Overview:

This Izzet deck helmed by Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph focuses on amplifying 1-damage pings into lethal volleys through spell-slinging and triggered abilities. The strategy revolves around casting cheap instants/sorceries and deploying creatures that deal 1 damage to all opponents per noncreature spell (e.g., Kessig Flamebreather, Firebrand Archer), then tripling their output via Ghyrson's "Three Autostubs" trigger. Secondary win conditions include storming off with Grapeshot, infinite mana/damage loops using Underworld Breach + Lotus Petal/Mox Amber + Birgi, God of Storytelling, and overwhelming card advantage through Curiosity/Ophidian Eye on Ghyrson. The commander is critical as a damage multiplier and card draw engine, though the deck can function temporarily without it through direct storm lines.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy fast mana (Mox Diamond, Mana Vault, Sol Ring) to accelerate into Ghyrson or key engines. Cast 1-damage enablers like Thermo-Alchemist or Erebor Flamesmith. Use Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora, or Sleight of Hand to maintain card flow.
2. Midgame Amplification (T3-5): Cast Ghyrson with protection (Lightning Greaves, Deflecting Swat). Chain cantrips (Consider, Opt) and 1-damage spells (Gut Shot, End the Festivities) to trigger Ghyrson's damage tripling. Use Harmonic Prodigy or Roaming Throne (naming Wizard) to double triggers.
3. Win Conditions (T4-7):
   • Ping Storm: Cast 5+ spells in a turn with 3+ damage dealers on board, dealing 15+ damage per opponent via Ghyrson amplification.
   • Infinite Combos:
     • Birgi, God of Storytelling + Underworld Breach + 0-mana artifact (e.g., Lotus Petal): Generate infinite storm count and mana to fuel Grapeshot.
     • Staff of Domination + Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind-style draw/damage loops (though not present, similar lines exist with Curiosity on Ghyrson).
   • Commander Lock: Equip Ghyrson with Curiosity/Ophidian Eye to draw 3+ cards per ping, digging for win conditions.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (preferably including Ancient Tomb/Tarnished Citadel for acceleration).
• Prioritize fast mana, a 1-2 CMC damage engine (e.g., Firebrand Archer), and at least one card draw source.
• Avoid hands without early plays or excessive high-CMC cards like Chandra, Hope's Beacon.

Key Tips:

• Use Narset's Reversal on your own Wheel of Fortune or Windfall to refuel while denying opponents resources.
• Underworld Breach can recur critical combo pieces like Gamble or Seething Song multiple times in a turn.
• Roaming Throne naming Wizard doubles triggers from Harmonic Prodigy, Kessig Flamebreather, and Ghyrson himself.
• Deflecting Swat and Fierce Guardianship protect your board while advancing storm count.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Heavy reliance on Ghyrson: Multiple removals on the commander cripples damage output.
• Vulnerable to Torpor Orb/Hushbringer (shuts off ETB damage triggers) and Leyline of Sanctity (blocks player-targeted pings).
• Limited board wipe recovery outside Underworld Breach recursion.

Moderate

• Rule of Law effects severely limit storm potential.
• Life gain strategies outpace incremental damage.
• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Dauthi Voidwalker) disrupts Breach lines.

Minor

• Struggles against decks with instant-speed interaction for key storm turns.
• Chalice of the Void on X=1 stops many core spells.

Most Important Cards:

• Ghyrson Starn, Kelermorph (Damage tripler and card draw engine)
• Underworld Breach (Recursion for combo lines)
• Birgi, God of Storytelling (Mana generation and storm enabler)
• Harmonic Prodigy (Trigger doubler for Wizards)
• Grapeshot (Primary storm finisher)
• Curiosity/Ophidian Eye (Card draw on Ghyrson hits)
• Mana Vault/Mox Diamond (Critical fast mana)
• Rhystic Study (Sustained card advantage)
• Wheel of Fortune (Hand refill and storm count builder)
• Deflecting Swat (Free protection)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 8/10
Capable of T3-4 kills with perfect hands (fast mana into Ghyrson + multiple 1-damage engines + spell chain), averaging T5-6 wins through incremental pings.

Resilience: 5/10
While having free interaction (Fierce Guardianship) and recursion (Breach), the deck folds to repeated commander removal and lacks mass recursion outside Breach.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong card draw and tutors (Gamble, Imperial Recruiter), but relies on assembling multiple synergistic pieces.

Interaction: 6/10
Efficient counterspells and targeted removal (Swan Song, Vandalblast), but light on board wipes and permanent-based answers.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at high-power levels with T3-4 goldfish potential through explosive storm turns and combo lines, but its reliance on the commander and vulnerability to common stax pieces prevent cEDH viability. The balance between speed and fragility aligns with the "Focused Competitive" tier.

Power level: 7.0 - 7.5