Overview:

This Dimir deck helmed by Mirko, Obsessive Theorist employs a surveil-fueled reanimator strategy. The primary game plan focuses on self-milling powerful creatures through surveil effects, then reviving them via Mirko's end-step recursion or dedicated reanimation spells. The commander serves as both a value engine (growing via surveil triggers) and a reanimation outlet, though the deck includes multiple backup recursion options. Secondary win conditions include incremental value from copied threats, Syr Konrad, the Grim damage triggers, and Gray Merchant of Asphodel drain effects.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy surveil enablers (Sinister Starfish, Nightveil Sprite, Snarling Gorehound), ramp (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), and self-mill payoffs (Unshakable Tail, Case of the Shifting Visage).
2. Graveyard Stocking (Turns 3-5): Use Buried Alive, Entomb, and repeated surveils to dump key targets like Archon of Cruelty, Sheoldred, Whispering One, or Massacre Wurm.
3. Reanimation Phase (Turns 4-6): Activate Mirko's recursion (boosted by +1/+1 counters from surveil) or cast Reanimate/Animate Dead. Use Power Conduit to manipulate counters for repeated triggers.
4. Endgame: Overwhelm with recursive threats, copy engines (Spark Double, Phyrexian Metamorph), and Syr Konrad, the Grim pings.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (UB sources preferred)
• Prioritize early surveil enablers or self-mill (Doom Whisperer, Search for Azcanta)
• Ensure at least one reanimation spell or Mirko-protection (Swiftfoot Boots)
• Avoid hands lacking surveil/recursion synergy

Key Tips:

• Use Enhanced Surveillance to turbo-charge surveil triggers while maintaining graveyard control
• Nesting Grounds can redistribute counters to keep Mirko's power high for recursion
• Wishclaw Talisman tutors critical pieces but time usage carefully before passing it
• Lively Dirge provides flexible recursion for smaller creatures

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples recursion engines
• Heavy reliance on Mirko's survival for consistent recursion (weak to repeated removal)

Moderate

• Limited instant-speed interaction for noncreature threats
• High-value reanimation targets vulnerable to exile removal

Minor

• Some clunky high-CMC spells without sufficient fast mana
• Surveil-dependent card selection can whiff on key pieces

Most Important Cards:

• Mirko, Obsessive Theorist (Engine & recursion outlet)
• Archon of Cruelty (Recurring value/drain)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Passive damage & graveyard synergy)
• Buried Alive (Graveyard setup)
• Reanimate (Efficient recursion)
• Doom Whisperer (Surveil engine & threat)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life swing finisher)
• Animate Dead (Flexible reanimation)
• Enhanced Surveillance (Surveil multiplier)
• Sheoldred, Whispering One (Recursive value engine)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can cheat out game-warping threats as early as T3-4 with perfect draws, but typically establishes dominance around T6-7. Lacks fast combo kills.

Resilience: 5/10
Multiple reanimation sources provide redundancy, but over-reliance on graveyard makes it fragile to hate. Limited protection for Mirko.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong surveil/draw package and tutors (Wishclaw Talisman, Entomb) reliably assemble key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10
Focused on creature removal (Toxic Deluge, Ravenous Chupacabra) with some counterspells, but lacks stack control for noncreatures.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused casual power with T7-8 win potential through efficient reanimation and value engines but falters against common graveyard hate and lacks the speed/protection of higher tiers. Its balanced consistency and moderate interaction place it between optimized casual and high-power casual.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5