Overview:

This mono-blue Jalira, Master Polymorphist deck focuses on cheating out Blightsteel Colossus as its primary win condition, leveraging token generators to fuel Jalira's polymorph ability. The commander enables explosive turns by sacrificing cheap tokens to deploy the 11/11 infect threat as early as turn 4-5. Secondary strategies include cloning Blightsteel with spells like Rite of Replication and Cackling Counterpart, while artifact synergies and incidental value engines like Thopter Spy Network provide backup plans. Jalira is critical to the strategy but vulnerable to removal, and the deck’s reliance on a single nonlegendary creature creates inherent fragility.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet, Mind Stone) and token generators (Hard Evidence, Thopter Spy Network).
   • Protect Jalira with Lightning Greaves or Swiftfoot Boots.

2. Activate Jalira (Turns 4+):

   • Sacrifice a token to Jalira, tutoring Blightsteel Colossus for a lethal infect threat.
   • Use counterspells (Counterspell, Keep Safe) to protect Jalira and Blightsteel.

3. Alternative/Backup Lines:

   • Clone Blightsteel using Rite of Replication (kicked) or Mirrorpool for multiple infect threats.
   • Leverage artifact synergies with Mirrorworks or Mechanized Production to generate value.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, early ramp, and a token generator or protection for Jalira.
• Prioritize Blightsteel Colossus in the library by mulliganing away if already drawn.

Key Tips:

• Use Rogue's Passage to ensure Blightsteel connects.
• Clone Jalira with Errant, Street Artist or Cackling Counterpart for multiple polymorph activations.
• Curse of the Swine can clear blockers or generate tokens for future sacrifices.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Single Win Condition: Only Blightsteel Colossus is fetchable via Jalira. If exiled or drawn early, the deck loses its primary threat.
• Commander Reliance: Jalira’s removal cripples the strategy, and recasting her becomes costly (up to {7}{U}).

Moderate

• Artifact/Enchantment Hate: Vandalblast or Bane of Progress disrupts mana rocks and token engines.
• Graveyard Exile: Exiling Blightsteel (e.g., Path to Exile) permanently removes the win condition.

Minor

• Slow Setup: Relies on assembling Jalira + token + mana, which can be disrupted by early aggression.
• Limited Interaction: Few answers to resolved noncreature threats.

Most Important Cards:

• Blightsteel Colossus (Primary win condition)
• Jalira, Master Polymorphist (Enabler for Blightsteel)
• Rite of Replication (Clones Blightsteel for multiple threats)
• Thopter Spy Network (Token generation + card draw)
• Hard Evidence (Early token for Jalira + card filtering)
• Mirrorpool (Copies Blightsteel or key spells)
• Lightning Greaves (Protects Jalira)
• Curse of the Swine (Board control + token generation)
• Mechanized Production (Alternative win condition with artifacts)
• Errant, Street Artist (Copies Jalira or key spells)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten a T4-T5 Blightsteel with ideal draws, but inconsistent due to setup requirements.

Resilience: 3/10

• Heavily reliant on Jalira and Blightsteel; lacks redundancy for both. Minimal recursion/protection.

Consistency: 4/10

• Only one polymorph target makes Jalira’s ability a gamble. Limited tutors to recover Blightsteel.

Interaction: 5/10

• Moderate counterspells and removal (e.g., Imprisoned in the Moon), but struggles against resolved engines.

Rating Justification:

The deck’s theoretical T4-T5 infect kill aligns with Focused Competitive (7.0) speed, but its fragility, low redundancy, and dependency on a single creature downgrade it significantly. It operates closer to Optimized Casual (5.0) due to high variance and critical weaknesses.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0