TheBullwark
7.4k views22 days ago
Commander
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{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"This is a bracket 3 deck, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"optimized for a particular type of fun"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", not budget or power."},{"insert":" It is built to win in a way that we find rewarding, but the deck can be adapted relatively easily to other playstyles. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"It can also be built cheaper with a similar power level. "},{"insert":"We removed some cards because they caused explosive wins faster than we wanted. "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Who will love this deck?"},{"insert":"\nPeople who like puzzles, enjoy tinkering and optimizing triggers, and want a creative, flexible deck will have fun here. Drawing cards and making decisions is an integral part of our gameplan, so it is an active deck. It runs some artifacts that don't usually see play, and can be adapted rather than disassembled to try a different playstyle. (Copy, token, trigger doublers, and other strategies are viable.)\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Who will hate this deck?"},{"insert":"\nPlayers who have trouble tracking triggers will struggle. While many of our engines trigger on artifact "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"cast"},{"insert":", there are times when artifact "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"entry"},{"insert":" causes a lot of triggers to pile up. This is also a bad deck to pick up and expect to enjoy without understanding the tutor targets, or the decks limitations and sticking points. (For example, there is no easy way to retrieve an enchantment from the graveyard.) \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Gameplan"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck aims to build a board state of artifacts and creatures early."},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Reaching 4 and 8 artifacts quickly is essential"},{"insert":" to start recurring creatures and pressuring the table. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mulligans"},{"insert":":\nWith a relatively low curve, this deck can run out of steam quickly if we keep the wrong hand. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Our ideal hand checks three boxes: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"color fixing with 2-4 lands"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"a draw engine like Riddlesmith or Black Market Connections"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"a cheap artifact engine like The Ooze. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early Game:"},{"insert":"\nEstablish a churn engine. Golbez will let us sort through cards quickly. Ideally we are making artifacts ASAP and combining surveil with draw and discard to quickly sort through our deck. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Because we get to surveil on artifact cast PRIOR to drawing, we effectively have twice as many options per artifact-triggered draw, with the caveat that we can't un-surveil a card. "},{"insert":"The most condensed package for this is simply Riddlesmith + Golbez. Use Golbez to block early aggression. Other players will be ramping and with a 1/4 blocker and unimpressive board we should be able to avoid unwanted attention. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mid Game"},{"insert":": \nWe should be drawing a lot of cards. We should be surveilling to hit key high-impact cards and start saving removal and counterspells for late game. Our priority should be:\n1: Draw engine such as Mayota, Archon Elder, Riddlesmith, Obsessive Pursuit, Akal Pakal, Forensic Gadgeteer, Palantir of Orthanc, and Thought Monitor.\n2: Artifact Generator such as The Underworld Cookbook, The Ooze, Retrofitter Foundry, and Black Market Connections\n3: Defensive board state. Primarily through tokens and constructs. \n4: Recursion targets in graveyard like Phyrexian Dreadnought, Broodstar, Phyrexian Triniform, Ancient Stone Idol, and Master of Etherium.\n5: Holding impactful or low cost interaction like Pact of Negation or Fierce Guardianship.\n\nCards that allow us to snowball quickly in the midgame include Urza, High Lord Artificer, Simulacrum Synthesizer, Biotransference, Black Market Connections, and Master Transmuter. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Late Game:"},{"insert":"\nIt is possible to win in a single turn as early as turn 5-7 by playing a Mycosynth Lattice and recurring Broodstar, Darksteel Juggernaut, or Master of Etherium for 20+ damage. However, more frequently, the first time the 8-artifact trigger is executed, the table will likely turn attention toward you. It's critical to hold up some mana and keep some instant speed interaction for this turn cycle. The second time we trigger Golbez will usually finish the game with the help of Tezzeret or Peter Parker's Camera. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Important Points: "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-Golbez's end step trigger MUST be performed. It is non-optional. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-Darksteel Juggernaut and other similar cards have power and toughness equal to your artifact count "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"even while in the graveyard. