Overview:

This Esper deck helmed by Hashaton, Scarab's Fist focuses on discard synergies and token multiplication to overwhelm opponents. The commander enables zombie token generation through creature discards, amplified by doublers like Anointed Procession and Mondrak, Glory Dominus. Secondary themes include reanimation (Archon of Cruelty, Reya Dawnbringer), lifedrain (Gray Merchant of Asphodel), and flying finishers (Moonshaker Cavalry). Hashaton acts as an engine but isn't strictly essential, as backup token generators like The Scarab God and Gleaming Overseer provide redundancy. The deck's primary vulnerability lies in its reliance on maintaining board presence for value accumulation.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Setup Phase (Turns 1-4):
   • Deploy discard outlets: Putrid Imp, Bog Witch, Tireless Tribe, or Skirge Familiar.
   • Cast enablers like Ledger Shredder, Faithful Mending, or Careful Study to fuel graveyard/replace hands.
   • Establish token multipliers (Anointed Procession, Mondrak) or value engines (Rhystic Study, Smothering Tithe).

2. Midgame (Turns 5-7):

   • Discard high-impact creatures (Archon of Cruelty, Grave Titan) to create 4/4 zombies while reanimating them via Tortured Existence or The Underworld Cookbook.
   • Use Sakashima of a Thousand Faces to clone key creatures/doublers.
   • Deploy The Scarab God for recurring threats or Consecrated Sphinx for card advantage.

3. Finishing Moves:

   • Overwhelm with zombie swarms boosted by Moonshaker Cavalry or Ojer Taq's triple tokens.
   • Drain via Gray Merchant (amplified by Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth + Cabal Coffers) or Kambal, Profiteering Mayor.
   • Recur Archon of Cruelty with Reya Dawnbringer for repeated sacrifice triggers.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including at least one discard outlet (Putrid Imp ideal).
• Prioritize early interaction (Esper Sentinel, Swan Song) or engine pieces (Rhystic Study, Anointed Procession).
• Avoid hands lacking both discard outlets and token payoffs.

Key Tips:

• Use Teferi's Protection/Swiftfoot Boots to protect Hashaton or key doublers.
• Windfall becomes a game-warping play after establishing token multipliers.
• Saw in Half on Gray Merchant or Archon of Cruelty doubles ETB triggers.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Commander-dependent strategy: Repeated removal of Hashaton cripples token generation.
• Minimal graveyard protection: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void nullifies reanimation lines.

Moderate

• Token overextension: Vulnerable to board wipes like Blasphemous Act despite Teferi's Protection.
• Slow setup: Requires 2-3 turns to establish discard outlets + payoff engines.

Minor

• Limited instant-speed interaction: Relies heavily on Cyclonic Rift as a catch-all.
• Mana-intensive combos: Cabal Coffers + Urborg is the only explosive mana source.

Most Important Cards:

• Anointed Procession (Token multiplier)
• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token doubler with protection)
• The Scarab God (Alternative token generator/recursion)
• Moonshaker Cavalry (Primary combat finisher)
• Smothering Tithe (Mana acceleration)
• Archon of Cruelty (Recurring value engine)
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel (Lifedrain wincon)
• Demonic Tutor (Key enabler fetcher)
• Cyclonic Rift (Board reset/protection)
• Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth (Mana synergy with Coffers)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 6/10

• Can threaten wins via token swarms or Gray Merchant around T8-10, but lacks fast infinite combos.

Resilience: 5/10

• Moderate recursion/protection but struggles against focused commander hate or graveyard disruption.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong tutors (Demonic, Enlightened) and card selection (Rhystic Study, Consecrated Sphinx) ensure key pieces are found.

Interaction: 6/10

• Efficient removal (Swords, Anguished Unmaking) and counterspells (Dovin's Veto), but light on stax/early disruption.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused casual power with T8-10 win potential through combat or lifedrain, supported by strong tutors and value engines. While resilient to single-target removal, its reliance on board presence and vulnerability to wipes/hate keeps it below optimized tiers.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5