Carditecture
201 views33 hrs ago
Commander
Size: 100Salt sum: 31.42
Choose your preferred layout. You can mix and match options using the View as & Group by drop-downs above.
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Maximum Gameplay. Minimum Budget."},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Your chance to proof your skills: This is a Reality Fracture budget challenge built around Vraska, Soul of Stone.\nThe goal is to maximize gameplay, synergy, interaction and replayability while keeping the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"entire 100-card deck at or below €29.99 estimated cost(*) on Archidekt"},{"insert":".\n\nVraska turns cheap noncreature spells into Sculpture Treasure artifact creatures, so the deck tries to multiply the value of inexpensive cards through:\n\nartifact/token synergies "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"spellslinger value "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"ETB/burn effects "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"go-wide pressure "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"efficient card draw and interaction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The deck is meant to be genuinely playable Commander, not simply “100 cheap cards”."},{"insert":"\n\nCurrent target: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"100 cards / ≤ €29.99 / as much real gameplay as possible."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"(*) Our price of €29.99 estimated cost ist based on day 0 of our deck creation. As we all know MTG card prices are extremely dynamic. This challenge therefore captures what €29.99 could buy at the timestamp of day 0 of our deck generation and observes it within the dynamic price timeline. We'll dive deeper into this and explain observed related connections within the primer of this deck. "},{"insert":"\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"We are looking for "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"strictly budget-neutral improvements"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPlease suggest swaps that improve consistency, synergy, interaction, resilience or win potential "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"without increasing the deck’s total estimated price above €29.99"},{"insert":".\nCheaper replacements are absolutely welcome.\n\nBecause card prices fluctuate, treat €29.99 as a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"dynamic ceiling"},{"insert":" rather than assuming today’s exact prices will remain stable. Ideally, suggestions should either:\nreduce cost while maintaining power, or "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"provide a clear gameplay improvement for roughly the same cost."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWe are especially interested in:\ncards that perform multiple roles "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"overlooked commons/uncommons "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"better mana fixing at the same or lower cost "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"cheap ways to protect or rebuild the engine "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"stronger Vraska/artifact/token interactions "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"cuts where a card is too expensive for the gameplay it provides"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPlease avoid recommending upgrades that only work by increasing the budget.\nThe challenge is simple:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Can we altogether make the deck better without making it more expensive?"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}
Commander
Commander
(CTRL to add secondary)
Anthem
Anthem
(CTRL to add secondary)
Burn
Molten Gatekeeper
Whenever another creature you control enters, this creature deals 1 damage to each opponent.
Unearth (: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
Unearth (: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step or if it would leave the battlefield. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
Creature Artifact - Golem
Burn
(CTRL to add secondary)
Draw
Reality Heist
Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs less to cast for each artifact you control.)
Look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal up to two artifact cards from among them and put them into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Look at the top seven cards of your library. You may reveal up to two artifact cards from among them and put them into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
Instant
Draw
(CTRL to add secondary)
Land
Path of Ancestry
This land enters tapped.
: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity. When that mana is spent to cast a creature spell that shares a creature type with your commander, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
: Add one mana of any color in your commander's color identity. When that mana is spent to cast a creature spell that shares a creature type with your commander, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)
Land
Land
(CTRL to add secondary)
Protection
Protection
(CTRL to add secondary)
Ramp
Ramp
(CTRL to add secondary)
Removal
Removal
(CTRL to add secondary)
Tokens
Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer
Creature tokens you control have haste.
At the beginning of combat on your turn, create a 2/1 blue Phyrexian Myr artifact creature token. Then you may choose a token you control. If you do, each other token you control becomes a copy of that token.
At the beginning of combat on your turn, create a 2/1 blue Phyrexian Myr artifact creature token. Then you may choose a token you control. If you do, each other token you control becomes a copy of that token.
Legendary Creature Artifact - Artificer Phyrexian
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
Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.
−2: Target artifact you control becomes a copy of another target artifact or creature you control until end of turn, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types.
−2: Target artifact you control becomes a copy of another target artifact or creature you control until end of turn, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types.
