Ultra Budget Brews - Zurzoth, Chaos Rider

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Segovian Angel" href="#" target="_blank">Segovian Angel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://simondominic.artstation.com/">Simon Dominic</a>)</h6>
<h1>Spy's Demise</h1>
<blockquote><p>Too flashy to ignore. Too fast to catch.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">—<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kitesail Cleric" href="#" target="_blank">Kitesail Cleric</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> flavor text</p>
</blockquote>
<p>When it comes to aggressively attacking at the Commander tables, you would probably expect there to be some red involved, right? Both Boros and Gruul are all about the smashy smash, using combat to end players' days. However, one of the most aggressive decks you can find might just be helmed by <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. That's why in this <em>Mind Bend</em>, the article series that breaks down the conventional notions of the color pie to forge new ground outside the confines of the already established, we're shifting Edric's Simic game back where it belongs - in red, white, and black.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Edric, Spymaster of Trest"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>All Spies on Me</h2>
<p>For those of you wondering why <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is very aggressive, <a href="https://edhrec.com/commanders/edric-spymaster-of-trest">one look at his average decklist on EDHREC</a> will sort out your concerns. Let's go over it a little more here in order to make the Mardu conversion.</p>
<h3>Air Force One</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Flying Men"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gudul Lurker"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Spire Tracer"></div></div>
<p>For one, the average <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck plays 26 different versions of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flying Men" href="#" target="_blank">Flying Men</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: tiny one-mana creatures that have flying or are in some way either unblockable, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gudul Lurker" href="#" target="_blank">Gudul Lurker</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or have odd blocking conditions, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Spire Tracer" href="#" target="_blank">Spire Tracer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>The bevy of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flying Men" href="#" target="_blank">Flying Men</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> serve a singular purpose: deal combat damage to your opponents so that Edric can draw you cards. The more of these evasive low-cost creatures you can have in play to swing with once Edric hits the battlefield, the more cards you'll have to cast on later turns. The first swing is for replacing those already deployed, the subsequent swings are just sheer value.</p>
<h3>Doing the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Warp" href="#" target="_blank">Time Warp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<p>So what do you do with all that draw? How about... draw more cards? The average <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> list runs six extra turn spells, once again for a singular purpose: to give you more combats, mana, and cards. Digging deep with your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flying Men" href="#" target="_blank">Flying Men</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gets better and better when you keep striking extra turn gold. Each <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Time Warp" href="#" target="_blank">Time Warp</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Part the Waterveil" href="#" target="_blank">Part the Waterveil</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in hand means a better chance at finding the next.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Time Warp"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Part the Waterveil"></div></div>
<h3>Closing Time</h3>
<p>Now, you could draw cards and take turns until your library is empty, but winning the game is a whole 'nuther problem. Poking with a small army of 1/1s is only going to get you so far. Since you'll be speed-running your deck into the ground, you only need a few ways to close out the game.</p>
<p>In the average list on EDHREC, Edric players run about four win conditions, and they include pumping your team via <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beastmaster Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Beastmaster Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, coming out of nowhere with poison from <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Triumph of the Hordes" href="#" target="_blank">Triumph of the Hordes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or killing players without even attacking them directly via <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throne of the God-Pharaoh" href="#" target="_blank">Throne of the God-Pharaoh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Beastmaster Ascension"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Triumph of the Hordes"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Throne of the God-Pharaoh"></div></div>
<p>The rest of the typical <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck is filled with the usual Commander staples, mostly removal, ramp, and answers, plus a few secondary "Edrics" in the form of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Reconnaissance Mission" href="#" target="_blank">Reconnaissance Mission</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bident of Thassa" href="#" target="_blank">Bident of Thassa</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Reconnaissance Mission"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bident of Thassa"></div></div>
<p>The end result is a deck that wants to hit early and often, then steal the game away by never giving anyone the chance to play again.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Tangled Web We Weave</h2>
<p>When changing this deck over to Mardu, the question then becomes "Who can helm the deck on a level similar to Edric?" <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has no direct analogue, but we do have one that gets close: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tymna the Weaver" href="#" target="_blank">Tymna the Weaver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tymna the Weaver"></div></div>
<p>With her in the command zone, we can replicate Edric's early turn strategy and net the same amount of cards. Luckily, both black and white have a plethora of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flying Men" href="#" target="_blank">Flying Men</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> of their own to get in on the early aggro-for-cards train. For example, there are bombs like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serra Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Serra Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that can come down as a 6/6 flyer at the opening of the game.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Serra Ascendant"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Healer&#039;s Hawk"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Vampire Cutthroat"></div></div>
<p>We can even recoup that life loss from Tymna's ability with some low-mana evasive creatures: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Healer&#039;s Hawk" href="#" target="_blank">Healer&#039;s Hawk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vampire Cutthroat" href="#" target="_blank">Vampire Cutthroat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vault Skirge" href="#" target="_blank">Vault Skirge</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, for example, will give us the life we'll happily pay.</p>
<hr />
<h3>Extra Combative</h3>
