The Arbiter (Budget) by KOEH

Format: Commander

Commander: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV

Bracket: 3

DeckCheck Threat Index: 36

Deck overview

This deck is a classic Azorius control and stax build commanded by Grand Arbiter Augustin IV. The strategy aims to establish early mana disparity by accelerating the commander onto the battlefield on Turn 3 via 2-CMC mana rocks. Once deployed, Grand Arbiter reduces the cost of the deck's spells while taxing all spells cast by opponents. The deck layers cumulative restrictions, including enter-tapped effects like Kismet and Frozen Aether, attack deterrents like Ghostly Prison and Propaganda, and targeted taxes like Aura of Silence and God-Pharaoh's Statue. These pieces choke opposing mana development and neutralize fast aggro or combo attempts. With the board state controlled and opponents slowed, the deck digs into Approach of the Second Sun, casting it twice across Turns 6 to 8 with the help of wheels such as Emergency Powers and Commit // Memory to close out the game.

Decklist (100 cards)

  • 1 Aether Gale
  • 1 Aetherize
  • 1 Approach of the Second Sun
  • 1 Ash Barrens
  • 1 Aura of Silence
  • 1 Azor's Elocutors
  • 1 Azorius Guildgate
  • 1 Azorius Locket
  • 1 Azorius Signet
  • 1 Baird, Steward of Argive
  • 1 Baral's Expertise
  • 1 Chancellor of the Annex
  • 1 Citywide Bust
  • 1 Coastal Tower
  • 1 Coldsteel Heart
  • 1 Commit // Memory
  • 1 Counterspell
  • 1 Crush Contraband
  • 1 Dovin, Hand of Control
  • 1 Dream Tides
  • 1 Emergency Powers
  • 1 Epiphany at the Drownyard
  • 1 Evolving Wilds
  • 1 Fact or Fiction
  • 1 Faith's Shield
  • 1 Fatespinner
  • 1 Feroz's Ban
  • 1 Frozen Aether
  • 1 Future Sight
  • 1 Game Plan
  • 1 Ghostly Prison
  • 1 God-Pharaoh's Statue
  • 1 Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
  • 1 Guardian Idol
  • 1 Hindering Light
  • 1 Hushwing Gryff
  • 1 Iron Maiden
  • 16 Island
  • 1 Isolation Cell
  • 1 Kismet
  • 1 Kumena's Awakening
  • 1 Lavinia, Azorius Renegade
  • 1 Magus of the Tabernacle
  • 1 Mana Leak
  • 1 Marble Diamond
  • 1 Meandering River
  • 1 Midnight Clock
  • 1 Mind Stone
  • 1 Mind Unbound
  • 1 Mindlock Orb
  • 1 Mirrormade
  • 1 Monastery Siege
  • 1 Myriad Landscape
  • 1 Negate
  • 1 Oblation
  • 10 Plains
  • 1 Prismatic Lens
  • 1 Propaganda
  • 1 Read the Runes
  • 1 Recall
  • 1 Rewind
  • 1 Saheeli's Artistry
  • 1 Sejiri Refuge
  • 1 Skullcage
  • 1 Star Compass
  • 1 Suppression Field
  • 1 Terramorphic Expanse
  • 1 Tidespout Tyrant
  • 1 Tranquil Cove
  • 1 Turn Aside
  • 1 Unwind
  • 1 Viseling
  • 1 Vivid Creek
  • 1 Vryn Wingmare
  • 1 Wayfarer's Bauble
  • 1 Whelming Wave