INCEPTION

Commander / EDH Artifact Creatureless Infinite Combo Primer RUW (Jeskai, America) Storm Theme/Gimmick Tokens

atingtdm

Land (32)

• 1x Academy Ruins
• 1x Adarkar Wastes
• 1x Ancient Tomb
• 1x Arid Mesa
• 1x Cascade Bluffs
• 1x Cephalid Coliseum
• 1x City of Brass
• 1x Command Tower
• 1x Flooded Strand
• 1x Forbidden Orchard
• 1x Hall of Heliod's Generosity
• 1x Hallowed Fountain
• 1x Mana Confluence
• 1x Misty Rainforest
• 1x Mystic Sanctuary
• 1x Polluted Delta
• 1x Raugrin Triome
• 1x Sacred Foundry
• 1x Scalding Tarn
• 1x Sea of Clouds
• 1x Seat of the Synod
• 1x Shivan Reef
• 5x Snow-Covered Island
• 1x Snow-Covered Mountain
• 1x Snow-Covered Plains
• 1x Steam Vents
• 1x Training Center
• 1x Urza's Saga

Draw (8)

• 1x Brainstorm
• 1x Mystic Remora
• 1x Ponder
• 1x Preordain
• 1x Winds of Change
• 1x Rhystic Study
• 1x Wheel of Fortune
• 1x Windfall

WinCon (3)

• 1x Sensei's Divining Top
• 1x Dramatic Reversal
• 1x Isochron Scepter

Kykar (22)

• 1x Lotus Petal
• 1x Mox Amber
• 1x Burning Inquiry
• 1x Faithless Looting
• 1x Gitaxian Probe
• 1x Lightning Bolt
• 1x Rite of Flame
• 1x Skullclamp
• 1x Strike it Rich
• 1x Brain Freeze
• 1x Goblin Bombardment
• 1x Imposter Mech
• 1x Not Forgotten
• 1x Staff of the Storyteller
• 1x Underworld Breach
• 1x Dack Fayden
• 1x Frantic Search
• 1x Intuition
• 1x Retribution of the Meek
• 1x Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
• 1x Trinket Mage
• 1x Divergent Transformations

Ramp (11)

• 1x Mana Crypt
• 1x Mox Opal
• 1x Mana Vault
• 1x Sol Ring
• 1x Arcane Signet
• 1x Azorius Signet
• 1x Fellwar Stone
• 1x Talisman of Conviction
• 1x Talisman of Creativity
• 1x Talisman of Progress
• 1x Smothering Tithe

Tutor (3)

• 1x Enlightened Tutor
• 1x Mystical Tutor
• 1x Transmute Artifact

Wrath (2)

• 1x Cyclonic Rift
• 1x Blasphemous Act

Commanders (2)

Answer (12)

• 1x An Offer You Can't Refuse
• 1x Pyroblast
• 1x Soul-Guide Lantern
• 1x Swan Song
• 1x Swords to Plowshares
• 1x Dovin's Veto
• 1x Heliod's Intervention
• 1x Mana Drain
• 1x Fierce Guardianship
• 1x Wear / Tear
• 1x Force of Will
• 1x Submerge SL

STAX (3)

• 1x Blind Obedience
• 1x Narset, Parter of Veils
• 1x Teferi, Time Raveler

Panic Button (1)

• 1x Teferi's Protection

Recursion (1)

• 1x Sevinne's Reclamation

---

Maybeboard

Elsha (22)

• 1x Jeweled Lotus
• 1x Dizzy Spell
• 1x Esper Sentinel
• 1x Personal Tutor
• 1x Soothsaying
• 1x Drannith Magistrate
• 1x Etherium Sculptor
• 1x Grand Abolisher
• 1x Grim Monolith
• 1x Helm of Awakening
• 1x Izzet Signet
• 1x Muddle the Mixture
• 1x Power Artifact
• 1x Scroll Rack
• 1x Aven Mindcensor
• 1x Generous Gift
• 1x Penance
• 1x Spellseeker
• 1x Urza, Lord Protector  ^Meld
• 1x Alms Collector
• 1x Displacer Kitten
• 1x Mystic Forge

Land (1)

• 1x Riverglide Pathway  ^Flip

Tutor (1)

• 1x Whir of Invention

Answer (13)

• 1x Pact of Negation
• 1x Mental Misstep
• 1x Red Elemental Blast
• 1x Stubborn Denial
• 1x Defabricate
• 1x Dress Down
• 1x Izzet Charm
• 1x Mystic Reflection
• 1x Resculpt
• 1x Tale's End
• 1x Winds of Rebuke
• 1x Dismantling Wave
• 1x Imprisoned in the Moon