Legendary Planeswalker - Saheeli
Tokens
(CTRL to add secondary)
Deck Info
Deck stats
CategoriesQtyOdds
Click charts to focus on cards
Deck extras (0)
Description
{"ops":[{"insert":"Reality Fracture Budget Challenge — Maximum Gameplay. Minimum Budget"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Challenge"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck started with one simple question:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How much real Commander gameplay can we get for less than €30?"},{"insert":"\nTHE RESULT: 100 cards. €29.99 (*)\n\nOne question left: does it actually play?\nDefinitely, yes—check it out and give it a try!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Maximum gameplay. Minimum budget."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNow shuffle it up and see how effective less than €30 can actually play Commander.\n(*) "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"This deck was created at an estimated total cost of exactly €29.99 on Day 0. Our price of €29.99 is intentionally treated as a snapshot of the market at the moment the challenge was completed. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"More interesting information according to this? Have a look at => \""},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Price Dynamic on MTG cards"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":" \" right at the bottom of this primer..."},{"insert":"\n\nEvery card has a job to do: synergy, pressure, value, or flexibility.\nThe deck is built around "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vraska, Soul of Stone"},{"insert":" because she turns one of the cheapest resources in Magic — low-cost noncreature spells — into something much bigger.\n\nEvery noncreature spell can become:\ncard selection"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"interaction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"an artifact"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a creature"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"future mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a damage trigger"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"part of a token army"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That is exactly what this deck wants.\nAnd we all want to know, if you know any better cards in exchange... :-) \n\nCommander"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vraska, Soul of Stone"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vraska is the engine.\nWhenever we cast a noncreature spell, she creates a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1/1 Sculpture Treasure artifact creature token"},{"insert":".\nThose tokens can eventually produce mana, but more importantly, they interact with almost every part of the deck.\nThey are:\ncreatures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"artifacts"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"tokens"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Treasures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"sacrifice material"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"attackers"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"mana sources"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"That role compression is the core of the deck.\nOne cheap spell can therefore generate several different game resources at once.\n\nGame Plan"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck does not rely on one combo.\nInstead, it builds incremental advantage until the board becomes much more dangerous than it initially appears.\nThe plan usually follows three stages.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"1. Set Up"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The early turns are about establishing mana and keeping cards moving.\nCheap spells such as:\nOpt"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Consider"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Brainstorm"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Faithless Looting"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thoughtcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Chart a Course"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"help find lands, interaction, and engine pieces without slowing the deck down.\nMana rocks and cheap artifacts prepare Vraska for turn three or four.\nThe important part is not to dump every card immediately.\nThe deck becomes much stronger once Vraska is on the battlefield.\n\n2. Turn Every Spell Into Board Presence"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once Vraska is active, even a tiny spell becomes a permanent resource.\nCast a cantrip.\nDraw or filter a card.\nCreate a Sculpture.\nCast removal.\nAnswer a threat.\nCreate another Sculpture.\nCast a mana rock.\nImprove your mana.\nCreate another Sculpture.\nThe deck begins to create a board almost incidentally.\nThat is where cards such as:\nThird Path Iconoclast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Saheeli, Sublime Artificer"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Efficient Construction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thopter Spy Network"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"become especially powerful.\nNow one noncreature spell may generate multiple bodies.\nA spell that costs only one or two mana can suddenly create two or three different forms of value.\n\n3. Convert the Board Into Pressure"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Sculptures look harmless.\nThat is useful.\nThis deck often spends several turns appearing less threatening than it really is.\nThen one payoff changes the entire battlefield.\nThere are three main ways to close the game.\n\nWin Condition 1 — Artifact Burn"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Several cards punish opponents simply because artifacts or creatures are entering the battlefield.\nKey cards include:\nReckless Fireweaver"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Ingenious Artillerist"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Impact Tremors"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Molten Gatekeeper"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Once one of these is in play, every noncreature spell does more than produce another body.\nIt also becomes damage.\nA sequence of small spells can suddenly drain the table without requiring combat at all.\nThis is one of the strongest examples of the deck's philosophy:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"cheap spells become meaningful because the deck multiplies their effects."},{"insert":"\n\nWin Condition 2 — Go Wide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sometimes the simplest plan is also the correct one.\nCreate Sculptures.\nCreate Soldiers.\nCreate Thopters.\nBuild a board.\nThen turn quantity into pressure.\nCards such as:\nMaster of Etherium"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Tempered Steel"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Alibou, Ancient Witness"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Myr Battlesphere"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"make a large token board much harder to ignore.\nThe deck does not need huge creatures if twenty small permanents suddenly become relevant.