With the newest addition to the UG Merfolk Archetype, Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca gives the deck a possibility of a new angle - slightly combo. This deck explores that idea with some minimal, but positive playtesting on Magic Online.

The creatures are quite similar to what you would expect out of a Merfolk deck, but you will notice some exclusions, and some new additions. There is a possibility of nearly cycling through your entire deck with Kumena on board, and a few copies of Merrow Rejeery. To enhance this possibility 4 Phantasmal Image, 4 Meerow Reejery, and the Deeproot Waters, along with  six 1 drops have structured the deck. The advantage of this type of construction is against the unfair decks of Modern, if your draw is successful, they will regret not interacting with you.

Your best draws against any specific deck usually include 2 lands, Aether Vial, Cursecatcher or Kumena's Speaker and some card advantage creatures. Play the aggressor as effectively as you can, the deck is not suited to a control route until post SB, so even if it's not a good matchup, play to your outs and punch them as hard as you can. If need be, lay low on some of the weird card choices where it can give away there is a potential combo.

At this point in the game, we attempt to run Kumena through and gain a leverage over our opponent. If you haven't done the classic aggro draw, where disruption with Spreading Seas and knocked your opponents life total low, it's probably a clogged board state. Once again Kumena gives us effectiveness in extra card draw, and the added Gavony Township to swarm the board and end the game.

The late game would nearly only be affected by other fair decks trading removal with our creatures. Deeproot Waters, Spreading Seas, Silvergill Adept, Branchwalker and Mutavault are our key pieces to the puzzle in navigating how to end the game as soon as possible.

This is obviously a first draft, but UG Merfolk is definitely the future for this decks success in Modern!