Can a Mandrake in Gauntlet?

I've liked the mandrake synergy with recent addition of Glen Fasciata. I thought there could be a decent gauntlet deck. I took some ideas from Unstable Cheating. I went on 3x 7-0 runs at highest gauntlet rank so far. Yes, this deck is expensive and it isn't the best gauntlet deck out there (not even close). But I do have lots of fun with it, check it out 2x Cirso, the Great Glutton on turn 5. Only craft these cards you if you are in a surplus. Matriarch Zende is a must because there really is no other way to get good card draw with mandrakes. I had to add in cards like Vara, Vengeance-Seeker and Midnight Gale because lifesteal is so important and I haven't been able to consistently find ways to get Invasive Creeper to work

Whats that no removal?

The previous decks had 4x Permafrost and Annihilate which I cut for Blight Pass Smuggler and Matriarch Zende (the card draw is great since feln doesn't have cylix unfortunately).You have Annihilate, Permafrost, Rindra's Choice, and In Cold Blood in market if you really need to kill something. That removal in market might be overkill but I can't think of anything else to put in it other than slug or dizos for really long games. I have no problem with removal so far with Maveloft Huntress and Exploit. I forgot to mention that Unstable Form can be used as semi-removal especially for annoying fliers or cards that buff other cards (stranger or yeti buffs etc)

A lot of times I will Vine Grafter into Maveloft Huntress and that can remove most things for free.

Why not add time mandrakes for more drakeness?

The time mandrakes don't necessarily fit with going aggro, which is part of getting a fast gauntlet deck. Also, three faction in gauntlet sometimes runs into influence issues. There could be a consistent midrange mandrake deck for gauntlet using time. Vine Grafter and Glen Fasciata are your best mandrakes so cutting either primal or shadow is not feasible either.

This is mainly an aggro deck so power screwing isnt a big deal

25 power is enough since there are 8 plunders and you really wont be needing more than 3 power for most games. You could put a sigil in the market. Unstable Form is the best card to plunder since you will only need 1 most games

Mulligan

Opening hand I try to always find Maveloft Huntress, Vine Grafter, Matriarch Zende, Exploit, and the Glen Fasciata/ Unstable Form combo. I think Darkwater Vines is okay. The regen mechanic is very good in gauntlet as you can block 100% damage once and it's a good target for Matriarch Zende on 2.

How to win?

I've won most games by just overwhelming the opponent with board presence. Some games go longer and I will get Pale Rider's Timepiece on Blight Pass Smuggler. Keep their board clear and win with mandrakes!

Some other cards to consider or not consider:

There is an option of cutting the Vara, Vengeance-Seeker and putting in Ripknife Assassin, then putting Memory Dredger in market or even cutting some Shoal Stirrings since there will be 20x 2 or less drops to pull from.

Invasive Species I had this card in the second version of the deck, but it is plain trash. I mainly had it in the deck for more mandrake synergy but it never lives so you can never get a free card draw from Invasive Creeper.

Little Seed I haven't tried this card but I assume it would be too slow for this deck. Could cut Darkwater Vines for it

Shadowcreeper Seems like a good card if you cut Vara, Vengeance-Seeker for any reason and go full mandrake, never go full mandrake. Added 3x and cut 2x Shoal Stirrings since having 2 in hand cost me a game. Plus, the ultimate is good for last ditch removal.

Shoaldredger I want to fit this in somehow, but as of now games don't go long enough for it to be discounted enough

Grenahen Could be good for more card draw. I think this deck lacks it at time.

Blackhall Warleader Mandrakes have trash stats for the most part. This card could actually make them decently statted. Not sure what to cut for it.

Savagery I thought about adding in this card and then Preyfinder to get card draw but seems too slow.

Shapeshifter's Mask Could be a market card if you really wanted to transform your Glen Fasciata more consistently.

Any suggestions are welcomed

Final turn against master gauntlet bosses (did beat mindless aggression, but no pic)