporarily without him due to its token focus. Recasting him repeatedly can become mana-intensive.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana dorks (Llanowar Elves, Elvish Mystic), ramp (Rampant Growth, Farseek, Sol Ring), and early token generators (Dragon Fodder, Krenko's Command). Aim to have a sacrifice outlet (Goblin Bombardment, Makeshift Munitions, Skirk Prospector) ready. Protect Gimli with Lightning Greaves or Mithril Coat.
2. Engine Engagement (Turns 3-5): Cast Gimli. Generate larger token waves (Hordeling Outburst, Krenko, Mob Boss, Siege-Gang Commander, From Beyond). Sacrifice tokens proactively to:
   • Trigger Gimli's +1/+1 counters and fight ability (aim for 3+ deaths/turn).
   • Deal direct damage via Bombardment/Munitions/Impact Tremors.
   • Generate mana (Skirk Prospector, Eldrazi Spawn).
   • Draw cards (Fecundity).
3. Amplification & Finishing (Turns 5+):
   • Gimli Beatdown: Use counter doublers (Hardened Scales, Kami of Whispered Hopes, Doubling Season) and equipment (Basilisk Collar, Gimli's Axe) to make Gimli a lethal, lifelinking, deathtouching threat. Use Kessig Wolf Run for trample and a final push. Fling a massive Gimli for surprise lethal.
   • Token Overwhelm: Flood the board with tokens (Siege-Gang Lieutenant, Doors of Durin, There and Back Again) and finish with Craterhoof Behemoth-like effects (Gimli's Reckless Might fight triggers, Windswift Slice damage + Elf tokens).
   • Direct Damage: Leverage Impact Tremors, Goblin Bombardment, and Makeshift Munitions alongside mass token generation to burn opponents out. Blasphemous Act can be a one-sided wipe with Gimli's indestructible.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including both colors), an early play (mana dork, 1-2 CMC token generator, or ramp spell), and either Gimli or a token generator or a sacrifice outlet.
• Prioritize hands containing key enablers: Goblin Bombardment, Impact Tremors, Skirk Prospector, Krenko, Mob Boss, or Hardened Scales.
• Avoid hands lacking early plays, sacrifice outlets, or a clear path to generating tokens/deaths.

Key Tips:

• Sacrifice Sequencing: Sacrifice creatures before blockers are declared to maximize Gimli triggers and damage potential. Sacrifice in response to removal or wipes.
• Maximize Gimli Triggers: Aim to trigger Gimli's fight ability every turn possible. Use instant-speed sacrifice outlets to enable this on opponents' turns.
• Protect the Engine: Use Heroic Intervention, Deflecting Swat, and equipment shroud/hexproof to protect Gimli and key pieces like Krenko or Bombardment.
• Leverage Value Engines: Fecundity draws cards off every creature death. Evolutionary Leap replaces sacrificed creatures. The Ozolith preserves counters if Gimli dies. Eternal Witness retrieves key pieces.
• Mana Sinks: Use Kessig Wolf Run, Dark-Dweller Oracle, and Kami of Whispered Hopes (with high power) to utilize excess mana effectively.
• Combat Tricks: Use Windswift Slice and Friendly Rivalry as targeted removal that also generates tokens or pushes damage. Galadhrim Ambush can be a surprise fog + token generator.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipes: Mass removal (Wrath of God, Blasphemous Act from opponents) devastates the token base and resets Gimli. Recovery is slow without specific draw engines. (Severity: Critical)
• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void cripples Eternal Witness, Bala Ged Recovery, and Mines of Moria recursion. (Severity: Critical)
• Torpor Orb Effects: Torpor Orb, Hushbringer shut down ETB token generation (Krenko, Siege-Gang, Hordeling Outburst, From Beyond, Awakening Zone) and Gimli's fight trigger, crippling the core strategy. (Severity: Critical)

Moderate

• Targeted Removal on Key Engines: Removing Goblin Bombardment, Krenko, Mob Boss, Impact Tremors, or Fecundity significantly slows the deck's momentum and damage output. (Severity: Moderate)
• Anti-Sacrifice Effects: Tajuru Preserver, Sigarda, Host of Herons, Yasharn, Implacable Earth prevent sacrificing tokens, shutting down the primary engine for Gimli triggers and direct damage. (Severity: Moderate)
• Land Destruction: Non-basic land hate can disrupt the relatively slow mana base, especially targeting utility lands like Kessig Wolf Run, Urza's Saga, or Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth. (Severity: Moderate)

Minor

• Flying Threats: The deck has limited flying defense beyond Legolas, Master Archer. Swarms of flyers can be problematic without a deathtouch-equipped Gimli or Galadhrim Ambush. (Severity: Minor)
• Artifact/Enchantment Focused Removal: While the deck has answers (Haywire Mite, Hull Breach, Cankerbloom), heavy removal targeting its key artifacts/enchantments (Bombardment, Impact Tremors, Doubling Season, Fecundity) can be disruptive. (Severity: Minor)
• Counter Magic: While Gimli has some protection, the deck can be vulnerable to counterspells targeting critical setup pieces or finishers. (Severity: Minor)

Most Important Cards:

1. Goblin Bombardment (Primary sacrifice outlet, win condition, enables Gimli triggers)
2. Krenko, Mob Boss (Explosive token generation engine)
3. Impact Tremors (Passive damage engine, win condition)
4. Skirk Prospector (Sacrifice outlet, mana acceleration, enables combos)
5. Hardened Scales (Amplifies Gimli's counters and other +1/+1 synergies)
6. Fecundity (Critical card draw engine fueled by sacrifices)
7. Gimli's Reckless Might (Provides haste, enables fight triggers for removal/combat wins)
8. Doubling Season (Massively amplifies token generation and +1/+1 counters)
9. Makeshift Munitions (Flexible sacrifice outlet and removal)
10. The Ozolith (Preserves +1/+1 counters when creatures die, including Gimli)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Capable of threatening wins via token swarm damage, Gimli commander damage, or direct burn around turns 6-8 with optimal draws and setup, but often requires building a critical mass of tokens or counters.

Resilience: 5/10

• Has some protection (Heroic Intervention, Deflecting Swat, Greaves) and recursion (Eternal Witness), but heavily reliant on board presence. Recovers poorly from wipes or targeted disruption on key engines.

Consistency: 6/10

• Numerous token generators and sacrifice outlets provide redundancy. Tutors (Worldly Tutor, Chord of Calling via Doors/Elven Chorus) and card draw (Fecundity, Tribute to the World Tree) help find key pieces, but the strategy has multiple interdependent parts.

Interaction: 6/10

• Offers solid targeted removal (Beast Within, Chaos Warp, Windswift Slice, Friendly Rivalry), artifact/enchantment hate (Hull Breach, Haywire Mite, Vandalblast), and combat tricks. Lacks stack interaction beyond Deflecting Swat.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused speed (T6-8 win potential) through token swarms and synergistic damage, supported by good consistency in its core strategy. However, its critical vulnerability to board wipes and specific stax pieces significantly impacts resilience, preventing higher optimization. It sits solidly in the Focused tier, outperforming casual/precon decks but lacking the speed and robustness of optimized lists.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5