Overview:

This Boros deck helmed by Winota, Joiner of Forces is a stax-oriented aggro build that leverages non-Human token generators to rapidly trigger Winota’s ability, cheating impactful Humans into play. The deck combines aggressive board development with disruptive elements like Blood Moon, Archon of Emeria, and Drannith Magistrate to hinder opponents. Winota serves as the linchpin, enabling explosive turns where high-value Humans like Blade Historian, Aurelia, the Warleader, and Angrath’s Marauders enter for free, amplifying combat damage. Secondary damage sources like Impact Tremors and Warleader’s Call provide incremental reach, while stax pieces delay opponents long enough to secure victory through overwhelming attacks.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy non-Human attackers (e.g., Gingerbrute, Ornithopter of Paradise, Loyal Apprentice) and stax pieces (Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Deafening Silence). Ramp with Sol Ring, Boros Signet, or Simian Spirit Guide to cast Winota by Turn 3.
2. Winota Triggers (Turns 3-5): Attack with non-Humans to cheat in key Humans:
   • Combat Buffs: Blade Historian (double strike), Angrath’s Marauders (double damage).
   • Stax/Value: Drannith Magistrate, Archon of Emeria, Aven Mindcensor.
   • Extra Combats: Aurelia, the Warleader, Combat Celebrant.
3. Lockdown & Finish (Turns 5-8): Use Blood Moon/Winter Moon to cripple mana bases. Chain extra combats with Aurelia or Shadowfax, Lord of Horses to overwhelm with triggered damage (Impact Tremors) or lethal combat steps.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 2-3 lands (including red/white sources), a non-Human attacker, and Winota.
• Keep hands with early stax (Archon of Emeria, Blood Moon) or protection (Lightning Greaves).
• Avoid hands lacking non-Human enablers or excessive high-cost Humans.

Key Tips:

• Protect Winota at all costs with Swiftfoot Boots, Boros Charm, or Alseid of Life’s Bounty.
• Sequence stax pieces to maximize disruption: Deploy Blood Moon before opponents fix mana, then follow with Drannith Magistrate.
• Use Scroll Rack to manipulate Winota triggers by stacking Humans on top.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Winota removal cripples the deck’s engine, requiring heavy protection investment.
• Board Wipes: Lacks mass recursion; Austere Command-style effects reset progress.
• Anti-Synergy: Stax pieces like Archon of Emeria/Deafening Silence slow the deck’s own token generation and spellcasting.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Hate: Vandalblast or Bane of Progress disrupts ramp/stax.
• Fliers/Evasion: Struggles against decks with superior air defense if Aven Mindcensor isn’t online.

Minor

• Graveyard Interaction: Limited recursion beyond Eternal Witness-like effects.

Most Important Cards:

• Winota, Joiner of Forces (Engine for cheating Humans)
• Blade Historian (Combat multiplier)
• Aurelia, the Warleader (Extra combats)
• Blood Moon (Mana disruption)
• Drannith Magistrate (Anti-cast stax)
• Impact Tremors (Incremental damage)
• Angrath’s Marauders (Damage doubler)
• Lightning Greaves (Protection for Winota)
• Archon of Emeria (Spell/tempo stax)
• Simian Spirit Guide (Early Winota acceleration)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can deploy Winota by Turn 3 and threaten lethal via explosive combat chains by Turns 5-6, but lacks instant-win combos.

Resilience: 5/10

• Heavily reliant on Winota staying alive; limited protection and recovery from board wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• High density of non-Human enablers and stax pieces ensure early setup, but Human hits are semi-random.

Interaction: 6/10

• Strong stax and targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Chaos Warp), but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 6.0 - 6.5 power level, capable of threatening wins by Turns 6-7 through combat synergy and stax-backed aggression. While its speed and consistency are notable, reliance on Winota and vulnerability to disruption prevent it from reaching higher tiers.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5