Overview:

Alela, Cunning Conqueror pilots a Faerie tribal control deck focused on flash synergy, reactive spellcasting, and token generation. The strategy leverages instant-speed interaction to trigger Alela's Faerie token production during opponents' turns while using goad mechanics to disrupt combat. Key win conditions include overwhelming with flying Faerie swarms (enhanced by tribal buffs like Scion of Oona), casting Notorious Throng for an extra turn, and value engines like The Scarab God. The deck operates at instant-speed with 25+ flash spells and strong countermagic but lacks infinite combos or fast mana beyond Mana Drain/Sol Ring.

Primer:

Core Strategy: This deck controls the early game with counterspells (Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship) and flash creatures, generating Faerie tokens via Alela's trigger each opponent's turn. Midgame pivots to tribal synergies (Oona's Blackguard, Bitterblossom) and value engines like Wavebreak Hippocamp. Late-game wins through token overruns with Notorious Throng extra turns or Cyclonic Rift-enabled alpha strikes. Goad effects from Alela and Illusionist's Gambit keep opponents attacking each other.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (including duals like Underground Sea), at least 1 interaction spell, and a flash creature.
• Prioritize early token generators (Bitterblossom, Slitherwisp) or card draw (Curiosity Crafter).
• Avoid hands without blue mana or excessive high-cost spells.

Key Tips:

• Time Alela's casts post-boardwipe or when you can protect her with free counters.
• Use Cloudstone Curio to bounce/replay Faeries for repeated ETB triggers.
• Hullbreaker Horror + instant-speed spells creates soft locks by bouncing key permanents.
• Save Notorious Throng for post-combat damage to maximize token count and secure an extra turn.

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting Faeries to board before securing countermagic protection.
• Casting non-flash sorceries during your turn (wastes Alela triggers).
• Letting The Scarab God die without recursion; use Havengul Lich to recur it.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Lacks answers to resolved enchantments/artifacts (no Feed the Swarm effects)
• No infinite combos; struggles to close against lifegain/hexproof strategies

Moderate:

• Reliant on Alela for token generation (3+ removals cripple the engine)
• Slow recovery from board wipes (limited mass recursion)

Minor:

• Weak to land destruction (runs 8 enters-tapped lands)
• Mediocre card advantage without Faerie triggers

Most Important Cards:

• Bitterblossom
• Cyclonic Rift
• Mana Drain
• Force of Will
• Notorious Throng
• Slitherwisp
• Curiosity Crafter
• Hullbreaker Horror
• Cloudstone Curio
• The Scarab God

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Goldfish win ~T8 via Notorious Throng extra turns or T9+ combat
• No fast mana beyond Sol Ring/Mana Drain
• Tribal synergy requires board buildup

Resilience: 7/10

• 12 counterspells (4 free) protect key pieces
• Scion of Oona provides shroud to Faeries
• Release to the Wind/Stunt Double redundancy for threats

Consistency: 6/10

• 8 cantrips (Spectral Sailor, Faerie Mastermind)
• Limited tutors (only Demonic Tutor missing; relies on draw engines)
• Tribal redundancy with 15+ Faeries

Interaction: 8/10

• S-Tier: Force of Will, Fierce Guardianship, Mana Drain
• A-Tier: Sublime Epiphany, Reality Shift
• B-Tier: Aetherspouts, Crystal Shard
• Flash creatures act as pseudo-interaction

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between Optimized Casual (5.0) and Focused (6.0) on the rubric. It exceeds precon-level consistency with tribal synergies and free counters but lacks cEDH-speed wins or stax locks. The T8 goldfish benchmark and robust interaction suite align with 6.0-6.5 ("Focused" tier). However, its reliance on combat damage and vulnerability to resolved permanents prevent higher ratings. Key differentiators from 7.0+ decks include no fast mana beyond 2 pieces and no infinite combos.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5