Overview:

This Orzhov Aura Voltron deck leverages Killian, Ink Duelist's cost-reduction ability to efficiently deploy targeted removal and protective/evasive auras. The primary strategy focuses on stacking auras onto Killian or Light-Paws, Emperor's Voice to create an unblockable, indestructible threat that eliminates opponents via commander damage. Secondary win conditions include lifegain synergies with Vizkopa Guildmage and surprise lethal via Hatred. Killian acts as both an enabler (reducing aura/removal costs) and the primary threat, with Light-Paws serving as a "hidden commander" for explosive aura chains.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Deploy Killian or Light-Paws using cost reducers like Sram, Senior Edificer/Danitha Capashen, Paragon
   • Cast 1-2 mana auras (Hyena Umbra, Ethereal Armor) or removal (Swords to Plowshares, Ossification) using Killian's discount
   • Establish card advantage engines: Kor Spiritdancer, Sigarda's Aid, Phyrexian Reclamation

2. Midgame Dominance (Turns 4-6):

   • Chain auras via Light-Paws triggers to stack protections (Spectra Ward, Shield of Duty and Reason) and power boosts (All That Glitters, Battle Mastery)
   • Protect key pieces with Giver of Runes, Teferi's Protection, and recursion like Hall of Heliod's Generosity
   • Lock out opponents' interaction with Grand Abolisher or Silence

3. Win Conditions (Turns 5-8):

   • Commander damage via 21+ power Killian with evasion (Menace + protection auras)
   • Hatred instant-speed lethal after blockers are declared
   • Vizkopa Guildmage + lifelink auras for massive life drain

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with Killian/Light-Paws + at least 1 aura/removal spell
• Prioritize early protection (Mother of Runes, Giver of Runes) in interactive metas
• Ensure access to white mana for aura casting costs
• Avoid hands without creatures or aura targets

Key Tips:

• Use Flickering Ward to trigger multiple Light-Paws searches per turn cycle
• Sigarda's Aid enables instant-speed auras to dodge sorcery-speed removal
• Kaya's Ghostform + Gift of Immortality creates recursive protection layers
• Mantle of the Ancients can recover from board wipes by rebuying multiple auras

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to mass enchantment removal (Cleansing Nova, Farewell)
• Reliant on keeping a single creature (Killian/Light-Paws) alive through combat
• Struggles against sacrifice effects bypassing protection (Grave Pact, Fleshbag Marauder)

Moderate

• Limited card advantage without aura engines online
• Weak to Drannith Magistrate/Hushbringer shutting down key triggers
• Slow recovery from multiple targeted removal spells

Minor

• Mediocre board presence beyond the voltron target
• Limited stack interaction outside Imp's Mischief/Rebuff the Wicked

Most Important Cards:

• Light-Paws, Emperor's Voice (Aura tutor engine)
• Sigarda's Aid (Flash auras, equipment synergy)
• Hatred (Surprise lethal)
• Teferi's Protection (Mass protection)
• All That Glitters (Primary damage scaling)
• Demonic Tutor (Flexible search)
• Gift of Immortality (Recursive protection)
• Phyrexian Reclamation (Creature recursion)
• Grand Abolisher (Turn protection)
• Daybreak Coronet (Powerful aura payoff)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T5-T7 kills with optimal aura stacking, but requires setup turns. Hatred enables surprise wins but demands life payment.

Resilience: 5/10

• Strong single-target protection but folds to repeated wipes. Recursion exists but is mana-intensive.

Consistency: 7/10

• Multiple tutors (Demonic Tutor, Enlightened Tutor, Light-Paws) ensure aura access. Draw engines rely on maintaining board presence.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient targeted removal suite (Anguished Unmaking, Deadly Rollick) but lacks counterspell density. Aura of Silence disrupts opponents' strategies.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a focused Voltron strategy with T5-T7 kill potential through efficient aura stacking and protection, aligning with the "Focused" tier. While it has strong consistency and interaction, its vulnerability to common board wipes and reliance on maintaining a single threat prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5