[mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”] is, by far, my favorite deck, and I recommend you give it a try. [mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”], is a powerful Azorius commander who provides significant mana advantage and acts as a combo piece. With Urza in play, most mana artifacts, such as [mtg_card name=”Thran Dynamo” set=”uds” number=”139″] become mana-neutral. And most instants and sorceries are overpowered when they cost one less mana. Finding a way to end the game is something Azorius sometimes struggles to do in EDH. But, with Urza in the command zone, the deck has a combo piece, always available, allowing you to win the game with two other cards: [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] and [mtg_card name=”Mystic Forge” set=”brr” number=”36″]. This is a classic Magic combo, and [mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”], ties it together for EDH.

Deck List

View deck on Archidekt.

Combos

This deck’s goal is that each combo flows seamlessly into the next one. As I mentioned, [mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”], goes infinite, allowing you to draw your whole deck with [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] and [mtg_card name=”Mystic Forge” set=”brr” number=”36″]. This is the main combo that this deck tries to assemble. There are some other combos I’ll explain further down that all draw your whole deck, but this is the easiest one. The [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] combo allows you to win [mtg_card name=”Aetherflux Reservoir” set=”brr” number=”65″] because it requires casting [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] over and over for free. The combo also transitions nicely into infinite mana combos for a different way to win. On the other hand, getting infinite mana before assembling the [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] combo allows you to control the game and transition into the top combo or another game-winning play. Underneath all the combos is a good amount of artifact synergy and control elements to keep the game plan together.

[mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”] + [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] + [mtg_card name=”Mystic Forge” set=”brr” number=”36″]/[mtg_card name=”The Reality Chip” set=”neo” number=”74″]/[mtg_card name=”Crystal Skull, Isu Spyglass” set=”acr” number=”15″]

Prerequisites

• Have all three cards on the battlefield.

Steps

1. Tap [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″], draw a card, and put it on top of your library.
2. Cast [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] off the top of your library with [mtg_card name=”Mystic Forge” set=”brr” number=”36″] or [mtg_card name=”The Reality Chip” set=”neo” number=”74″] for free because of [mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”].
3. Repeat.

Results

Infinite card draw and storm count.

Because this combo generates infinite storm count, the easiest way to win is by playing [mtg_card name=”Aetherflux Reservoir” set=”brr” number=”65″] and hitting everyone for 50 damage. But once it’s assembled there are a few other ways to close out the game.

A very similar version of the combo can also be done with [mtg_card name=”Displacer Kitten” set=”clb” number=”63″] instead of [mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”], and pretty much any mana rock. It’s just much harder to assemble because it’s impossible to tutor [mtg_card name=”Displacer Kitten” set=”clb” number=”63″].

1. Tap [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″], draw a card, and put it on top of your library.
2. Tap a mana-producing artifact, such as [mtg_card name=”Arcane Signet” set=”sld” number=”589″], adding at least 1 mana.
3. Cast [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] from the top of your library by paying 1.
4. [mtg_card name=”Displacer Kitten” set=”clb” number=”63″] triggers, blinking the mana-producing artifact.
5. Repeat.

[mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] Loops

Looping [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] is the poor-man’s version of “[mtg_card name=”Timetwister” set=”2ed”] Loops.” This loop is mostly used as a finisher after drawing your whole deck with the [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] combo because it needs a lot of setup.

Prerequisites

• Infinite blue mana.
• Infinite card draw.
• [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] and [mtg_card name=”Narset’s Reversal” set=”war” number=”62″] in hand.

Steps

1. Cast [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″].
2. Cast [mtg_card name=”Narset’s Reversal” set=”war” number=”62″], copying [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″], returning it to hand.
3. Once the copied [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] resolves, [mtg_card name=”Narset’s Reversal” set=”war” number=”62″] and the original [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] will be shuffled back into the library.
4. Repeat the [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″]—or similar card draw combo—to draw every card in the deck. Eventually, you’ll will redraw [mtg_card name=”Narset’s Reversal” set=”war” number=”62″] and [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] and the combo can be repeated.

