Overview:

This Orzhov deck helmed by Minthara, Merciless Soul focuses on accumulating experience counters through sacrificial/flicker synergies while amplifying creature power via proliferate mechanics. The strategy revolves around controlled board attrition - sacrificing tokens, recurring ETB effects via blink, and leveraging death triggers to fuel Minthara's experience engine. Win conditions center on wide combat damage amplified by Minthara's +1/+0 per experience counter, with secondary pressure from Mirkwood Bats drain effects and proliferate-assisted poison via Blightbelly Rat. Minthara acts as both a critical buff engine and enabler for card advantage through sacrifice synergies, though the deck lacks infinite combos or robust protection packages.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-4): Deploy cheap sac outlets (Viscera Seer), token generators (Nested Shambler), and flicker enablers (Ephemerate). Use Wayfarer's Bauble/signets for ramp. Prioritize recurring value creatures like Spirited Companion with blink effects.
2. Experience Engine (T3-6): Sacrifice expendable creatures to Deadly Dispute/Village Rites for cards while triggering Minthara's counter gain. Blink Gulping Scraptrap or Martyr for the Cause to proliferate counters. Activate Mirkwood Bats drain via token sacrifices.
3. Closing (T7+): Deploy All That Glitters on evasive creatures or use proliferate to amplify poison counters. Swing with a wide board buffed by 4-6+ experience counters. Protect key pieces with Rootborn Defenses during alpha strikes.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (WB sources critical)
• Prioritize early sac outlets (Viscera Seer), flicker spells (Cloudshift), or card engines (Deadly Dispute)
• Avoid hands without early creatures or experience triggers

Key Tips:

• Use Kaya's Ghostform on Minthara to bypass commander tax while maintaining experience counters
• Chain Ephemerate rebound triggers with Inspiring Overseer for repeated card draw
• Sacrifice Nested Shambler post-combat to create blockers and fuel Mirkwood Bats

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Catastrophic board wipe vulnerability - limited recovery beyond Unearth/Mortuary Mire
• Heavy reliance on Minthara staying alive pre-experience counters (ward scales slowly)
• Minimal stack interaction (no counterspells) against combo decks

Moderate

• Struggles against enchantment/artifact hate (All That Glitters, Seal of Cleansing key)
• Slow mana base (12+ tapped lands) delays engine setup
• Limited tutor density for critical pieces like Mirkwood Bats

Minor

• Inconsistent poison wincon (only 1 toxic creature)
• Mediocre topdeck quality in late game

Most Important Cards:

• Mirkwood Bats (Primary drain engine)
• Ephemerate (Value multiplier & experience trigger)
• Deadly Dispute (Sacrifice enabler & card advantage)
• Viscera Seer (Sacrifice outlet & scry engine)
• Rootborn Defenses (Board protection + token duplication)
• All That Glitters (Voltron-style finisher)
• Gulping Scraptrap (Proliferate on ETB/death)
• Nested Shambler (Token generator & sacrifice fodder)
• Suture Priest (Passive life swing control)
• Cloudshift (Blink for experience triggers)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Capable of threatening wins via combat around T8-10, but lacks explosive early combos.

Resilience: 4/10

• Moderate recursion/protection but folds to repeated wipes. Experience counters persist through rebuilds.

Consistency: 6/10

• Numerous cantrips/sac-draw effects compensate for low tutor density. Land base hinders color access.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Feed the Swarm, Wanderer's Strike) but minimal stack interaction or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused casual build with upgraded precon elements, leveraging consistent value engines but lacking the speed or redundancy for higher optimization. Its T8-10 combat win potential and moderate resilience against spot removal align with the 4.0-4.5 tier, though mana inconsistencies prevent higher consistency.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5