Overview:

This Abzan (WBG) deck helmed by Kathril, Aspect Warper focuses on self-mill and graveyard synergy to stockpile keyword-heavy creatures like Zetalpa, Primal Dawn and Akroma, Angel of Wrath. Kathril enters as a massive, evasive threat by absorbing keywords from the graveyard, while backup plans include reanimating value engines (e.g., Hornet Queen) and midrange combat. The commander is essential to the core strategy, as it converts graveyard setup into an overwhelming board presence. The deck lacks fast combos, relying instead on incremental value and keyword-stacking to dominate through combat.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Graveyard Setup (Turns 1-4): Use self-mill (Grisly Salvage, Nyx Weaver, Splinterfright) and creatures like Satyr Wayfinder to fill the graveyard with keyword-dense creatures. Ramp with Cultivate, Sakura-Tribe Elder, and Sol Ring.
2. Deploy Kathril (Turns 5-6): Cast Kathril, which enters with all keywords from creatures in the graveyard (e.g., flying, indestructible, lifelink). Equip Swiftfoot Boots or use Unbreakable Bond for protection/reanimation.
3. Overwhelm with Keywords: Swing with Kathril, leveraging evasion and combat tricks. Use Odric, Lunarch Marshal to share keywords with other creatures. Reanimate key threats (Zetalpa, Akroma) via Unburial Rites or Ever After.
4. Backup Plans: Generate value with Abzan Ascendancy tokens, Deadbridge Chant recursion, or Majestic Myriarch as a secondary beater.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with early ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Cultivate) and self-mill (Grisly Salvage, Satyr Wayfinder).
• Prioritize at least one keyword-heavy creature (e.g., Vampire Nighthawk, Void Beckoner) or a way to fetch them.
• Avoid hands without graveyard setup or mana fixing.

Key Tips:

• Use Nesting Grounds to move keyword counters from Kathril to other creatures.
• Together Forever protects key creatures and enables graveyard recursion.
• Sunblast Angel and Duneblast help clear the board for Kathril to attack safely.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (e.g., Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) completely shuts down Kathril’s ability and recursion tools.
• Commander reliance: Repeated removal of Kathril stalls the deck’s primary game plan.

Moderate

• Slow setup: Lacks explosive ramp or fast tutors, making early turns vulnerable to aggression.
• Limited interaction: Minimal counterspells or instant-speed answers to combo/stax.

Minor

• Artifact/Enchantment removal: Targets like Swiftfoot Boots or Deadbridge Chant disrupt key synergies.

Most Important Cards:

• Zetalpa, Primal Dawn (Provides 4+ keywords for Kathril)
• Akroma, Angel of Wrath (Critical keyword source and standalone threat)
• Nyx Weaver (Self-mill and graveyard recursion)
• Unburial Rites (Reanimates key creatures)
• Swiftfoot Boots (Protects Kathril and enables haste)
• Odric, Lunarch Marshal (Shares keywords with the board)
• Splinterfright (Self-mill engine and secondary beater)
• Grisly Salvage (Graveyard setup and card selection)
• Abzan Ascendancy (Token generation and resilience to board wipes)
• Deadbridge Chant (Value engine and recursion)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Wins via combat around turns 7-9, slowed by graveyard setup and high-CMC threats.

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursion (Ever After, Together Forever) and hexproof (Swiftfoot Boots) help recover, but graveyard dependency is a major liability.

Consistency: 6/10

• Moderate self-mill and card draw (Harmonize, Deadbridge Chant), but lacks tutors for key pieces.

Interaction: 4/10

• Spot removal (Despark, Abzan Charm) and board wipes (Duneblast) exist but are limited in scope and speed.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a midrange graveyard strategy with a T7-9 combat win potential, held back by slow setup and vulnerability to common hate. Its resilience and consistency are average for casual tables, aligning with the "Focused Casual" tier.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0