"Jeskai Kamehameha" by Zatanna89 (MTGA)

Greetings,

This is a decklist that I made for fun, but found it to be quite competitive in the current MTG Arena ranked metagame, even at Diamond. Note that the list is constructed for consideration of Azor's Gateway // Sanctum of the Sun CMC requirements, Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring synergy, and has been altered for optimal performance from my personal online experience in ranked ladder. The sideboard has not been tested and is constructed from my experience versus major archetypes.

Summary

The goal of the deck is simple, pay X to kill your opponent. Execution is primarily solitaire, with no counterspells mainboard and only a few utility spells for any obstacles that might arise.

Basic Execution

Casting a lethal Banefire could take awhile without some sort of power boost, so a couple of tools have been added for said purpose: Azor's Gateway // Sanctum of the Sun and Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring. These artifacts will quickly close the game if enabled, but also provide great utility when offline by providing increased digging and reduced mana requirements. Finding the right pieces is made easy with the abundance of included dig: Opt, Revitalize, Anticipate, Ritual of Rejuvenation, and Chemister's Insight. The life gain choices have been chosen for their ability to stabalize and to keep the potency of your transformed Azor's Gateway // Sanctum of the Sun as high as possible. NOTE: Do not be afraid to use your kill spells as removal or even as Azor's Gateway // Sanctum of the Sun food, as you can always find another.

Additional Tips

Despite the simple goal of firing a single spell for the victory, the deck has a lot of strategic elements. Playing at the highest level requires users to be aware of which spells are expendable, especially with Azor's Gateway // Sanctum of the Sun and Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring mechanics. Being aware of CMC elements for exile food and ordering spells for a the amulet flip will be the difference between winning and losing. Using your life gain elements and saving sweepers is another key play that will allow you to retain a controlling position; Do not be afraid of low health, as life gain is abundant.

Matchups

...vs Mono Red, Merfolk

These are the hyper-aggro lists and can pull quick wins from under us, despite our amazing toolkit. That being said, we are still heavily favored. Your early life gain will likely pressure your opponent to over-commit to compensate, which will allow you to strike a devestating blow via sweeper. Once top-decking the opponent will have little chance.

Sideboarding:

+ Deafening Clarion, Settle the Wreckage

- Blessed Light, The Mirari Conjecture

Consider Sanguine Sacrement, Dawn of Hope

...vs WW, Selesnya Tokens, Vampires, Boros

These aggressive lists have one thing that differs from the previous matchup description: Enchantment removal via Conclave Tribunal, Ixalan's Binding. You'll need to be aware of these and consider your options when Cleansing Nova is available. Also be prepared for Shalai, Voice of Plenty, as this will turn off your Settle the Wreckage. Still heavily favored for us.

Sideboarding:

+ Settle the Wreckage, Cleansing Nova

- Deafening Clarion, The Mirari Conjecture

Consider Invoke the Divine, Blessed Light, Dawn of Hope

...vs Mono Blue, Jeskai Control, Dimir Control

Control is surprisingly not that difficult, despite not having mainboard counters. Banefire clause is your friend here, and it's not entirely impossible to cast lethal damage without your artifacts. Be aware of opposing Cleansing Nova on your tools. Detection Tower can be helpful when facing Dive Down from Mono Blue.

Sideboarding:

+ Banefire, Expansion // Explosion, Dawn of Hope, The Mirari Conjecture

- Deafening Clarion, Settle the Wreckage, and/or Cleansing Nova

Consider Invoke the Divine, Devious Cover-Up, Blessed Light, Star of Extinction

...vs Golgari Midrange, Abzan Midrange

Be prepared to face a lot of resistance; Abundant artifact/enchantment hate, potentially large life gain, and reoccuring threats. Wildgrowth Walker will likely urge you to remove it asap, but think about waiting for an impactful sweeper. You will need to make sure that any Vraska, Golgari Queen, Vivien Reid, or Vraska, Relic Seeker that lands is answered quickly by saving Banefire and Expansion // Explosion. Those planeswalkers will quickly snowball and you will lose control. Save sweepers for vital moments by relying on your life gain.

Sideboarding:

+ Banefire, Settle the Wreckage, The Immortal Sun, Star of Extinction

- Invoke the Divine, Deafening Clarion, Blessed Light, The Mirari Conjecture