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Many players may not know this or see the threat here until it happens for the first time. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-If playing against a lifegain deck Mirrodin Besieged might be your only viable win-con so be careful about dumping it into your graveyard. If your pod has lifegain decks consider adding Archfiend of Despair. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-MDFCs have mana value equal to the front face. This is important for Bolas's Citadel and Counterbalance. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-A variety of cards require life payment and can run life totals dangerously low. Tezzeret and The Underworld Cookbook are invaluable as sources of lifegain. Basilisk Collar could also be considered. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"-"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Use an artifact tracker!!!"},{"insert":"\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tutor Targets: "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"We feel that generic tutors can lead to stale, familiar gameplay. The tutors selected are intended to be helpful while still restrictive. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Entomb"},{"insert":": Our most flexible tutor. Meant to throw a large creature in the graveyard, or an engine piece that can be recurred. Urza is also \t\t\ta great early target if we can hit 4 artifacts quickly. \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Repurposing Bay: "},{"insert":"There is an artifact target from 1-10 mana, most of the cards along this ladder are excellent. Most often however, we will sacrifice a tapped thopter or zero mana artifact to grab a 1 mana artifact like Phyrexian Dreadnought, Peter Parker's Camera, or Sol Ring. 1 mana artifacts can get us to The Ooze or Baleful Strix. \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mausoleum Secrets: "},{"insert":"This can grab Bolas's Citadel, Black Market Connections, or Death's Shadow/ Moonshadow. It also is the only way to tutor Tezzeret in our list, and allows access to removal for artifacts (Gate to Phyrexia), enchantments (Feed the Swarm), creatures (Fell the Profane and Armix, Filigree Thrasher). \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Waterlogged Teachings"},{"insert":": A personal favorite. Fierce Guardianship is a classic target and most of our removal is instant speed as well. Ancient Stone Idol is occasionally a good target. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Weaknesses"},{"insert":": \nField of Ruin is our only non-basic land hate. Strip mine and Ghost Quarter could also be included. Be cautious however, as getting Golbez out early is critical and running too many sources of colorless mana could cause issues with color fixing. \nVandalblast is a scary card for us, if you're playing against red keep a counterspell at all times ESPECIALLY if playing Mycosynth Lattice. \nFinishing can be tough without Golbez. Luckily, he's not a kill-on-sight commander so we expect to have him on the board for much of the game. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Win-cons:"},{"insert":" Golbez's end step trigger is the primary win con. However, this deck can also win through combat damage with large Constructs or using Mirrodin Besieged. Tezzeret is a complementary piece to improve finishing ability, as is Peter Parker's Camera which allows multiple recursions per turn. If you prefer a single turn win, add Strixonic Resonator, Bloodletter of Aclazotz, Gogo, Master of Mimicry and cut some less efficient big artifact creatures. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Comments and Corrections: "},{"insert":"\nPlease leave a comment if you have any constructive feedback or note an interesting inclusion or if we missed something. \n\nHave fun!\n-DT and Auggie\n\n"}]}
Commander
Golbez, Crystal Collector
Whenever an artifact you control enters, surveil 1.
At the beginning of your end step, if you control four or more artifacts, return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand. Then if you control eight or more artifacts, each opponent loses life equal to that card's power.
At the beginning of your end step, if you control four or more artifacts, return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand. Then if you control eight or more artifacts, each opponent loses life equal to that card's power.
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard
Commander
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Artifact
The Ooze
Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it leaves the battlefield, create a Mutagen token for each +1/+1 counter on it. (A Mutagen token is an artifact with ", , Sacrifice this token: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Activate only as a sorcery.")
: Exile target card from a graveyard. Create a Mutagen token.
: Exile target card from a graveyard. Create a Mutagen token.
Legendary Artifact
Artifact
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Clones
Clones
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Copy
Copy
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Counters
Counters
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Creature
Creature
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Draw
Akal Pakal, First Among Equals
At the beginning of each player's end step, if an artifact entered the battlefield under your control this turn, look at the top two cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the other into your graveyard.