Results

Looping [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] only generates an infinite storm count. But, there are a bunch of ways to win once starting the loop. For example, countering a random spell with [mtg_card name=”Swan Song” set=”ths” number=”65″] once per loop creates infinite flying 2/2 birds. Any card like [mtg_card name=”Retrofitter Foundry” set=”p23″ number=”4″], [mtg_card name=”Capsize” set=”tmp” number=”55″], or [mtg_card name=”Urza, Lord High Artificer” set=”dmr” number=”269″] can close out the game.

[mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″]/[mtg_card name=”Minamo, School at Water’s Edge” set=”plst” number=”CHK-279″] + [mtg_card name=”Rings of Brighthearth” set=”lrw” number=”259″] + [mtg_card name=”Chromatic Orrery” set=”m21″ number=”228″]

This combo provides everything you need to loop [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] and supports every other game-winning combo.

Requires

• [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″] or [mtg_card name=”Minamo, School at Water’s Edge” set=”plst” number=”CHK-279″], [mtg_card name=”Rings of Brighthearth” set=”lrw” number=”259″], and [mtg_card name=”Chromatic Orrery” set=”m21″ number=”228″] on the battlefield.

Steps

• Tap [mtg_card name=”Chromatic Orrery” set=”m21″ number=”228″] adding 5 colorless mana.
• Tap [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″] or [mtg_card name=”Minamo, School at Water’s Edge” set=”plst” number=”CHK-279″], targeting [mtg_card name=”Chromatic Orrery” set=”m21″ number=”228″].
• [mtg_card name=”Rings of Brighthearth” set=”lrw” number=”259″] triggers. Pay 2 mana copying the untap ability.
• Resolve the copied ability and untap [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″] or [mtg_card name=”Minamo, School at Water’s Edge” set=”plst” number=”CHK-279″].
• Resolve the original trigger and untap [mtg_card name=”Chromatic Orrery” set=”m21″ number=”228″].
• Repeat.

• Each loop nets 2 colorless mana, which can then be used to tap [mtg_card name=”Chromatic Orrery” set=”m21″ number=”228″] to draw cards instead of for mana. If you do the combo with [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″], the stored mana can be used to untap other artifacts using the same method. But, if you used [mtg_card name=”Minamo, School at Water’s Edge” set=”plst” number=”CHK-279″] the mana can used to untap other legendary permanents.

Results

Infinite card draw, infinite colored and colorless mana, and infinite untaps of artifacts you control.

[mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] + [mtg_card name=”Rings of Brighthearth” set=”lrw” number=”259″]

Requires

• [mtg_card name=”Rings of Brighthearth” set=”lrw” number=”259″] and [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] on the battlefield.
• [symbol type=”2″] mana available.

Steps

1. [symbol type=”tap”] [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] for 3 mana.
2. Activate [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] paying 3 mana.
3. [mtg_card name=”Rings of Brighthearth” set=”lrw” number=”259″] triggers, pay 2 mana to copy the [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] untap ability.
4. Resolve the copied [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] ability, untap it.
5. Tap [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] for 3 mana.
6. Resolve the original [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] ability, untapping [mtg_card name=”Basalt Monolith” set=”3ed” number=”235″] again.
7. Repeat, each time netting 1 colorless mana.

Results

Infinite colorless mana.

If [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] is also in play combo provides have infinite card draw as well. This works by first generating infinite mana, then tapping [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] to draw a card. In response, copy the [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] ability. This results in drawing a card and putting [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] on top of your library. The ability triggers again and [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] is drawn. Cast [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] and repeat.

Strategy

Most games I aggressively follow whatever line assembles the [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] combo the fasted. With an average hand this is usually turn five, but good hands can get this combo out on turn three easily.¹

Flipping [mtg_card name=”Urza, Planeswalker”] is not needed to win the game and it can distract from combo-ing. [mtg_card name=”Urza, Planeswalker”] is fun to meld, but I usually only do so when I naturally draw [mtg_card name=”The Mightstone and Weakstone” set=”pbro” number=”238as”] and hold on to my tutors for combo pieces. The best time to use [mtg_card name=”Urza, Planeswalker”], I think, is to dump your hand, pressing a large advantage, and assuming Urza will not survive to the next upkeep.

