Overview:

This Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines deck leverages ETB doubling and token synergies to dominate the board. The strategy revolves around generating overwhelming value through doubled ETB triggers (via Elesh Norn and Panharmonicon), exiling opponents' threats (Ossification, Annex Sentry), and explosive token production (Mondrak, Anointed Procession, Adeline). Elesh Norn serves as the linchpin, amplifying all ETB effects while suppressing opponents' triggers. The deck can win via combat overruns (Moonshaker Cavalry, Cathars' Crusade), poison proliferation (Skrelv’s Hive, Sword of Truth and Justice), or infinite token loops with Preston/Felidar Guardian.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana rocks (Sol Ring, Arcane Signet), value engines (Esper Sentinel, Smothering Tithe), and low-CMC ETB creatures (Spirited Companion, Annex Sentry). Use Ossification/Path to Exile to disrupt opponents.
2. Midgame Engine (Turns 5-7): Cast Elesh Norn to double triggers. Flicker key creatures (Felidar Guardian, Basilica Shepherd) with Teleportation Circle/Ghostway. Generate tokens via Adeline, Skrelv’s Hive, or Myrel. Activate Mondrak/Anointed Procession for token doubling.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 7-10+):
   • Combat Overrun: Deploy Moonshaker Cavalry or Cathars’ Crusade for lethal.
   • Infinite Tokens: Loop Felidar Guardian + Preston + token doubler to create infinite 0/1 Illusions, then sacrifice to Preston’s ability.
   • Poison: Proliferate with Metastatic Evangel/Sword of Truth and Justice after establishing toxic mites.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, including utility (Command Beacon, Urza’s Saga).
• Prioritize early interaction (Ossification, Swords to Plowshares) and ramp (Sol Ring, Archaeomancer’s Map).
• Look for Elesh Norn enablers: Teleportation Circle, Panharmonicon, or protection (Teferi’s Protection).

Key Tips:

• Use Clever Concealment/Teferi’s Protection to dodge board wipes during critical setups.
• Stack ETB triggers with Elesh Norn: exiling two permanents with Annex Sentry, drawing two cards with Spirited Companion, or quadrupling tokens via Mondrak + Anointed Procession.
• Proliferate poison with Norn’s Choirmaster or Sword of Truth and Justice to pressure opponents.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Torpor Orb/Cursed Totem: Cripples ETB value and mana dorks.
• Elesh Norn Dependency: Without the commander, token/ETB output drops by 50%.
• Artifact/Enchantment Overload: Key pieces (Mondrak, Anointed Procession) are vulnerable to mass removal.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Disrupts Emeria, the Sky Ruin and Eternal Witness recursion.
• Fast Aggro: Slow to stabilize against hyper-aggressive decks before T5.

Minor

• Mana-Intensive Combos: Preston/Felidar loops require 8+ mana to execute.
• Limited Card Draw: Relies on Smuggler’s Share/Esper Sentinel for sustained draw.

Most Important Cards:

• Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines (Doubles ETB value, suppresses opponents)
• Panharmonicon (Quadruples ETB triggers with Elesh Norn)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token doubling, indestructible synergy)
• Teleportation Circle (Recur ETB value every turn)
• Anointed Procession (Token multiplier for mites/soldiers)
• Skrelv’s Hive (Poison engine with lifelink)
• Cathars’ Crusade (Wincon via exponential +1/+1 counters)
• Smothering Tithe (Critical ramp in mono-white)
• Teferi’s Protection (Foil board wipes/combo kills)
• Preston, the Vanisher (Infinite token combo enabler)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten T7-9 wins via token overruns or proliferate, but requires setup for combos.

Resilience: 7/10

• Strong protection (Teferi’s Protection, Clever Concealment) and recursion (Hall of Heliod’s Generosity) mitigate disruptions.

Consistency: 7/10

• Tutors (Enlightened Tutor, Recruiter of the Guard) and card selection (Scroll Rack) ensure key pieces are accessible.

Interaction: 6/10

• Robust spot removal (Swords, Path) and stax (Blind Obedience), but lacks counterspells for stack wars.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at a Focused level, leveraging efficient synergies to threaten wins by T7-8 through combat or combos. While resilient to common removal, its reliance on Elesh Norn and vulnerability to Torpor Orb effects prevent higher optimization.

Power level: 6.0 - 6.5