Legendary Creature - Human Advisor
Black Market Connections
At the beginning of your first main phase, choose one or more —
• Sell Contraband — Create a Treasure token. You lose 1 life.
• Buy Information — Draw a card. You lose 2 life.
• Hire a Mercenary — Create a 3/2 colorless Shapeshifter creature token with changeling. You lose 3 life. (It is every creature type.)
• Sell Contraband — Create a Treasure token. You lose 1 life.
• Buy Information — Draw a card. You lose 2 life.
• Hire a Mercenary — Create a 3/2 colorless Shapeshifter creature token with changeling. You lose 3 life. (It is every creature type.)
Enchantment
Bolas's Citadel
You may look at the top card of your library any time.
You may play lands and cast spells from the top of your library. If you cast a spell this way, pay life equal to its mana value rather than pay its mana cost.
, Sacrifice ten nonland permanents: Each opponent loses 10 life.
You may play lands and cast spells from the top of your library. If you cast a spell this way, pay life equal to its mana value rather than pay its mana cost.
, Sacrifice ten nonland permanents: Each opponent loses 10 life.
Legendary Artifact
Forensic Gadgeteer
Whenever you cast an artifact spell, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this token: Draw a card.")
Activated abilities of artifacts you control cost less to activate. This effect can't reduce the mana in that cost to less than one mana.
Activated abilities of artifacts you control cost less to activate. This effect can't reduce the mana in that cost to less than one mana.
Creature - Artificer Vedalken Detective
Obsessive Pursuit
When this enchantment enters and at the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life and create a Clue token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this token: Draw a card.")
Whenever you attack, put X +1/+1 counters on target attacking creature, where X is the number of permanents you've sacrificed this turn. If X is three or more, that creature gains lifelink until end of turn.
Whenever you attack, put X +1/+1 counters on target attacking creature, where X is the number of permanents you've sacrificed this turn. If X is three or more, that creature gains lifelink until end of turn.
Enchantment
Palantír of Orthanc
At the beginning of your end step, put an influence counter on Palantír of Orthanc and scry 2. Then target opponent may have you draw a card. If that player doesn't, you mill X cards, where X is the number of influence counters on Palantír of Orthanc, and that player loses life equal to the total mana value of those cards.
Legendary Artifact
Tamiyo Meets the Story Circle
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.)
I — Until your next turn, whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, it gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
II — Discard any number of cards, then investigate twice for each card discarded this way.
III — Shuffle up to three target cards from your graveyard into your library.
I — Until your next turn, whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, it gets -2/-0 until end of turn.
II — Discard any number of cards, then investigate twice for each card discarded this way.
III — Shuffle up to three target cards from your graveyard into your library.
Enchantment - Saga
Draw
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Finisher
Finisher
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Instant
Supper for Spiders
Put onto the battlefield under your control all creature cards in your opponents' graveyards that were put there from the battlefield this turn. They are Food artifacts with ", , Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life." (They lose all other types and subtypes.)
Instant
Instant
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Land
Land
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Protection
Protection
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Ramp
Tezzeret, Master of the Bridge
Creature and planeswalker spells you cast have affinity for artifacts. (They cost less to cast for each artifact you control.)
+2: Tezzeret deals X damage to each opponent, where X is the number of artifacts you control. You gain X life.
−3: Return target artifact card from your graveyard to your hand.
−8: Exile the top ten cards of your library. Put all artifact cards from among them onto the battlefield.
+2: Tezzeret deals X damage to each opponent, where X is the number of artifacts you control. You gain X life.
−3: Return target artifact card from your graveyard to your hand.
−8: Exile the top ten cards of your library. Put all artifact cards from among them onto the battlefield.
Legendary Planeswalker - Tezzeret
Urza, Lord High Artificer
When Urza enters, create a 0/0 colorless Construct artifact creature token with "This token gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control."
Tap an untapped artifact you control: Add .