<p>So what about the next step in the Edric game plan: extra turns? Also, what about the red portion of this deck? To both of those I say to you, what about extra combats? Red is tops when it comes to swinging more than once in a turn; just look at <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Relentless Assault" href="#" target="_blank">Relentless Assault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, or, new from <em>Zendikar Rising,</em> <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moraug, Fury of Akoum" href="#" target="_blank">Moraug, Fury of Akoum</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Relentless Assault"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Waves of Aggression"></div></div>
<p>Since we're in white, we also get the versatile <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Response//Resurgence" href="#" target="_blank">Response//Resurgence</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and the absolute beating that is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Waves of Aggression" href="#" target="_blank">Waves of Aggression</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. An extra combat spell you can cast again and again from the graveyard? Yes, please.</p>
<hr />
<h3>We're Pirates Now!</h3>
<p>But we can't play these extra combat cards with just Tymna in the command zone. It's time to <em>Partner</em> her up! Welcome aboard <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeches, Brazen Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Breeches, Brazen Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Breeches, Brazen Plunderer"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Breeches, Brazen Plunderer" href="#" target="_blank">Breeches, Brazen Plunderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> offers another route to "card draw" by stealing the top of our opponent's deck upon damage. If we have additional Pirates, we can aim them at different opponents for full effect. Unfortunately, our <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Flying Men" href="#" target="_blank">Flying Men</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Serra Ascendant" href="#" target="_blank">Serra Ascendant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, are not Pirates. Or are they?</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conspiracy"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Maskwood Nexus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Volatile Claws"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conspiracy" href="#" target="_blank">Conspiracy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has long been a staple for messing with your creature types, and it's perfect with Breeches. Plus, you can't spell "conspiracy" without "piracy", arr! The brand new <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Maskwood Nexus" href="#" target="_blank">Maskwood Nexus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us another way to turn our team into Pirates. For a one-shot effect, we can boost our team for extra damage with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Volatile Claws" href="#" target="_blank">Volatile Claws</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h3>End Result</h3>
<p>To mirror the <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Biomass Mutation" href="#" target="_blank">Biomass Mutation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in Edric's list, why not add a way to make our team all Pirates and turn them huge? For this, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror Entity" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror Entity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> fits right at home. Speaking of ending the game with large creatures, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Marton Stromgald" href="#" target="_blank">Marton Stromgald</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> does a wonderful <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Beastmaster Ascension" href="#" target="_blank">Beastmaster Ascension</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> impression that's actually stronger with more combat steps. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brutal Hordechief" href="#" target="_blank">Brutal Hordechief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> adds to the damage and makes it even easier to get a lethal attack through, even on other turns!</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mirror Entity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Marton Stromgald"></div></div>
<p>We even have a few <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coastal Piracy" href="#" target="_blank">Coastal Piracy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> effects to slot in. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grenzo, Havoc Raiser" href="#" target="_blank">Grenzo, Havoc Raiser</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can play both offense and defense, netting us opponents' cards to cast or sending a large threat elsewhere. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner" href="#" target="_blank">Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give us a brand new hand whenever we want.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mardu You Do</h2>
<p>I will admit that this decklist is still a little rough around the edges. I feel that the build will require some heavy in-game testing before the final list is achieved. But the start here is a great one, considering the pedigree it is modeled after. It does run a little slower than Edric, to be sure, but not much slower. Taking advantage of its pace of play would be the first thing to upgrade here.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Edric, but Mardu This Time" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Breeches, Brazen Plunderer
*1 Tymna the Weaver
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Aven Skirmisher
*1 Azra Oddsmaker
*1 Basilica Screecher
*1 Battlefield Raptor
*1 Blight Keeper
*1 Brutal Hordechief
*1 Changeling Outcast
*1 Duskborne Skymarcher
*1 Eye Collector
*1 Faerie Guidemother
*1 Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
*1 Healer&#039;s Hawk
*1 Hope of Ghirapur
*1 Kitesail Cleric
*1 Kitesail Scout
*1 Lantern Kami
*1 Mirror Entity
*1 Moraug, Fury of Akoum
*1 Marton Stromgald
*1 Neheb, the Eternal
*1 Nightshade Stinger
*1 Pilfering Imp
*1 Remorseful Cleric
*1 Rustwing Falcon
*1 Segovian Angel
*1 Selfless Spirit
*1 Serra Ascendant
*1 Soltari Foot Soldier
*1 Subira, Tulzidi Caravanner
*1 Suntail Hawk
*1 Topplegeist
*1 Tormented Soul
*1 Vampire Cutthroat
*1 Vault Skirge
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Despark
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Path to Exile
*1 Rakdos Charm
*1 Response // Resurgence
*1 Reverberate
*1 Shields of Velis Vel
*1 Swords to Plowshares
*1 Teferi&#039;s Protection
*1 Volatile Claws
*1 Wear // Tear
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Relentless Assault
*1 Vandalblast
*1 Waves of Aggression
*1 World at War
[/Sorceries]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Mask of Memory
*1 Maskwood Nexus
*1 Skullclamp
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
*1 Talisman of Hierarchy
*1 Talisman of Indulgence
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Aggravated Assault
*1 Conspiracy
*1 Fiery Emancipation
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Arid Mesa
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Blightstep Pathway
*1 Blood Crypt
*1 Bloodstained Mire
*1 Brightclimb Pathway
*1 Caves of Koilos
*1 City of Brass
*1 Command Tower
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*1 Godless Shrine
*1 Luxury Suite
*1 Mana Confluence
*1 Marsh Flats
*2 Mountain
*1 Needleverge Pathway
*4 Plains
*1 Prismatic Vista
*1 Sacred Foundry
*1 Savai Triome
*1 Silent Clearing
*1 Spectator Seating
*1 Sulfurous Springs
*1 Sunbaked Canyon
*2 Swamp
*1 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
*1 Vault of Champions
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>Time to Trest (For Now)</h2>
<p>I feel like this archetype of aggressive creatures barreling into value is still somewhat unexplored. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edric, Spymaster of Trest" href="#" target="_blank">Edric, Spymaster of Trest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has been around for a long time, but he can't be the only iteration out there. I'd like to see other color combinations and commanders follow suit. Decks like these win fast or die fast, but the will leave their mark before they're gone. So if that sounds like a strategy for you, go all in!</p>
<p>See you all soon for another mind-bending deck!</p>


