Overview:

This Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow deck leverages ninjutsu mechanics and evasive creatures to trigger Yuriko's life-drain ability while manipulating the top of the library for maximum damage output. The deck combines a tempo-based combat strategy with high-impact instant/sorcery flips and a backup Thassa's Oracle combo finish. Yuriko serves as both the primary engine (enabling card advantage and burn) and a resilient threat due to ninjutsu's inherent protection. Key synergies include unblockable attackers, extra turn spells, and topdeck manipulation to amplify Yuriko triggers.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-2): Deploy evasive 1-drops like Changeling Outcast, Gingerbrute, or Tormented Soul. Use Sol Ring/Dark Ritual to accelerate into ninjas or setup pieces like Narset, Parter of Veils.
2. Ninjutsu Engine (Turns 2-4): Attack with unblockables, then ninjutsu in Yuriko or value ninjas like Ingenious Infiltrator. Prioritize Silver-Fur Master to reduce ninjutsu costs.
3. Topdeck Manipulation (Midgame): Use Brainstorm, Ponder, and Mystical Tutor to set high-CMC spells (e.g., Blasphemous Edict, Expropriate) for Yuriko triggers. Doomsday can assemble Thassa's Oracle + Demonic Consultation/Tainted Pact instantly.
4. Win Conditions:
   • Yuriko Burn: Chain extra turns (Time Warp, Beacon of Tomorrows) for repeated triggers.
   • Oracle Combo: Tutor for Thassa's Oracle + exile library via Consultation/Pact.
   • Quietus Spike: Equip to unblockable creatures for life-halving damage.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with at least 1 evasive creature and 2 lands.
• Prioritize Yuriko enablers over high-CMC spells.
• Mulligan aggressively for Demonic Tutor or Mystical Tutor in combo-heavy metas.

Key Tips:

• Use Scheming Symmetry politically or to pair with Tainted Pact.
• Roaming Throne (naming Ninja) doubles Yuriko triggers.
• Swiftfoot Boots protects Yuriko; Whispersilk Cloak ensures unblockability.
• Cyclonic Rift resets boards before lethal Yuriko triggers.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Relies heavily on maintaining evasive attackers – mass removal (Blasphemous Edict) or Propaganda effects cripple momentum.
• Rest in Peace/Leyline of the Void nullifies Thassa's Oracle combo and limits Mystic Sanctuary.

Moderate

• Vulnerable to instant-speed removal on Yuriko during ninjutsu activation.
• Limited board presence makes it susceptible to aggressive decks.

Minor

• High-CMC spells in hand can clog gameplay if topdeck manipulation fails.
• Drannith Magistrate blocks ninjutsu from command zone.

Most Important Cards:

• Thassa's Oracle (Primary combo wincon)
• Demonic Consultation/Tainted Pact (Combo enablers)
• Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow (Engine and damage source)
• Doomsday (Alternative combo setup)
• Mystical Tutor (Finds combo pieces or high-CMC flips)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset for Yuriko triggers)
• Blasphemous Edict (13 CMC Yuriko nuke)
• Quietus Spike (Life-halving combat damage)
• Roaming Throne (Doubles Yuriko triggers)
• Silver-Fur Master (Ninjutsu cost reduction)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 8/10

• Can win via Oracle combo as early as T3 with perfect draws (Ritual → Tutor → Consultation), but typically threatens T4-5 wins through Yuriko triggers or combo.

Resilience: 6/10

• Ninjutsu bypasses commander tax, but relies on fragile evasive creatures. Limited protection beyond counterspells (Swan Song, Mana Drain).

Consistency: 7/10

• 12 evasive creatures, 7 tutors, and ample card selection ensure reliable access to key pieces, but topdeck manipulation requires setup.

Interaction: 5/10

• Counterspells (Drown in the Loch, Miscast) and targeted removal (Pongify) are efficient but sparse. Struggles against resolved stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates at cEDH-adjacent speeds with a T3-4 combo potential and consistent T5-6 Yuriko burn, but lacks the interaction density and redundancy of top-tier lists. Its resilience is hampered by creature dependency, placing it between optimized casual and high-power competitive.

Power level: 7.5 - 8.0