\n\nWin Condition 3 — One Turn Changes Everything"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The most explosive finishers are the cards that suddenly transform a board full of small utility pieces into lethal threats.\nCyberdrive Awakener"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is one of the most important finishers.\nA board full of mana rocks, Treasures, Sculptures and random artifacts can suddenly become an air force.\nThe deck often looks like it is simply accumulating resources.\nThen Cyberdrive Awakener turns those resources into attackers.\n\nBrudiclad, Telchor Engineer"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Brudiclad is another major payoff.\nThe deck produces several different token types.\nBrudiclad lets us convert all of them into the best token currently available.\nThat can turn:\nSculptures"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thopters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Servos"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Soldiers"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"into a single unified threat.\nBrudiclad also gives tokens haste, which makes the transformation much harder for opponents to prepare for.\n\nImportant Interactions"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vraska + Third Path Iconoclast"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is one of the best value engines in the deck.\nEvery noncreature spell creates:\none Sculpture Treasure"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"one Soldier artifact creature"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A single cheap cantrip now replaces itself and creates two bodies.\nThat is exactly the kind of efficiency this deck wants.\n\nVraska + Reckless Fireweaver"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Every Sculpture entering the battlefield becomes damage.\nNow every noncreature spell effectively reads:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Do whatever the spell normally does, create a token, and damage each opponent."},{"insert":"\nThat scales very quickly.\n\nVraska + Impact Tremors"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Similar idea, different card type.\nEvery Sculpture becomes another point of pressure.\nToken engines such as Iconoclast or Saheeli become even better because one spell can create multiple entering creatures.\n\nVraska + Springleaf Drum"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"New Sculpture tokens have summoning sickness.\nThey cannot immediately activate their own tap ability.\nBut Springleaf Drum can tap another creature as part of its own cost.\nThat means a newly created Sculpture can still help produce mana through the Drum.\nThis gives the deck better tempo than the tokens initially suggest.\n\nVraska + Moonsnare Prototype"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The same principle applies here.\nThe token does not need to activate its own ability.\nIt can instead be tapped by another permanent.\nThat means fresh Sculptures can contribute to mana development immediately.\n\nDemand Answers + Sculptures"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Sculptures are resources.\nThey do not always need to stay on the battlefield.\nDemand Answers can turn an expendable artifact into fresh cards.\nThat is especially attractive because casting Demand Answers itself produces another Sculpture through Vraska.\nSo the deck can convert an old resource into cards while simultaneously replacing part of what it sacrificed.\n\nWhy So Many Cheap Spells?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because this deck does not judge a spell only by the text printed on the card.\nWith Vraska on the battlefield:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Opt is not just Opt."},{"insert":"\nIt is:\ncard selection"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a Vraska trigger"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a creature"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"an artifact"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"a Treasure"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"future mana"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"potentially a burn trigger"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The same principle applies to many cards in the deck.\nThat is why low mana value matters so much.\nThe more spells we can cast, the more times the engine works.\n\nWhy Not Play Expensive Staples?"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Because this is a budget experiment.\nThe deck deliberately avoids cards that are powerful mainly because they are individually efficient and expensive.\nWe are not trying to imitate a €300 list with worse substitutes.\nWe are trying to build a deck where "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"synergy replaces price"},{"insert":".\nIf a €0.10 card contributes to three parts of the game plan while a €5 card only improves one percentage point of efficiency, the cheaper card may actually be better for this challenge.\n\nThe Budget Philosophy"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The budget is not just a restriction.\nIt is part of the deck's identity.\nThe goal is to find cards where the market price does not reflect how useful they become inside this specific shell.\nThat means looking for:\noverlooked commons"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"overlooked uncommons"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"cheap synergy pieces"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"low-cost interaction"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"multifunctional cards"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"cards that scale because Vraska changes their context"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The best card for this deck is not necessarily the strongest card in isolation.\nIt is the card that creates the most gameplay for the least money.\n\nMulligan Guide"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A good opening hand usually contains:\n2–3 lands"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"access to Vraska's colors"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"one ramp piece or cheap setup spell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"at least one cheap noncreature spell"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strong opening hands usually allow Vraska to arrive on turn three or four without exhausting all resources.\nAvoid hands that contain only expensive payoff cards.\nThis deck works best when it develops gradually.\n\nWhat to Keep"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good early cards include:\nSol Ring"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Arcane Signet"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Signets"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Springleaf Drum"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Opt"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Consider"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Brainstorm"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Faithless Looting"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Thoughtcast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Third Path Iconoclast"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"These cards either accelerate Vraska or make the post-Vraska turns much smoother.