Overview:

This Selesnya deck helmed by Leinore, Autumn Sovereign focuses on +1/+1 counter synergy and Human tribal mechanics, leveraging Coven triggers to generate value and close out games through combat. The strategy revolves around maintaining a board state with varied creature power levels to activate Coven abilities, enabling card draw, indestructible effects, and combat buffs. Key support cards like Branching Evolution and Ozolith, the Shattered Spire amplify counter distribution, while token generators like Somberwald Beastmaster and Bestial Menace ensure diverse power thresholds. Leinore acts as a critical enabler for card advantage and counter distribution but isn’t essential for the deck’s core function, as backup engines like Augur of Autumn and Sigarda, Font of Blessings provide redundancy.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy low-cost Humans like Champion of the Parish, Mother of Runes, and Thalia's Lieutenant to establish early counters and protection. Use ramp like Sol Ring, Emerald Medallion, and Heronblade Elite (with counters) to accelerate into key pieces.
2. Coven Activation (Turns 3-5): Play token generators (Trostani's Summoner, Bestial Menace) or varied-power creatures (Sungold Sentinel, Gyre Sage) to enable Coven. Activate Leinore’s draw ability and synergize with Dawnhart Wardens (combat buffs) or Stalwart Pathlighter (indestructible).
3. Midgame Threats (Turns 5-7): Deploy finishers like Unnatural Growth, Champion of Lambholt, or Angel of Glory's Rise to overwhelm opponents. Use Sigarda's Vanguard for surprise double-strike bursts.
4. Closing the Game: Leverage massive creatures enhanced by Branching Evolution or Felidar Retreat landfall triggers. Shamanic Revelation and Inspiring Call refuel hands while protecting the board.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 1-2 ramp pieces (e.g., Sol Ring, Heronblade Elite), a low-cost Human, and a Coven enabler (e.g., Guardian Gladewalker).
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or with only high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Use Saryth, the Viper's Fang to protect key creatures with hexproof or untap Heronblade Elite for explosive mana.
• Ozolith, the Shattered Spire ensures counter retention after board wipes.
• Sigarda, Font of Blessings provides card advantage and access to Human/Angel toolbox pieces.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipes: Heavy reliance on creatures makes the deck vulnerable to mass removal (e.g., Wrath of God). Limited recovery outside Eternal Witness and Cosmic Rebirth.
• Coven Disruption: Targeted removal on key creatures with unique power values (e.g., Champion of Lambholt) can disable Coven triggers.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Exile effects disrupt Eternal Witness, Dearly Departed, and Cosmic Rebirth.
• Counter Hate: The Ozolith or Branching Evolution removals slow counter scaling.

Minor

• Fliers/Evasion: Limited reach outside Abzan Falconer; relies on combat tricks for evasion.
• Artifact/Enchantment Reliance: Key pieces like Ozolith and Felidar Retreat are vulnerable to removal.

Most Important Cards:

• Branching Evolution (Doubles +1/+1 counter output)
• Unnatural Growth (Combat finisher via power doubling)
• Ozolith, the Shattered Spire (Counter retention and amplification)
• Heronblade Elite (Mana generator with counters)
• Sigarda, Font of Blessings (Card advantage and protection)
• Augur of Autumn (Topdeck casting for value)
• Thalia's Lieutenant (Counter spreader and tribal synergy)
• Felidar Retreat (Landfall token/counter engine)
• Champion of Lambholt (Evasion enabler)
• Stalwart Pathlighter (Indestructible on Coven)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can establish a threatening board by turns 6-8 but lacks fast combos. Relies on incremental value.

Resilience: 6/10

• Moderate protection (Mother of Runes, Unbreakable Formation) and recursion (Eternal Witness), but struggles against repeated wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong tribal synergy and card draw (Leinore, Harmonize) ensure steady access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Limited to spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Beast Within) and combat tricks; minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a midrange combat-focused build with reliable counter synergies and Coven triggers, typically threatening wins via combat around turns 8-10. While it has strong consistency and moderate resilience, its reliance on board presence and vulnerability to wipes caps its power below optimized tiers.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0