Overview:

This Abzan (WBG) deck helmed by Betor, Ancestor's Voice focuses on lifegain/lifedrain synergies with +1/+1 counter subthemes. The primary strategy leverages cards like Dina, Soul Steeper, Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose, and Sanguine Bond to convert life gain into opponent life loss. Betor serves as a value engine, rewarding life swings with creature reanimation and +1/+1 counters, but the deck isn't commander-dependent. Secondary win conditions include big X-spells like Exsanguinate and Debt to the Deathless, supported by incremental value from Aetherflux Reservoir and Pontiff of Blight extort triggers.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Deploy lifegain engines: Soul Warden, Rhox Faithmender, Phyrexian Arena
   • Establish counter synergies: Kami of Whispered Hopes, Corpsejack Menace
   • Ramp with Cultivate, Arcane Signet, and Sol Ring

2. Midgame Amplification (Turns 5-7):

   • Activate lifedrain multipliers: Sanguine Bond, Marauding Blight-Priest
   • Generate explosive turns with Aetherflux Reservoir or Well of Lost Dreams
   • Use Betor's triggers to reanimate key creatures like Gray Merchant of Asphodel

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

   • Stack multiple lifedrain triggers for incremental kills
   • Cast Exsanguinate/Debt to the Deathless with X=10+
   • Activate Aetherflux Reservoir's 50-damage ability
   • Overwhelm with Unstoppable Slasher's life-halving combat damage

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands including at least two colors
• Prioritize early lifegain sources or ramp (Soul Warden > Cultivate > Arcane Signet)
• Look for at least one payoff card (Dina/Vito) or tutor (Demonic Tutor equivalent missing here)
• Avoid hands with only high-CMC spells or no lifegain engines

Key Tips:

• Use Rhox Faithmender to double Betor's lifegain-triggered counters
• Golgari Charm protects against board wipes while enabling graveyard recursion
• Staff of Compleation can proliferate +1/+1 counters and drain triggers
• Time Kaya's Wrath/Fumigate after establishing lifedrain engines for maximum payoff

Weaknesses:

Critical

• No instant-speed interaction for opposing combos (only 2 counterspells)
• Heavy reliance on 4-5 key enchantments (Sanguine Bond, Blind Obedience) with limited protection

Moderate

• Slow mana base (14 tapped lands) delays critical turns
• Vulnerable to Rest in Peace-style graveyard hate shutting down Betor's recursion

Minor

• Limited card advantage without resolved Well of Lost Dreams/Phyrexian Arena
• Weak to flyers without consistent deathtouch sources

Most Important Cards:

• Sanguine Bond (Lifedrain multiplier)
• Dina, Soul Steeper (Early-game pressure engine)
• Exsanguinate (Primary X-spell finisher)
• Aetherflux Reservoir (Alternate win condition)
• Rhox Faithmender (Lifegain amplifier)
• Kami of Whispered Hopes (Counter synergy & mana boost)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Recurrable life swing)
• Well of Lost Dreams (Card advantage engine)
• Pontiff of Blight (Extort enabler)
• Unstoppable Slasher (Combat-based life halving)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via incremental drains by T7-9, but lacks fast mana for explosive X-spells.

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple redundancies in lifegain payoffs but vulnerable to enchantment removal. Some recursion via Eternal Witness and Betor.

Consistency: 6/10

• Moderate card draw but lacks tutors for key pieces. Lifegain triggers provide steady value.

Interaction: 5/10

• Good targeted removal (Swords, Hero's Downfall) but minimal stack interaction. Board wipes compensate somewhat.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates in the T8-10 range with its lifedrain engines and X-spell finishers, aligning with Optimized Casual power levels. While it has synergistic pieces and multiple win paths, its slow mana base and lack of combo protection prevent higher rankings.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0