With the U/R artifact theme in Magic Origins playing well with a similar theme from M15, many people wondered if there might be a Standard deck there. Previous attempts had shown the deck coming up a little short, but perhaps we’re finally there.
I think the issue before was that Ensoul Artifact and Shrapnel Blast both want you to play an aggressive deck but the pieces weren’t really there. With Magic Origins we have some bigger, more midrange-y toys that play well with artifacts, so perhaps people should be trying that.
Whirler Rogue and Pia and Kiran Nalaar each give you four power for four mana, which is a pretty good deal. Both cards have their power distributed between different bodies, so they’re also great against spot removal. Thopter Spy Network seems to be the true payoff card, as it’s a threat and an engine all at once. Once your engine gets rolling, Purphoros, God of the Forge will do some serious damage.
Unfortunately, this deck seems a little slow. Most of its action is at the four-mana mark and it doesn’t appear to have much to do until then. You’re not really trying to Shrapnel Blast something early, and Disdainful Stroke does something at around the same time you’d prefer to be tapping out for threats of your own. I could easily see more Hangarback Walkers in here, and perhaps something like Wild Slash or Lightning Strike to handle the early game.
Creatures (16)
- 2 Purphoros, God of the Forge
- 3 Scuttling Doom Engine
- 2 Pia and Kiran Nalaar
- 1 Hangarback Walker
- 4 Whirler Rogue
- 4 Thopter Engineer
Lands (25)
Spells (19)
- 4 Shrapnel Blast
- 2 Ensoul Artifact
- 3 Ghostfire Blade
- 2 Disdainful Stroke
- 4 Thopter Spy Network
- 4 Artificer's Epiphany
Sideboard
