<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/jsraphael" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Raphael</a></em></p>
<p>The <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Miracle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">miracle</a> mechanic has a storied history in the game of <em>Magic</em>, which could be the reason why the commander of the deck we're building today, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, is so interested in them. Casting spells for a cheaper cost if they were the first card you drew that turn has led to some truly epic in-game moments ever since their introduction in <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/avr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avacyn Restored</a></em>.</p>
<p>Now, as we go back to <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Strixhaven</em></a>, we'll see the long-awaited return of this mechanic, which causes players to draw their first card each turn in a very weird way.</p>
<p>So, join me <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a> as I cover a budget 99 that you can pick up for about $45 (based on <a href="https://www.tcgplayer.com/product/675584/magic-secrets-of-strixhaven-lorehold-the-historian?irclickid=SfrVsYSKHxycUQrwtpRxjWrOUkuwCOyzESECz40&amp;sharedid=&amp;irpid=4913290&amp;irgwc=1&amp;afsrc=1&amp;utm_source=impact&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=Space%20Cow%20Media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing, and excluding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> since its presale price is so high).</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lorehold, the Historian"></div></div>
<p>Flying in from the plane of <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Arcavios" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arcavios</a> we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the Elder Dragon founders of the Strixhaven college. This commander gives your instant and sorcery spells miracle, which will require you to set aside the first card you draw each turn. Which is important to keep in mind, since Lorehold lets you discard a card in order to draw a card on each opponent's upkeep.</p>
<p>This will make for some wild plays, where you'll get to disregard timing restrictions, and change the game at the start of someone else's turn.</p>
<h2>Budget Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>As I built around this commander, I realized just how important it was to find the right balance for the deck. You want to be able to have a high level of instants and sorceries in this list, in order to not draw any "duds," which are basically lands, artifacts, enchantments, and creatures. One of the things that helped with this goal is our first section, which is full of lands that're also spells.</p>
<h3>Spells in the Land Slot</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emeria&#039;s Call"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Song-Mad Treachery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sundering Eruption"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emeria&#039;s Call" href="#" target="_blank">Emeria&#039;s Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a great example of why modal double-faced cards (MDFCs) are so great in the list. Not only can this be an untapped land when you need it, but it can also be a game altering spell when you're able to cast it for that miracle cost off the top.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song-Mad Treachery" href="#" target="_blank">Song-Mad Treachery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While resolving a theft effect like this on another player's turn might not seem like the best move, it can still be useful to take someone's commander away at the start of their turn, tripping up their game plan.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sundering Eruption" href="#" target="_blank">Sundering Eruption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Blowing up someone's powerful land and making a big portion of the board unable to block is a great combo to hit at the start of an opponent's turn. Plus, since your commander has flying, you can still block once this spell has resolved.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sejiri Shelter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Leadership"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sejiri Shelter" href="#" target="_blank">Sejiri Shelter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this might not be the greatest spell to cast for miracle cost, it still can help protect your commander, since it'll likely be a lightning rod for removal.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Leadership" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Leadership</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Targeting Lorehold with this spell can be useful for lowering someone's life total, but it also helps when you employ some politics. Since you can double the power of another player's creature in order to send it towards a shared enemy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Top-Deck Manipulation</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hidden Retreat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hidden Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Hidden Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a very tricky card to include in this deck. It gives you the ability to throw the expensive cards that're stuck in your hand right on top of your library, which sets it up to be the first card you draw that turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstone" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Drawing three cards and then putting two back on top allows you to place a couple of great spells you'll want to cast for their miracle costs in a row.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: There's a large number of noncreature spells in this list which'll ensure you're constantly surveilling with this creature as the game goes on, setting up your future draws.