Overview:

This Temur (RUG) deck helmed by Riku of Many Paths focuses on modal spell synergy and spellslinger token generation. The commander amplifies value from multi-choice spells by providing card advantage, token creation, and personal buffs. The deck combines instant/sorcery synergies with creature tokens (Birds, Elementals, Goblins) powered by Shared Animosity, Balmor, Battlemage Captain, and Craterhoof Behemoth. Secondary win conditions include spell-copy engines like Thousand-Year Storm and Arcane Bombardment, with backup combos involving infinite spell recursion via Mizzix's Mastery and Wilderness Reclamation mana.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Ramp with Sol Ring, Farseek, and mana dorks like Goblin Anarchomancer.
   • Deploy token generators (Young Pyromancer, Third Path Iconoclast) or cost reducers (Goblin Electromancer, Baral, Chief of Compliance).
   • Cast modal spells (e.g., Izzet Charm, Temur Charm) to trigger Riku’s card exile, +1/+1 counters, or Bird tokens.

2. Midgame Value (Turns 5-7):

   • Exploit modal flexibility with high-impact charms (Cryptic Command, Fiery Confluence) to control the board while building token armies.
   • Activate engines like Archmage Emeritus and Storm-Kiln Artist for card draw and Treasure generation.
   • Cast Wilderness Reclamation or Seedborn Muse to enable instant-speed spellcasting.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 7-10+):

   • Combat Overkill: Buff tokens with Craterhoof Behemoth, Shared Animosity, or Return of the Wildspeaker.
   • Spellstorm: Chain copied spells via Thousand-Year Storm or Arcane Bombardment for massive damage (Guttersnipe, Ovika, Enigma Goliath).
   • Recursion Loops: Overload Mizzix's Mastery to replay key spells from the graveyard repeatedly.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color-fixing).
• Prioritize early ramp (Arcane Signet, Three Visits) or a 1-2 CMC enabler (Young Pyromancer, Harmonic Prodigy).
• Ensure at least one modal spell (e.g., Prismari Command) to activate Riku.

Key Tips:

• Use Riku’s exile ability to chain spells from exile (e.g., Drown in Dreams with rebound via Ojer Pakpatiq).
• Roaming Throne naming "Wizard" doubles triggers from Archmage Emeritus, Murmuring Mystic, and Riku.
• Three Steps Ahead can clone Storm-Kiln Artist for exponential Treasure generation.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on Riku for value; frequent removal can stall the deck.
• Minimal protection for key engines (only Simic Charm and Heroic Intervention-like effects missing).

Moderate

• Token armies vulnerable to board wipes (only Cyclonic Rift as a reset button).
• Graveyard dependency for Mizzix's Mastery/Drown in Dreams disrupted by common hate.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond counterspells (Archmage's Charm, Artistic Refusal).
• High mana curves (e.g., Craterhoof Behemoth, Titania's Command) risk clunkiness.

Most Important Cards:

• Riku of Many Paths (Value engine and token generator)
• Thousand-Year Storm (Spell-copying win condition)
• Craterhoof Behemoth (Combat finisher)
• Wilderness Reclamation (Mana doubling for instant-speed plays)
• Mizzix's Mastery (Graveyard recursion engine)
• Archmage Emeritus (Card draw backbone)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset/panic button)
• Shared Animosity (Token buff synergy)
• Storm-Kiln Artist (Mana acceleration)
• Roaming Throne (Trigger doubler for Wizards)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via token swarms or spell chains by turns 7-9, but lacks fast mana for earlier explosive plays.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion (Planewide Celebration, Mizzix's Mastery) but key pieces are fragile to removal.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong card draw and modal spell flexibility, but limited tutors for combo finishers.

Interaction: 6/10

• Versatile modal removal/counters but lacks density to handle multiple threats simultaneously.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused spellslinger build with multiple synergistic paths to victory, typically threatening wins around turns 7-9. While it has strong value engines and redundancy in token generation, its reliance on the commander and vulnerability to disruption caps its resilience.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5