Overview:

This Selesnya Human tribal deck revolves around Kyler, Sigardian Emissary, leveraging a +1/+1 counter synergy strategy to create an overwhelming board presence. The deck floods the battlefield with Humans, using Kyler’s exponential scaling (each Human entering adds a counter to Kyler, which in turn buffs all other Humans) to turn even 1/1 tokens into massive threats. Secondary themes include token generation, combat manipulation, and midrange value engines. Kyler is the linchpin of the strategy, as his removal significantly slows the deck’s momentum, though the inclusion of alternate payoffs like Mirror Entity and Wild Beastmaster provides some redundancy.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-4):
   • Prioritize ramp (Avacyn’s Pilgrim, Sol Ring, Nature's Lore) and early Humans like Champion of the Parish or Thalia’s Lieutenant to start stacking counters.
   • Cast Kyler as soon as possible (ideally by Turn 4) to begin scaling.
2. Midgame Synergy (Turns 4-7):
   • Deploy token generators (Torens, Fist of the Angels, Horn of Gondor, Felidar Retreat) to flood the board with Humans, triggering Kyler’s growth.
   • Use counter doublers (Branching Evolution, Juniper Order Ranger) and anthem effects (Maja, Bretagard Protector) to amplify power.
3. Win Conditions (Turns 6+):
   • Overwhelm via combat: Activate Mirror Entity for lethal, use Wild Beastmaster to pump the team, or leverage flying/trample enablers (Abzan Falconer, Tuskguard Captain).
   • Recover from setbacks with mass recursion (Angel of Glory’s Rise) or token bursts (Increasing Devotion).

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands, at least one ramp piece, and an early Human or token generator.
• Prioritize Kyler enablers (e.g., Champion of the Parish) over reactive spells.
• Avoid hands lacking ramp or early plays.

Key Tips:

• Protect Kyler with Swiftfoot Boots, Repel the Abominable, or Bastion Protector.
• Use Inspiring Call to refill and protect your board during critical turns.
• Mirror Entity can turn all creatures into massive threats for a surprise lethal swing.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Board wipes (Cleansing Nova, Hour of Reckoning help but recovery is slow).
• Kyler dependency: Repeated removal cripples the deck’s scaling.

Moderate

• Anti-token tech (Cursed Totem, Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite).
• Stax effects (Torpor Orb nullifies ETB synergies).

Minor

• Limited stack interaction (only 5 targeted removal spells).
• Mana base includes 8 taplands, slowing early turns.

Most Important Cards:

• Kyler, Sigardian Emissary (Primary engine)
• Thalia’s Lieutenant (Counter synergy and anthem)
• Mirror Entity (Game-ending overrun)
• Felidar Retreat (Token generation and counter scaling)
• Branching Evolution (Doubles counter output)
• Wild Beastmaster (Combat pump enabler)
• Torens, Fist of the Angels (Token generation)
• Heronblade Elite (Mana acceleration tied to Kyler’s power)
• Champion of the Parish (Early counter synergy)
• Mentor of the Meek (Card draw engine)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten lethal via combat around Turns 7-9 but lacks fast mana or combos to accelerate.

Resilience: 6/10

• Moderate protection for Kyler and some recovery tools, but struggles against repeated wipes.

Consistency: 7/10

• High density of Humans and token generators ensure board presence, but limited tutors reduce combo reliability.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient spot removal (Swords to Plowshares, Beast Within) but minimal countermagic or stax.

Rating Justification:

This deck operates as a synergistic midrange build with a clear combat focus, capable of overwhelming unprepared tables by Turn 8-10. While resilient to single-target removal, its reliance on Kyler and vulnerability to wipes caps its power below optimized tiers.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0