Overview:

This Abzan (WBG) deck helmed by Betor, Ancestor's Voice synergizes lifegain, +1/+1 counters, and reanimation into a grindy value engine. The commander enables explosive counter placement via life gain triggers and recursive threats based on life loss. Key payoffs like Archangel of Thune, Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose, and Selvala, Heart of the Wilds/Staff of Domination combo amplify the strategy, while Bolas's Citadel and Exsanguinate provide alternate win paths. Betor acts as both a value engine and recursion tool, though the deck can function through "hidden commanders" like Heliod or Selvala if Betor is removed.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (T1-3): Deploy lifegain enablers (Soul Warden, Essence Warden), ramp (Birds of Paradise, Sakura-Tribe Elder), and counter engines (Hardened Scales, Kami of Whispered Hopes).
2. Midgame Synergy (T4-6): Cast Betor or key payoffs like Rhox Faithmender to amplify lifegain. Use Selvala, Heart of the Wilds with high-power creatures (e.g., Vilis, Broker of Blood) for explosive mana. Reanimate threats via Betor’s second ability or Perennation.
3. Win Conditions:
   • Combat/Counter Overload: Scale creatures with Archangel of Thune/Heliod, Sun-Crowned and swing with trample enablers like Herd Heirloom.
   • Lifegain Drain: Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose or Dina, Soul Steeper to convert life gain into opponent damage.
   • Infinite Mana Combo: Selvala, Heart of the Wilds + Staff of Domination + creature with ≥5 power → infinite mana → Walking Ballista or Exsanguinate.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color fixing).
• Prioritize early lifegain/ramp (e.g., Soul Warden + Sol Ring).
• Look for combo pieces (Selvala/Staff) or key engines (The Great Henge, Greater Good).

Key Tips:

• Use Betor’s recursion on low-CMC creatures like Eternal Witness to loop interaction.
• Unspeakable Symbol turns life gain into immediate counters for Selvala’s mana.
• Bolas's Citadel + lifegain effects mitigates life loss for explosive plays.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board Wipes: Minimal recovery outside Perennation/Betor recursion.
• Anti-Counter/ETB Hate: Torpor Orb/Cursed Totem shuts down key synergies.
• Combo Disruption: Lacks redundancy for Selvala/Staff combo.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Exiling effects cripple Betor’s recursion and Eternal Witness.
• Life Total Pressure: Aggro decks can outpace lifegain triggers.

Minor

• Artifact/Enchantment Reliance: Vulnerable to mass removal (Bane of Progress).

Most Important Cards:

• Selvala, Heart of the Wilds (Combo enabler, mana generation)
• Archangel of Thune (Scaling +1/+1 counters)
• Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (Lifegain-to-damage conversion)
• Staff of Domination (Combo piece, utility)
• Bolas's Citadel (Unrestricted casting, win condition)
• Heliod, Sun-Crowned (Counter engine, indestructible threat)
• Exsanguinate (Scaling lifegain/drain finisher)
• Rhox Faithmender (Doubles lifegain output)
• The Great Henge (Card draw, cost reduction)
• Perennation (Recursion with protection)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten combo/combat wins by T6-7, but setup-heavy synergies slow early aggression.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion/protection (Swiftfoot Boots, Perennation), but folds to repeated board wipes.

Consistency: 6/10

• Relies on synergistic draws; limited tutors outside Finale of Devastation.

Interaction: 5/10

• Spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Anguished Unmaking) is efficient but lacks stack interaction.

Rating Justification:

This deck has a focused midrange plan with a T6-8 win potential via combo or lifegain synergies, but its reliance on board presence and limited protection caps its resilience. It aligns with optimized casual tiers, excelling in value but vulnerable to common disruption.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0