Overview:

This Esper (WUB) deck helmed by Hashaton, Scarab's Fist combines discard-triggered token generation with high-powered reanimation. The strategy focuses on discarding key creatures to create 4/4 Zombie copies via Hashaton, then leveraging graveyard recursion to resurrect game-ending threats like Razaketh, the Foulblooded, Archon of Cruelty, and Praetors. The commander acts as both an enabler (turning discards into threats) and a value engine, though the deck can function without it through standalone reanimation packages. Secondary themes include stax elements (Archon of Emeria, Deafening Silence) and token synergies with Marneus Calgar/Ratadrabik of Urborg.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3):
   • Deploy discard outlets (Key to the City, Ghostly Pilferer, Frantic Search) and mana rocks (Sol Ring, signets).
   • Use Entomb/Buried Alive to stock graveyard with bombs like Archon of Cruelty or Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur.
   • Cast Hashaton when 2U is available to activate its ability.

2. Midgame Value (T4-6):

   • Reanimate key targets with Animate Dead, Reanimate, or Persist.
   • Generate Zombie tokens by discarding creatures to outlets, prioritizing high-impact ETB effects (Sheoldred, Whispering One, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite).
   • Deploy stax pieces to slow opponents while building board presence.

3. Win Conditions (T5-8):

   • Overwhelm with reanimated Praetors and Zombie swarms enhanced by Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines (doubling ETBs).
   • Tutor for Razaketh, the Foulblooded to assemble Living Death + mass discard/reanimation loops.
   • Use Hullbreaker Horror + low-cost spells to lock opponents out.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with at least 2 lands, a discard outlet, and either reanimation or a tutor.
• Prioritize Entomb/Buried Alive + Reanimate openings for explosive starts.
• Avoid hands lacking graveyard setup or interaction in metas with expected early aggression.

Key Tips:

• Use Tortured Existence to cycle creatures into the graveyard while maintaining Hashaton triggers.
• Ratadrabik of Urborg creates nonlegendary copies of dying legendary reanimation targets for exponential value.
• Loyal Retainers can repeatedly recur Hashaton if commander tax becomes prohibitive.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Crippled by graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) due to reliance on reanimation/discard synergies.
• Lacks efficient answers to enchantments beyond Angel of the Ruins and limited countermagic.

Moderate

• Struggles against fast combo decks due to midrange speed and limited stack interaction.
• High density of ETB-dependent creatures makes Torpor Orb effects devastating.

Minor

• Some mana base enters tapped (surveil lands, Raffine's Tower), slightly slowing early plays.
• Token strategy vulnerable to mass bounce effects despite reanimation redundancy.

Most Important Cards:

• Razaketh, the Foulblooded (Tutor engine & sac outlet)
• Living Death (Mass reanimation/reset button)
• Archon of Cruelty (Recursive value & life drain)
• Entomb (Graveyard setup)
• Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines (ETB amplification)
• Buried Alive (Graveyard toolbox enabler)
• Marneus Calgar (Token/card advantage synergy)
• Hullbreaker Horror (Control lock piece)
• Vampiric Tutor (Consistency engine)
• Consecrated Sphinx (Card advantage)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can reanimate threats as early as T2 (Entomb + Reanimate) but typically aims for T5-8 wins through incremental value.

Resilience: 5/10
Multiple reanimation spells and protection like Lightning Greaves help recover, but graveyard dependency creates critical vulnerabilities.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tutor density (7+ tutors) and card draw (Consecrated Sphinx, Ledger Shredder) ensure key pieces are found reliably.

Interaction: 6/10
Efficient targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Infernal Grasp) and countermagic, but lacks broad answers to resolved enchantments/artifacts.

Rating Justification:

The deck demonstrates focused reanimation strategies with T5-7 win potential through explosive graveyard plays and stax-backed value engines. While its speed approaches optimized tiers, critical vulnerability to graveyard hate and moderate interaction keep it below high-power thresholds.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5