Overview:

This UB proliferate/toxic deck leverages Venser, Corpse Puppet to generate artifact creature tokens and amplify poison counters through extensive proliferation. The strategy focuses on infecting opponents via Ichor Rats, Blighted Agent, and toxic creatures, then accelerating poison with cards like Inexorable Tide and Contagion Engine. Venser enables evasion for key threats via flying/lifelink grants and creates blockers/artifact synergy pieces. While the commander supports the strategy, the deck can function independently through redundant proliferate triggers and infect threats.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Everflowing Chalice), infect enablers (Bilious Skulldweller), or Ichor Rats to establish initial poison. Use Contagion Clasp or Thrummingbird for early proliferation.
2. Midgame Amplification (T5-7): Resolve engine cards like Flux Channeler, Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus, or Phyrexian Scriptures to multiply proliferate triggers. Protect key pieces with Counterspell/Reject Imperfection.
3. Win Conversion (T7+):
   • Poison: Double-proliferate with Contagion Engine/Tekuthal to push opponents to 10 counters.
   • Combo: Use Vraska, Betrayal's Sting's ultimate (requires 9 loyalty) for instant poison kills.
   • Control Lock: Frozen Aether slows opponents while Lux Cannon removes threats.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, early proliferate (Steady Progress), or a poison starter (Ichor Rats/Blighted Agent).
• Prioritize Sol Ring/Arcane Signet in slow hands.
• Avoid hands lacking either poison sources or proliferation.

Key Tips:

• Use Venser, Corpse Puppet's token creation to fuel Throne of Geth sacrifices for free proliferation.
• Dross Scorpion untaps Lux Cannon or mana rocks after artifact creature deaths.
• Vat of Rebirth recurs key creatures like Ichor Rats using oil counters from proliferation.
• Glistening Sphere becomes a 3-mana rock once an opponent is poisoned.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Struggles against poison prevention (Melira, Sylvok Outcast, Leeches) or proliferate hosers (Solemnity).
• Fragile early game: Relies on 1-toughness creatures vulnerable to ping effects/Cursed Totem.

Moderate

• Slow setup: Requires 2-3 turns to establish meaningful poison pressure.
• Limited board wipes: Relies on Life's Finale/Make an Example for recovery.

Minor

• Weak to artifact hate disrupting Throne of Geth/Lux Cannon.
• Minimal lifegain makes aggressive strategies dangerous.

Most Important Cards:

• Ichor Rats (Global poison starter)
• Blighted Agent (Unblockable infect threat)
• Contagion Engine (Double proliferate engine)
• Flux Channeler (Noncreature spell proliferation)
• Vraska, Betrayal's Sting (Poison ultimate, recurring proliferate)
• Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus (Double proliferation)
• Solve the Equation (Tutors key instants/sorceries)
• Mystical Teachings (Flashback tutor for interaction)
• Throne of Geth (Sacrifice-based proliferation)
• Infectious Inquiry (Card draw + poison spread)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10
Can threaten T7-9 poison kills with ideal draws but often requires multiple proliferation cycles. Lacks fast mana for explosive starts.

Resilience: 4/10
Limited protection beyond counterspells; key 1-toughness creatures die to incidental damage. Some recursion via Vat of Rebirth/Geth's Summons.

Consistency: 6/10
Multiple proliferate enablers and tutors (Solve the Equation, Ringsight), but poison starters are non-redundant.

Interaction: 6/10
Counterspells (Counterspell, Reject Imperfection), targeted removal (Drown in Ichor), and stax (Frozen Aether), but lacks board wipes.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at Focused Casual levels, typically threatening wins via proliferate-driven poison around T9-11. While it has strong synergy and tutors, its fragility to early interaction and reliance on slow proliferation cycles cap its speed.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5