Overview:

This Mardu Assassin tribal deck leverages Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad to create exponential token armies by recurring exiled Assassin creatures. The strategy combines graveyard recursion, token multipliers, and extra combat phases to overwhelm opponents. Key enablers like Conspiracy and Ashes of the Fallen turn non-Assassin creatures into synergistic pieces, while Anointed Procession and Roaming Throne amplify token production. Altaïr acts as the linchpin for token generation but is supported by "hidden commanders" like The Master, Multiplied and Mari, the Killing Quill for value. Secondary win conditions include incremental life loss via Vein Ripper and Virtus the Veiled, alongside combat loops with Bloodthirster or Overpowering Attack.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Ramp with Sol Ring, Chrome Mox, or fetch lands (e.g., Bloodstained Mire).
   • Dump Assassins into the graveyard using Buried Alive, Entomb, or looting effects (Faithless Looting, Thrill of Possibility).
   • Cast Conspiracy or Ashes of the Fallen to ensure all creatures count as Assassins.

2. Mid-Game (Turns 4-6):

   • Deploy Altaïr and attack to exile key Assassins (e.g., Queen Marchesa, Vein Ripper) from the graveyard, creating token copies.
   • Amplify token output with Anointed Procession or Roaming Throne (choosing Assassin).
   • Use Reanimate/Animate Dead to recur high-impact Assassins like Bloodthirster or Port Razer for extra combats.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):

   • Combat Swarm: Generate 4+ attacking tokens per combat with Altaïr, enhanced by Warleader's Call or Cover of Darkness (evasion).
   • Infinite Combats: Pair Port Razer or Bloodthirster with untap effects (Reconnaissance, Great Train Heist).
   • Life Drain: Vein Ripper and Virtus the Veiled chip away at opponents’ life totals.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with ramp (e.g., Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), graveyard setup (Entomb, Faithless Looting), or Assassin synergy (Conspiracy).
• Prioritize protection (Lightning Greaves, Teferi's Protection) if facing interaction-heavy pods.
• Avoid hands lacking graveyard enablers or Altaïr support.

Key Tips:

• Use Reconnaissance to protect attackers post-damage while keeping them untapped.
• The Master, Multiplied + myriad Assassins creates exponential tokens (though they exile post-combat).
• Mari, the Killing Quill turns opponent creature deaths into card draw and Treasures.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void cripples recursion and Altaïr’s token engine.
• Commander Dependency: Altaïr’s removal halts the primary strategy; limited protection beyond greaves and Deflecting Swat.

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Damnation or Farewell resets progress, though Teferi's Protection and Flawless Maneuver mitigate this.
• Stax Effects: Rule of Law/Archon of Emeria slow the deck’s multi-spell turns.

Minor

• Single-Target Removal: Key pieces like Roaming Throne or Anointed Procession are vulnerable but replaceable.
• Limited Card Draw: Relies on looting and situational engines (Mari, Seize the Spoils).

Most Important Cards:

• Anointed Procession (Doubles token output)
• Conspiracy (Ensures all creatures are Assassins)
• Buried Alive (Graveyard setup for Altaïr triggers)
• Roaming Throne (Triggers Altaïr’s ability twice)
• The Master, Multiplied (Token multiplication via myriad)
• Teferi's Protection (Protects against wipes/removal)
• Mari, the Killing Quill (Card draw and Treasure generation)
• Bloodthirster (Enables extra combats)
• Demonic Tutor (Finds key pieces)
• Vein Ripper (Passive life drain)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten lethal via token swarms or extra combats by turns 6-8, but lacks fast mana for explosive starts.

Resilience: 5/10

• Limited protection for Altaïr and key enchantments; struggles to recover from repeated graveyard exile.

Consistency: 7/10

• Tutors (Demonic Tutor, Enlightened Tutor) and looting ensure access to combo pieces, but Assassin density is moderate.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient removal (Swords to Plowshares, Anguished Unmaking) and Deflecting Swat, but minimal stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused midrange build with strong synergy and tutor density, capable of winning via combat or incremental value by turns 6-8. However, its reliance on the graveyard and commander-centric strategy limits resilience against disruption.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0