Mind Bend - Spymaster of Mardu

Ultra Budget Brews - Lathiel, the Bounteous Dawn

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siren of the Silent Song" href="#" target="_blank">Siren of the Silent Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="http://anthonypalumboillustration.com/">Anthony Palumbo)</a></h6>
<h1>Baby, You Can Drive My Car</h1>
<blockquote><p><em>"Rules and rails are made to be broken."</em></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">—<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aradara Express" href="#" target="_blank">Aradara Express</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> flavor text</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Vehicles, a relatively new invention that was first introduced in <em>Kaladesh</em>, act like Equipment in reverse. Your <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cultivator&#039;s Caravan" href="#" target="_blank">Cultivator&#039;s Caravan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> becomes a 5/5 by forming a crew of low-power creatures as opposed to your low-power creature becoming a 5/5 via a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sword of Feast and Famine" href="#" target="_blank">Sword of Feast and Famine</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In both scenarios, you're banking on "going tall" by building up a single threat to hurl at your opponents. It's a cornerstone Boros: aggressive, large threats played early to make sure you won't have opponents for too long. That's why this <em>Mind Bend</em>, the article series that breaks down the conventional notions of the color pie to forge new ground outside the confines of the already established, we're driving these Vehicles out of the Boros garage and parking them right into Sultai's lot.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cultivator&#039;s Caravan"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sword of Feast and Famine"></div></div>
<hr />
<h2>An Exemplar List</h2>
<p>Just how far is the Vehicles theme skewed in Boros' direction? Out of the <a href="https://edhrec.com/themes/vehicles">over 1200 Vehicle decks on EDHREC</a>, just one Boros commander helms over 60% of them: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Depala, Pilot Exemplar"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> proves that Boros players will take anything when it comes to card advantage. Although fresh-off-the-printing-press commanders like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wyleth, Soul of Steel" href="#" target="_blank">Wyleth, Soul of Steel</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akiri, Fearless Voyager" href="#" target="_blank">Akiri, Fearless Voyager</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> have shown that <em>Wizards of the Coast</em> is now giving the color combination better rewards for doing what it does best, Depala was possibly the first to do so years ago.</p>
<p>Granted, you needed to focus your deck around two very specific things: Dwarves and Vehicles, with both at high density, to reap the benefits. Yet the <em>Kaladesh</em> block brought some great new Dwarfs alongside the "new car smell" of Vehicles. The deck nearly built itself right then and there: find the right mixture of value-driven Dwarves and muscular Vehicles and you had a lean, mean Boros machine.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://edhrec.com/decks/depala-pilot-exemplar-vehicles-theme">EDHREC average <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> decklist</a>, you'll find roughly twenty or so Vehicles ready to ram right into your opponents and at least ten Dwarves to fill your crew with small upsides, like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Duergar Hedge-Mage" href="#" target="_blank">Duergar Hedge-Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. On top of that, add a few ace pilots; <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Renegade Wheelsmith" href="#" target="_blank">Renegade Wheelsmith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a great example.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Duergar Hedge-Mage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Renegade Wheelsmith"></div></div>
<p>Subsequent years have been somewhat kind to the deck, with a smattering of new potential inclusions every few sets. It's an easy-to-maintain deck that handles well right off the lot.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Slow and Steady Wins the Race</h2>
<p>Now that we've reviewed the Boros build, let's slap a fresh coat of paint on this Vehicles deck make it into a beautiful, streamlined Sultai machine, with sweet black, green, and blue stripes. And to do that, let me introduce you to our driver, the new #1 Turtle: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archelos, Lagoon Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Archelos, Lagoon Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Archelos, Lagoon Mystic"></div></div>
<p>Now, you might be wondering, "Hey, doesn't Archelos' flavor text say, albeit slowly, that <em>'Life is not a race?'</em>" That fact is that <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archelos, Lagoon Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Archelos, Lagoon Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the best pilot in the multiverse not named Depala. Sorry, Sonic, our goal isn't to go fast, our goal is just to go faster than everyone else, and we can do that by slowing them all down.</p>
<p>The <em>Crew</em> mechanic on Vehicles means that we can easily tap our commander without need for haste or for our Turtle shaman to ever cross into the red zone. Having our commander tapped creates a massive speed bump for our opponents to navigate, which we will use to our advantage.</p>
