Overview:

This Sultai (BGU) deck helmed by Kotis, the Fangkeeper focuses on +1/+1 counter synergies and aura/equipment voltron strategies, leveraging Kotis's indestructibility and combat damage trigger to cast exiled spells. The deck aims to build massive creatures through counter doublers like Branching Evolution and Hardened Scales, using evasive auras like Cloak of Mists to enable Kotis's trigger. Secondary strategies include graveyard recursion through "Renew" mechanics and some spell-copying potential with Adaptive Training Post. Kotis serves as both a value engine and potential voltron threat, though the deck can function through alternative beaters like Forgotten Ancient when commander tax accumulates.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Game (T1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet) and counter enablers like Hardened Scales. Use low-cost creatures like Formation Breaker to start building board presence.
2. Mid Game (T4-6): Equip Kotis with evasion tools (Winged Boots, Cloak of Mists) and power boosters (Blackblade Reforged). Activate counter synergies with Fangs of Kalonia and Synchronized Charge. Use Fangkeeper's Familiar for targeted disruption.
3. Late Game (T7+): Resolve game-enders like Emergent Ultimatum or Villainous Wealth using Kotis-exiled spells. Leverage Host of the Hereafter for counter redistribution and Progenitor Mimic for value generation.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands including color-fixers (Opulent Palace, Command Tower)
• Prioritize early counter engines (Hardened Scales, Forgotten Ancient) or protection (Lightning Greaves)
• Ensure at least one evasion enabler (Cloak of Mists, Winged Boots)

Key Tips:

• Use Adaptive Training Post to copy critical spells like Villainous Wealth
• Naga Fleshcrafter can clone key threats then mass-copy your best creature
• Hollowmurk Siege in Sultai mode provides consistent card draw from counter placement
• Strong Back enables cheap aura stacking on Kotis for massive boosts

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on board presence makes it vulnerable to mass removal
• Limited instant-speed interaction for stack-based threats
• Commander-dependent strategy suffers from repeated removal despite indestructibility

Moderate

• Slow mana base with multiple tapped lands delays key plays
• Graveyard hate disrupts Renew abilities and recursion
• Struggles against flyers without Winged Boots or Gaea's Gift

Minor

• High-cost finishers (Death Begets Life, Emergent Ultimatum) risk being dead cards
• Limited card advantage outside combat triggers

Most Important Cards:

• Branching Evolution (Counter multiplication core)
• Hardened Scales (Early counter acceleration)
• Kotis, the Fangkeeper (Commander/value engine)
• Fangs of Kalonia (Mass counter doubling)
• Blackblade Reforged (Voltron enabler)
• Adaptive Training Post (Spell-copying value)
• Emergent Ultimatum (Tutor finisher)
• Forgotten Ancient (Passive counter generation)
• Hollowmurk Siege (Card draw engine)
• Progenitor Mimic (Value replication)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish threats by T4-5 but lacks fast combo finishers, relying on gradual combat pressure.

Resilience: 4/10

• Limited protection beyond Kotis's indestructibility; struggles to recover from repeated wipes.

Consistency: 6/10

• Multiple counter synergies provide redundancy, but tutors are expensive and situational.

Interaction: 3/10

• Spot removal exists (Strategic Betrayal, Alesha's Legacy), but lacks counterspell density and artifact/enchantment answers.

Rating Justification:

This deck shows focused casual play patterns with clear +1/+1 counter themes and commander synergy, but its slow mana base and vulnerability to disruption cap its effectiveness. While capable of threatening wins through combat around T8-10, it lacks the speed and protection of optimized lists.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5