Overview:

This Malcolm/Kediss deck is a synergistic Izzet combo build leveraging Malcolm's Treasure generation and Kediss' damage multiplication. The primary strategy revolves around creating infinite mana through Malcolm + Freed from the Real or Ophidian Eye/Curiosity loops, then converting Treasures into damage via Reckless Fireweaver/Ingenious Artillerist. Secondary win conditions include Glint-Horn Buccaneer discard loops and combat damage amplification through poison (Grafted Exoskeleton) or extra combats (Port Razer). Malcolm serves as the linchpin - his Treasure generation enables both combos and explosive plays, while Kediss amplifies damage triggers across all opponents.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Izzet Signet), Pirates like Siren Stormtamer for protection, or Reckless Fireweaver for chip damage. Use cantrips (Preordain, Brainstorm) to find key pieces.
2. Treasure Engine Activation (Turns 3-5): Cast Malcolm and protect him with counterspells. Use Pirates/Maskwood Nexus to generate Treasures. Academy Manufactor/Xorn amplify Treasure output.
3. Combo Assembly:
   • Infinite Mana: Attach Freed from the Real or Curiosity effects to Malcolm. Generate infinite Treasures, then use Fireweaver/Artillerist to burn opponents.
   • Glint-Horn Loop: Attack with Glint-Horn Buccaneer, use its discard ability with Curiosity/Tandem Lookout to draw/discard infinitely, dealing lethal damage via its trigger.
4. Alternative Lines: Use Underworld Breach to recur key spells, Grafted Exoskeleton on Kediss for poison kills, or Port Razer for combat chain victories.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with Malcolm, a protection piece (counterspell/Siren Stormtamer), and at least 2 lands.
• Prioritize hands with early Treasure generators (Professional Face-Breaker, Gemcutter Buccaneer).
• Avoid hands lacking blue mana for counterspells or combo enablers.

Key Tips:

• Use Strionic Resonator to double Malcolm's Treasure triggers or Glint-Horn damage.
• Artificial Evolution/Imagecrafter can turn non-Pirates into Pirates for Malcolm triggers.
• Underworld Breach + Windfall enables massive graveyard recursion.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavily commander-dependent - Malcolm removal cripples the deck's engine.
• Vulnerable to artifact hate (Vandalblast, Collector Ouphe) shutting down Treasure synergies.
• Dies to Cursed Totem/Linvala locking out activated abilities (Malcolm/Fireweaver).

Moderate

• Limited board wipes beyond Blasphemous Act - struggles against wide creature strategies.
• Graveyard reliance (Breach/Glint-Horn) weak to Rest in Peace.

Minor

• Some combo pieces lack redundancy (only 1 copy of Freed from the Real).
• Low creature count makes blocking difficult.

Most Important Cards:

• Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator (Treasure engine/combo piece)
• Freed from the Real (Infinite mana enabler)
• Reckless Fireweaver (Primary combo payoff)
• Underworld Breach (Recursion engine)
• Glint-Horn Buccaneer (Alternative win condition)
• Academy Manufactor (Treasure multiplier)
• Strionic Resonator (Trigger doubler)
• Counterspell/Dispel (Combo protection)
• Maskwood Nexus (Universal Pirate enabler)
• Gamble (Key tutor)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10
Capable of T4 wins with perfect hands (Malcolm + Freed + Fireweaver), typically threatens T5-6 victories through multiple combo lines.

Resilience: 5/10
Moderate protection (8 counterspells, Spellskite), but over-reliance on Malcolm makes the deck vulnerable to targeted removal.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tutoring (Gamble, Imperial Recruiter, transmute) and card selection (Windfall, Preordain) ensure regular access to combo pieces.

Interaction: 6/10
Efficient counterspells and removal (Pongify, Abrade), but light on board wipes and permanent-based interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates cEDH-adjacent speed with T4-6 win potential through compact combos and strong tutoring, but lacks the redundancy, free interaction, and resilience of top-tier lists. Its Malcolm dependency and vulnerability to common hate pieces cap its power below optimized cEDH levels.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0