Overview:

This Golgari Insect tribal deck helmed by Amzu, Swarm's Hunger leverages graveyard manipulation, token generation, and +1/+1 counter synergies. The strategy revolves around filling the graveyard (via self-mill, discard, or sacrifice effects) to trigger Amzu's token/counter generation, then amplifying these tokens with doubling effects like Doubling Season and Parallel Lives. Secondary win conditions include infect via Phyrexian Swarmlord/Necropede, and combat overrun with Craterhoof Behemoth or Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest. Amzu acts as both a value engine and a threat multiplier, though the deck can function without it thanks to robust recursion tools like Conduit of Worlds and Journey to Eternity.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Deploy mana acceleration (Sol Ring, Birds of Paradise, Roiling Regrowth).
   • Start graveyard filling with Mesmeric Orb, Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, or Syr Konrad, the Grim.
   • Establish key engines like Tortured Existence or Skullclamp for recursion/value.

2. Midgame Value (Turns 4-6):

   • Cast Amzu to capitalize on graveyard exodus triggers.
   • Use Phyrexian Altar/Skullclamp to sacrifice Insects for mana/cards, triggering Amzu.
   • Deploy doubling effects (Doubling Season, Primal Vigor) to amplify token/counter generation.

3. Win Conditions (Turns 6-8+):

   • Token Overwhelm: Swing with massive Insects buffed by Craterhoof Behemoth or Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest.
   • Infect: Spread poison via Phyrexian Swarmlord and proliferate effects (Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, Glistening Sphere).
   • Recursion Loops: Reanimate key threats like Vorapede or Gigapede indefinitely with Conduit of Worlds/Journey to Eternity.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, early ramp, and at least one graveyard enabler (e.g., Mesmeric Orb, Yawgmoth).
• Prioritize hands with a doubling effect or The Great Henge in slower metas.
• Avoid hands lacking graveyard interaction or with only high-CMC payoffs.

Key Tips:

• Use Zask, Skittering Swarmlord to recycle Insects and fuel Amzu triggers.
• Sacrifice Haywire Mite/Cankerbloom to disrupt opponents while triggering Amzu.
• Roaming Throne (naming Insect) doubles triggers from Amzu, Syr Konrad, and Mazirek.
• Darkness and Heroic Intervention protect your board during critical turns.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples Amzu triggers and recursion engines.
• Token suppression (Cursed Totem, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite) nullifies the primary win condition.

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment removal disrupts doubling effects and key engines (Phyrexian Altar, Doubling Season).
• Focused flyer defense can stall combat wins given limited evasion beyond menace/flying.

Minor

• Slow starts against hyper-aggressive decks due to setup requirements.
• Infect reliance is easily disrupted by proliferate counters or -1/-1 effects.

Most Important Cards:

• Doubling Season (Token/counter multiplier)
• Phyrexian Altar (Sacrifice outlet + mana engine)
• Craterhoof Behemoth (Primary combat finisher)
• Yawgmoth, Thran Physician (Sacrifice engine + proliferate)
• Conduit of Worlds (Recursion backbone)
• The Great Henge (Card draw + counter synergy)
• Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest (Counter accelerator)
• Mesmeric Orb (Graveyard fuel)
• Syr Konrad, the Grim (Graveyard synergy + damage)
• Natural Order (Tutor for Craterhoof/Mazirek)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via Craterhoof or infect around T7-8, but requires significant setup for explosive turns.

Resilience: 5/10

• Strong recursion tools mitigate removal, but graveyard reliance creates a critical vulnerability.

Consistency: 7/10

• Tutors (Demonic Tutor, Natural Order) and card draw (Necropotence, The Great Henge) reliably access key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Targeted removal (Assassin's Trophy, Snuff Out) and board wipes (Damnation) are present but lack stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused midrange build with T7-8 win potential through combat or infect, supported by strong recursion and tutors. However, its reliance on graveyard mechanics and vulnerability to common hate cards cap its resilience, placing it below optimized tiers.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0