\n\nWhat Not to Do"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Do not sacrifice every Sculpture immediately"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The tokens are flexible.\nSometimes they are mana.\nSometimes they are attackers.\nSometimes they are artifact-count payoffs.\nSometimes they are sacrifice material.\nDo not decide too early what each token is for.\n\nDo not overextend without a reason"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck can rebuild, but it still prefers to force opponents to spend removal inefficiently.\nKeep some spells in hand.\nA board wipe is much less damaging if Vraska survives or can be recast and the deck still has cheap spells available.\n\nDo not underestimate small advantages"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck wins by multiplication.\nOne token is irrelevant.\nTen tokens are not.\nOne Reckless Fireweaver trigger is small.\nTen triggers are not.\nOne cantrip is modest.\nFive cheap spells in one turn can completely change the game.\n\nStrengths"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Very low financial barrier"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"High synergy density"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lots of small decisions"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Multiple win conditions"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Strong board development from ordinary spells"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Good resilience because many cards replace themselves"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Does not depend on one expensive staple"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Can switch between combat, burn and value"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWeaknesses"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Vraska is important to the engine"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The mana base is intentionally inexpensive"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Large board wipes can slow the deck significantly"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Token hate and artifact hate are effective"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Individual card quality is intentionally lower than in expensive optimized lists"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck wins through accumulated synergy rather than raw standalone power"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nPower Philosophy"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This deck is not designed to be cEDH.\nIt is also not designed to be weak.\nThe objective is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Make every cent work harder."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The deck tries to create a surprising amount of interaction, board presence and replayability while remaining accessible.\n\nThe interesting question is:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How much Commander can we get for almost no money at all?"},{"insert":"\n\nFinal Thought"},{"attributes":{"header":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"A Sculpture Treasure looks insignificant.\nA cheap cantrip looks insignificant.\nA ten-cent artifact looks insignificant.\nThat is the point.\nThis deck takes individually modest pieces and makes them reinforce each other until the whole becomes much stronger than the sum of its parts.\nNo premium mana base.\nNo expensive staple package.\nNo €20 bomb required.\nJust:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"cast spells"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"make things"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"create decisions"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"build momentum"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"turn everything sideways"},{"insert":"\nMaximum Gameplay. Minimum Budget."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Price Dynamic on MTG cards"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"MTG card prices are highly dynamic "},{"insert":"— especially around a fresh set release. In the days immediately following the creation of this deck, we already observed significant movement in individual card prices.\nInterestingly, that movement did not happen uniformly.\n\nSome newly released cards became cheaper as more supply entered the market, while several older cards that interact particularly well with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vraska, Soul of Stone"},{"insert":" became more expensive as players started exploring the new commander and its artifact/token synergies.\n\nWe also noticed another important factor: different printings of the same card can significantly affect Archidekt’s estimated deck value even though the actual gameplay value of the card has not changed at all.\nThis creates an important distinction:\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The deckbuilding challenge is static. The market is not."},{"insert":"\nThe goal was never to continuously rebuild the deck every time a card moves by €0.20 or €1.00. Doing so would eventually replace the original deck with a permanently fluctuating market-optimization exercise.\n\nInstead, the €29.99 price documents what was possible "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"at the moment of creation"},{"insert":":\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"100 cards. €29.99. Maximum Gameplay. Minimum Budget."},{"insert":"\n\nFuture price changes do not invalidate that result — they simply show how quickly the economic environment around a Commander deck can change, particularly directly after the release of a new set.\n\nThat price movement has therefore become part of the experiment itself:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"“What did €29.99 buy us on Day 0 — and what happened to those cards once the market started reacting?”"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"...\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"October 4, 2026 — What happened to our €29.99 deck?"},{"attributes":{"header":3},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Something fascinating happened almost immediately after we finished this challenge."},{"insert":"\n\nOn "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"October 1"},{"insert":", this exact 100-card list had an estimated cost of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€29.99"},{"insert":" on Archidekt. \nIn between: No upgrades. No expensive cards added. No change to our idea.\nAnd yet, only days later, the estimated value of the same deck had moved dramatically upward.\n\nThat sounds like bad news for a budget deck.\nIt actually taught us something much more interesting about "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Magic's secondary market"},{"insert":".\n"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We accidentally took a snapshot at almost the perfect moment"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We completed the deck on October 1 — just "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"one day before the tabletop release of Reality Fracture"},{"insert":".\nThat matters.