Overview:

This Simic deck helmed by Lonis, Cryptozoologist focuses on generating massive Clue token quantities through creature ETBs and synergistic effects, leveraging them to steal opponents' permanents and create overwhelming board states. The strategy utilizes token doublers like Parallel Lives and Doubling Season, artifact synergies with Academy Manufactor and Cyberdrive Awakener, and infinite mana combos to activate Lonis's ability repeatedly. Lonis serves as both an engine (generating Clues) and a win condition (stealing high-value permanents), supported by flicker effects like Deadeye Navigator to maximize ETB triggers.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Cultivate), Clue generators (e.g., Coiling Oracle, Hard Evidence), and value pieces like Beast Whisperer or Lifecrafter's Bestiary. Protect Lonis with Lightning Greaves.
2. Clue Explosion (Turns 4-6): Resolve token doublers (Parallel Lives, Academy Manufactor) and flicker engines (Deadeye Navigator + Peregrine Drake for infinite mana). Use Erdwal Illuminator and Ethereal Investigator to multiply Clue production.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Theft Storm: Sacrifice Clues via Lonis to steal opponents' key permanents.
   • Artifact Overload: Cast Cyberdrive Awakener or Rise and Shine to animate Clues/artifacts into a lethal army.
   • Infinite Combos: Deadeye Navigator + Peregrine Drake generates infinite mana to activate Lonis infinitely or fuel Walking Ballista (if stolen).
   • Mechanized Production: Attach to a Clue token to create exponential copies and win via the eight-copy trigger.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including G/U sources), at least one early Clue generator (e.g., Hard Evidence, Tireless Tracker), and ramp.
• Prioritize hands with protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Tamiyo's Safekeeping) if facing removal-heavy metas.
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or reliant solely on high-CMC cards like Esix, Fractal Bloom.

Key Tips:

• Use Ghostly Flicker or Essence Flux on Lonis to retrigger her Clue generation while dodging removal.
• Inspiring Statuary turns Clues into Improvise fuel for explosive turns.
• Junk Winder locks down opponents' boards by tapping permanents whenever tokens enter.
• Mechanized Production on a Clue token creates a backup win condition that opponents must answer.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Lonis is essential for the primary theft strategy; repeated removal cripples the deck.
• Artifact Wipes: Vandalblast or Farewell devastates Clue stockpiles and artifact synergies.
• Anti-Token Effects: Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullify ETB-based Clue generation.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace disrupts recursion from Archaeomancer/Regrowth.
• Stack Interaction: Limited counterspells (only 4) leave combos vulnerable to disruption.
• Mana Constraints: Infinite mana combos require specific pieces; non-green mana sources are limited.

Minor

• Flyer Weakness: Relies on stolen creatures or Cyberdrive Awakener to block airborne threats.
• Slow Start: Early turns are setup-heavy; aggressive decks can pressure life totals.

Most Important Cards:

• Academy Manufactor (Triples Clue/Food/Treasure output, enabling explosive synergies)
• Deadeye Navigator (Enables infinite mana with Peregrine Drake and protects key creatures)
• Parallel Lives/Doubling Season (Doubles Clue production for faster Lonis activations)
• Cyberdrive Awakener (Converts Clues/artifacts into a flying army)
• Erdwal Illuminator (Doubles Clue generation each turn)
• Mechanized Production (Alternate win condition with exponential Clue replication)
• Tireless Tracker (Scales with land drops and Clue sacrifices)
• Peregrine Drake (Combo piece for infinite mana)
• Whir of Invention (Tutors key artifacts like Academy Manufactor)
• Ethereal Investigator (Generates Clues and Spirits on card draw)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
The deck can threaten wins via infinite mana combos or Clue animation as early as T5-6 but requires setup turns for key pieces.

Resilience: 5/10
Protection for Lonis and recursion (e.g., Regrowth) exist, but heavy reliance on artifacts/commander makes it vulnerable to focused hate.

Consistency: 7/10
Numerous Clue generators and tutors (Whir of Invention, Tamiyo's Journal) provide redundancy, though combo pieces lack direct searches.

Interaction: 5/10
Limited counterspells and targeted removal (Beast Within, Nature's Claim) are efficient but sparse compared to higher-power decks.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 6.0 - 6.5 power level, capable of T7-8 wins through combos or overwhelming artifact armies but held back by commander dependency and modest interaction. Its synergy density and infinite mana potential push it above casual tiers, while its fragility to common disruption prevents cEDH viability.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5