<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>


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Don &#038; Raph, Hard Science - Affinity for Artifacts on a Budget

<p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leonardo, the Balance" href="#" target="_blank">Leonardo, the Balance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.inkognit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inkognit</a> | <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raphael, the Muscle" href="#" target="_blank">Raphael, the Muscle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.ryanpancoast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Pancoast</a></em></span></p>
<p>Welcome back to another addition of <em>Beyond the Multiverse</em>! This time, we're covering a deck tech featuring one of the partner pairings from the <em>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</em> ("<em>TMNT"</em>) Commander precon.</p>
<p>On a personal note, I very much hope the deck is good for its hefty price tag, because there's only one, and I love having so many commander options in one precon. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. So, which pairing am I covering today? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leonardo, the Balance" href="#" target="_blank">Leonardo, the Balance</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Raphael, the Muscle" href="#" target="_blank">Raphael, the Muscle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<h2>Amphibious Teamwork</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leonardo, the Balance"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Raphael, the Muscle"></div></div>
<p>The main gist of the quartet of Turtles is that they fight to save New York (where have we seen this location before? Anyone? Anyone?) from Shredder and the Foot Clan, among many other villains. In the case of our pairing today, Leo's the leader of the group while Raphael is the more aggressive one.</p>
<p>Ironically, these two are often at odds with each other.</p>
<p>However, no matter which pairing we go with, Leo is at the heart of the deck's plan. We make tokens (note that he cares about <em>any</em> token entering, not just creatures), and buff our board once each turn.</p>
<p>Then, when we're ready, activate his ability and do some serious damage. That will double with Raphael out as long as those creatures have counters on them.</p>
<h2>Token Stratagem</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Entrapment Maneuver|pip|160"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Parallel Lives|mar|36"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hildibrand Manderville"></div></div>
<p>While we need to focus on getting Leo out first, and protecting him, we also need a good amount of token makers to enable him. Making those on our opponents' turns is even better because we can then swing with a potentially beefy board on our turn.</p>
<p>This is where cards like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Entrapment Maneuver|pip|160" href="#" target="_blank">Entrapment Maneuver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deadly Dispute|sld|1985" href="#" target="_blank">Deadly Dispute</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> shine, because they can be used outside of our turn. Sadly, Leo will only trigger once each turn, no matter how many tokens we drop in at once. That's why we leave mana open up when we can, so we can make tokens and accelerate the game plan.</p>
<p>However, having a big board of tokens will mean our opponents will be doing what they can to impede us. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Boros Charm|sld|1771" href="#" target="_blank">Boros Charm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroic Intervention|mar|34" href="#" target="_blank">Heroic Intervention</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> are among the various spells we can use to shield our permanents. Even if we're setback to the Stone Age, any given <em>TMNT</em> pairing will have enough token makers to bounce back, and this combination is no exception.</p>
<p>Even more so if we have repeatable producers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hildibrand Manderville" href="#" target="_blank">Hildibrand Manderville</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. All this establishes one half of the plan, but what of the other?</p>
<h2>Counter-Offensive</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fathom Mage|fic|325"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Branching Evolution|pip|195"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Danny Pink"></div></div>
<p>Remember that Leo's trigger will buff creatures in the form of +1/+1 counters, meaning we could take advantage of them in various ways. One of these would be <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fathom Mage|fic|325" href="#" target="_blank">Fathom Mage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which will draw us a card for each counter put on it.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Danny Pink" href="#" target="_blank">Danny Pink</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bred for the Hunt|fic|321" href="#" target="_blank">Bred for the Hunt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will give more cards if our creatures hit our opponents (assuming they have counters). On another note, the more counters are placed on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arwen, Weaver of Hope" href="#" target="_blank">Arwen, Weaver of Hope</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the bigger our creatures will be when they enter, including tokens.</p>
<p>We also have a number of creatures that could benefit from the counters. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crimson Caravaneer" href="#" target="_blank">Crimson Caravaneer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will hit harder twice, and will be more difficult to block because of trample, making us more likely to make a token to trigger Leo. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Atalan Jackal" href="#" target="_blank">Atalan Jackal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, by getting big enough, will almost always guarantee some ramp.</p>
<p>In a similar vein, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Knuckles the Echidna" href="#" target="_blank">Knuckles the Echidna</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will yield Treasures when he gets bigger. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Riders of Rohan" href="#" target="_blank">Riders of Rohan</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be a consistent token maker, and those tokens will have trample and haste built into them. The bigger their numbers and buffs, the worse off our opponents are.</p>
<p>To top it off are <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Branching Evolution|pip|195" href="#" target="_blank">Branching Evolution</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Corpsejack Menace|pip|214" href="#" target="_blank">Corpsejack Menace</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which double our counters.</p>
<p>All of this (and the above section) will mean Raphael will double all the damage we'll deal. He also helps us along by creating a token when he enters.</p>
<h2>Leonardo, the Balance and Raphael, the Muscle Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Going Universes Beyond-Leo and Raph" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Leonardo, the Balance
*1 Raphael, the Muscle
[/Commander]
[Enchantments]
*1 Black Market Connections
*1 Branching Evolution
*1 Bred for the Hunt
