Overview:

This Sultai deck helmed by Kotis, the Fangkeeper and Reyhan, Last of the Abzan merges +1/+1 counter synergies with theft mechanics and evasive combat strategies. The primary game plan revolves around deploying modified creatures to trigger Kotis' combat damage ability, exiling opponents' libraries to cast free spells, while simultaneously leveraging Reyhan's counter redistribution for resilience. Secondary strategies include ninjutsu-enabled theft (Fallen Shinobi, Nashi), big mana plays (Villainous Wealth), and explosive counter doubling with Kalonian Hydra/Branching Evolution. Kotis serves as both a value engine and win condition, requiring careful protection to maintain its fragile 2/1 indestructible body.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3):
   • Ramp with Birds of Paradise, Delighted Halfling, or Nature's Lore
   • Deploy counter engines like Forgotten Ancient or protection auras (Fae Flight)
   • Establish card advantage with Mystic Remora or Tasha, the Witch Queen

2. Midgame Threats (Turns 4-6):

   • Equip Kotis with Swiftfoot Boots/Sword of Hearth and Home for evasion
   • Activate ninjutsu with Fallen Shinobi to steal opponents' spells
   • Deploy Seedborn Muse with Bear Umbra for explosive turns

3. Win Conditions (Turns 6+):

   • Swing with Kotis wearing Blackblade Reforged for massive commander damage + exile triggers
   • Overwhelm with Kalonian Hydra + Branching Evolution counter doubling
   • Cast stolen wincons via Kotis/Tasha triggers or Villainous Wealth

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including at least two colors
• Prioritize early ramp (1-2 CMC) + at least one protection spell (Snakeskin Veil, Slip Out the Back)
• Value hands containing Rogue's Passage or Thassa, God of the Sea for evasion
• Avoid hands without early plays or color fixing

Key Tips:

• Use Zimone, Paradox Sculptor to double counters on Kotis before combat
• Satoru, the Infiltrator triggers draw when ninjutsu'ing creatures
• Dauthi Voidwalker provides graveyard hate and castable stolen spells
• Heroic Intervention protects both creatures and counter-enhancing enchantments
• Culling Ritual clears opponents' boards while fueling big Villainous Wealth casts

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Extreme vulnerability to edict effects (no token generation/sac outlets)
• Relies entirely on Kotis' 2-power body for primary value engine - easily blocked without evasion

Moderate

• Limited board wipe recovery outside Phasing of Zhalfir
• Theft strategy countered by exile-based graveyard hate

Minor

• Some tapped lands slow early development
• Limited instant-speed interaction for stacked combos

Most Important Cards:

• Kotis, the Fangkeeper (Primary value engine/wincon)
• Reyhan, Last of the Abzan (Counter resilience)
• Seedborn Muse (Untap synergy)
• Villainous Wealth (Alternative wincon)
• Kalonian Hydra (Counter multiplier)
• Swiftfoot Boots (Evasion/protection)
• Branching Evolution (Counter amplification)
• Demonic Tutor (Consistency)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset)
• Bear Umbra (Mana acceleration)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10
Can threaten wins via commander damage or stolen spells by T7-8, but requires setup for explosive plays.

Resilience: 5/10
Multiple protection spells and counter redistribution mitigate removal, but core strategy folds to repeated edicts.

Consistency: 7/10
Strong tutor suite (Demonic/Vampiric) and card draw engines (Tasha, Mystic Remora) find key pieces reliably.

Interaction: 6/10
Quality targeted removal (Assassin's Trophy, Pongify) and counterspells (Force of Negation), but light on stax elements.

Rating Justification:

This deck combines strong synergy and tutors with a T7-8 win clock through multiple avenues, but its commander-dependent strategy and vulnerability to common removal tactics limit its ceiling. The balance between theft, counters, and control elements places it in optimized casual tiers.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5