: Shuffle your library, then exile the top card. Until end of turn, you may play that card without paying its mana cost.
Tap an untapped artifact you control: Add .
: Shuffle your library, then exile the top card. Until end of turn, you may play that card without paying its mana cost.
Legendary Creature - Human Artificer
Ramp
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Recursion
Emry, Lurker of the Loch
Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs less to cast for each artifact you control.)
When Emry enters, mill four cards.
: Choose target artifact card in your graveyard. You may cast that card this turn. (You still pay its costs. Timing rules still apply.)
When Emry enters, mill four cards.
: Choose target artifact card in your graveyard. You may cast that card this turn. (You still pay its costs. Timing rules still apply.)
Legendary Creature - Wizard Merfolk
Recursion
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Removal
Armix, Filigree Thrasher
Whenever Armix attacks, you may discard a card. When you do, target creature defending player controls gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of artifacts you control plus the number of artifact cards in your graveyard.
Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)
Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)
Legendary Creature Artifact - Golem
Thieving Skydiver
Kicker . X can't be 0. (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.)
Flying
When this creature enters, if it was kicked, gain control of target artifact with mana value X or less. If that artifact is an Equipment, attach it to this creature.
Flying
When this creature enters, if it was kicked, gain control of target artifact with mana value X or less. If that artifact is an Equipment, attach it to this creature.
Creature - Merfolk Rogue
Removal
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Tokens
Mirrodin Besieged
As this enchantment enters, choose Mirran or Phyrexian.
• Mirran — Whenever you cast an artifact spell, create a 1/1 colorless Myr artifact creature token.
• Phyrexian — At the beginning of your end step, draw a card, then discard a card. Then if there are fifteen or more artifact cards in your graveyard, target opponent loses the game.
• Mirran — Whenever you cast an artifact spell, create a 1/1 colorless Myr artifact creature token.
• Phyrexian — At the beginning of your end step, draw a card, then discard a card. Then if there are fifteen or more artifact cards in your graveyard, target opponent loses the game.
Enchantment
Phyrexian Triniform
When this creature dies, create three 3/3 colorless Phyrexian Golem artifact creature tokens.
Encore (, Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)
Encore (, Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)
Creature Artifact - Golem Phyrexian
Tokens
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Tutor
Urza's Saga
(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.)
I — This Saga gains ": Add ."
II — This Saga gains ", : Create a 0/0 colorless Construct artifact creature token with 'This token gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control.'"
III — Search your library for an artifact card with mana cost or , put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
I — This Saga gains ": Add ."
II — This Saga gains ", : Create a 0/0 colorless Construct artifact creature token with 'This token gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control.'"
III — Search your library for an artifact card with mana cost or , put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Land Enchantment - Saga Urza's
Tutor
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Maybeboard
Artificer Class
(Gain the next level as a sorcery to add its ability.)
The first artifact spell you cast each turn costs less to cast.
: Level 2
When this Class becomes level 2, reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal an artifact card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
: Level 3
At the beginning of your end step, create a token that's a copy of target artifact you control.
The first artifact spell you cast each turn costs less to cast.
: Level 2
When this Class becomes level 2, reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal an artifact card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
: Level 3
At the beginning of your end step, create a token that's a copy of target artifact you control.
Enchantment - Class
Chromescale Drake
Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs less to cast for each artifact you control.)
Flying
When this creature enters, reveal the top three cards of your library. Put all artifact cards revealed this way into your hand and the rest into your graveyard.
Flying
When this creature enters, reveal the top three cards of your library. Put all artifact cards revealed this way into your hand and the rest into your graveyard.
Creature - Drake
Ertai's Meddling
X can't be 0.
Target spell's controller exiles it with X delay counters on it.
At the beginning of each of that player's upkeeps, if that card is exiled, remove a delay counter from it. If the card has no delay counters on it, the player puts it onto the stack as a copy of the original spell.
Target spell's controller exiles it with X delay counters on it.
