Overview:
This is an artifact-focused deck that aims to generate value through artifact synergies, creating an army of increasingly powerful construct tokens while maintaining control through countermagic and removal. The deck leverages artifact cost reduction and various value engines to establish a strong board presence.
Primer:
The deck's primary gameplan revolves around establishing a strong artifact presence while using Urza, Chief Artificer to create increasingly powerful construct tokens. The deck employs various cost reduction effects like Etherium Sculptor and Foundry Inspector to deploy artifacts efficiently, while cards like Sai, Master Thopterist and Efficient Construction create additional artifact creatures to reduce the commander's cost and benefit from its menace ability.
The secondary strategy involves controlling the game through countermagic and selective removal while building toward either a combat-based victory through buffed constructs and artifact creatures, or through alternate win conditions like Mechanized Production. The deck can generate significant card advantage through artifacts like Mystic Forge and creatures like Vedalken Archmage, while maintaining the ability to protect its board state with counterspells and recursion effects like Open the Vaults.
Weaknesses:
- Highly vulnerable to artifact hate cards like Vandalblast or Collector Ouphe
- Relatively slow to establish its winning board state compared to more aggressive strategies
- Mana base could be more optimized with additional fetch lands and shock lands
- Limited ability to deal with multiple threats simultaneously due to selective interaction suite
Most Important Cards:
- Sol Ring
- Mystic Forge
- Master of Etherium
- Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
- Tezzeret, Master of the Bridge
- Unwinding Clock
- Thopter Spy Network
- Portal to Phyrexia
- Efficient Construction
- Forsaken Monument
Attribute Ratings:
- Speed: 6/10
- Resilience: 7/10
- Consistency: 7/10
- Interaction: 6/10
Rating Justification:
This deck sits firmly in the 6.0-6.5 range due to its ability to consistently execute its strategy while maintaining interaction, but lacking the explosive speed of higher-powered decks. While it can establish a strong board presence and generate significant value, it typically won't threaten wins before turn 7-8. The presence of tutors and card advantage engines provides consistency, but the reliance on artifacts makes it vulnerable to common forms of interaction.
Final power level rating: 6.0 - 6.5
The deck shows clear optimization and synergy but lacks the fast mana and efficient tutors needed to compete at higher power levels. It's stronger than typical casual decks (5.0) due to its interaction suite and value engines, but doesn't quite reach the speed and consistency of highly optimized decks (7.0+).
Urza, Chief Artificer