Overview:

This Karador, Ghost Chieftain deck leverages Abzan colors to execute a resilient graveyard-centric strategy, combining aristocrat drain effects, creature-based combos, and reanimation value. Karador acts as both a recursion engine and cost reducer, enabling repeated casting of key creatures like Fiend Artisan, Priest of Fell Rites, and Loyal Retainers. The deck uses self-mill (Hermit Druid, Spinner of Souls) and tutors (Survival of the Fittest, Buried Alive) to stock the graveyard while deploying stax elements (Archon of Emeria, Thalia, Guardian of Thraben) to slow opponents. Primary win conditions include infinite death/ETB loops with Phyrexian Altar + token generators, Kokusho, the Evening Star recursion, and overwhelming board states with Craterhoof Behemoth or Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Deploy mana dorks (Birds of Paradise, Avacyn's Pilgrim) and self-mill engines (Hermit Druid).
   • Cast stax pieces (Archon of Emeria, Thalia, Guardian of Thraben) to disrupt opponents.
   • Use Buried Alive or Entomb to stock graveyard with key creatures like Kokusho or Fiend Artisan.

2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6):

   • Reanimate threats via Necromancy, Loyal Retainers, or Karador’s ability.
   • Assemble aristocrat engines (Poison-Tip Archer, Corpse Knight) with sacrifice outlets (Phyrexian Altar, Bartolomé del Presidio).
   • Tutor for combo pieces with Survival of the Fittest or Birthing Pod.

3. Win Condition Execution:

   • Infinite Mana/ETBs: Phyrexian Altar + Luminous Broodmoth + Fiend Artisan (sacrifice loops).
   • Life Drain: Recur Kokusho, the Evening Star with Loyal Retainers or Necromancy.
   • Combat Overkill: Craterhoof Behemoth or Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite with token swarms.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including at least one green/black source.
• Prioritize early ramp (dorks) or self-mill (Hermit Druid).
• Ensure access to graveyard setup (Buried Alive/Entomb) or stax pieces against fast decks.

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection or Flawless Maneuver to protect key turns.
• Volrath's Stronghold ensures recursive access to critical creatures.
• Phyrexian Altar + Luminous Broodmoth creates infinite death triggers with any non-flying creature.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void shuts down recursion and combo lines.
• Anti-Sacrifice Effects: Torpor Orb/Hushbringer nullify ETB/death triggers.

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Farewell exiling creatures/graveyard disrupts recovery.
• Fast Combo Decks: Limited stack interaction (only 5 counterspells/protection spells).

Minor

• Mana Base: Nonbasic land hate (Blood Moon) minimally impacts due to basics/fetches.
• Single-Target Removal: Karador’s recursion mitigates this.

Most Important Cards:

1. Survival of the Fittest (Tutor engine for combo pieces)
2. Phyrexian Altar (Infinite mana/sacrifice outlet)
3. Hermit Druid (Graveyard enabler)
4. Kokusho, the Evening Star (Life drain wincon)
5. Buried Alive (Graveyard setup)
6. Craterhoof Behemoth (Combat finisher)
7. Archon of Emeria (Stax piece)
8. Loyal Retainers (Reanimation)
9. Fiend Artisan (Tutor/combo piece)
10. Teferi's Protection (Protection)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Can threaten T5-6 wins via infinite loops or Craterhoof, supported by fast mana and tutors.

Resilience: 6/10

• Recursion via Karador and protection spells provide recovery, but graveyard reliance remains a critical vulnerability.

Consistency: 7/10

• Extensive tutors (Survival, Buried Alive) and card selection (Hermit Druid) ensure key pieces are accessible.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Assassin's Trophy) and stax are present but lack countermagic for stack battles.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 6.5 - 7.0 power level, capable of T5-6 wins through efficient combos and tutors but held back by graveyard dependency and limited stack interaction. Its stax elements and recursion provide mid-game resilience, aligning it with optimized casual/high-power tiers.

Power level: 6.5 - 7.0