Overview:

This Orzhov aristocrats deck helmed by Teysa Karlov focuses on generating value from death triggers and token synergies. The strategy revolves around sacrificing creatures to drain opponents through Blood Artist effects while controlling the board with Grave Pact-style effects. Teysa amplifies all death triggers and grants tokens lifelink/vigilance, serving as both an engine multiplier and a value generator. Key backup commanders like Drivnod, Carnage Dominus and Mondrak, Glory Dominus provide redundancy for trigger/token doubling.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), token generators (Bitterblossom, Ophiomancer), and key engines (Skullclamp, Pitiless Plunderer).
2. Midgame Value (T4-6): Cast Teysa to double triggers. Sacrifice tokens to Phyrexian Altar/Carrion Feeder while activating Zulaport Cutthroat/Cruel Celebrant drain effects. Use Karmic Guide/Reveillark loops for recursion.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Drain Combos: Ophiomancer + Phyrexian Altar + Blood Artist creates infinite death triggers with Teysa/Drivnod.
   • Token Overrun: Divine Visitation converts tokens into 4/4 Angels, amplified by Mondrak, Glory Dominus.
   • Ad Nauseam: Draw most of the deck using life gain from drain effects, then combo off.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, preferably including Cabal Coffers/Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth.
• Prioritize early token generators or sacrifice outlets.
• Ensure access to at least one payoff card (Blood Artist, Elenda, the Dusk Rose).

Key Tips:

• Use Grand Abolisher/Silence to protect combo turns.
• The Meathook Massacre doubles as both a board wipe and a win condition.
• Malakir Rebirth on Teysa preserves your engine through removal.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) dismantles recursion engines like Karmic Guide and Reveillark.
• Torpor Orb effects nullify crucial ETB triggers from key creatures.

Moderate

• Enchantment removal targeting Grave Pact/Divine Visitation slows the deck significantly.
• Fast combo decks can outpace the setup time required.

Minor

• Single-target removal on Teysa is manageable with recursion/protection.
• Limited stack interaction outside Imp's Mischief/Deadly Rollick.

Most Important Cards:

• Teysa Karlov (Trigger doubling engine)
• Phyrexian Altar (Infinite sac outlet)
• Drivnod, Carnage Dominus (Backup trigger doubler)
• Pitiless Plunderer (Mana generation from deaths)
• Ad Nauseam (Mass card draw)
• Grave Pact (Board control)
• Elenda, the Dusk Rose (Scalable threat/token generator)
• Karmic Guide (Recursion combo piece)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token multiplier)
• The Meathook Massacre (Scalable wipe/drain)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Can threaten T5-6 wins through combo lines or overwhelming drain value, accelerated by Dark Ritual/Cabal Coffers.

Resilience: 6/10
Multiple recursion engines (Karmic Guide, Malakir Rebirth) and protection (Teferi's Protection) mitigate disruption, but core combos remain fragile.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tutor density (Diabolic Intent, Beseech the Mirror) and card draw (Dark Prophecy, Skullclamp) ensure access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10
Focused on board control via sacrifice effects rather than stack interaction, though Anguished Unmaking/Deadly Rollick provide targeted answers.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates optimized aristocrats strategies with multiple combo lines and strong synergy density, capable of threatening T5-6 wins. While resilient to common removal, its reliance on creature-based engines keeps it below cEDH tiers.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0