Overview:

This mono-blue deck helmed by Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus focuses on proliferate synergies, leveraging counters of all types to control the board, generate value, and win through poison or artifact-based combos. Tekuthal acts as a force multiplier, doubling all proliferate triggers to accelerate charge counters on artifacts like Lux Cannon, stun/poison counters on opponents, and +1/+1 counters on utility creatures. The deck employs a mix of infect threats, artifact charge engines, and planeswalker support to grind out wins.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Everflowing Chalice, Coalition Relic) and low-cost proliferate enablers like Thrummingbird or Guildpact Informant. Protect Tekuthal with evasion (flying) and its indestructible counter ability.
2. Counter Proliferation (Turns 3-6): Activate engines like Flux Channeler (noncreature spells), Inexorable Tide (all spells), and Karn's Bastion. Use Contagion Clasp/Engine for removal while advancing counters.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Poison: Attack with unblockable Blighted Agent or toxic creatures, then proliferate poison counters.
   • Artifact Combos: Charge Magistrate's Scepter for infinite turns (proliferate to refill counters) or Lux Cannon for permanent removal.
   • Value Overload: Overwhelm with token armies from Golem Foundry/Lightning Coils or card advantage from Mind Unbound.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands and early proliferate sources (Thrummingbird, Contentious Plan).
• Prioritize Tekuthal-enabling rocks (Sol Ring, Mind Stone) or infect threats.
• Avoid hands without early plays or counter sources.

Key Tips:

• Use Mercurial Spelldancer to copy proliferate spells for exponential counter growth.
• Sacrifice artifacts to Throne of Geth for instant-speed proliferate triggers.
• Reject Imperfection counters key threats while advancing your counter strategies.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on Tekuthal: Losing the commander cripples proliferate efficiency.
• Weak to wide artifact hate (Vandalblast, Bane of Progress) disrupting key engines.

Moderate

• Slow poison clock: Requires multiple unblocked attacks and proliferate triggers to eliminate 3 players.
• Limited board wipes: Only Curse of the Swine and Aetherize for creature floods.

Minor

• Low creature density: Struggles to defend against early aggression.
• Susceptible to stax effects (Cursed Totem, Damping Matrix) shutting down activated abilities.

Most Important Cards:

• Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus (Proliferate multiplier)
• Flux Channeler (Noncreature spell proliferate engine)
• Blighted Agent (Primary poison wincon)
• Contagion Engine (Board control + proliferate)
• Magistrate's Scepter (Infinite turns potential)
• Lux Cannon (Permanent removal engine)
• Inexorable Tide (Global proliferate enabler)
• Thrummingbird (Repeatable proliferate)
• Tezzeret's Gambit (Card draw + proliferate)
• Golem Foundry (Token generation)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten poison wins by T7-8 with ideal draws, but most combos require significant setup.

Resilience: 4/10

• Limited protection for key pieces beyond counterspells. Recursion is nearly nonexistent.

Consistency: 6/10

• Multiple proliferate engines and card selection (Brainstorm, Ponder), but lacks high-impact tutors.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Pongify, Lux Cannon) and counterspells, but minimal stack control or artifact recursion.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused casual build with a clear proliferate theme but lacks the speed and redundancy of optimized lists. Its T7-8 win potential and vulnerability to commander removal place it slightly above precon level, while its synergy density elevates it beyond jank.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0