Overview:

This Saskia the Unyielding deck combines aggressive combat with Centaur tribal synergies and +1/+1 counter strategies. The primary win condition is overwhelming combat damage, amplified by Saskia's ability to double-dip damage against two opponents. While the deck includes powerful stax pieces (Elesh Norn, Avacyn) and value engines (Sheoldred, Tymna), its mixed focus between Centaur tribal, equipment, and counter synergies slightly dilutes its potency. The mana base and tutors are high-caliber, but the lack of infinite combos and reliance on combat keep it below optimized tiers.

Primer:

Core Strategy: Deploy Saskia by turn 4 to enable double-damage combat pressure. Support with Centaur tribal buffs (Pheres-Band Warchief, Stonebrow) and +1/+1 counter synergies (Hardened Scales, Sword of Truth and Justice). Backup plans include stax locks (Elesh Norn, Gisela) and reanimation value (Sheoldred). Key phases:

• Early Game: Ramp with Ignoble Hierarch, Sol Ring, and fetchlands. Develop early threats like Changeling Outcast for chip damage.
• Mid Game: Cast Saskia and tribal enablers. Use Karlach, Fury of Avernus for extra combats and Conclave Mentor to amplify counters.
• Late Game: Overwhelm with Avacyn/Elesh Norn protection or reset boards with Ruinous Ultimatum.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands (preferably untapped duals/fetches).
• Prioritize ramp (Birds of Paradise, Exploration) and early pressure (Changeling Outcast).
• Avoid hands without a clear path to cast Saskia by turn 4.

Key Tips:

• Use Saskia's trigger to pressure life totals asymmetrically (e.g., focus on eliminating one player while damaging another).
• Protect key pieces with Heroic Intervention/Teferi's Protection before board wipes.
• Leverage Tymna and Black Market Connections for card advantage in stalled boards.

Avoid Traps:

• Overcommitting to Centaur tribal without sufficient payoffs.
• Casting high-cost angels without protection.

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• No infinite combos; relies entirely on combat damage.
  Moderate:
• Vulnerable to early board wipes (limited recursion outside Sheoldred).
• High average CMC (3.6) risks slow starts.
  Minor:
• Color-intensive mana requirements (mitigated by fetchlands/dual base).

Most Important Cards:

• Sheoldred, Whispering One
• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
• Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
• Avacyn, Angel of Hope
• Sword of Truth and Justice
• Vampiric Tutor
• Imperial Seal
• Teferi's Protection
• Heroic Intervention
• Ruinous Ultimatum

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Capable of threatening lethal by turn 8–9 via combat synergies. Fast mana (Sol Ring, Birds) accelerates key plays, but lacks explosive combo potential.

Resilience: 5/10

• Limited counterspells and graveyard recursion (only Sheoldred). Relies on protection spells to survive interaction.

Consistency: 6/10

• 4 tutors (Vampiric, Imperial Seal, etc.) and strong draw (Wheel of Fortune, Tymna) compensate for tribal dilution.

Interaction: 5/10

• Spot removal (Vindicate, Infernal Grasp) and artifact/enchantment hate (Nature's Claim), but lacks free counterspells or stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck sits between "Optimized Casual" (5.0) and "High-Power Casual" (5.5). Its dual-stax/combat strategy and premium mana base exceed precons, but it lacks the speed (T8–10 wins vs. T7–9) and redundancy of 6.0+ decks. The absence of infinite combos and reliance on creature-based combat align it with focused casual builds rather than competitive tiers.

Power level: 4.5–5.0