Overview:

This Boros artifact deck leverages Modular synergies and recursive sacrifice engines around Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp. Zabaz amplifies +1/+1 counter distribution from Modular triggers and provides targeted self-sacrifice ({R}) and evasion ({W}). The core strategy involves deploying low-cost Modular creatures (e.g., Arcbound Worker, Arcbound Mouser), sacrificing them to move counters onto larger threats like Arcbound Ravager or Arcbound Crusher, and utilizing recursion engines (Goblin Welder, Scrap Trawler) to rebuild. Win conditions revolve around overwhelming combat damage enhanced by counter synergies (Cathars' Crusade, All Will Be One) or Lux Artillery's burn trigger. Zabaz acts as an essential synergy amplifier and enabler but isn't the primary win condition, making the strategy moderately vulnerable to repeated removal.

Primer:

Core Strategy Execution:

1. Early Setup (Turns 1-3): Play mana rocks (Sol Ring, Boros Signet), cheap Modular creatures (Arcbound Worker, Arcbound Javelineer), or tutors (Goblin Engineer, Oswald Fiddlebender). Cast Zabaz early to enable counter amplification.
2. Board Development & Sacrifice Loops (Turns 4-6): Deploy key engines: Ashnod's Altar for mana, Skullclamp for draw, or The Ozolith/Resourceful Defense for counter preservation. Sacrifice small Modular creatures to move counters onto threats like Arcbound Ravager or Threefold Thunderhulk. Recur artifacts with Myr Retriever, Trash for Treasure, or Feldon of the Third Path.
3. Win Condition Execution (Turns 6-9):
   • Combat: Overwhelm with massive creatures boosted by Cathars' Crusade, Arcbound Overseer, or Unbreakable Formation. Use Zabaz's flying to push damage.
   • Counter Synergy Burn: Trigger All Will Be One repeatedly via proliferation (Throne of Geth, Filigree Vector) or new counters. Activate Lux Artillery's 10-damage burn by accumulating 30+ counters.
   • Combo Potential: Ashnod's Altar + Arcbound Ravager + a free sac outlet (e.g., Zabaz's {R} ability) generates infinite +1/+1 counters, enabling All Will Be One or combat kills.

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 2-3 lands (including color-fixing like Command Tower), at least one early play (Modular creature/ramp), and one engine (The Ozolith, Skullclamp, Ashnod's Altar).
• Prioritize hands with Zabaz + a 1-mana Modular creature or a tutor.
• Avoid hands lacking early artifacts or reliant solely on high-CMC cards.

Key Tips:

• Sacrifice Sequencing: Sacrifice Modular creatures before moving counters via death triggers to maximize Zabaz's amplification. Use Zabaz's {R} to destroy artifacts for value (e.g., enable Trash for Treasure).
• Counter Management: Use The Ozolith to preserve counters through board wipes. Resourceful Defense allows counter redistribution in response to removal.
• Recursion Loops: Scrap Trawler + Myr Retriever + a 0-1 MV artifact (e.g., Arcbound Worker) creates infinite death/ETB triggers for All Will Be One or Lux Artillery.
• Protection: Deploy Boros Charm or Unbreakable Formation proactively against sweepers. Together Forever protects key creatures.

Weaknesses:

Critical

• Mass Artifact Removal: Vandalblast, Shatterstorm, or Farewell cripples the deck's board presence and synergy backbone. Limited recovery beyond graveyard recursion.
• Counter Hate: The One Ring's protection, Solemnity, or Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider nullifies +1/+1 counter strategies, disabling wins.

Moderate

• Graveyard Hate: Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void shuts down recursion from Goblin Welder, Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle, and Scrap Trawler.
• Stax Effects: Null Rod or Karn, the Great Creator disables artifact activations (Zabaz, Ashnod's Altar, Lux Artillery).

Minor

• Spot Removal on Engines: Losing The Ozolith, Ashnod's Altar, or Arcbound Ravager slows the deck but is recoverable via tutors.
• Limited Stack Interaction: Minimal counterspells make resolving key sorceries (Wake the Past, Organic Extinction) risky.

Most Important Cards:

• Arcbound Ravager (Primary counter accumulator & combo piece)
• The Ozolith (Counter preservation across board wipes)
• Ashnod's Altar (Mana generation & sacrifice enabler)
• All Will Be One (Burn win condition)
• Cathars' Crusade (Massive combat scaling)
• Oswald Fiddlebender (Tutor for key artifacts)
• Lux Artillery (Alternate win condition)
• Skullclamp (Critical card draw engine)
• Resourceful Defense (Counter redundancy & protection)
• Goblin Welder (Graveyard recursion & disruption)

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 5/10

• Can threaten wins via combat or All Will Be One around turns 7-9, but requires significant setup for combos/large boards. Fast mana is limited.

Resilience: 4/10

• Recursion engines provide recovery, but heavy reliance on artifacts and counters makes it vulnerable to targeted hate. Protection is situational.

Consistency: 6/10

• Multiple tutors (Oswald, Goblin Engineer, Inventors' Fair) and card draw (Skullclamp, Thopter Shop) find key pieces, but lacks redundancy for core combo elements.

Interaction: 5/10

• Efficient targeted removal (Swords to Plowshares, Dispatch, Generous Gift) handles threats, but minimal stack interaction and no board wipes beyond Organic Extinction.

Rating Justification:

The deck demonstrates focused synergy and multiple win paths (combat, counter burn, combo), but its speed is constrained by setup requirements and mana limitations. Resilience is hampered by critical vulnerabilities to artifact hate and counter disruption, preventing higher optimization. It aligns with decks that win via combat or slow combos by turn 9-11.

Power level: 4.5 - 5.0