*1 Dawn of Hope
*1 Fervent Charge
*1 Parallel Lives
*1 Squirrel Nest
[/Enchantments]
[Creatures]
*1 Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
*1 Alistair, the Brigadier
*1 Arwen, Weaver of Hope
*1 Astrid Peth
*1 Atalan Jackal
*1 Aya of Alexandria
*1 Captain Lannery Storm
*1 Corsairs of Umbar
*1 Crimson Caravaneer
*1 Danny Pink
*1 Fathom Mage
*1 Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor
*1 Hildibrand Manderville // Gentleman&#039;s Rise
*1 Knuckles the Echidna
*1 Professional Face-Breaker
*1 Riders of Rohan
[/Creatures]
[Instants]
*1 Akroma&#039;s Will
*1 Anguished Unmaking
*1 Arachnogenesis
*1 Assassin&#039;s Trophy
*1 Atomize
*1 Beast Within
*1 Bedevil
*1 Big Score
*1 Boros Charm
*1 Break Down
*1 Crush Contraband
*1 Deadly Dispute
*1 Despark
*1 Endless Detour
*1 Entish Restoration
*1 Entrapment Maneuver
*1 Espers to Magicite
*1 Generous Gift
*1 Heroic Intervention
*1 Restoration Magic
*1 Secure the Wastes
*1 Stew the Coneys
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Unexpected Windfall
[/Instants]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Fellwar Stone
*1 Lightning Greaves
*1 Nuka-Cola Vending Machine
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Staff of the Storyteller
[/Artifacts]
[Sorceries]
*1 Austere Command
*1 Blasphemous Act
*1 Collective Effort
*1 Cultivate
*1 Hull Breach
*1 Nanogene Conversion
*1 Quantum Misalignment
*1 Rampant Growth
[/Sorceries]
[Lands]
*1 Castle Ardenvale
*1 City of Brass
*1 Command Beacon
*1 Command Tower
*1 Deserted Beach
*1 Dreamroot Cascade
*1 Evolving Wilds
*1 Exotic Orchard
*4 Forest
*1 Haunted Ridge
*4 Island
*4 Mountain
*1 Overgrown Farmland
*1 Path of Ancestry
*4 Plains
*1 Rockfall Vale
*1 Shipwreck Marsh
*1 Stormcarved Coast
*1 Sundown Pass
*4 Swamp
*1 Temple of Epiphany
*1 Temple of Malady
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>The Toppings</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fervent Charge|pip|215"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Nanogene Conversion"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Black Market Connections|acr|87"></div></div>
<p>The deck list above does look like a pile of hot mess (kinda the same way I see Spellslinger decks, to be honest), but hear me out. Like I said, the point is to produce tokens for Leo to get his trigger(s) going. Instant-speed token makers are very desirable for this build, so I fit in as many as I could.</p>
<p>A weakness I could see is being overly reliant on Leo, but the deck needs him to work. How do we at least mitigate this problem? <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nanogene Conversion" href="#" target="_blank">Nanogene Conversion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Quantum Misalignment" href="#" target="_blank">Quantum Misalignment</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both work to make sure Leo gets multiple triggers, or amplify Raphael's damage doubling effect to make our board positively lethal.</p>
<p>While <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Market Connections|acr|87" href="#" target="_blank">Black Market Connections</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can trigger to get us a token on our upkeep, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Squirrel Nest|pip|206" href="#" target="_blank">Squirrel Nest</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can be activated on an opponent's turn. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Astrid Peth" href="#" target="_blank">Astrid Peth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is frail when she comes out, but when she gets enough counters, we could attack with her and get a token each time we do.</p>
<p>With all the historic cards, both <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Aya of Alexandria" href="#" target="_blank">Aya of Alexandria</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Alistair, the Brigadier" href="#" target="_blank">Alistair, the Brigadier</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can make an army of tokens for Leo to buff in no time.</p>
<p>Speaking of attacking, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Captain Lannery Storm|fca|38" href="#" target="_blank">Captain Lannery Storm</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> makes a Treasure token when we do so. Meanwhile, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Staff of the Storyteller|sld|1863" href="#" target="_blank">Staff of the Storyteller</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> can give us a steady stream of cards if we can consistently make creature tokens.</p>
<h2>Bonds That Transcend Universes</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Helm of the Host"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Tendershoot Dryad"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar"></div></div>
<p>Not too much changes when we start incorporating in-universe cards. The main thing is that we get more token doublers, and some powerful token generators that can do so each turn.</p>
<p>Firstly, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Tendershoot Dryad" href="#" target="_blank">Tendershoot Dryad</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Illustrious Wanderglyph" href="#" target="_blank">Illustrious Wanderglyph</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> make tokens each turn, consistently triggering Leo, so we can get swinging with a big board. Token doublers like <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mondrak, Glory Dominus" href="#" target="_blank">Mondrak, Glory Dominus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elspeth, Storm Slayer" href="#" target="_blank">Elspeth, Storm Slayer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will be too good to ignore.</p>
<p>However, we have greater ability to clone/copy either of our commanders. One of the most prominent of these is <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Helm of the Host" href="#" target="_blank">Helm of the Host</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. It's expensive to cast and equip, but we get a token each combat. We simply have to decide where we want more counters or more damage.</p>
<p>We also gain access to <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror Box" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror Box</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sakashima of a Thousand Faces" href="#" target="_blank">Sakashima of a Thousand Faces</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mirror Gallery" href="#" target="_blank">Mirror Gallery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This trio of cards nullify the "legend rule," so we can copy our commanders as much as we like. Beware that, if these get destroyed, any legendary copies will be sacrificed via state-based effects. So, exercise some measure of caution.</p>
<h2>Retreating Into the Sewers</h2>
<p>And there you have it. This is just one possible pairing, and I look forward to see what the precon looks like. I'm willing to bet that, alongside <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heroes in a Half Shell" href="#" target="_blank">Heroes in a Half Shell</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, the partner pairings can all work feasibly in the command zone, too.</p>
<p>At the present, I'm thinking of making a new <em>Universes Beyond</em>-only deck in person, but I haven't decided if I will carry it out or not. That said, tune in next time when I experiment...with some personal twists and a shift in my (personal) color identity. You can expect my bio to be updated soon.</p>
<h3>Read More:</h3>
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