Overview:

This Mardu (RWB) deck leverages Zurgo Stormrender as a token-generating engine and card advantage piece, enabling an aggressive aristocrats/combo strategy. The primary game plan involves rapidly generating Warrior tokens via Zurgo's Mobilize ability and cards like Adeline, Resplendent Cathar and Ainok Strike Leader, then sacrificing them for value through outlets like Goblin Bombardment, Phyrexian Altar, and Skullclamp. Win conditions include overwhelming combat damage, direct life loss from Purphoros, God of the Forge/Zulaport Cutthroat, and efficient infinite combos. Zurgo is central to the strategy, providing card draw on token sacrifice and enabling explosive turns when protected. The deck utilizes high-speed mana, extensive tutoring, and graveyard recursion for extreme consistency.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Explosive Start (Turns 1-3): Deploy fast mana (Mana Vault, Lion's Eye Diamond, Dark Ritual) and tutors (Vampiric Tutor, Imperial Seal) to find key pieces. Cast Zurgo ASAP using rituals or land acceleration.
2. Token Generation & Value (Turns 2-5): Attack with Zurgo to create Warriors. Deploy token multipliers (Adeline, Ainok Strike Leader, Voice of Victory) and aristocrat payoffs (Purphoros, Zulaport Cutthroat, Pitiless Plunderer). Sacrifice tokens to Goblin Bombardment/Phyrexian Altar for damage or mana.
3. Combo Execution (Turns 3-5):
   • Infinite Mana/Storm: Phyrexian Altar + Gravecrawler (recurred via Underworld Breach/reanimation) + Pitiless Plunderer generates infinite mana/sacrifices. Win via Purphoros, Goblin Bombardment, or Aetherflux Reservoir (implicit via storm).
   • Underworld Breach Lines: Cast Lion's Eye Diamond/Wheel of Fortune from grave with Breach to generate storm count/mana, then recur Goblin Bombardment or Tendrils of Agony (implicit).
4. Finishing: Overwhelm with combat (token swarms + Brutal Hordechief), drain via aristocrats, or execute infinite combos. Use Deflecting Swat/Silence to protect the turn.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including untapped duals/fetches) OR fast mana + a tutor.
• Prioritize Zurgo + protection (Lightning Greaves) or a fast combo piece (Phyrexian Altar, Underworld Breach).
• Avoid hands lacking mana acceleration or a clear T1-3 play.

Key Tips:

• Maximize Zurgo Triggers: Attack early/often. Sac tokens after combat but before end step to draw cards.
• Protect Critical Engines: Greaves/Boots on Zurgo or Purphoros. Grand Abolisher/Silence shields combo turns.
• Leverage Graveyard: Underworld Breach + Lion's Eye Diamond fuels explosive recursion. Yawgmoth's Will is a win condition.
• Tutor Efficiently: Fetch Phyrexian Altar or Underworld Breach first. Goblin Engineer retrieves Altar or Skullclamp.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void cripples Breach, reanimation, and Gravecrawler combos.
• Commander Dependency: Removing Zurgo repeatedly halts token generation and card draw, slowing the deck significantly.
• Stax Vulnerability: Cursed Totem/Null Rod shuts off mana dorks, Altar, and artifact-based combos.

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Mass removal (Toxic Deluge, Damnation) disrupts token boards and aristocrat setups.
• Rule of Law Effects: Archon of Emeria limits storm turns and combo execution speed.
• Artifact/Enchantment Hate: Targeted removal for Altar, Purphoros, or Breach delays wins.

Minor

• Life Loss: Ad Nauseam and pain lands can lower life totals quickly against aggressive decks.
• Limited Stack Interaction: Few counterspells outside Red Elemental Blast and Silence variants.

Most Important Cards:

• Phyrexian Altar (Infinite mana/combo engine with token generators)
• Underworld Breach (Recurs combo pieces, enables storm wins)
• Purphoros, God of the Forge (Primary damage engine for token swarms)
• Lion's Eye Diamond (Mana acceleration, Breach synergy)
• Adeline, Resplendent Cathar (Massive token generation)
• Goblin Bombardment (Sacrifice outlet, win condition)
• Yawgmoth's Will (Recursion for game-winning turns)
• Demonic Tutor (Finds any combo piece)
• Dark Ritual (Enables T1 Zurgo/T2 combos)
• Grand Abolisher (Protects combo execution)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 9/10

• Capable of T1-T3 wins via fast mana into Zurgo + Altar/Breach combos or Ad Nauseam. Average goldfish win by T4.

Resilience: 7/10

• Multiple recursion engines (Breach, Yawgmoth's Will, reanimation) and protection (Deflecting Swat, Greaves), but heavily reliant on graveyard and commander.

Consistency: 9/10

• 14 tutors, extensive card draw (Zurgo, Skullclamp), and redundant combo pieces ensure near-guaranteed access to win conditions.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Deadly Dispute), stack protection (Silence, Deflecting Swat), but lacks broad counterspells or board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH-viable speeds (T1-T4 wins) with exceptional consistency via tutors and fast mana, but its reliance on the graveyard and vulnerability to commander removal prevent it from achieving top-tier resilience. It sits at the high end of optimized, bordering on cEDH viability.

Power level: 8.0 - 8.5