Overview:

This Henzie "Toolbox" Torre deck leverages a blitz-centric reanimator strategy, using the commander’s ability to cheat out high-impact creatures with haste, draw cards on death, and fuel graveyard recursion. The deck combines explosive creature-based value engines (e.g., Terror of the Peaks, Archon of Cruelty) with reanimation loops (Living Death, Meren of Clan Nel Toth) and combo finishes (Protean Hulk + Mikaeus, the Unhallowed). Henzie accelerates the game plan by reducing blitz costs and enabling card advantage, while the deck’s high density of tutors (Demonic Tutor, Survival of the Fittest) and recursion ensures consistent access to threats.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   Deploy mana accelerants (Ignoble Hierarch, Birds of Paradise, Utopia Sprawl) and low-cost value pieces (Skullclamp, Black Market Connections). Cast Henzie early to start reducing blitz costs.
2. Blitz Phase (Turns 3-6):
   Blitz high-value creatures like Seedguide Ash, World Shaper, or Protean Hulk, generating immediate impact and death triggers. Use Sneak Attack or Chainer, Nightmare Adept to cheat additional threats.
3. Recursion/Combo (Turns 5+):
   Reanimate key creatures (Reanimate, Victimize) or mass-reanimate with Living Death. Assemble combos:
   • Protean Hulk → Fetch Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Walking Ballista (with a sac outlet like Ziatora, the Incinerator).
   • Kardur, Doomscourge + Saw in Half for forced attacks and life drain.
4. Finishers:
   Overwhelm with combat (Craterhoof Behemoth-esque effects via Finale of Devastation), drain via Terror of the Peaks, or lock the game with recurring Archon of Cruelty.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, at least one ramp spell, and a blitz-able creature.
• Prioritize Survival of the Fittest, Demonic Tutor, or Birthing Pod for consistency.
• Avoid hands lacking early plays or graveyard setup.

Key Tips:

• Use Heroic Intervention/Deflecting Swat to protect Henzie or key combo pieces.
• Sacrifice blitzed creatures to Birthing Pod or Diabolic Intent before they self-sacrifice.
• Volrath’s Stronghold and Command Beacon ensure Henzie recursion.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void) cripples recursion and combo lines.
• Stax pieces (Cursed Totem, Drannith Magistrate) disable activated abilities and blitz synergies.

Moderate

• Board wipes reset progress, though the deck can rebuild with reanimation.
• Anti-sacrifice effects (Tajuru Preserver) disrupt blitz and combo payoffs.

Minor

• Artifact/enchantment removal hits Birthing Pod/The Great Henge, but redundancy mitigates this.

Most Important Cards:

• Protean Hulk (Combo enabler)
• Survival of the Fittest (Tutor engine)
• Mikaeus, the Unhallowed (Combo piece, recursion)
• Living Death (Mass reanimation)
• Terror of the Peaks (Damage engine)
• Demonic Tutor (Consistency)
• The Great Henge (Card draw, ramp)
• Birthing Pod (Creature toolbox)
• Sneak Attack (Cheat threats)
• Finale of Devastation (Tutor, finisher)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• Threatens T5-6 wins via blitz-fueled combos or reanimation, supported by fast mana (Gaea’s Cradle, Ancient Tomb).

Resilience: 6/10

• Recursion and protection spells provide recovery, but graveyard reliance creates vulnerability.

Consistency: 8/10

• High tutor density and card draw (The One Ring, Greater Good) ensure reliable access to key pieces.

Interaction: 5/10

• Limited stack interaction but efficient removal (Toxic Deluge, Deadly Rollick).

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH-adjacent speed with explosive T5-6 combo potential and robust tutoring, but its reliance on the graveyard and susceptibility to common hate pieces cap its ceiling. It aligns with the "Focused Competitive" tier (T5-6 wins) but lacks the resilience and interaction density of top-tier lists.

Power level: 7.0 - 7.5