<hr />
<h3>Truly Inspired</h3>
<p>Archelos won't be our only pilot in this build. We need a little more inspiration to bring this dream machine to life. Luckily, there is a lesser-known Vehicle deck out there that we can emulate: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="King Macar, the Gold-Cursed" href="#" target="_blank">King Macar, the Gold-Cursed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="King Macar, the Gold-Cursed"></div></div>
<p>Lovingly known as "Dude, Where's Macar?", <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="King Macar, the Gold-Cursed" href="#" target="_blank">King Macar, the Gold-Cursed</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> has a build dedicating him to crewing some fancy Vehicles so that he can untap and exile a threat, making a little change in the process. The <em>Inspired</em> ability came from the original <em>Theros</em> block, and it rewards you for untapping your creatures. Unfortunately, most of these creatures are rather small, making them more safe to attack in a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Smuggler&#039;s Copter" href="#" target="_blank">Smuggler&#039;s Copter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> than on the ground.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Pain Seer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Siren of the Silent Song"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Disciple of Deceit"></div></div>
<p>The first group of inspired creatures we have in our stable provide either card advantage or card quality. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Pain Seer" href="#" target="_blank">Pain Seer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is a cousin of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dark Confidant" href="#" target="_blank">Dark Confidant</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Siren of the Silent Song" href="#" target="_blank">Siren of the Silent Song</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> sets our opponents each back a card, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sphinx&#039;s Disciple" href="#" target="_blank">Sphinx&#039;s Disciple</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is straight draw. On the card quality side, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Disciple of Deceit" href="#" target="_blank">Disciple of Deceit</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can trade a dead card for one much more suited to the current situation.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Daring Thief"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ghostly Pilferer"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fallowsage"></div></div>
<p>Just like King Macar, there are a few other inspired choices that can shift the balance of permanents on the board. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Daring Thief" href="#" target="_blank">Daring Thief</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can swap out a lowly <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wood Elves" href="#" target="_blank">Wood Elves</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a late <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcane Signet" href="#" target="_blank">Arcane Signet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> for an opponent's big threat. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arbiter of the Ideal" href="#" target="_blank">Arbiter of the Ideal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can net us more Vehicles and more pilots for each untap.</p>
<p>There are even a few creatures we can use that don't say "<em>Inspired</em>", but act just the same. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ghostly Pilferer" href="#" target="_blank">Ghostly Pilferer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> just hit tables earlier this year and can net us cards each time it untaps. The same is true when we crew a Vehicle with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fallowsage" href="#" target="_blank">Fallowsage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Additionally, we can stymie threats via <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Surgespanner" href="#" target="_blank">Surgespanner</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Normally, the <em>Inspired</em> mechanic is too slow for the game. You have to cast the creature, then wait until your next turn to attack, then wait until it untaps. However, if we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archelos, Lagoon Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Archelos, Lagoon Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play and tapped, we can skip the first few steps. Or, if we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amulet of Vigor" href="#" target="_blank">Amulet of Vigor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> in play, we can get the <em>Inspired</em> trigger right then and there. And we don't need to worry about other players because with Archelos tapped, they're moving at a Turtle's pace.</p>
<hr />
