Overview:

Indominus Rex, Alpha leverages keyword-rich creatures discarded to create a formidable commander with card draw, supported by +1/+1 counter synergies and midrange value engines. The deck operates as a grindy midrange strategy with moderate combo potential through life total manipulation (Tree of Perdition) and proliferate effects, but lacks deterministic win conditions or stax locks.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck aims to discard creatures with flying, deathtouch, and other keywords to maximize Indominus Rex, Alpha's counters on entry, drawing 4–6 cards to fuel midrange value engines like Marcus, Mutant Mayor and Tatyova, Benthic Druid. Win conditions include:

• Commander damage via evasion (flying/menace) and trample enablers (Power Fist)
• Tree of Perdition life-swap combos with proliferate (Mutational Advantage)
• Rottenmouth Viper attrition loops with sacrifice fodder

Mulligan Priorities:

• 3+ lands with green/blue/black access
• Early ramp (Elvish Mystic, Farseek)
• At least 1 keyword-heavy creature to discard (Vampire Nighthawk, Baleful Strix) Avoid hands without discard fodder or ramp.

Key Tips:

• Time Indominus casts to maximize keyword diversity (prioritize discarding creatures with hexproof/indestructible first)
• Use Nesting Grounds to move counters from Indominus to utility creatures post-draw
• Winding Constrictor doubles +1/+1 counters from Marcus/Gaea's Gift

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting to graveyard recursion without anti-hate (only Shadow of the Grave protects against exile)
• Casting high-CMC threats like Copper Host Crusher before establishing board protection

Weaknesses:

Moderate:

• Graveyard reliance with minimal recursion protection (only 3 reanimation spells)
• Limited redundancy for key effects (only 2 proliferate sources)
• Slow recovery from commander tax (no cost reduction)

Minor:

• Weak to flying/evasion strategies (only 3 reach/deathtouch blockers)
• Mediocre interaction density (10 targeted answers, mostly sorcery-speed)

Most Important Cards:

• Winding Constrictor
• Tree of Perdition
• Marcus, Mutant Mayor
• Tatyova, Benthic Druid
• Rottenmouth Viper
• Heroic Intervention
• Casualties of War
• Dread Return
• Nesting Grounds
• Mutational Advantage

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Goldfish win ~T8 via commander damage or T9-10 via Tree of Perdition. Ramp suite (9 sources) enables T5 Indominus but lacks explosive mana.

Resilience: 4/10

• Limited protection (3 hexproof-granting spells) and no free counterspells. Recursion (5 cards) vulnerable to graveyard hate.

Consistency: 5/10

• Moderate draw (12 sources) but only 2 tutors (Farseek, Timberland Ancient). Relies on Indominus triggers for card advantage.

Interaction: 5/10

• 10 targeted answers (Putrefy, V.A.T.S.) and 3 board wipes (Finality), but mostly sorcery-speed. No stack interaction beyond Cancel.

Rating Justification:

Falls between "Focused Casual" (T9-11 wins) and "Optimized Casual" (T8-10) due to:

• Moderately fast mana but no fast combos
• Synergistic counters theme without infinite loops
• Interaction density below 6.0 benchmarks
• Outclassed by true high-power decks but surpasses precons

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0