At the beginning of each of that player's upkeeps, if that card is exiled, remove a delay counter from it. If the card has no delay counters on it, the player puts it onto the stack as a copy of the original spell.
Instant
Gerrard's Hourglass Pendant
Flash
If a player would begin an extra turn, that player skips that turn instead.
, , Exile Gerrard's Hourglass Pendant: Return to the battlefield tapped all artifact, creature, enchantment, and land cards in your graveyard that were put there from the battlefield this turn.
If a player would begin an extra turn, that player skips that turn instead.
, , Exile Gerrard's Hourglass Pendant: Return to the battlefield tapped all artifact, creature, enchantment, and land cards in your graveyard that were put there from the battlefield this turn.
Legendary Artifact
Grozoth
Defender (This creature can't attack.)
When this creature enters, you may search your library for any number of cards that have mana value 9, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle.
: This creature loses defender until end of turn.
Transmute (, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same mana value as this card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Transmute only as a sorcery.)
When this creature enters, you may search your library for any number of cards that have mana value 9, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle.
: This creature loses defender until end of turn.
Transmute (, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same mana value as this card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Transmute only as a sorcery.)
Creature - Leviathan
Lithoform Engine
, : Copy target activated or triggered ability you control. You may choose new targets for the copy.
, : Copy target instant or sorcery spell you control. You may choose new targets for the copy.
, : Copy target permanent spell you control. (The copy becomes a token.)
, : Copy target instant or sorcery spell you control. You may choose new targets for the copy.
, : Copy target permanent spell you control. (The copy becomes a token.)
Legendary Artifact
Metamorphosis Fanatic
Lifelink
When this creature enters, return up to one target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield with a lifelink counter on it.
Miracle (You may cast this card for its miracle cost when you draw it if it's the first card you drew this turn.)
When this creature enters, return up to one target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield with a lifelink counter on it.
Miracle (You may cast this card for its miracle cost when you draw it if it's the first card you drew this turn.)
Creature - Human Cleric
Monstrosity of the Lake
When Monstrosity of the Lake enters, you may pay . If you do, tap all creatures your opponents control, then put a stun counter on each of those creatures. (If a permanent with a stun counter would become untapped, remove one from it instead.)
Islandcycling (, Discard this card: Search your library for an Island card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)
Islandcycling (, Discard this card: Search your library for an Island card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)
Legendary Creature - Kraken
Myr Battlesphere
When this creature enters, create four 1/1 colorless Myr artifact creature tokens.
Whenever this creature attacks, you may tap X untapped Myr you control. If you do, this creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn and deals X damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.
Whenever this creature attacks, you may tap X untapped Myr you control. If you do, this creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn and deals X damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.
Creature Artifact - Construct Myr
Ruthless Technomancer
When this creature enters, you may sacrifice another creature you control. If you do, create a number of Treasure tokens equal to that creature's power.
, Sacrifice X artifacts: Return target creature card with power X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. X can't be 0.
, Sacrifice X artifacts: Return target creature card with power X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. X can't be 0.
Creature - Human Wizard
Treasure Map
, : Scry 1. Put a landmark counter on this artifact. Then if there are three or more landmark counters on it, remove those counters, transform this artifact, and create three Treasure tokens. (They're artifacts with ", Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")
Artifact
Triplicate Titan
Flying, vigilance, trample
When this creature dies, create a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token with flying, a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token with vigilance, and a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token with trample.
When this creature dies, create a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token with flying, a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token with vigilance, and a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token with trample.
Creature Artifact - Golem
Uthros Research Craft
Station (Tap another creature you control: Put charge counters equal to its power on this Spacecraft. Station only as a sorcery. It's an artifact creature at 12+.)
3+ | Whenever you cast an artifact spell, draw a card. Put a charge counter on this Spacecraft.
12+ | Flying
This Spacecraft gets +1/+0 for each artifact you control.
3+ | Whenever you cast an artifact spell, draw a card. Put a charge counter on this Spacecraft.
12+ | Flying
This Spacecraft gets +1/+0 for each artifact you control.