This deck is weak to fast-aggro decks, but this is true for most combo decks. Try to counter the most impactful spells, and make it to later turns, when storming off is possible. In the unlikely case [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] gets exiled, or a stax piece like [mtg_card name=”Null Rod” set=”wth” number=”154″] is in play deck functions okay in a controlling position until a time combing off is possible.

Wishlist

The upgrades for this deck, for the most part, fall into two categories: fast mana and better, freer counterspells. Adding them, I think, would turn this into a pretty real cEDH deck.

The weakest part of the deck is the counterspells. To keep mana costs down, I tried to pick counterspells that only cost one blue with [mtg_card name=”Urza, lord protector” set=”pbro” number=”225s”] is in play. This allows you to tap out more on your turns but worsens the quality of the spells. Free counterspells like [mtg_card name=”Fierce Guardianship” set=”cmm”] and [mtg_card name=”Force of Will” set=”dmr” number=”284″] would both allow you to tap out on important turns, counter more types of spells, and counter them more permanently.

[mtg_card name=”Intuition” set=”tmp”] might be the best upgrade on this list because it adds a one-card combo to the deck. You cast [mtg_card name=”Intuition” set=”tmp”] and pick [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″], [mtg_card name=”The Reality Chip” set=”neo” number=”74″], and [mtg_card name=”Sevinne’s Reclamation” set=”dmr” number=”273″]. No matter what your opponent chooses you end up with both [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] and [mtg_card name=”The Reality Chip” set=”neo” number=”74″].

Lastly, there is [mtg_card name=”Timetwister” set=”2ed” number=”85″], an upgrade that would break this deck wide open. I believe it is the only other draw seven that doesn’t exile itself and shuffles your graveyard. This allows it to be looped, like [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″]. A second effect like this would be nice because there are many games when you have to flashback [mtg_card name=”Echo of Eons” set=”mh1″ number=”46″] to get into the game and then winning becomes much harder. It is too bad it costs thousands of dollars.

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1. This opening hand is a turn-one win: [mtg_card name=”Crystal Vein” set=”mir” number=”325″], [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″], [mtg_card name=”Mystic Forge” set=”brr” number=”36″], [mtg_card name=”Etherium Sculptor” set=”brc” number=”82″], [mtg_card name=”Azorius Signet” set=”sld” number=”286″], [mtg_card name=”Mana Vault” set=”3ed” number=”263″], and [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″]. ↩︎

1. Play and sacrifice [mtg_card name=”Crystal Vein” set=”mir” number=”325″]. [2 colorless in pool]
2. Play and tap [mtg_card name=”Mana Vault” set=”3ed” number=”263″]. [4 colorless in pool]
3. Play and tap [mtg_card name=”Azorius Signet” set=”sld” number=”286″]. [1 colorless, 1 white, and 1 blue in pool]
4. Play [mtg_card name=”Etherium Sculptor” set=”brc” number=”82″]. [1 white in pool]
5. Play [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″] and [mtg_card name=”Sensei’s Divining Top” set=”2×2″ number=”314″] without paying their mana costs. [1 white in pool]
6. Using the last floating white mana to untap [mtg_card name=”Mana Vault” set=”3ed” number=”263″] with [mtg_card name=”Voltaic Key” set=”usg” number=”314″]. Tap [mtg_card name=”Mana Vault” set=”3ed” number=”263″]. [3 colorless in pool]
7. Play [mtg_card name=”Mystic Forge” set=”brr” number=”36″]. [0 mana in pool]
8. Draw to [mtg_card name=”Manifold Key” set=”tsr” number=”398″] to get enough mana to win with [mtg_card name=”Aetherflux Reservoir” set=”brr” number=”65″].