The Arbiter (Budget) by GOULDiLOCKS19

Format: Commander

Commander: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV

Bracket: 4

DeckCheck Threat Index: 42

Deck overview

This deck is an Azorius Stax and Control deck commanded by Grand Arbiter Augustin IV. The strategy focuses on suffocating opposing mana efficiency and game tempo through layered tax effects, entry restrictions, and attack deterrents while accelerating its own game plan through Augustin's asymmetric cost reductions. Early turns are spent deploying 2-mana artifact ramp to cast the commander ahead of curve on Turn 3. Once established, the deck locks down the board with pieces like Frozen Aether, Aura of Silence, Mindlock Orb, and Ghostly Prison, severely restricting opposing plays and combat steps. The deck relies on high-yield draw engines and wheel spells such as Emergency Powers and Fact or Fiction to sustain card advantage through the mid-game. It converts this dominant resource asymmetry into a definitive victory via Approach of the Second Sun, casting it once on Turn 6, digging through the library, and recasting it on Turn 8 to secure 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