Overview:

This mono-red Equipment/Goad deck helmed by Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos leverages its commander's forced combat mechanics and control-swapping nature. The strategy focuses on attaching value-generating Equipment to Alexios that benefit you regardless of who controls it (e.g., Beamtown Beatstick, Rogue's Gloves), while using goad effects like Shiny Impetus and Disrupt Decorum to politicize combat. Secondary threats like Valduk, Keeper of the Flame and Brash Taunter provide alternative damage avenues. Alexios acts as both a growing threat and a political tool, incentivizing opponents to attack each other with your value engines attached.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Mind Stone, Fire Diamond), Equipment enablers (Ornithopter of Paradise, Foundry Inspector), and key value pieces like Skirk Prospector. Use early Equipment like Cliffhaven Kitesail to enable evasion.
2. Commander Deployment (Turns 3-4): Cast Alexios with protection (Swiftfoot Boots) and attach Equipment that triggers on combat damage. Prioritize Treasures-from-damage effects (Beamtown Beatstick, Prying Blade) to fuel future plays.
3. Midgame Pressure (Turns 5-7): Use goad effects (Coronation of Chaos, Agitator Ant) to force opponents into combat. Activate Valduk, Keeper of the Flame with multiple Equipment for token swarms. Stack counters on Alexios via its control-swap triggers.
4. Finishing Moves: Close games with pumped attackers (Banshee's Blade, Claws of Valakut), Overpowering Attack extra combats, or Brash Taunter damage redirection.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands and at least 1 Equipment
• Prioritize early ramp (Generator Servant, Wayfarer's Bauble)
• Look for Equipment with combat damage triggers (Rogue's Gloves, Skeleton Key)
• Avoid hands without red sources or Equipment payoffs

Key Tips:

• Use Alexios' mandatory attacks to "donate" equipped threats with beneficial triggers to opponents
• Grafted Wargear works well with token generators like Valduk
• Time Hour of Devastation after opponents commit to boards
• Brash Taunter combos with your own damage spells like Rebel Salvo

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme commander dependency - Alexios removal cripples strategy
• Minimal card advantage engines beyond combat triggers
• No graveyard recursion for key Equipment

Moderate

• Vulnerable to artifact/enchantment hate (Vandalblast effects)
• Weak to flying/evasive threats (limited reach/flying Equipment)
• Struggles against lifegain/stax strategies

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond combat tricks
• High equipment density risks "clunky" hands

Most Important Cards:

• Alexios, Deimos of Kosmos (Strategy linchpin/forced combat enabler)
• Beamtown Beatstick (Treasure generation on any controller's attack)
• Valduk, Keeper of the Flame (Token swarm generator)
• Brash Taunter (Damage redirection wincon)
• Grafted Wargear (Power boost with token synergy)
• Disrupt Decorum (Mass goad for political defense)
• Swiftfoot Boots (Critical commander protection)
• Claws of Valakut (Scaling damage boost)
• Overpowering Attack (Extra combat finisher)
• Banshee's Blade (Snowballing Equipment)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 4/10

• Reaches critical mass around T6-8 through incremental Equipment setup and Alexios scaling.

Resilience: 3/10

• Heavily commander-dependent with limited protection/recursion. Board wipes reset progress.

Consistency: 5/10

• Multiple Equipment pieces provide redundancy, but lacks tutors for key combo elements.

Interaction: 4/10

• Limited to artifact removal and combat tricks. No answer to enchantments or stacked triggers.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at Casual/Precon levels (T10-12 wins) through combat but lacks the speed, protection, and redundancy for higher tiers. While politically engaging, its linear strategy and commander dependency limit adaptability.

Power level: 4.0 - 4.5