Overview:

This Wilhelt, the Rotcleaver deck is a zombie tribal aristocrats/combo build that leverages death triggers, token generation, and graveyard recursion. Wilhelt serves as the engine, creating decayed Zombie tokens when non-decayed Zombies die and enabling card draw through sacrificial fodder. The deck aims to win through infinite death loops (e.g., Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar + payoff), zombie swarm combat, and drain effects like Plague Belcher or Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Key synergies include Rooftop Storm for free Zombie casting and Necroduality for token duplication.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), zombie token generators (Cryptbreaker, Dreadhorde Invasion), and value engines (Undead Augur, Rhystic Study).
2. Midgame Engine (Turns 4-6): Cast Wilhelt to generate decayed tokens. Sacrifice tokens to Ashnod's Altar/Phyrexian Altar for mana or Skullclamp for card draw. Recur key zombies like Gravecrawler from the graveyard.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):
   • Infinite Combos: Gravecrawler + Phyrexian Altar + Diregraf Captain/Plague Belcher for infinite damage.
   • Mass Drain: Gray Merchant of Asphodel with high devotion or Zulaport Cutthroat with mass sacrifices.
   • Overwhelm: Necroduality-enhanced zombie armies or Mikaeus, the Unhallowed-powered recursion.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, early ramp, and a zombie generator or sac outlet.
• Prioritize Gravecrawler, Entomb, or tutors if possible.
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or graveyard setup.

Key Tips:

• Use Entomb or Final Parting to dump Gravecrawler into the graveyard early.
• Rooftop Storm enables free casting of zombies, bypassing commander tax for Wilhelt.
• Protect combo pieces with Lazotep Plating or Countersquall.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard Reliance: Gravecrawler and recursion strategies fold to Rest in Peace or Bojuka Bog.
• Artifact Dependency: Phyrexian Altar/Rooftop Storm removal cripples combo potential.

Moderate

• Board Wipes: Damnation or Blasphemous Act resets token armies; recovery relies on Persist or Mikaeus.
• Anti-Token Tech: Cursed Totem/Torpor Orb nullifies death triggers and ETB effects.

Minor

• Limited Fast Mana: Relies on Dark Ritual/Culling the Weak for explosive starts but lacks redundancy.
• Stack Interaction: Counterspells are sparse (only 4), making combo protection inconsistent.

Most Important Cards:

• Gravecrawler (Combo linchpin)
• Phyrexian Altar (Infinite mana/death triggers)
• Rooftop Storm (Free Zombie casting)
• Mikaeus, the Unhallowed (Recursion engine)
• Diregraf Captain (Drain payoff)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Life swing finisher)
• Demonic Tutor (Tutor for combo pieces)
• Necroduality (Token duplication)
• Undead Augur (Card draw engine)
• Entomb (Graveyard setup)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via combo or Gary drain as early as Turn 5-6 with optimal draws.

Resilience: 5/10

• Vulnerable to graveyard/artifact hate but has redundancy in zombie generators and recursion.

Consistency: 7/10

• Tutors (Demonic Tutor, Entomb) and zombie tribal synergy ensure frequent access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Limited counterspells and targeted removal, but Toxic Deluge and Bitter Triumph handle threats situationally.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates in the T7-8 win range with efficient combos and strong tribal synergies, fitting the "Focused" tier. While resilient to single-target removal, critical weaknesses to graveyard hate and artifact removal prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5