Power: Low Rogue (7.0/10) - Upgraded from Casual because the list is legal, removes dead Pre-Preparation lines, and uses Impcantations plus Magicians' Souls to reach Rituals reliably. It stays Low Rogue because Dark Magician bricks, exact Ritual levels, and Impcantation Extra Deck locks cap the deck.
Consistency: Strong. Chalislime, Candoll, Talismandra, Manju, Preparation of Rites, Chaos Form, Advanced Ritual Art, Souls, and Illusion Magic give many routes to Ritual pieces or Dark Magician access.
Ceiling: Moderate. Magician of Chaos turns Spells/Traps into removal, Black Chaos MAX can lock monster effects, and Secrets/Magicalized Fusion convert Dark Magician bodies into The Dark Magicians, Dragon Knight, or Quintet Magician.
Recovery: Fair. Preparation recovers a Ritual Spell, Monster Reborn reopens a used boss, Souls loads Dark Magician and filters, and the Extra Deck gives follow-up once Impcantations leave the field.
Going first/second: Flexible but better going second. Magician of Chaos and Black Chaos MAX pressure boards, while Feather Duster and the side deck add Dark Ruler, Evenly, Nibiru, Lancea, Droll, and Cosmic Cyclone.
Choke points: Stop Chalislime, Candoll, Talismandra, Manju, or Preparation before the Ritual pieces line up. Remove Dark Magician before Chaos Form, stop Souls before it filters, or clear Impcantations before Ritual Summons.
Key cards: Chalislime, Candoll, Talismandra, Manju, Magician of Chaos, Magician of Black Chaos MAX, Dark Magician, Magicians' Souls, Chaos Form, Advanced Ritual Art, Preparation of Rites, Secrets of Dark Magic.
Key combos: Chalislime reveals a Ritual monster to summon Candoll or Talismandra and search the missing piece. Advanced Ritual Art sends Dark Magician for Magician of Chaos, enabling later Chaos Form or Fusion lines. Souls sends Dark Magician and filters. Secrets can Ritual Summon or fuse, while Magicalized Fusion turns loaded Spellcasters into Quintet Magician.