Synergy (6)

• 1x Dance of Many
• 1x The Reality Chip
• 1x Yotia Declares War
• 1x Cursed Mirror
• 1x Smuggler's Share
• 1x Future Sight

Wrath (2)

• 1x Volcanic Torrent
• 1x Vanquish the Horde

Panic Button (1)

• 1x Orim's Chant

WinCon (1)

• 1x Aetherflux Reservoir

Ramp (7)

• 1x Chrome Mox
• 1x Curse of Opulence
• 1x Enthusiastic Mechanaut
• 1x Mind Stone
• 1x Cloud Key
• 1x Foundry Inspector
• 1x Herald of Kozilek

Draw (6)

• 1x Mishra's Bauble
• 1x Urza's Bauble
• 1x The Raven's Warning
• 1x Jace, the Mind Sculptor
• 1x Shorikai, Genesis Engine
• 1x Whirlwind of Thought

STAX (5)

• 1x Shadowspear
• 1x Overburden
• 1x Psychic Surgery
• 1x Smoke
• 1x Aura of Silence

Red-Handed (3)

• 1x Steal Enchantment
• 1x Bribery
• 1x Treachery

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"I'm going to improvise. Listen, there's something you should know about me... about INCEPTION."—Cobb

Gameplay

IDEA for Construct The Deck

An idea is like a virus, resilient, highly contagious. The smallest seed of an idea can grow. It can grow to define or destroy you."—Cobb

Two Commanders

We have both Elsha and Kykar in this deck, they can help the other to win easier, but the way they win is quite different.

Thanks to the common parts, we can switch between the two play styles by swapping some cards. I have listed those cards in the Maybeboard: Elsha.

Lands

Elsha, and Kykar, they only care about non-creature, non-land card.

The minimum number of lands that playable (don't need to mulligan that often) should be 32, I suppose. During the game, you can reduce the number of land cards by fetch lands. They also help you shuffle the library (to change the top card), and fill the graveyard for WinCon.

Creatures

Commander is a casual format that you can see big monsters hanging around. The real question is, how many creatures can keep you safe in your playgroup?

If you add 8~10 creature cards, then your library has almost 40% chance will be a "dead card". Wanna have the smoothest top deck experience, I suggest you cut to 5 creatures. Adjust the amount if necessary.

There are specific cards that encourage you to use only two creature.

Non-Creature Spell

Elsha Deck has two common styles, "Spellslinger" or "Affinity (for artifacts)". Using Manarocks instead of rituals can reduce the demand for {R} mana, which greatly helps mana fixing, and there are other benefits that we will mention later. The point is, I like shiny mana rocks more than rituals in personally, so we will continue this discussion on the premise of this.

Meanwhile, Kykar is more suitable for the classic storm than the former.

Because you can only use the least amount of creatures. So except creature cards, the remaining permanents can defend yourself are Artifacts, Enchantments , and Planeswalkers. It's also a part of deck construction that shows personal style.

"Enchantments" are more difficult to remove than "Artifacts", "Walkers" are the easiest to deal with, especially the lack of blockers. Even so, they still can activated abilities several times before leaving, and defend you against some attackers. Superfriends Awesome!

There is no compare between "Sorceries" and "Instants", timings is everything. Leaving only the most irreplaceable Sorceries, such as tutor, recursion, let opponents discard hand, etc.

Spin the Top / GAME PLAN

Now, you figure out the ratio between each card type, the next steps are set up some effective game plans.

Spin in a dream Show

The Top has 2 abilities...

• {1}: Rearrange 3 cards.

• {T}: Draw a card, and put itself on top of your library.

"An elegant solution for keeping track of reality."—Ariadne

Because Elsha allows you cast Divining Top from the library with flash, you can repeat this process instant speed constantly draw cards. {1} mana for one card is a good deal, but imagine you can draw a card for free? Or even better, you have {INFINITY} mana instead?

• Etherium Sculptor = Artifacts spell {1} less, Affinity (for artifacts) begin!

• Helm of Awakening = For all players, every spell {1} less.

• Kykar, Wind's Fury = Cast Divining Top create a token, sacrifice it add {R}.

• Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter with some manarocks generates mana more than {2} = {INFINITY}.

• Grim Monolith + Power Artifact = {INFINITY}.

  etc.

With Elsha of the Infinite + Sensei's Divining Top , those combo pieces can draw your entire deck, and cast some of them at the same time.

When using Kykar for the CMDR, Divergent Transformations could target your 2 spirit tokens and fetch Elsha + Trinket Mage or Spellseeker complete your WinCon.

• Soothsaying is the plan B, can rearrange the entire library when {INFINITY}, prepare for storms.