Artifact - Spacecraft
Valgavoth, Terror Eater
Flying, lifelink
Ward—Sacrifice three nonland permanents.
If a card you didn't control would be put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
During your turn, you may play cards exiled with Valgavoth. If you cast a spell this way, pay life equal to its mana value rather than pay its mana cost.
Ward—Sacrifice three nonland permanents.
If a card you didn't control would be put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead.
During your turn, you may play cards exiled with Valgavoth. If you cast a spell this way, pay life equal to its mana value rather than pay its mana cost.
Legendary Creature - Elder Demon
Valkyrie Aerial Unit
Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs less to cast for each artifact you control.)
Flying
When this creature enters, surveil 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest on top of your library in any order.)
Flying
When this creature enters, surveil 2. (Look at the top two cards of your library, then put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest on top of your library in any order.)
Creature Artifact - Construct
Maybeboard
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Deck Info
Deck stats
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Deck extras (0)
Description
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"This is a bracket 3 deck, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"optimized for a particular type of fun"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", not budget or power."},{"insert":" It is built to win in a way that we find rewarding, but the deck can be adapted relatively easily to other playstyles. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"It can also be built cheaper with a similar power level. "},{"insert":"We removed some cards because they caused explosive wins faster than we wanted. "},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Who will love this deck?"},{"insert":"\nPeople who like puzzles, enjoy tinkering and optimizing triggers, and want a creative, flexible deck will have fun here. Drawing cards and making decisions is an integral part of our gameplan, so it is an active deck. It runs some artifacts that don't usually see play, and can be adapted rather than disassembled to try a different playstyle. (Copy, token, trigger doublers, and other strategies are viable.)\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Who will hate this deck?"},{"insert":"\nPlayers who have trouble tracking triggers will struggle. While many of our engines trigger on artifact "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"cast"},{"insert":", there are times when artifact "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"entry"},{"insert":" causes a lot of triggers to pile up. This is also a bad deck to pick up and expect to enjoy without understanding the tutor targets, or the decks limitations and sticking points. (For example, there is no easy way to retrieve an enchantment from the graveyard.) \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Gameplan"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck aims to build a board state of artifacts and creatures early."},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Reaching 4 and 8 artifacts quickly is essential"},{"insert":" to start recurring creatures and pressuring the table. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mulligans"},{"insert":":\nWith a relatively low curve, this deck can run out of steam quickly if we keep the wrong hand. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Our ideal hand checks three boxes: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"color fixing with 2-4 lands"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"a draw engine like Riddlesmith or Black Market Connections"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"a cheap artifact engine like The Ooze. "},{"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Early Game:"},{"insert":"\nEstablish a churn engine. Golbez will let us sort through cards quickly. Ideally we are making artifacts ASAP and combining surveil with draw and discard to quickly sort through our deck. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Because we get to surveil on artifact cast PRIOR to drawing, we effectively have twice as many options per artifact-triggered draw, with the caveat that we can't un-surveil a card. "},{"insert":"The most condensed package for this is simply Riddlesmith + Golbez. Use Golbez to block early aggression. Other players will be ramping and with a 1/4 blocker and unimpressive board we should be able to avoid unwanted attention. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mid Game"},{"insert":": \nWe should be drawing a lot of cards. We should be surveilling to hit key high-impact cards and start saving removal and counterspells for late game. Our priority should be:\n1: Draw engine such as Mayota, Archon Elder, Riddlesmith, Obsessive Pursuit, Akal Pakal, Forensic Gadgeteer, Palantir of Orthanc, and Thought Monitor.\n2: Artifact Generator such as The Underworld Cookbook, The Ooze, Retrofitter Foundry, and Black Market Connections\n3: Defensive board state. Primarily through tokens and constructs. \n4: Recursion targets in graveyard like Phyrexian Dreadnought, Broodstar, Phyrexian Triniform, Ancient Stone Idol, and Master of Etherium.