Overview:

This Golgari deck helmed by Cleopatra, Exiled Pharaoh merges +1/+1 counter synergy with -1/-1 counter strategies, leveraging legendary creature density and sacrifice outlets. Cleopatra fuels card draw when enhanced legends die, while key cards like Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons, Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, and Nest of Scarabs generate token swarms and attrition. The deck employs reanimation (Reanimate, Victimize), explosive mana (Devoted Druid, Metamorphosis), and combo potential via Necrotic Ooze/Agatha's Soul Cauldron interactions. Cleopatra acts as a value engine but isn’t strictly essential, as the deck’s modular combos and token generators can function independently.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy ramp (Birds of Paradise, Utopia Sprawl, Sakura-Tribe Elder), enablers like Hapatra or Obelisk Spider, and counter distributors (Arwen, Weaver of Hope, Renata, Called to the Hunt).
2. Engine Activation (Turns 3-5): Cast Cleopatra or Yawgmoth to start proliferating counters and drawing cards. Use Buried Alive or Time of Need to fetch combo pieces (e.g., Devoted Druid + Necrotic Ooze).
3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):
   • Combo: Infinite mana via Devoted Druid + Channeler Initiate/Agatha's Soul Cauldron, funneled into Finale of Devastation or Bolas's Citadel.
   • Attrition: Drain opponents with Zulaport Cutthroat, Blood Artist, and Massacre Girl, Known Killer as -1/-1 counters and tokens proliferate.
   • Combat Overrun: Amplify +1/+1 counters via Doubling Season and Bristly Bill, Spine Sower, then swing with Legolas Greenleaf or Sheoldred, the Apocalypse.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Prioritize hands with 2-3 lands (including green/black sources), early ramp, and at least one engine piece (Hapatra, Yawgmoth, or a tutor).
• Keep hands with Demonic Tutor, Finale of Devastation, or Sensei's Divining Top to smooth draws.
• Avoid slow hands lacking ramp or synergy.

Key Tips:

• Use The Ozolith to preserve counters from dying creatures. Necrotic Ooze can replicate Devoted Druid’s untap ability for infinite green mana.
• Sacrifice tokens to Greater Good or Yawgmoth for card advantage while triggering death effects.
• Flare of Malice and Culling Ritual can clear boards while advancing your strategy.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Reanimate, Victimize, and Necrotic Ooze fold to Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void.
• Combo Fragility: Key pieces (Devoted Druid, Yawgmoth) are vulnerable to instant-speed removal.
• Board Wipes: Lacks mass recursion; Damnation or Farewell resets progress.

Moderate

• Anti-Counter Tech: The Ozolith and Doubling Season are prime targets for artifact/enchantment removal.
• Stax Effects: Torpor Orb neuters ETB synergies; Cursed Totem shuts down activated abilities.

Minor

• Mana Constraints: Limited fast mana outside Sol Ring/Dark Ritual slows explosive starts.
• Flyer Weakness: Relies on Obelisk Spider/Legolas Greenleaf for reach.

Most Important Cards:

• Yawgmoth, Thran Physician (Combo enabler, draw engine)
• Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons (Token generator, -1/-1 synergy)
• Devoted Druid (Mana combo piece)
• Doubling Season (Amplifies counters/tokens)
• Finale of Devastation (Tutor, finisher)
• Necrotic Ooze (Ability replication)
• The Ozolith (Counter preservation)
• Demonic Tutor (Consistency)
• Bolas's Citadel (Top-deck engine)
• Massacre Girl, Known Killer (Board control, draw)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten combo/alpha strike by T7-8 with ideal draws, but lacks cEDH-level acceleration.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion and protection (Veil of Summer, Revitalizing Repast), but key engines are fragile.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong tutors (Demonic, Time of Need, Buried Alive) and draw engines (Cleopatra, Toski, Bearer of Secrets) ensure access to core pieces.

Interaction: 6/10

• Targeted removal (Abrupt Decay, Assassin's Trophy) and board wipes (Culling Ritual), but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

The deck’s hybrid strategy offers multiple avenues for T7-8 wins via combo or attrition, supported by strong tutoring and synergy. However, its reliance on graveyards and vulnerability to disruption caps its resilience, placing it in the optimized casual tier.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5