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Loran&#039;s Escape"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crystal Ball"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conduit Pylons"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loran&#039;s Escape" href="#" target="_blank">Loran&#039;s Escape</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: There are several protection spells in this list that help you keep your commander on the board, and this is a great example of what they can provide, since it can save your game plan while allowing you to scry.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Ball" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Ball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While three mana might be expensive to get this down, spending only one mana to scry 2 will ensure that you have better chances to draw an expensive card to cheat out with your commander.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conduit Pylons" href="#" target="_blank">Conduit Pylons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a representative of the <em>eight</em> lands in this deck that enter and allow you to manipulate the top of your library. In this case, you get an untapped land that lets you surveil 1 when it hits the board, while also filtering your mana.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Big Splashy Spells</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm Herd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brass&#039;s Bounty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hit the Mother Lode"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm Herd" href="#" target="_blank">Storm Herd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When it comes to casting huge spells, this sorcery is one of the first cards that came to mind. If you're looking for a way to win the game, your Pegasus army is here to help.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass&#039;s Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Brass&#039;s Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that gets better and better as the game goes on. Making Treasures based off of the number of lands you control for as little as two mana could put you in a place where you can cast some of the big spells that have gotten stuck in your hand.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hit the Mother Lode" href="#" target="_blank">Hit the Mother Lode</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's another way to cast some of these big spells in the deck. Plus, even if you hit a cheaper spell with this, you'll make tapped Treasures equal to the difference.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Waltz of Rage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Invoke Calamity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Into the Time Vortex"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Waltz of Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Waltz of Rage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a great one-sided board wipe that leaves your commander behind, while also offering some card advantage if you have creatures on the board.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Invoke Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Invoke Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Casting this spell at the start of someone's turn could change the game out of nowhere. Whether you sweep the board, remove some permanents, or even just draw some more cards, this can turn the game around for you.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Time Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Time Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this doesn't have any effect on its own, it does allow you cascade for five, and then lets you cast it again for free on your next turn, making for a great one-two punch.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mana Advantage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bender&#039;s Waterskin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laser Screwdriver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm-Kiln Artist"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bender&#039;s Waterskin" href="#" target="_blank">Bender&#039;s Waterskin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This mana rock is perfect for the deck's strategy, since you can untap it on other people's turns in order to use it towards your miracle costs.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laser Screwdriver" href="#" target="_blank">Laser Screwdriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a bit of a Swiss Army Knife in the list. It offers up several useful abilities, especially that surveil option, assisting your top deck manipulation.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm-Kiln Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Storm-Kiln Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is looking to cast big instants and sorceries, this Dwarf is here to help your engine roll along, building up Treasure tokens over time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grinning Ignus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cartographer&#039;s Hawk"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grinning Ignus" href="#" target="_blank">Grinning Ignus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature does some great work in the deck for a few reasons. You can get it down in the early game, and then bounce it back to your hand to help with casting your commander. Once it's there, you can discard it to draw a card on an opponent's turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cartographer&#039;s Hawk" href="#" target="_blank">Cartographer&#039;s Hawk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Typically, the fact that you need to return this Bird to your hand when it hits someone else is a drawback. However, as I mentioned before, putting this back into your hand gives you the chance to rummage it away in order to make a miracle to happen.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Lorehold, the Historian Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Lorehold, the Historian - Budget Build by Tyler &#039;Savesya&#039; Bucks" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Lorehold, the Historian
