Overview:

This Esper (WUB) deck helmed by Hashaton, Scarab's Fist focuses on discard synergies and reanimation to generate value through token swarms and combo finishes. The commander enables a steady stream of 4/4 Zombie tokens when discarding creatures, supported by robust discard outlets like Skirge Familiar and Key to the City. Secondary win conditions include Thassa's Oracle/Demonic Consultation lines, reanimating bombs like Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, and disruptive locks with Necrogen Mists. While the deck has high-powered tutors and fast mana, its reliance on Hashaton for token generation and clunky top-end creatures creates vulnerabilities.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Chrome Mox, Talisman of Dominance), discard outlets (Oona's Prowler, Ledger Shredder), or value engines (Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora).
2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6): Cast Hashaton and activate discard synergies to flood the board with 4/4 Zombies. Use Skirge Familiar to convert discards into mana for explosive plays. Tutor for combo pieces (Thassa's Oracle + Demonic Consultation) or reanimation targets.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Token Swarm: Overwhelm with Zombies enhanced by Tidesprout Tyrant or Sheoldred, Whispering One recursion.
   • Oracle/Consultation: Exile the library with Demonic Consultation naming a card not in the deck, then cast Thassa's Oracle.
   • Stax Lock: Pair Necrogen Mists with Hullbreaker Horror to strip opponents' hands while bouncing threats.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, a discard outlet, and either ramp or card draw.
• Prioritize early interaction (Fierce Guardianship, Swords to Plowshares) against fast metas.
• Avoid hands lacking blue mana for countermagic or black for tutors.

Key Tips:

• Use Phyrexian Reclamation and Tortured Existence to recycle creatures for repeated Hashaton triggers.
• Ad Nauseam synergizes with low-CMC discard outlets but risks life loss from high-cost bombs.
• Wishclaw Talisman can fetch Thassa's Oracle but pass the Talisman strategically.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander-dependent strategy: Removing Hashaton repeatedly cripples token generation.
• Fragile combo lines: Thassa's Oracle/Demonic Consultation has no redundancy or protection.

Moderate

• Graveyard reliance: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void shuts down recursion engines.
• High average CMC (e.g., Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, Doomsday Excruciator) slows Ad Nauseam and early plays.

Minor

• Limited board wipes: Relies on Damn and single-target removal for defense.
• Weak to artifact hate: Stony Silence disables mana rocks and Skirge Familiar.

Most Important Cards:

• Hashaton, Scarab's Fist (Token generator)
• Skirge Familiar (Discard outlet + mana engine)
• Thassa's Oracle (Primary combo win)
• Demonic Consultation (Combo enabler)
• Ad Nauseam (Card advantage)
• Phyrexian Reclamation (Recursion engine)
• Sheoldred, Whispering One (Graveyard value)
• Hullbreaker Horror (Control lock piece)
• Dark Petition (Tutor + mana acceleration)
• Necrogen Mists (Disruption)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T4-5 wins with perfect hands (e.g., Consultation/Oracle + protection) but typically aims for T7-8 via tokens or reanimation.

Resilience: 4/10

• Lacks redundancy for key combo pieces and struggles to recover from repeated commander removal. Limited protection spells beyond Fierce Guardianship.

Consistency: 7/10

• High tutor density (7+ tutors) and card draw (Rhystic Study, Mystic Remora) ensure access to combo lines or value engines.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Anguished Unmaking) and counterspells, but lacks stack interaction for noncreature spells beyond Fierce Guardianship.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a 5.0 - 5.5 power level, capable of T7-8 wins via combos or overwhelming value but held back by commander dependency and inconsistent protection. Its tutor-heavy shell and fast mana elevate consistency, but critical vulnerabilities to removal and graveyard hate prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5