Overview:

This Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow deck leverages ninjutsu mechanics and evasive 1-power creatures to trigger Yuriko's card draw and life-drain effect repeatedly. The primary strategy revolves around manipulating the top of the library with cards like Brainstorm and Sensei's Divining Top to maximize damage from high mana-value bombs like Temporal Trespass, Doomsday, and Shadow of Mortality. Yuriko acts as both the engine and win condition, enabling explosive turns while circumposing commander tax via ninjutsu. A secondary plan uses Satoru Umezawa to cheat in threats like Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni and Thousand-Faced Shadow for value.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy evasive 1-drops like Changeling Outcast, Gingerbrute, or Ornithopter. Use Dark Ritual or Sol Ring to accelerate into early ninjas like Prosperous Thief or Ninja of the Deep Hours.
2. Yuriko Triggers (Turns 3-5): Ninjutsu Yuriko into play, pairing her with topdeck manipulation (Scheming Symmetry, Ponder) to reveal high-CMC cards. Use Teferi's Ageless Insight or Notion Thief to amplify card advantage.
3. Combo/Lock (Turns 5-7): Resolve Doomsday with a pile like Thousand-Faced Shadow + high-CMC spells for lethal triggers. Alternatively, chain extra turns with Temporal Trespass or lock opponents out with March of Swirling Mist + Force of Despair.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with at least 1 evasive creature and 2 lands.
• Prioritize Dark Ritual, Sol Ring, or Scheming Symmetry for explosive starts.
• Avoid hands without ninjutsu enablers or excessive high-CMC spells.

Key Tips:

• Use March of Swirling Mist to phase out Yuriko in response to removal or to enable unblocked attackers.
• Satoru Umezawa turns any creature into a ninja – cheat in Shadow of Mortality for a 7-life drain.
• Submerge and Snapback provide free interaction to protect your board state.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies heavily on maintaining Yuriko/ninja combat triggers; Propaganda effects or mass deathtouch blockers cripple the strategy.
• Limited graveyard recursion makes the Doomsday line fragile to instant-speed graveyard hate.

Moderate

• Struggles against decks with 3+ flying/reach blockers.
• High density of taplands (8) slows early aggression.

Minor

• Minimal artifact/enchantment removal beyond Force of Vigor (not present) – struggles against Mystic Remora or Cursed Totem.

Most Important Cards:

• Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow (Commander/Engine)
• Doomsday (Primary combo finisher)
• Temporal Trespass (Extra turns + 11-life drain)
• Sensei's Divining Top (Topdeck manipulation)
• Teferi's Ageless Insight (Card advantage multiplier)
• March of Swirling Mist (Protection/unblockable enabler)
• Dark Ritual (Early explosive plays)
• Satoru Umezawa (Ninjutsu enabler/value)
• Notion Thief (Disrupts opponents, amplifies draws)
• Mystic Remora (Early-game card advantage)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can drain tables for 10+ life per rotation as early as T4 with Temporal Trespass/Shadow of Mortality topdecks, but lacks fast mana beyond Sol Ring.

Resilience: 5/10

• Ninjutsu bypasses commander tax, and free interaction like Submerge helps, but folds to repeated board wipes or stax pieces.

Consistency: 7/10

• 12 evasive enablers, 7 tutors, and strong topdeck manipulation ensure regular Yuriko triggers.

Interaction: 6/10

• 10 counterspells and 5 bounce spells disrupt key threats, but lacks permanent removal for resolved enchantments/artifacts.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a high-power casual level, threatening T6-7 wins through consistent Yuriko triggers and combo potential, but its reliance on combat and vulnerability to board wipes prevent cEDH viability. The balance of speed and fragility aligns with the "Focused" tier.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5