Overview:

This Mardu (RWB) Queen Marchesa deck is a hybrid token swarm/aristocrats strategy focused on generating value through monarch mechanics, token creation, and sacrifice synergies. The commander enables card advantage via monarch while creating deathtouch Assassin tokens when contested. The deck leverages explosive token generators like Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, Leonin Warleader, and Forth Eorlingas! alongside payoff cards such as Purphoros, God of the Forge, Mirkwood Bats, and Teysa Karlov to drain opponents. Sacrifice outlets like Goblin Bombardment and Phyrexian Altar convert tokens into direct damage or mana, while stax elements like Blind Obedience and Authority of the Consuls slow opponents.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Establish Monarch Early (Turns 1-4): Deploy low-cost enablers like Esper Sentinel, Ophiomancer, or Black Market Connections to maintain board presence while casting Queen Marchesa for early monarch status. Use Throne of the High City or Court of Grace as backup.
2. Token Proliferation (Turns 3-6): Resolve key token generators: Adeline, Resplendent Cathar, Brimaz, King of Oreskos, or Forth Eorlingas! (X=3+). Amplify with doubling effects like Mondrak, Glory Dominus or Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation.
3. Sacrifice Payoffs (Turns 4-8): Activate Ashnod's Altar, Goblin Bombardment, or Viscera Seer to convert tokens into damage (via Blood Artist, Zulaport Cutthroat), card draw (Skullclamp), or mana for finishers like Elspeth, Sun's Champion.
4. Close the Game: Overwhelm with combat using Akroma's Will or Cathars' Crusade, drain via Purphoros, God of the Forge triggers, or lock out opponents with Norn's Annex/Ghostly Prison.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including at least two colors).
• Prioritize early token generators (Ophiomancer, Bastion of Remembrance) or monarch enablers (Esper Sentinel, Black Market Connections).
• Look for synergy pairs: Teysa Karlov + sacrifice outlet, Mondrak + token generator.
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or color fixing.

Key Tips:

• Use Inkshield as a combat trick to create 10+ Inkling tokens after a large attack.
• Farewell resets the board but exiles your own key enchantments—time it carefully.
• Helm of the Host on Adeline or Queen Marchesa creates exponential value.
• Warleader's Call stacks with Purphoros, God of the Forge for 3 damage per token.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• No graveyard recursion beyond Gerrard, Weatherlight Hero leaves the deck vulnerable to repeated board wipes.
• Enchantment reliance: Losing Purphoros, God of the Forge, Cathars' Crusade, or Teysa Karlov cripples key engines.

Moderate

• Slow mana base: Multiple tapped lands (e.g., Nomad Outpost, Boros Guildgate) delay critical turns.
• Limited stack interaction: Only Rebuff the Wicked and Surge of Salvation protect against counterspells/removal.

Minor

• Token generators are vulnerable to Torpor Orb effects.
• Struggles against flying-heavy decks without Inkshield or deathtouch tokens.

Most Important Cards:

• Purphoros, God of the Forge (Primary damage engine)
• Teysa Karlov (Doubles death triggers and grants lifelink/vigilance)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token doubling)
• Ashnod's Altar (Mana generation and sac outlet)
• Cathars' Crusade (Combat finisher)
• Enlightened Tutor (Finds key enchantments/artifacts)
• Akroma's Will (Protection and lethal combat swing)
• Forth Eorlingas! (Scaling token generator and monarch reclaim)
• Skullclamp (Card draw from 1/1 tokens)
• Phyrexian Altar (Mana fixing and combo potential)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten lethal via Purphoros/Impact Tremors as early as T5 with optimal token generation, but lacks fast mana for explosive starts.

Resilience: 5/10

• Limited protection for key pieces and minimal recursion, but redundancy in token generators and monarch tools provides some recovery.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card draw (monarch, Black Market Connections, Esper Sentinel) and tutors (Enlightened Tutor, Diabolic Intent) ensure access to engines.

Interaction: 5/10

• Spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Deflecting Palm) and stax pieces slow opponents but lack countermagic for combo disruption.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a Focused level, capable of threatening wins via combat or drain around T7-8 but held back by its vulnerability to board wipes and slower mana. Its monarch-driven consistency and multiple synergies elevate it above casual builds, while the absence of infinite combos or cEDH-speed interaction caps its ceiling.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0