[/Commander]
[Sorceries]
*1 Brass&#039;s Bounty
*1 Emeria&#039;s Call // Emeria, Shattered Skyclave
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Fiery Confluence
*1 From the Ashes
*1 Gift of Estates
*1 Hit the Mother Lode
*1 Inspired Tinkering
*1 Into the Fire
*1 Into the Time Vortex
*1 Kayla&#039;s Command
*1 Mob Verdict
*1 Pirate&#039;s Pillage
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Scouring Sands
*1 Season of the Bold
*1 Seize the Spoils
*1 Snort
*1 Song-Mad Treachery // Song-Mad Ruins
*1 Storm Herd
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
*1 Thrilling Discovery
*1 Throes of Chaos
*1 Waltz of Rage
*1 Will of the Jeskai
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Big Score
*1 Blacksmith&#039;s Skill
*1 Boon of Safety
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Expose to Daylight
*1 Fiery Temper
*1 Giantfall
*1 Gods Willing
*1 Intimidation Bolt
*1 Invoke Calamity
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Loran&#039;s Escape
*1 Rally the Monastery
*1 Raphael&#039;s Technique
*1 Redeem the Lost
*1 Reprieve
*1 Riddle of Lightning
*1 Sejiri Shelter // Sejiri Glacier
*1 Sheltering Light
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Unexplained Absence
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Cartographer&#039;s Hawk
*1 Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler
*1 Grinning Ignus
*1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Summon: G.F. Cerberus
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bender&#039;s Waterskin
*1 Brainstone
*1 Crystal Ball
*1 Laser Screwdriver
*1 Mana Geode
*1 Ore-Rich Stalactite // Cosmium Catalyst
*1 Seer&#039;s Lantern
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Hidden Retreat
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Crystal Grotto
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Hidden Grotto
*1 Lorehold Campus
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Promising Vein
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Rumble Arena
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Zhalfirin Void
*11 Mountain
*7 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Three More Interesting Cards Before I Go</h2>
<p>I'm not done talking about the cards in this deck just yet, because there's some interesting inclusions that fill up this list that might not make total sense at first glance.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Squee, Goblin Nabob"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gift of Estates"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="From the Ashes"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Squee, Goblin Nabob" href="#" target="_blank">Squee, Goblin Nabob</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives you a free card to throw away in order to set up for a miracle on another player's turn, which adds up to a lot of advantage over time when it returns to your hand. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gift of Estates" href="#" target="_blank">Gift of Estates</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also gives you some discard fodder, while also thinning out your deck, making it less likely you'll draw a land when you don't want it.</p>
<p>Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="From the Ashes" href="#" target="_blank">From the Ashes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which brings some <em>light</em> land destruction to the list (allowing people to search up replacements) but more importantly, it pulls lands out of your deck, and brings them in untapped!</p>
<h2>My Final Thoughts on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>So, there you have it, a budget 99 build around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can pick up for $45. This deck will lead to some truly wild games, as you get to see your opponents quake in fear after each card you draw.</p>
<p>If you're looking for more budget content from me, you can find it right <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here on EDHREC</a> as well as on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUtnBZogc1TSttr8eLUK_w/?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pillow Fort</a>, where I do everything I can to make <em>Magic</em> more accessible for everyone.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ON-A-BUDGET-15.png

Lorehold, the Historian - Boros Miracles on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science" href="#" target="_blank">Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.anthonydevineart.com/magicthegathering">Anthony Devine</a></em></p>
<p>Over the years we've seen many powerful <a href="https://edhrec.com/tags/artifacts/izzet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Izzet</a> (<span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-u" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-r" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span>) artifact decks in the Commander format, which is what makes <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science" href="#" target="_blank">Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> such a perfect fit for this color combo. The twist that this duo brings to the table is offering up the next noncreature spell you cast after they attack affinity for artifacts.</p>
<p>That huge effect doesn't have to come with a big price tag, so join me <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a>, as I go over a full budget deck that you can pick up for about $40 (using <a href="https://partner.tcgplayer.com/c/4913290/1830156/21018?partnerpropertyid=5237567&amp;subId1=edhrec%2Ccardprice&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tcgplayer.com%2Fproduct%2F673639%2Fmagic-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-don-and-raph-hard-science" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing.)</p>
<h2>What <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science" href="#" target="_blank">Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Brings to the Table</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science"></div></div>