<h3>Superchargers</h3>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Amulet of Vigor" href="#" target="_blank">Amulet of Vigor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is not the only hack this machine can run. Since we'll be crewing our Vehicles, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quest for Renewal" href="#" target="_blank">Quest for Renewal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will hit its four counters in no time. Or, we could also just slap <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Seedborn Muse" href="#" target="_blank">Seedborn Muse</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into play. Either of these active means that we can crew our Vehicles over and over on each player's turn, not just our own, and get our <em>Inspired</em> triggers fours times as often.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Amulet of Vigor"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Quest for Renewal"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Throne of the God-Pharaoh"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throne of the God-Pharaoh" href="#" target="_blank">Throne of the God-Pharaoh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives us incentive to tap every creature, even our crewed Vehicles, every turn, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Opposition" href="#" target="_blank">Opposition</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can hinder the advances of our opponents' biggest threats. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fatestitcher" href="#" target="_blank">Fatestitcher</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tideforce Elemental" href="#" target="_blank">Tideforce Elemental</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> provide ways to hit more <em>Inspired</em> triggers on one turn, or can help tap Archelos, should the need arise.</p>
<hr />
<h3>Finish Line</h3>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Throne of the God-Pharaoh" href="#" target="_blank">Throne of the God-Pharaoh</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> marks one of our win conditions, but our primary focus is on a slower grind. For that, planeswalkers offer us some added routes to victory. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas" href="#" target="_blank">Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> nets us card advantage, can turn a Vehicle into a creature for good, and has a killer finisher. Same for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tezzeret, Artifice Master" href="#" target="_blank">Tezzeret, Artifice Master</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, giving us a token that can help crew, drawing us cards, or hitting the ultimate under the ideal racing conditions. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archelos, Lagoon Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Archelos, Lagoon Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> supports this strategy as hasty creatures are no threat to a naked planeswalker.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Skysovereign, Consul Flagship"></div></div>
<p>And obviously, we can just get our beatdown on with evasive Vehicles like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Skysovereign, Consul Flagship" href="#" target="_blank">Skysovereign, Consul Flagship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aradara Express" href="#" target="_blank">Aradara Express</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>The Perfect Line</h2>
<p>If you're looking for a deck that has a non-standard play pattern where tapping out is sometimes the best board state to have and where your sequencing might be counter to what you're used to, this is the deck for you. You might oversteer at the green flag, but you'll be rounding the turns like a pro with a little bit of practice. Turn your commander sideways at the right moments and speed on past the checkered flag while your opponents lag a few turns behind.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Sultai Vehicles" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Archelos, Lagoon Mystic
[/Commander]
[Creatures]
*1 Arbiter of the Ideal
*1 Daring Thief
*1 Disciple of Deceit
*1 Fallowsage
*1 Fatestitcher
*1 Foundry Inspector
*1 Ghostly Pilferer
*1 Jhoira&#039;s Familiar
*1 King Macar, the Gold-Cursed
*1 Oak Street Innkeeper
*1 Oracle of Mul Daya
*1 Pain Seer
*1 Phyrexian Metamorph
*1 Sakura-Tribe Elder
*1 Seedborn Muse
*1 Servant of Tymaret
*1 Siren of the Silent Song
*1 Sphinx&#039;s Disciple
*1 Surgespanner
*1 Tangled Florahedron
*1 Tideforce Elemental
*1 Wake Thrasher
*1 Wood Elves
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Aethersphere Harvester
*1 Amulet of Vigor
*1 Aradara Express
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Cultivator&#039;s Caravan
*1 Daredevil Dragster
*1 Fleetwheel Cruiser
*1 Heart of Kiran
*1 Honor-Worn Shaku
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Mobile Garrison
*1 Renegade Freighter
*1 Silent Submersible
*1 Skysovereign, Consul Flagship
*1 Smuggler&#039;s Copter
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Throne of the God-Pharaoh
*1 Thundering Chariot
*1 Untethered Express
*1 Weatherlight
[/Artifacts]
[Instants]
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Beast Within
*1 Counterspell
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Sultai Charm
[/Instants]
[Sorceries]
*1 Agadeem&#039;s Awakening
*1 Bala Ged Recovery
*1 Decree of Pain
*1 Harvest Season
*1 Night&#039;s Whisper
*1 Painful Truths
*1 Rishkar&#039;s Expertise
*1 Sea Gate Restoration
*1 Toxic Deluge
[/Sorceries]
[Enchantments]
*1 Cryptolith Rite
*1 Opposition
*1 Phyrexian Arena
*1 Quest for Renewal
[/Enchantments]
[Planeswalkers]
*1 Nissa, Vital Force
*1 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
*1 Tezzeret, Artifice Master
[/Planeswalkers]
[Lands]
*1 Bojuka Bog
*1 Breeding Pool
*1 Command Tower
*1 Creeping Tar Pit
*1 Dimir Aqueduct
*1 Drowned Catacomb
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Fabled Passage
*4 Forest
*1 Golgari Rot Farm
*1 Hinterland Harbor
*3 Island
*1 Llanowar Wastes
*1 Lotus Field
*1 Lumbering Falls
*1 Morphic Pool
*1 Nurturing Peatland
*1 Overgrown Tomb
*1 Rejuvenating Springs
*1 Simic Growth Chamber
*2 Swamp
*1 Temple of Deceit
*1 Temple of Mystery
*1 Underground River
*1 Undergrowth Stadium
*1 Waterlogged Grove
*1 Watery Grave
*1 Yavimaya Coast
*1 Zagoth Triome
[/Lands]"></span></div>

