Overview:

This Mardu (RWB) deck leverages Zurgo Stormrender as a token generator and value engine to fuel explosive aristocrats combos and fast mana-powered wins. The primary strategy involves generating massive token swarms through Zurgo's Mobilize ability and cards like Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, then sacrificing tokens to outlets like Goblin Bombardment or Phyrexian Altar for infinite damage or mana. The deck operates at cEDH speed with multiple protected win lines, utilizing the graveyard via Underworld Breach and Yawgmoth's Will, while tutors and fast mana ensure blistering consistency. Zurgo enables card draw from token deaths and provides redundancy, but the deck functions independently if he's removed.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Explosive Start (Turns 0-2): Deploy fast mana (Lion's Eye Diamond, Mox Diamond, Mana Vault, Dark Ritual) to accelerate. Tutor key pieces with Vampiric Tutor, Imperial Seal, or Gamble. Gemstone Caverns with luck counter enables T0 plays.
2. Setup & Value (Turns 2-3): Cast Zurgo or token generators (Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, Voice of Victory). Deploy engines like Smothering Tithe, Pitiless Plunderer, or Purphoros, God of the Forge. Use Underworld Breach for graveyard recursion.
3. Win Execution (Turns 1-4):
   • Infinite Mana/Damage: Phyrexian Altar + Pitiless Plunderer + any token generator (e.g., Zurgo) = infinite death triggers/sacrifices. Feed into Goblin Bombardment, Zulaport Cutthroat, or Purphoros.
   • Breach Lines: Underworld Breach + Lion's Eye Diamond + Wheel of Fortune/Tainted Pact to draw/discard deck, then win via Goblin Bombardment or storm.
   • Ad Nauseam: Cast Ad Nauseam with low avg. CMC (1.3), draw entire deck, win via Breach or storm.
   • Combat Overrun: Swarm with tokens boosted by Brutal Hordechief or Purphoros triggers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 1-2 lands + ≥2 fast mana/tutors. Prioritize Lion's Eye Diamond, Dark Ritual, or a tutor + protection (Silence, Grand Abolisher).
• Essential combo pieces (Underworld Breach, Phyrexian Altar) + a tutor are keepable.
• Avoid hands lacking mana acceleration or win-enablers.

Key Tips:

• Sequence Mana Carefully: Lion's Eye Diamond enables Breach wins but requires discarding hand. Cast tutors before cracking LED.
• Protect Critical Turns: Use Silence, Orim's Chant, Grand Abolisher, or Deflecting Swat when going off. Imperial Recruiter fetches Abolisher.
• Leverage Graveyard: Underworld Breach and Yawgmoth's Will recur key spells. Goblin Engineer retrieves artifacts.
• Tutor Hierarchy: Fetch Breach/Altar for wins, fast mana for speed, or protection if threatened. Imperial Recruiter grabs Opposition Agent to disrupt opponents.
• Zurgo Synergy: Attack early to generate tokens. Sacrifice tokens post-combat for card draw via Zurgo's trigger.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples Breach, Yawgmoth's Will, and recursion.
• Artifact Stax: Null Rod or Stony Silence shuts down fast mana, Altar, and Bomardment, freezing the deck.
• Rule of Law Effects: Archon of Emeria or Deafening Silence prevents casting multiple spells per turn, disrupting combo turns.

Moderate

• Early Interaction: Targeted removal on key mana dorks (e.g., Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer) or Zurgo delays setup.
• Tax Effects: Thalia, Guardian of Thraben or Trinisphere slows the deck's low-CMC spell chains.
• Mass Removal: Board wipes reset token boards, though recovery is possible with Breach/recursion.

Minor

• Countermagic: Limited stack interaction beyond protection spells; countered key pieces can be recurred.
• Life Total Pressure: Aggro decks can race if the combo falters early.

Most Important Cards:

• Underworld Breach (Primary combo enabler, recursive engine)
• Lion's Eye Diamond (Mana source for Breach loops, enables T1/T2 wins)
• Phyrexian Altar (Infinite mana/sacrifice outlet with token generators)
• Goblin Bombardment (Infinite damage payoff)
• Ad Nauseam (Draws most of the deck, finds wins)
• Dark Ritual (Critical fast mana for early explosive turns)
• Vampiric Tutor (Instant-speed setup for next turn's win)
• Imperial Seal (Efficient tutor to set up wins)
• Pitiless Plunderer (Key combo piece with Altar, provides Treasure)
• Gamble (Red's best tutor, synergizes with recursion)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 10/10

• Capable of T1-T3 wins with fast mana into Breach/Ad Nauseam lines or Altar combos, meeting cEDH benchmarks.

Resilience: 8/10

• Extensive protection (Silence, Deflecting Swat), recursion (Breach, Yawgmoth's Will), and redundancy (12+ tutors) mitigate disruption, though reliant on non-creature permanents.

Consistency: 9/10

• 14 tutors, high card quality, and low average CMC (≈1.3) ensure frequent access to win conditions or fast mana.

Interaction: 7/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Deadly Dispute), hand disruption (Opposition Agent), and stack protection, but lacks broad counterspells.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH velocity with consistent T1-T3 win potential through protected combos like Underworld Breach and Phyrexian Altar loops, supported by premium fast mana and tutors. While highly resilient to spot interaction, it remains vulnerable to specific, resolved stax pieces, placing it just below the most dominant tiers.

Power level: 9.0 - 9.5