<p>Flooding the board with artifacts and casting huge spells is the name of the game for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science" href="#" target="_blank">Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Affinity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Affinity</a> decks have been powerhouses in various formats over the years, so when I first saw this commander, my eyes lit up from the potential. Simply attacking while you have artifacts in play could set you up for a huge post-combat.</p>
<p>However, I ran into several issues while putting this deck together, finding the balance between big spells and loading the board with artifacts a bit tricky. That was until I eventually found a solution.</p>
<p>The glue that holds this list together is a handful of X spells. These cards work well in both the mid and late game, as well as being powerful whether you cast them with or without having affinity for artifacts. While some of these cards offer interaction, the majority of them can refill your hand. That'll ensure you're constantly equipped with enough spells to cheat out with Don &amp; Raph.</p>
<p>Before we look at the rest of the deck, let's take a quick stop at the X spells that help keep this deck's engine running.</p>
<h3>X Spells for Don &amp; Raph</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Don &amp; Raph&#039;s X Spells" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Instants]
*1 Electrodominance
*1 Expansion // Explosion
*1 James, Wandering Dad
*1 Pull from Tomorrow
*1 Thassa&#039;s Intervention
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Finale of Revelation
*1 Ingenious Mastery
*1 Invoke the Firemind
*1 Mind Spring
*1 Silver Scrutiny
[/Sorceries]"></span></div>
<h3>Flooding the Board With Artifacts</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pinnacle Emissary"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sai, Master Thopterist"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saheeli, Sublime Artificer"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pinnacle Emissary" href="#" target="_blank">Pinnacle Emissary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature does so many great things for the deck. It creates evasive artifact tokens, and even have warp, in case you want to get it down for a single turn before you chain some spells together.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sai, Master Thopterist" href="#" target="_blank">Sai, Master Thopterist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Creating Thopters is useful for this deck, but having the option of cashing in some of your artifacts for card draw will ensure you don't get stalled out during a game.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saheeli, Sublime Artificer" href="#" target="_blank">Saheeli, Sublime Artificer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Putting more artifacts onto the board when you cast noncreature spells will assist you with your goal of lowering your steeper mana costs, while also giving you the ability to temporarily turn one of your smaller artifacts into another one of your big threats.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Third Path Iconoclast"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Whirler Rogue"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Detective&#039;s Satchel"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Third Path Iconoclast" href="#" target="_blank">Third Path Iconoclast</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this creature only costs two mana, it could set you up for bigger and bigger turns as the game goes on, all while giving you a wide board tokens in the process.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whirler Rogue" href="#" target="_blank">Whirler Rogue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Making two Thopters when this hits play is great, but the fact that it gives you a way to make your commander freely attack through someone's gummed up board is what makes it a slam dunk in this list.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Detective&#039;s Satchel" href="#" target="_blank">Detective&#039;s Satchel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that offers you three artifacts for the price of one. Then, if you ever cash those Clues in, you're able to tap the Satchel in order to replace that token with a Thopter.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Artifact-Based Ramp</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dowsing Device"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Everflowing Chalice"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skyclave Relic"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dowsing Device" href="#" target="_blank">Dowsing Device</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that I randomly found during a Scryfall search a few weeks ago, and logged it away in my brain for a deck like this. Not only does it offer a power buff and haste to a creature, but it can also flip over to a land pretty easily in this deck.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everflowing Chalice" href="#" target="_blank">Everflowing Chalice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Casting this mana rock early on in a game is always acceptable, but it's still a great option for casting with affinity for artifacts, since it could enter play with a lot more charge counters.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skyclave Relic" href="#" target="_blank">Skyclave Relic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If you kick this spell as you cast it, you'll be getting three indestructible artifacts that will be sure to stick around for a while, helping you play out your big spells in two different ways.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Enthusiastic Mechanaut"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Etherium Sculptor"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Enthusiastic Mechanaut" href="#" target="_blank">Enthusiastic Mechanaut</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Etherium Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Etherium Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are both ideal turn-two plays in this deck. Lowering the costs of a large number of your spells, while also being artifacts themselves, is a great way to quickly speed through your game plan.