\n\nA new set release creates two very different market forces at the same time:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"New cards receive new supply."},{"insert":"\n\nBooster boxes are opened, Commander decks enter circulation, sellers list inventory, and prerelease uncertainty starts disappearing.\nAt the same time: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"old cards suddenly acquire new demand."},{"insert":"\nA new commander can turn an overlooked common, uncommon or forgotten artifact into exactly the card thousands of players are now searching for.\nAnd Vraska is particularly good at doing that.\nShe rewards cheap noncreature spells, artifact creatures, token production and effects that care about artifacts entering the battlefield. Cards that were inexpensive because relatively few decks wanted them can suddenly have a new home.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The Commander itself moved "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"down"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"This is perhaps the most counterintuitive part.\nOn Day 0, our selected "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vraska, Soul of Stone"},{"insert":" was shown at "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€3.47"},{"insert":".\nToday Archidekt's Cardmarket value for that printing is around "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€1.22"},{"insert":".\nThat is exactly what we might expect from a newly released card: more physical copies enter circulation and prerelease scarcity disappears.\nSo the commander becoming cheaper should make the deck cheaper, right?\nNot necessarily.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Some of the cards around Vraska became surprisingly expensive"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Look at what Archidekt currently assigns to several cards in our original list:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Ingenious Artillerist — €1.40"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Brainstorm — €1.85"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Frantic Search — €2.01"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Ichor Wellspring — €1.84"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Idol of Oblivion — €2.12"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Thoughtcast — €1.86"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" Cyberdrive Awakener — €2.64"},{"insert":"\nSuddenly, seven cards that were selected for a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€29.99 budget deck"},{"insert":" account for a remarkably large amount of its displayed value. \n\nBut here is where it gets even more interesting:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"not all of that is a real market spike."},{"insert":"\nA deck price is also a "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"printing price"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nTake "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Frantic Search"},{"insert":".\nArchidekt currently values the specific printing in our deck at "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€2.01"},{"insert":". Yet Cardmarket lists "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"16 different versions"},{"insert":", with copies of other printings available from only a few cents. \n\nOr "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thoughtcast"},{"insert":":\nour selected printing is currently shown at "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€1.86"},{"insert":", while other printings on Cardmarket can start around "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€0.15–€0.20"},{"insert":". \nThe same phenomenon exists throughout Magic. A card is not economically just "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"a card"},{"insert":". It is also:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"set + printing + treatment + supply + region + timing."},{"insert":"\n\nThat means an estimated deck price can rise even when the cheapest practical way to assemble the same functional deck has not risen by the same amount.\nAnd then there are cards where demand really can matter"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ingenious Artillerist"},{"insert":" is an especially interesting case.\n\nIt has exactly the kind of text Vraska wants: every artifact entering under our control can become damage to every opponent. Unlike heavily reprinted Commander staples, it currently has only "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"one printing"},{"insert":" listed on Cardmarket. Its market trend is around "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€1.20–€1.25"},{"insert":", while Archidekt currently values our copy at €1.40. \n\nThat demonstrates the underlying economics beautifully:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"A newly released commander does not need to be expensive to make old synergy pieces more desirable."},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNew commanders create new demand pathways through Magic's enormous back catalogue.\nAnd low-supply cards can react very differently from cards with dozens of reprints.\nSo did our €29.99 challenge fail?"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"No. Quite the opposite."},{"insert":"\n\nThe challenge asked:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"How much Commander gameplay could €29.99 buy us on Day 0?"},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAnd the answer remains this exact deck.\nThe market moving afterwards does not retroactively change what those cards cost when the list was created.\nConstantly replacing cards whenever their market value changes would create a completely different project. The deck would stop being a deckbuilding challenge and become a permanently rebalanced portfolio.\n\nThat is not what we are doing. So "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"€29.99 remains our Day 0 benchmark. "},{"insert":"Community suggestions are evaluated against the original challenge.\nAnd later price movements become "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"data"},{"insert":", not automatic reasons to rebuild the deck.\n"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The unexpected lesson"},{"attributes":{"header":4},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"We started with a deckbuilding question:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Can synergy replace money?"},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nLess than a week later, the deck gave us another one:\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"What happens when thousands of players discover new uses for old cards at the same time that a new set enters the market?"},{"attributes":{"blockquote":true},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nOur €29.99 deck has become a tiny case study in exactly that.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The cards did not change."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The deck did not change."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The market around them did."},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"And that may be one of the most interesting things this challenge has shown us so ;-)\n\n\n"},{"attributes":{"header":2},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}