Overview:

This Mardu (R/W/B) deck helmed by Neriv, Heart of the Storm focuses on explosive damage amplification through enter-the-battlefield (ETB) triggers and flicker synergies. The strategy revolves around deploying creatures like Dagger Caster, Flametongue Kavu, and Gruesome Scourger to deal immediate damage, then doubling their output with Neriv’s ability. Secondary flicker engines like Ephemerate, Conjurer’s Closet, and Lae'zel's Acrobatics enable repeated triggers, while damage amplifiers like Panharmonicon and The Rollercrusher Ride push the deck into lethal range. Neriv acts as the linchpin, enabling a critical mass of damage through its doubling effect but requiring careful protection due to the deck’s heavy reliance on its presence.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Prioritize ramp (Sol Ring, signets) and early damage dealers like Voldaren Epicure or Storm Caller. Deploy Neriv as soon as possible to enable damage doubling.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6): Chain ETB creatures (Fury, Goblin Chainwhirler, Inferno Titan) with flicker effects. Use Panharmonicon or Warstorm Surge to amplify triggers.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):
   • ETB Burn: Stack triggers from high-damage creatures (e.g., Fanatic of Mogis with high red devotion, Exocrine with X=5+).
   • Flicker Loops: Use Conjurer’s Closet or Semester’s End to reset key creatures like Combustible Gearhulk or Scourge of Valkas.
   • Overwhelm with Multipliers: Activate The Rollercrusher Ride with Delirium to double noncombat damage from sources like Impact Tremors.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (at least one red source).
• Prioritize early ramp, Neriv, and at least one ETB damage creature.
• Avoid hands without early plays or lacking red/black sources for key cards.

Key Tips:

• Time flicker effects to maximize Neriv’s doubling (e.g., flicker Gruesome Scourger after building a wide board).
• Use Eerie Interlude or Semester’s End defensively to dodge board wipes while retriggering ETBs.
• Leverage Feldon of the Third Path to reanimate high-impact creatures like Thundermaw Hellkite from the graveyard.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander Dependency: Neriv’s removal cripples damage output, and recasting it becomes costly (4 → 6 → 8 mana).
• Torpor Orb Effects: Shut down all ETB damage triggers, the deck’s primary engine.
• Board Wipes: Struggles to rebuild after mass removal without a flicker effect in hand.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Disrupts Feldon of the Third Path and recursion from Eternal Witness-like effects.
• Stack Interaction: Counterspells on key flicker spells or Neriv can stall the game plan.

Minor

• Life Gain: Opponents stabilizing with lifegain can outpace incremental damage.
• Artifact/Enchantment Removal: Targets critical pieces like Panharmonicon or Warstorm Surge.

Most Important Cards:

• Neriv, Heart of the Storm (Damage doubler, deck linchpin)
• Panharmonicon (Doubles ETB triggers)
• Warstorm Surge (Scaling damage per creature entry)
• Flametongue Kavu (Repeatable removal + damage)
• Ephemerate (Low-cost flicker with rebound)
• The Rollercrusher Ride (Delirium-enabled damage doubling)
• Impact Tremors (Persistent ping damage)
• Conjurer’s Closet (Recurring flicker engine)
• Fanatic of Mogis (Scales with red devotion)
• Eerie Interlude (Board wipe protection + retrigger)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Capable of threatening lethal via ETB chains by turns 6-8, but requires setup for explosive turns.

Resilience: 5/10
Limited protection outside flicker-based evasion; heavily punished if Neriv is removed repeatedly.

Consistency: 6/10
Moderate redundancy in ETB creatures and flicker effects, but lacks tutors for key noncreature pieces.

Interaction: 5/10
Includes targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Chaos Warp) but minimal stack interaction or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused, synergy-driven build with a clear T6-8 win window through amplified ETB damage, but its reliance on Neriv and vulnerability to common disruption caps its ceiling. It sits between optimized casual and high-power casual tiers.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5