Overview:

This Sultai graveyard synergy deck revolves around self-mill, recursive value, and token generation with Teval, the Balanced Scale as a value engine. The primary strategy leverages mass mill effects (Mesmeric Orb, Hedron Crab, Hermit Druid) to fill the graveyard for recursion via Muldrotha, the Gravetide, Conduit of Worlds, and Kotis, Sibsig Champion, while generating Zombie tokens through Teval's leave-graveyard triggers. Win conditions include aristocrat drains (Zulaport Cutthroat/Mirkwood Bats + infinite tokens), Laboratory Maniac self-mill, and Altar of Dementia mill combos. Teval enables land recursion and token generation but isn't essential to the strategy, as the deck features redundant recursion engines and "hidden commanders" like Muldrotha.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy mill engines (Stitcher's Supplier, Hedron Crab), mana accelerants (Sol Ring, Skull Prophet), and graveyard fillers. Use Buried Alive to stock key creatures.
2. Midgame Value (T4-6): Activate mass mill via Hermit Druid/Mesmeric Orb, recur key pieces with Eternal Witness/Muldrotha, and establish token generators (Teval, the Balanced Scale, Insidious Roots).
3. Win Condition Assembly:
   • Aristocrats: Pair Phyrexian Altar + Gravecrawler + Zombie token generator for infinite death triggers.
   • Lab Maniac: Mill entire library using Altar of Dementia/Hermit Druid, then draw with Psychic Frog/Cephalid Coliseum.
   • Combat Overrun: Reanimate Colossal Grave-Reaver or generate massive Plant tokens via Insidious Roots.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including at least one green source.
• Prioritize early mill engines (Stitcher's Supplier, Hedron Crab) or recursion (Life from the Loam, Ramunap Excavator).
• Look for combo enablers (Gravecrawler, Altar of Dementia) or protection (Sylvan Safekeeper).

Key Tips:

• Use Teval's Judgment as a flexible draw/treasure/token engine.
• Walk-In Closet enables graveyard land plays; pair with Dakmor Salvage for recursive dredging.
• Beseech the Mirror can tutor combo pieces like Laboratory Maniac for 4-mana Bargain casts.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard exile effects (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripple recursion and token generation.
• Anti-sacrifice tech (Torpor Orb, Hushbringer) disrupts aristocrat lines.

Moderate

• Board wipes reset token armies and key creatures.
• Spell-based combo decks outpace this deck's interaction suite.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction for protecting combos.
• Somewhat slow mana base with tapped lands.

Most Important Cards:

• Phyrexian Altar (Infinite sac/combo enabler)
• Muldrotha, the Gravetide (Recursion engine)
• Hermit Druid (Primary mill accelerator)
• Gravecrawler (Aristocrat combo piece)
• Laboratory Maniac (Alternate wincon)
• Altar of Dementia (Mill combo/self-mill tool)
• Zulaport Cutthroat (Primary drain payoff)
• Conduit of Worlds (Graveyard recursion)
• Beseech the Mirror (Tutor/combo assembler)
• Living Death (Board reset + reanimation)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can threaten T6-7 wins via Hermit Druid mill or Gravecrawler combos, but requires multiple setup pieces.

Resilience: 5/10
Recursive engines provide recovery, but heavy graveyard reliance creates critical vulnerabilities.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tutor density (Worldly Tutor, Beseech) and redundant mill/recursion effects ensure strategy execution.

Interaction: 5/10
Efficient targeted removal (Assassin's Trophy, Tear Asunder) but limited stack protection for combos.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused combo potential with T6-7 win capacity through multiple graveyard-centric lines, but its critical vulnerability to common hate cards and moderate interaction keep it below optimized tiers. The balance between tutor density and fragility aligns with the Focused tier.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5