Urza Power Scepter

Commander / EDH sickrobot

SCORE: 365 | 212 COMMENTS | 142924 VIEWS | IN 151 FOLDERS


Post-playtesting update —June 20, 2019

We've gotten solid playtesting in, and really we've been quite impressed with where Urza is -- he fits into the meta well, bringing unique tools to the table without being overbearing.

We've been trying a few new things and we'd like to discuss our changes to the stock build.

Cuts: Voltaic Key, Trinisphere, Unwinding Clock

Adds: Saprazzan Skerry, Time Spiral, Opt

...

Saprazzan Skerry: We'd really like to maximize how fast we can develop Urza, and this is another option. We're adding in an extra land to the list (now 30 mana producing lands + Tabernacle), as 29 is already on the aggressive side before swapping for a depletion land.

Time Spiral: Really, we love this big bomby draw. Power plays like this is what the deck thrives on. (People are realizing how good Recurring Insight is in the same vein.)

Opt: Cantrip density is really nice. Smooths out the early game, trivially cycles late.

...

Voltaic Key: Key just doesn't do enough. It has a cute 2-card combo that nets a couple colorless and serves some outlet functionality we didn't really need redundancy on (play to Future Sight lines in these contingency scenarios).

Trinisphere: It's really a powerhouse and we think you definitely can play to this direction. Feel free to play it if it suits your meta and playstyle.

Unwinding Clock: Very powerful, though definitely a synergy piece that doesn't help from behind.

...

Other things we're looking closely at: Power Artifact, Paradoxical Outcome, High Tide, Vedalken Shackles, Peer Through Depths, Retraction Helix (thanks u/IAMAfortunecookieAMA)

Daedalus19876 says... #1

No The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale or Sphere of Resistance , given that Urza's ability offsets their taxes? I'm also curious about the inclusion of Legacy's Allure , is that meant to steal something specific?

May 21, 2019 4:43 p.m. Edited.

Daedalus19876 says... #2

(Also, I have to ask - Sleight of Hand but no Impulse ?)

May 21, 2019 4:56 p.m.

KailDaemon says... #3

Though artifact heavy, could still function through a Null Rod

Turns off the swan scepter combo but using Urza effect to generate atleast x 5 plus a paradox engine to reset the mana you can win through a lab man line as long as you continue to cast spells (land pockets will slightly interrupt this but drawing cards shouldnt be an issue to filter through them)

May 21, 2019 6:12 p.m.

SynergyBuild says... #4

Yeah, I am very confused as to the use of some of these cards. Mind explaining some of the following:

I think Urza, when using a storm varient of him, running all possible non-creature, artifact based infinite mana combos ( Rings of Brighthearth , Basalt Monolith , Grim Monolith , Power Artifact , Paradox Engine , Isochron Scepter , Dramatic Reversal , Strionic Resonator , etc.) with additionally many mass-artifact bounce cards for enabling massive mana and plenty of cheerios, I thought this list would just run all of the fast mana and win with it.

This list seems much more controling, less artifact based, and more instant/sorcery based. I understand not wanting to lose to Null Rod / Stony Silence , and I'd run a large counterspell suite too, but this just seems strange.

May 21, 2019 6:51 p.m.

SynergyBuild says... #5

BTW, for fast Urza, I'd recommend High Tide , even with just 2 islands, and a moxen turn 2, it is a ritual. Seriously underrated for a fast Urza. Jeweled Amulet is strong turn 1 to try to get him turn 2, helps with Urza out, etc.

May 21, 2019 6:56 p.m.

pulli23 says... #6

Uh isn't it kind of... missing labman (or it's better brother, nexus of fate), as alternative wincons like reminded above?

May 21, 2019 6:57 p.m.

pulli23 says... #7

I'm also not set on Etherium Sculptor , sure it might make stuff cheaper but is that actually needed? It doesn't help fueling your commander directly. I'd rather have a controlly (stax/counterspell) or cantrip/extra draw there like Impulse .

