Overview:

This Grixis spellslinger deck helmed by Anhelo, the Painter focuses on copying high-impact instants/sorceries using Casualty tokens while generating value through spell recursion and theft effects. The commander enables explosive turns by doubling key spells like Torment of Hailfire or Exsanguinate, supported by zombie token generators like Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia and Poppet Stitcher. Secondary win conditions include stealing opponents' threats (Bribery, Acquire) and infinite mana combos with Reiterate + Mana Geyser.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Token Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy zombie generators (Jadar, Ghoulish Procession, Flip the Switch) to enable Anhelo's Casualty 2. Use signets and Sol Ring to accelerate.
2. Value Engines (Mid-Game): Cast Anhelo on-curve (T3-4) and use low-CMC spells like Deadly Dispute or Frantic Search with Casualty for card advantage.
3. Combo Setup: Tutor for Reiterate/Mana Geyser with Solve the Equation or Gifts Ungiven. Use Kess, Dissident Mage to recur key spells.
4. Win Turns:
   • X-Spell Overload: Copy Torment of Hailfire/Exsanguinate with Anhelo + Twinning Staff for quadruple casts.
   • Infinite Mana: Reiterate + Mana Geyser → infinite red mana → game-ending X-spells.
   • Theft: Resolve Bribery or Acquire targeting opponents' combo pieces.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands + 1 ramp artifact (Signet/Sol Ring).
• Prioritize early zombie generators (Jadar, Poppet Stitcher) or Anhelo protection (Swiftfoot Boots missing - see weaknesses).
• Avoid hands without token enablers or mana fixing.

Key Tips:

• Use Cormela, Glamour Thief as both mana battery and recursion for combo pieces.
• Karn's Temporal Sundering provides both extra turns and interaction when copied.
• Parnesse, the Subtle Brush punishes targeted removal while sharing copied spells politically.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to commander removal - Anhelo has no built-in protection and requires 5+ mana for recasts.
• Relies heavily on 2-power tokens for Casualty - Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb cripples the deck.

Moderate

• Limited board wipes beyond Cyclonic Rift - struggles against wide creature strategies.
• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace) disrupts Kess, Mystic Sanctuary, and recursion.

Minor

• High variance without tutors - only 4 direct spell tutors.
• Slow mana base with multiple tapped lands delays critical turns.

Most Important Cards:

• Anhelo, the Painter (Casualty enabler)
• Reiterate (Infinite mana combo piece)
• Mana Geyser (Mana generation for X-spells)
• Torment of Hailfire (Primary win condition)
• Kess, Dissident Mage (Spell recursion)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset)
• Gifts Ungiven (Tutor + graveyard setup)
• Cormela, Glamour Thief (Mana/recursion engine)
• Solve the Equation (Combo tutor)
• Twinning Staff (Copy multiplier)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can threaten T6-8 wins with ideal draws (Anhelo + Mana Geyser + X-spell), but requires significant setup.

Resilience: 5/10
Limited protection for Anhelo and key pieces, though recursion (Kess, Cormela) provides some recovery.

Consistency: 6/10
Moderate tutor density and card draw, but relies on drawing token generators for Casualty.

Interaction: 7/10
Strong stack interaction (Arcane Denial, Unwind) and targeted removal (Bedevil, Chaos Warp), but lacks board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates in the T7-8 win range with fragile combos and commander dependency, aligning with Focused tiers. While interaction is above average, its reliance on Anhelo and setup time prevents higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5