When using Elsha as the commander, we can make the most effective use of tutor's effects, so we must focus on completing our WinCon.

"Well, dreams, they feel real while we're in them right? Its only when we wake up then we realize that something was actually strange."—Cobb

The limbo Show

Unlike Elsha, Underworld Breach allows you to cast non-land cards from the graveyard with a little extra cost. Before that, you have to fill some cards in it properly.

So, for Kykar's package, we need some spells to help us piling cards graveyard.

After preparing enough fuel...Brain Freeze + Lotus Petal + Underworld Breach

• Burning Inquiry = Mana-free with Kykar.

• Faithless Looting = Mana-free with Kykar.

• Frantic Search = Add {R} with Kykar,

  or mana-free without him.

• Lotus Petal = Add {R} + one mana of any color with Kykar,

  or add {R} without him.

• Lion's Eye Diamond which a great card to combo off, sadly i don't have one.

When Underworld Breach in play, Escape {0}Lotus Petal 2 times and sac it for {U}, or any other cards mentioned above.

Then Escape {1}{U}Brain Freeze targeting yourself, mill tons of card. Repeat these two prosess again till storm counts enough and all other combo pieces in your graveyard.

"She had locked something away, something deep inside her. The truth that she had once known, but... she chose to forget. Limbo became her reality."—Cobb

ENDGAME

Those are key parts that will lead you to victory.

• Goblin Bombardment with WAR Saheeli, Kykar

  A 1/1 for 1 damage, they won't affect by Overburden.

• Elsha + Shadowspear

  Prowess bonk!

• Blind Obedience + Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter

  Extort!

• Aetherflux Reservoir Deadly Ray from Mars...

  The first ability counts the spell that caused it to trigger plus any other spells you cast earlier in the turn. (2016-09-20)

  The first ability counts spells you cast earlier in the turn even if you didn’t control Aetherflux Reservoir as you cast them, and even if those spells were countered. (2016-09-20)

"I can't let you touch it, that would defeat the purpose. See only I know the balance and the weight of this particular loaded die. That way, when you look at your totem, you know beyond a doubt that you're not in someone else's dream."—Arthur

Tricks & Moves

"I know how to find secrets from your mind, I know all the tricks!"—Cobb

Library Top Synergy Cards

• Sensei's Divining Top Wincon.

• Scroll Rack Swapping cards, almost double the number of cards in hand. It will give you fresh cards whenever shuffle.

• Academy Ruins, Hall of Heliod's Generosity, Mystic Sanctuary Get your precious back.

• Soothsaying rearrange and shuffle, sometimes a plan B.

• Mystic Forge, Future Sight Non-Legend Elsha.

• Penance Put back a non-creature spell, and cast it in instant speed!

• Jace, the Mind Sculptor The bogeyman has Brainstorm built-in.

• Enlightened Tutor, Mystical Tutor, Personal Tutor Just like tutor into Elsha's hand.

• Brainstorm Put non-creature spell back on the top, Marvelous!

• Ponder, Preordain No doubt its power.

• Not Forgotten Recursion, removal and token, three functions in one card...

• And every fetch lands & tutor will shuffle.

"They say we only use a fraction of our brain's true potential. Now that's when we're awake. When we're asleep, we can do almost anything."—Cobb

Combo

• WAR Narset + Wheel of Fortune, Windfall, Winds of Change, or Burning Inquiry.

  I think you guys have drawn enough.

• WAR Saheeli + Mana Vault etc.

  Cast any man rock after Saheeli in play, than -2 target Servo token copy into the vault. Since it is no longer a creature, you can {T} for mana right now.

• Dizzy Spell just like the blue version Grim Tutor in this deck. Could find ramp, counterspell, removal, another tutor, even wincon as well.

• Intuition choose Underworld Breach, Sevinne's Reclamation, and some spell which help you storm.

• Divergent Transformations target your two tokens.

  I just saw this combo for a day, and realize this could be the best version Polymorph card in my deck. First, instant. Second, fetches two creatures at once, complete the combo Elsha of the Infinite + Sensei's Divining Top by hitting Trinket Mage or Spellseeker + Enlightened Tutor!

• Not Forgotten with Commanders.

  Make token, can sacrifice with Kykar.

  Kinda graveyard removal, or recursion for you.

• Orim's Chant

  Try something like Silence, but slightly different.

  Maybe prevent an opponent from winning, protect your win-con from disrupted, or avoid a bloody fight that comes to you.

  3-way, the golden rule! lol (Similar to Mandate of Peace)

More! Show

• Spellseeker could find any card with the help of others.

