Overview:

This Abzan (W/B/G) deck helmed by Betor, Ancestor's Voice focuses on lifegain synergies and +1/+1 counter proliferation, with a secondary reanimation subtheme. The commander amplifies the strategy by rewarding life gain with creature buffs and enabling graveyard recursion based on life lost. Primary win conditions include an infinite lifegain/drain combo with Exquisite Blood + Enduring Tenacity, Aetherflux Reservoir nukes, and value-driven combat via counters from Archangel of Thune and Trelasarra, Moon Dancer. The deck leverages token generation (e.g., Felisa, Fang of Silverquill, Beledros Witherbloom) and incremental life triggers to fuel its engines.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Deploy lifegain engines: Soul Warden, Jaddi Offshoot, Nyx-Fleece Ram.
   • Ramp with Sol Ring, Kodama's Reach, and Dawnhart Rejuvenator.
   • Establish counter synergies with Lae'zel, Vlaakith's Champion or Cleric Class.

2. Midgame Value (Turns 5-7):

   • Activate Betor's triggers by balancing life gain (via Rhox Faithmender, Indulging Patrician) and life loss (sacrificing tokens to Ghave, Guru of Spores).
   • Tutor for combo pieces with Diabolic Tutor or Idyllic Tutor.
   • Deploy key threats: Archangel of Thune, Aetherflux Reservoir, Exquisite Blood.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 7-10+):

   • Infinite Combo: Resolve Exquisite Blood + Enduring Tenacity for instant table kill.
   • Aetherflux Storm: Cast multiple spells in a turn to activate Reservoir’s 50-damage ability.
   • Combat Overrun: Swing with massive creatures boosted by Archangel of Thune or Elspeth Resplendent buffs.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color-fixing).
• Prioritize early lifegain engines or ramp.
• Mulligan aggressively for combo pieces if holding a tutor.

Key Tips:

• Use Shalai, Voice of Plenty to protect combo pieces.
• Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord can recur critical creatures like Marauding Blight-Priest.
• Qarsi Revenant in the graveyard provides reusable counter distribution.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Enchantment Removal: Losing Exquisite Blood or Enduring Tenacity cripples the primary combo.
• Board Wipes: Struggles to rebuild after mass removal due to limited recursion for noncreature permanents.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Scavenging Ooze-effects disrupt Betor’s recursion and Sorin’s reanimation.
• Stax Effects: Rule of Law slows the Aetherflux storm plan; Torpor Orb nullifies ETB lifegain triggers.

Minor

• Aggro Pressure: Early creature swarms can outpace lifegain stabilization.
• Mana Constraints: Taplands and limited fast mana delay critical turns.

Most Important Cards:

• Exquisite Blood (Combo linchpin)
• Enduring Tenacity (Combo finisher)
• Archangel of Thune (Scaling threat amplifier)
• Aetherflux Reservoir (Alternate wincon)
• Rhox Faithmender (Lifegain multiplier)
• Diabolic Tutor (Combo enabler)
• Beledros Witherbloom (Token/lifegain engine)
• Felisa, Fang of Silverquill (Token generator)
• Shalai, Voice of Plenty (Protection)
• Sorin, Vengeful Bloodlord (Recursion)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via combo or Reservoir around T7-9 with optimal draws, but lacks turbo ramp.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate protection/recursion for creatures, but combo pieces are fragile to enchantment removal.

Consistency: 6/10

• Limited tutors and draw engines outside lifegain triggers, but redundant lifegain payoffs provide fallback plans.

Interaction: 5/10

• Spot removal (Anguished Unmaking, Infernal Grasp) handles threats but lacks stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a focused casual level, capable of T8-10 wins through its combo or incremental value but held back by vulnerability to common interaction and moderate speed. Its resilience and tutor density align with optimized casual play.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5