Finally I'm not set on Recurring Insight I get that this is a fallback option if you run out of gas. However if you try to "hard cast" it it leaves you fully open: you probably have used all your mana, or have one or two mana left to counter things.

I'd much rather play Blue Sun's Zenith if we wish to refuel during combo (as it can also be used for a wincon on itself if the rest gets exiled), or Thirst for Knowledge as card advantage - that one gives simply midgame a way to dig, without leaving you without mana.

May 21, 2019 7:07 p.m.

poldrag says... #8

May 21, 2019 7:07 p.m.

SynergyBuild says... #9

BTW, gonna run Prismatic Vista ? it is another fetch as far as this deck is aware xD

May 21, 2019 7:26 p.m.

If you already have Isochron Scepter and Dramatic Reversal why not add Labratory Maniac? That way you can also sink infinite mana into Urza, then play lab man for free and any cantrip of other draw spell for the win. In addition you can use any of your decks array of counter spells in order to make sure you decks plan reaches fruition.

May 21, 2019 8:18 p.m.

Guerte says... #11

Can someone please explain how to win with this deck? I don’t see Reservoir, LabMan, Zenith, or anything of the sort. I may be just blind or something.

May 21, 2019 9:20 p.m.

SynergyBuild says... #12

Guerte Codex Shredder and IsoRev/Paradox Engine.

May 21, 2019 9:44 p.m.

boredsoimhere says... #13

Guerte as stated in the comment above plus copy artifact, swan song for infinite birds

May 22, 2019 12:25 a.m.

boredsoimhere says... #14

Beautiful list btw

May 22, 2019 12:27 a.m.

skyhaven says... #15

I second this motion. Recurring Insight is worse then Blue Sun's Zenith Ok given Blue sun is 3U But in this deck i don't see this being a problem.

also no a second non mill wincon ?

May 22, 2019 3:57 a.m.

Quicksilver says... #16

+1 for how broken blue artifact is and I'd have made a similar deck.

May 22, 2019 5:23 a.m.

Why not Karn, the Great Creator ? An assymetrical Null Rod that can bring an exiled artifact (maybe even with Urza's last ability). I can see a lot of potencial.

May 22, 2019 7:12 a.m.

And Vedalken Shackles looks like a better option than Legacy's Allure .

May 22, 2019 7:14 a.m.

KailDaemon says... #19

Mateus_Nogueira the problem with the shackles is that its counterproductive with the unwinding clock. As soon the untap step for the opponent happens you'll have to re shackle everytime, which not only gives them an opportunity to use the creature for x amount of reasons, but you'll also be going down in mana to activate the shackles every time an untap occurs. Sure you'll get the mana back at the next untap, but then rinse repeat having to ramshackle and everything. The enchantment is another way to permanently steal the creature without having to go through this motion every single untap step

May 22, 2019 9:09 a.m.

Wierdbagles says... #20

skyhaven Recurring insight is good to hit off of Urza's ability while BSZ isn't

May 22, 2019 11 p.m.

I love the list, guys. Fantastic as always.

I'm a fan of Paradoxical Outcome as a mass draw effect with Urza. Good for EOT refills or main phase risking it for the biscuit. Plus Merchant Scroll can grab it.

May 23, 2019 2:48 a.m.

DrkNinja says... #22

Well RIP the dream of being the #1 Urza deck, in one day you guys trippled my growth lol.

Anyways I like the list! I'm surprised to not see a Labman or Jace as the win con though.

I also don't see why Future Sight is here... is there an explanation?

May 23, 2019 11:11 a.m.

KailDaemon says... #23

For the sensei top combo with it...draw your deck with infinite mana

May 23, 2019 11:17 a.m.

Daedalus19876 says... #24

May 23, 2019 11:47 a.m.

DrkNinja says... #25

interesting...

May 23, 2019 11:49 a.m.