<hr />
<h2>Checkered Flag</h2>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Depala, Pilot Exemplar" href="#" target="_blank">Depala, Pilot Exemplar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> might get the fastest laps in qualifying, but <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Archelos, Lagoon Mystic" href="#" target="_blank">Archelos, Lagoon Mystic</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will catch up over the course of the race, and should have the gas to go the distance. Also, this was a first for the series: I actually wrote about a commander from the most recent set! Okay, there are, like, a billion new commanders in <em>Commander Legends</em>, so one of them was bound to be worth highlighting, but I'm still calling this a win. It's always fun to flip the script on how you normally do things, if only just to expand your horizons. But, for now, I have to drive off into the sunset.</p>
<p>Until next time, where I'll have another mind-bending brew for you!</p>


deckbuilding

Ultra Budget Brews - Zurzoth, Chaos Rider

Mind Bend - Spymaster of Mardu

Ultra Budget Brews - Lathiel, the Bounteous Dawn

Mind Bend - Sultai Vehicles

Mind Bend - Non-Black Life Payments

Ultra Budget Brews - The Exploding Cost of EDH: A Budget Brew Review

Ultra Budget Brews - Ghalta

Mind Bend - Mono-Blue Creatures

Mind Bend - Animar-ed Orzhov

Ultra Budget Brews - Rankle, Master of Pranks