Overview:

This Bant (GWU) deck helmed by Brenard, Ginger Sculptor focuses on generating value through creature death triggers and artifact token synergies. The strategy revolves around sacrificing or losing nontoken creatures to create Food Golem tokens that retain the original creature's abilities, amplified by Brenard's +2/+2 and trample buff. Key themes include Splicer tribal (creating 3/3 Golems), token multiplication via Mondrak, Glory Dominus and Adrix and Nev, Twincasters, and toolbox creature tutoring with Birthing Pod effects. The deck aims to overwhelm opponents with a wide, resilient board of artifact creatures, supported by combat finishers like Moonshaker Cavalry. Brenard acts as both an engine (enabling token generation) and a payoff (buffing the tokens), though the deck can function without him using its artifact synergies.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4): Deploy mana dorks (Birds of Paradise, Elvish Mystic), ramp (Kodama's Reach, Three Visits), and value creatures like Coiling Oracle. Cast low-CMC Splicers (Blade Splicer, Malcator, Purity Overseer) to start generating Golem tokens.
2. Midgame Value (Turns 5-7): Cast Brenard and protect him with Heroic Intervention or Teferi's Protection. Sacrifice creatures to Ashnod's Altar or natural deaths to create Food Golem tokens. Use tutors (Worldly Tutor, Prime Speaker Vannifar) to find key pieces like token doublers or Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation.
3. Endgame (Turns 8+): Overwhelm with multiplied tokens buffed by Brenard's anthem. Deploy finishers like Moonshaker Cavalry for lethal swings or use Cyclonic Rift to clear the path.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands including green/white sources.
• Prioritize early ramp (1-2 mana dorks/ramp spells).
• Look for at least one Splicer or token generator.
• Include interaction/protection if available (Swords to Plowshares, Selfless Spirit).

Key Tips:

• Sacrifice Splicers to Birthing Pod effects after their Golem ETB triggers resolve.
• Use Lazotep Quarry to reanimate key creatures as 4/4 Zombies while preserving their abilities.
• Nesting Dovehawk triggers both populate and +1/+1 counters when Food Golems enter.
• Urza, Prince of Kroog can turn noncreature artifacts (like Food tokens) into 1/1 creatures that still count as artifacts.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes reset the token army and negate Brenard's death triggers (no inherent recursion for tokens).
• Graveyard hate disrupts Bala Ged Recovery, Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath, and Food Golem creation from exiled creatures.

Moderate

• Artifact removal cripples Golem tokens and key pieces like Ashnod's Altar/Mondrak.
• Anti-token tech (Torpor Orb, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite) shuts down ETB token generation.

Minor

• Limited stack interaction beyond 6 counterspells.
• High reliance on creature-based ramp makes it vulnerable to early board control.

Most Important Cards:

• Mondrak, Glory Dominus (Token multiplier and indestructible enabler)
• Adrix and Nev, Twincasters (Doubles Food Golem output)
• Moonshaker Cavalry (Primary combat finisher)
• Birthing Pod (Toolbox tutor for key creatures)
• Ashnod's Altar (Sac outlet for value and mana acceleration)
• Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation (Triples token production)
• Teferi's Protection (Board protection and phase-out reset)
• Prime Speaker Vannifar (Repeatable creature tutoring)
• Cyclonic Rift (Mass bounce for lethal setups)
• Malcator, Purity Overseer (Recurring Golem generation)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via token swarms by T8-10, but lacks fast mana or instant-win combos.

Resilience: 6/10

• Multiple protection spells and token redundancy mitigate removal, but board wipes remain devastating.

Consistency: 7/10

• Strong creature tutoring (7 tutors) and card draw (Tribute to the World Tree, Ohran Frostfang) ensure access to key pieces.

Interaction: 6/10

• 12 targeted removal/counterspells and mass bounce, but limited ability to handle resolved enchantments/artifacts.

Rating Justification:

This deck demonstrates focused synergy with strong token generation and combat finishers, capable of threatening T8-10 wins through combat or value engines. While resilient against targeted removal, it struggles against board wipes and lacks the speed/interaction density of higher-tier decks.

Power level: 5.0 - 5.5