Overview:

This Esper (WUB) deck helmed by Hashaton, Scarab's Fist employs a hybrid strategy of token generation through discard synergies, stax control, and reanimation. The commander enables 4/4 Zombie token production whenever creatures are discarded, supported by a robust discard/reanimation package and high-impact stax pieces. Secondary win conditions include life drain via Gray Merchant of Asphodel/Bloodletter of Aclazotz, reanimated threats like Archon of Cruelty, and token swarm amplification through Mondrak, Glory Dominus. The deck balances proactive value generation with strong interaction and meta disruption.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy discard outlets (Putrid Imp, The Underworld Cookbook, Tortured Existence) and mana rocks. Use Entomb/Vampiric Tutor to set up graveyard targets.
2. Midgame Value (T4-6): Activate discard engines to create Zombie tokens while fueling reanimation targets. Deploy stax pieces (Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, Drana and Linvala) to slow opponents. Reanimate key threats like Archon of Cruelty or Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite.
3. Endgame (T6+): Amplify token armies with Mondrak/Kaya, Geist Hunter, drain with Gray Merchant/Meathook Massacre, or lock out opponents with Void Winnower/Teferi, Time Raveler.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with at least 2 lands and a discard outlet (Putrid Imp, Tortured Existence)
• Prioritize early interaction (Esper Sentinel, Mystic Remora) in unknown metas
• Avoid hands without black mana sources or graveyard enablers

Key Tips:

• Use The Underworld Cookbook to convert dead draws into Food tokens while enabling discard triggers
• Archfiend of Ifnir turns every discard into a board wipe against small creatures
• Peer into the Abyss + Bloodletter of Aclazotz = instant kill if opponent has even life total
• Phyrexian Reclamation can repeatedly buy back Hashaton if commander tax becomes prohibitive

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard reliance makes it vulnerable to Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void
• Token strategy collapses under Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb effects

Moderate

• Limited card advantage outside graveyard recursion
• High average CMC (3.4) creates clunky draws

Minor

• Life loss from painlands/Peer into the Abyss can be dangerous
• Minimal land destruction protection

Most Important Cards:

• Hashaton, Scarab's Fist (Token engine)
• Archfiend of Ifnir (Board control)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life swing)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token multiplier)
• Phyrexian Reclamation (Recursion engine)
• Grand Arbiter Augustin IV (Stax piece)
• Teferi, Time Raveler (Control enabler)
• Vampiric Tutor (Consistency)
• Toxic Deluge (Board wipe)
• The Meathook Massacre (Drain engine)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can establish stax locks or reanimation threats by T5-6, but lacks fast mana for explosive starts.

Resilience: 7/10
Multiple recursion engines and protection spells (Teferi's Protection, counterspells), but heavily graveyard-dependent.

Consistency: 6/10
Strong tutors for key pieces, but high variance between reanimation targets and enablers.

Interaction: 8/10
Excellent removal suite (12 targeted/5 board wipes) and stack interaction (7 counterspells).

Rating Justification:

The deck demonstrates focused stax/reanimation elements with T6-8 win potential through combat or life drain, but lacks the speed and redundancy of true cEDH builds. Its robust interaction suite and resilience through recursion place it squarely in optimized casual tiers.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0