\n5: Holding impactful or low cost interaction like Pact of Negation or Fierce Guardianship.\n\nCards that allow us to snowball quickly in the midgame include Urza, High Lord Artificer, Simulacrum Synthesizer, Biotransference, Black Market Connections, and Master Transmuter. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Late Game:"},{"insert":"\nIt is possible to win in a single turn as early as turn 5-7 by playing a Mycosynth Lattice and recurring Broodstar, Darksteel Juggernaut, or Master of Etherium for 20+ damage. However, more frequently, the first time the 8-artifact trigger is executed, the table will likely turn attention toward you. It's critical to hold up some mana and keep some instant speed interaction for this turn cycle. The second time we trigger Golbez will usually finish the game with the help of Tezzeret or Peter Parker's Camera. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Important Points: "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-Golbez's end step trigger MUST be performed. It is non-optional. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-Darksteel Juggernaut and other similar cards have power and toughness equal to your artifact count "},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"even while in the graveyard. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Many players may not know this or see the threat here until it happens for the first time. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-If playing against a lifegain deck Mirrodin Besieged might be your only viable win-con so be careful about dumping it into your graveyard. If your pod has lifegain decks consider adding Archfiend of Despair. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-MDFCs have mana value equal to the front face. This is important for Bolas's Citadel and Counterbalance. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"-A variety of cards require life payment and can run life totals dangerously low. Tezzeret and The Underworld Cookbook are invaluable as sources of lifegain. Basilisk Collar could also be considered. "},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"-"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Use an artifact tracker!!!"},{"insert":"\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Tutor Targets: "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"We feel that generic tutors can lead to stale, familiar gameplay. The tutors selected are intended to be helpful while still restrictive. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Entomb"},{"insert":": Our most flexible tutor. Meant to throw a large creature in the graveyard, or an engine piece that can be recurred. Urza is also \t\t\ta great early target if we can hit 4 artifacts quickly. \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Repurposing Bay: "},{"insert":"There is an artifact target from 1-10 mana, most of the cards along this ladder are excellent. Most often however, we will sacrifice a tapped thopter or zero mana artifact to grab a 1 mana artifact like Phyrexian Dreadnought, Peter Parker's Camera, or Sol Ring. 1 mana artifacts can get us to The Ooze or Baleful Strix. \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Mausoleum Secrets: "},{"insert":"This can grab Bolas's Citadel, Black Market Connections, or Death's Shadow/ Moonshadow. It also is the only way to tutor Tezzeret in our list, and allows access to removal for artifacts (Gate to Phyrexia), enchantments (Feed the Swarm), creatures (Fell the Profane and Armix, Filigree Thrasher). \n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Waterlogged Teachings"},{"insert":": A personal favorite. Fierce Guardianship is a classic target and most of our removal is instant speed as well. Ancient Stone Idol is occasionally a good target. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Weaknesses"},{"insert":": \nField of Ruin is our only non-basic land hate. Strip mine and Ghost Quarter could also be included. Be cautious however, as getting Golbez out early is critical and running too many sources of colorless mana could cause issues with color fixing. \nVandalblast is a scary card for us, if you're playing against red keep a counterspell at all times ESPECIALLY if playing Mycosynth Lattice. \nFinishing can be tough without Golbez. Luckily, he's not a kill-on-sight commander so we expect to have him on the board for much of the game. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Win-cons:"},{"insert":" Golbez's end step trigger is the primary win con. However, this deck can also win through combat damage with large Constructs or using Mirrodin Besieged. Tezzeret is a complementary piece to improve finishing ability, as is Peter Parker's Camera which allows multiple recursions per turn. If you prefer a single turn win, add Strixonic Resonator, Bloodletter of Aclazotz, Gogo, Master of Mimicry and cut some less efficient big artifact creatures. \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Comments and Corrections: "},{"insert":"\nPlease leave a comment if you have any constructive feedback or note an interesting inclusion or if we missed something. \n\nHave fun!\n-DT and Auggie\n\n"}]}