Overview:

This Esper (WUB) deck helmed by Hashaton, Scarab's Fist focuses on discard synergies and zombie token generation. The primary strategy revolves around discarding creature cards to create 4/4 zombie copies via Hashaton, amplified by value engines like Bone Miser and Tortured Existence. Secondary themes include reanimation of high-impact creatures (e.g., Archon of Cruelty, Sheoldred, Whispering One) and control elements. Hashaton acts as both an enabler and payoff, though the deck can function without it using alternative discard outlets. The win conditions are split between zombie swarm combat, reanimated threats, and a fragile Peregrine Drake/Hullbreaker Horror soft lock.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Prioritize discard enablers like Ledger Shredder, Frantic Search, or Skirge Familiar.
   • Deploy value engines: Bone Miser, Monastery Siege (Khans mode), or Tortured Existence.
   • Use Sol Ring/Arcane Signet to accelerate into mid-game plays.

2. Mid-Game Value (Turns 4-7):

   • Activate Hashaton’s ability by discarding high-value creatures (e.g., Vilis, Broker of Blood, Archfiend of Ifnir).
   • Reanimate key threats with Living Death, Macabre Waltz, or Undertaker.
   • Build board presence with zombie tokens and anthem effects like Death Baron.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 7+):

   • Combat: Overwhelm with zombie hordes boosted by Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite or Gleaming Overseer.
   • Reanimation: Close games with Archon of Cruelty triggers or Avacyn, Angel of Hope-backed boards.
     Combo: Peregrine Drake + Hullbreaker Horror for infinite mana/bounces (requires additional payoff like Vilis for draw/drain).

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (including color fixing), at least one discard outlet, and a value engine.
• Prioritize Bone Miser, Tortured Existence, or early interaction (Esper Sentinel, Swords to Plowshares).
• Avoid hands lacking discard synergies or with only high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Use Skirge Familiar to convert discarded cards into mana for Hashaton activations.
• Hullbreaker Horror can protect your board by bouncing threats while enabling mana loops with Peregrine Drake.
• The Underworld Cookbook provides Food for survival and graveyard recursion.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples discard/reanimation strategies.
• Commander Dependency: Repeated removal of Hashaton slows token generation significantly.
• Slow Setup: Minimal fast mana beyond Sol Ring delays key plays.

Moderate

• Token Vulnerability: Lacks mass token protection outside Clever Concealment.
• Combo Fragility: Peregrine Drake/Hullbreaker loop requires multiple pieces and lacks redundancy.

Minor

• Color Intensity: Heavy WUB costs (e.g., Elesh Norn, Avacyn) strain the mana base.

Most Important Cards:

• Bone Miser (Discard payoff engine)
• Tortured Existence (Recursion + discard enabler)
• Hullbreaker Horror (Control/combo piece)
• Archon of Cruelty (Reanimation wincon)
• Razaketh, the Foulblooded (Tutor for key pieces)
• Living Death (Mass reanimation/reset)
• Vilis, Broker of Blood (Card draw/drain)
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite (Anthem/board control)
• Teferi, Master of Time (Discard outlet + tempo)
• Monument to Endurance (Discard payoff flexibility)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via reanimation or tokens by T7-9, but lacks fast mana or early combos.

Resilience: 4/10

• Recursion via Living Death/Sun Titan helps recovery, but key engines (Bone Miser) have no protection.

Consistency: 6/10

• Multiple discard outlets and tutors (Razaketh, Rune-Scarred Demon), but high-CMC payoffs slow the deck.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Swords, Despark) and counterspulls (Counterspell, An Offer You Can’t Refuse), but limited stack control.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a Casual/Precon level (T10-12 wins) with combat/reanimation focus, but its slow setup and graveyard dependency cap its power. While it has high-ceiling plays, inconsistent speed and fragility to common hate place it below optimized tiers.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5