Overview:

This Faldorn, Dread Wolf Herald deck focuses on exiling cards to generate Wolf tokens and value through cast-from-exile synergies. The strategy leverages impulse draw effects like Birgi, God of Storytelling and Etali, Primal Storm to fuel token production while deploying threats like Purphoros, God of the Forge and Warstorm Surge for incremental damage. Faldorn serves as both a token engine and value generator, with backup win conditions including token swarm combat (enhanced by Shared Animosity/Beastmaster Ascension) and a Food Chain + Squee, the Immortal infinite mana combo that feeds Faldorn's token generation.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Exile Engines (Turns 1-4): Deploy low-cost exile outlets like Inti, Seneschal of the Sun and Professional Face-Breaker. Use ramp spells (Cultivate, Three Visits) to accelerate into key 4-5 CMC engines like Passionate Archaeologist and Chandra, Torch of Defiance.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6): Resolve payoff cards like Purphoros, God of the Forge and Keeper of Secrets. Cast high-impact exilers like Escape to the Wilds and Etali, Primal Conqueror to generate tokens while developing board presence.
3. Win Condition Execution:
   • Token Swarm: Use Hollowhenge Overlord and Master of the Wild Hunt to amass Wolves, then boost them with Shared Animosity or Beastmaster Ascension for lethal attacks.
   • Incremental Burn: Leverage Purphoros, God of the Forge and Warstorm Surge triggers from token generation.
   • Infinite Combo: With Food Chain + Squee, the Immortal, generate infinite red mana to cast Squee infinitely from exile, creating infinite Wolves via Faldorn triggers. Pair with Keeper of Secrets for direct damage or Kessig Wolf Run for trample kills.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands and at least one exile engine (Professional Face-Breaker, Inti, Passionate Archaeologist)
• Prioritize early ramp (Sol Ring, Goblin Anarchomancer) to reach critical 4-5 CMC turns
• Look for at least one payoff card (Purphoros, Shared Animosity) or protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Asceticism)
• Avoid hands with only high-CMC cards or no exile/draw engines

Key Tips:

• Use Conduit of Worlds to recur exiled permanents and maintain value
• Wild-Magic Sorcerer gives cascade to first exiled spell each turn for added value
• Possibility Storm disrupts opponents while doubling your exile triggers
• Tectonic Giant provides both card advantage and direct damage options
• Protect Food Chain with Green Slime and Beast Within for combo turns

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on commander for token generation makes the deck vulnerable to repeated removal
• Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void nullifies Squee/Food Chain combo and exiles recursion targets
• Torpor Orb/Hushbringer shuts off Purphoros/Warstorm Surge triggers

Moderate

• Board wipes cripple token-based strategies without immediate recovery
• Damping Sphere/Eidolon of Rhetoric slows exile-cast engine
• Limited instant-speed interaction for stack-based threats

Minor

• High variance in exile effects' card quality
• Some mana base enters tapped (Myriad Landscape, Arena of Glory)
• Limited card advantage outside exile synergies

Most Important Cards:

• Food Chain (Infinite mana/combo enabler)
• Purphoros, God of the Forge (Primary damage engine)
• Etali, Primal Conqueror (Mass exile value generator)
• Passionate Archaeologist (Damage amplifier for exile strategy)
• Shared Animosity (Token swarm finisher)
• Birgi, God of Storytelling (Mana acceleration/exile fuel)
• Squee, the Immortal (Combo piece/recursive threat)
• Warstorm Surge (Secondary damage engine)
• Professional Face-Breaker (Early exile/token generation)
• Keeper of Secrets (Combo payoff/damage multiplier)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T6-7 wins through combat or Purphoros triggers, with T5 combo potential if Food Chain is tutored early.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate protection (Asceticism, boots) but over-reliant on key enchantments remaining in play. Struggles against repeated board wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• Numerous exile engines provide card flow, but lacks tutors for critical combo pieces like Food Chain.

Interaction: 4/10

• Limited removal suite (Beast Within, Mizzium Mortars) with minimal stack interaction beyond Green Slime.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused exile synergies with multiple win paths but lacks the speed (T6-7) and interaction density of higher-tier decks. While resilient to single-target removal, it folds to consistent stax pieces or combo disruption. Its balance of synergy and moderate consistency places it in the optimized casual range.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0