• Isochron Scepter + Orim's Chant , Tale's End, Swords to Plowshares, (You could Kicker as well) etc.

  Oh, I guarantee that they will hate this! Keeps countering their Commanders, or skipping battle & Silence!

• WAR Saheeli copy Aetherflux Reservoir, now you double the life gain.

• As long as Elsha in play, Tutor search Penance and cast it. Now you may put any non-creature spell back and flash it!

• Same situation, Tutor search Transmute Artifact just like Whir of Invention.

New Trying Cards

• Mistveil Plains

  A similar card like Hall of Heliod's Generosity, but can recycle your creatures for Divergent Transformations.

• Steal Enchantment

  I want your Carpet of Flowers, Rhystic Study etc.

• Confounding Conundrum

  A cute card can slow down fetch lands your opponents' control, and punish landfall decks.

• Dismantling Wave

  Efficient!

• Retribution of the Meek

  Kykar only, he is furious at the big boys.

Lower Budget Options

• Reshape for Transmute Artifact

• Zirda, the Dawnwaker for Power Artifact

• Basalt Monolith for Grim Monolith

• Silence, Mandate of Peace for Orim's Chant

• Grand Abolisher, Veilstone Amulet, Tidal Barracuda for Teferi, Time Raveler

• Penance, Treasure Map  , Darksteel Pendant, Witching Well, Omen of the Sea for Jace, the Mind Sculptor

• Herald of Kozilek, Foundry Inspector for Cloud Key also great in the 99.

Be Prepared

A creatureless deck in EDH is quite fragile, create some tokens should keep you safer.

Don't try to control the whole board, act as low-key as possible.

Cause the entire Wincon is very complicated to operate, it is particularly vulnerable to the following cards:

• The library Stax cards:

  Drannith Magistrate, Grafdigger's Cage

• Storm Stax cards:

  Deafening Silence, Rule of Law, Damping Sphere

• Artifacts Stax cards:

  Null Rod, Collector Ouphe, Stony Silence, Karn, the Great Creator

They are the major problems for us.

Small creatures board wipes are must include:

• Anger of the Gods, Sweltering Suns, etc.

You also need artifact/enchantment removal:

• Heliod's Intervention, Wear / Tear, Vandalblast etc.

Some universal removal or bounce:

• Chain of Vapor, Cyclonic Rift etc.

And some counterspell for sure.

"The moment's passed. Whatever I do I can't change this moment. I'm about to call out to them. They run away. If I'm ever going to see their faces I've gotta get back home. The real world."—Cobb

My other EDH decks

• {R}Where are the Dragons?

  Torbran, Thane of Red Fell called the dragons, and they would come in no time. (Psych!)

  Of course, this is a burn deck!

• {U}{R}{G}Upside Down Animar

  Animorph! A.K.A. Animar-Morph deck.

• {R}Built From Scratch Upgrade

  Daretti value engine, Artifacts reanimator & combo deck.

  Budget version for this deck Built From Scratch Budget or different commander for aggro playstyle Wheelmaster is Hot!.

• {B}{U}{G}Act On Petition

  Advisor Semi-Tribal self-mill aggro & combo deck.

• {W}{U}{B}{R}{G}Do you Know Da-Ur WAE?

  Dragon tribal beatdown & combo deck.

• {W}{U}Rarity's Carousel Boutique

  Not tournament legal commander with some $TAX magic & friendship.

"So do you want to take a leap of faith or become an old man, filled with regret, waiting to die alone?"—Saito

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Top Ranked	Achieved #1 position in Commander / EDH Artifact 4 years ago Achieved #1 position in Commander / EDH RUW (Jeskai, America) 4 years ago Achieved #1 position in Commander / EDH Storm 4 years ago Achieved #1 position in Commander / EDH Superfriends 4 years ago
Date added	4 years
Last updated	2 months
Exclude colors	BG
Splash colors	WR
Key combos	Grim Monolith + Power Artifact Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter Isochron Scepter + Orim's Chant Elsha of the Infinite + Sensei's Divining Top Brain Freeze + Lotus Petal + Underworld Breach
Legality	This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)	14 - 0 Mythic Rares 49 - 0 Rares 21 - 0 Uncommons 9 - 0 Commons
Cards	100
Avg. CMC	2.15
Tokens	Bird 2/2 U, Construct 0/0 C, Emblem Dack Fayden, Servo 1/1 C, Spirit 1/1 C, Spirit 1/1 W, Treasure
Folders	New Deck Possible, Interesting ideas, Dream decks $$$$$$, Elsha Deck Ideas, EDH Brain Food, Storm, Build Ideas, Decks, ghhgygggujgyhjgyhjyu, Primer