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Big Spells to Cast for Cheap</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="One with the Multiverse"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wondrous Crucible"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hit the Mother Lode"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="One with the Multiverse" href="#" target="_blank">One with the Multiverse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a huge enchantment that hits play, and will make an impact right away. The fact that it gives you the ability to cast a spell from your hand or the top of your library for free, means that you could follow this up with another one of these big bombs.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wondrous Crucible" href="#" target="_blank">Wondrous Crucible</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Making copies of the nonland cards in your graveyard is a pretty strong effect, but don't overlook the protection aspect of this card, because that could just save you the game in some cases.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hit the Mother Lode" href="#" target="_blank">Hit the Mother Lode</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this is another way to possibly play a big spell for free, it still offers you a whole lot of Treasure tokens if you happen to hit one of your cheaper cards as you discover.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Aminatou&#039;s Augury"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brass&#039;s Bounty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Saheeli&#039;s Artistry"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aminatou&#039;s Augury" href="#" target="_blank">Aminatou&#039;s Augury</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When a lot of players think of big splashy spells, this one comes to mind. Casting this for far cheaper than its normal mana value could set you up to win the game once it resolves.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass&#039;s Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Brass&#039;s Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's another way to flood the board with artifacts. This card scales with the game, getting better and better the more lands you have in play.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saheeli&#039;s Artistry" href="#" target="_blank">Saheeli&#039;s Artistry</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: If you like what the other players at the table are doing, then you can simply copy their work with this spell. The fact that you can choose both of these modes makes this such a powerful effect to keep in your back pocket.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Enthusiastic Mechanaut
*1 Etherium Sculptor
*1 Gingerbrute
*1 Gleaming Geardrake
*1 James, Wandering Dad // Follow Him
*1 Loyal Apprentice
*1 Ornithopter
*1 Ornithopter of Paradise
*1 Pinnacle Emissary
*1 Reckless Fireweaver
*1 Sai, Master Thopterist
*1 Silver Myr
*1 The Mechanist, Aerial Artisan
*1 Third Path Iconoclast
*1 Thought Monitor
*1 Whirler Rogue
[/Creatures]
[Sorceries]
*1 Aminatou&#039;s Augury
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Brass&#039;s Bounty
*1 Finale of Revelation
*1 Hit the Mother Lode
*1 Ingenious Mastery
*1 Invoke the Firemind
*1 Mind Spring
*1 Overpowering Attack
*1 Pirate&#039;s Pillage
*1 Saheeli&#039;s Artistry
*1 Silver Scrutiny
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Big Score
*1 Electrodominance
*1 Expansion // Explosion
*1 Izzet Charm
*1 Metallic Rebuke
*1 Negate
*1 Prismari Command
*1 Pull from Tomorrow
*1 Reverse the Polarity
*1 Scour for Scrap
*1 Thassa&#039;s Intervention
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aether Spellbomb
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Barrow-Blade
*1 Coveted Jewel
*1 Detective&#039;s Satchel
*1 Diamond Pick-Axe
*1 Dowsing Device // Geode Grotto
*1 Everflowing Chalice
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Herbal Poultice
*1 Izzet Signet
*1 Mask of Avacyn
*1 Mind Stone
*1 Prismatic Lens
*1 Skyclave Relic
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Wayfarer&#039;s Bauble
*1 Wondrous Crucible
*1 Zephyr Boots
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Grim Reaper&#039;s Sprint
*1 Heaven Sent
*1 One with the Multiverse
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Access Tunnel
*1 Archway of Innovation
*1 Buried Ruin
*1 Cascade Bluffs
*1 Castle Embereth
*1 Castle Vantress
*1 Command Tower
*1 Darksteel Citadel
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Ferrous Lake
*1 Frostboil Snarl
*1 Great Furnace
*1 Scene of the Crime
*1 Seat of the Synod
*1 Secluded Starforge
*1 Shivan Reef
*1 Silverbluff Bridge
*1 Spire of Industry
*1 Sulfur Falls
*1 Treasure Vault
*9 Island
*7 Mountain
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>In Closing</h2>
<p>Well, there you have it, my list for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science" href="#" target="_blank">Don &amp; Raph, Hard Science</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can pick up for about $40. If you're excited to build around this commander, I hope my findings are useful for you on this journey.</p>
<p>If you want to see more budget deck techs from me around a few other commanders from the <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/tmt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>TMNT</em></a> set, then you can check them out <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here on EDHREC</a>. Also, be sure to check out my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thepillowfort" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Pillow Fort</a>, where it's my mission to help make <em>Magic</em> more accessible for everyone!</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ON-A-BUDGET-13.png

big spells

Lorehold, the Historian - Boros Miracles on a Budget

Don & Raph, Hard Science - Affinity for Artifacts on a Budget