This is a somewhat competitive deck that I use mainly for 1v1s. I know Arcum isn't the best artifact commander, but I enjoy him, as I used to play
Muzzio, Visionary Architect
, and Arcum is just the buffed version of him.
The deck is finished, aside from a few expensive cards that I don't want to get right now. (
Mana Crypt
,
Jeweled Lotus
,
Mana Drain
, etc.)
The deck's main goal is to use Arcum and the rest of the tutors to cheat out infinite mana combos and then drop a win like
Walking Ballista
or
Goblin Cannon
.
The main combo is Basalt Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth
, as it is the only combo in the deck where both combo pieces are non-creature artifacts.
The countermagic is mainly in the instants like
Pongify
or
Rapid Hybridization
, but
Spine of Ish Sah
is one of my favorites. It is an unexpected removal that you almost always have access to because Arcum can tutor for him, and then do it again with
Sculpting Steel
or Phyrexian Metamorh.
Ghostly Flicker
is another good card because it serves multiple purposes, as it can save Arcum or other permanents from destruction, add ramp if you have enough rocks out, reactivate artifact abilities, or bounce Spine, Sculpting Steel, and Phyrexian Metamorph.
An opening hand should consist of around 2 lands, a mana rock (preferably a artifact creature dork so you can sacrifice it to Arcum), and one combo piece or win-con. Turn 1 is usually uneventful, unless you have sol ring, opt, preordain, or pithing needle to name a card you know someone is running. Turn 2 will be dropping an artifact creature rock allowing for a turn 4 Arcum with (hopefully) some countermagic of stax. Once you have a turn with Arcum out, it should be over assuming you have decent ramp. Drop the one combo piece you had in hand and tutor for the other with Arcum. Use the infinite mana to win with a card you have in hand or a tutor you should be able afford now. If not, at this point you should be able to survive one more turn and win the next.
A complete list of the infinite combos are:
Basalt Monolith + Rings of Brighthearth
This is the most heavily used combo in the deck.
Aphetto Alchemist + Illusionist's Bracers
This is a great combo because it is infinite mana and untaps, which lets you use Arcum's ability multiple times and almost always win immediatly. Both cards also synergize very well with the rest of the deck.
Grand Architect + Pili-Pala
This is one of the worse combos. Pili-Pala costing 2 is really helpful, but I have no way to tutor for Grand Architect. It is a good ramp card that has saved me a few times though, so I keep it in.
Metalworker + Staff of Domination
Oh, boy. I love this little guy! Metalworker is by far the best rock in the deck, but summoning sickness is the bane of its existence. It will be targeted even harder than Arcum will. It is one of the better combos though because you dont need a third piece to win, staff is already part of it, so you can draw you library immediatly.
Dramatic Reversal + Isochron Scepter
(With rocks that tap for 3 total)
This is also a great combo, because it untaps everything, including Arcum, so this will alsom always be an instant win.
Aphetto Alchemist + Gilded Lotus + Rings of Brighthearth
(or anything that taps for 3 or more)
Also infinite mana + untaps.
Metalworker + Rings of Brighthearth + Voltaic Key
Infinite mana and infinite mana untaps.
Win cons with infinite mana:
Staff of Domination
You know the drill
Diviner's Wand
Infinite draw with the added bonus of killing someone with Arcum.
Goblin Cannon
Infinite damage to any target that you can get out with Arcum. Can also be used to pick off annoying creatures or commanders in a pinch.
Walking Ballista
Good win with infinite mana, that can also be used as a countermagic card. I preffer Goblin cannon because you can't tutor for this one with Arcum.
Stroke of Genius
Draw to your win or kill someone by making them draw 100.
Blue Sun's Zenith
Worse Stroke of Genius. (Too much blue)
Mindslaver
Not a direct win con, but will defiantly buy you a turn to win. Very effective in 1v1s, but still a good tactic in multiplayer. (And its funny)
Mycosynth Lattice
If you have infinite untaps, this is a creature board wipe with Arcum. Obviously, you might not want to give every opponent that many artifacts, but in some matchups its good. This is mainly in here for my friend who plays Animar, who has no artifacts that would help him, and also as a response to his
Collector Ouphe
that I think is funny.
