While on the hunt for an expremly cheap affinity deck, I cam across a deck from tchau204 Tempered Affinity (Budget Modern Series)
Let's start with Cranial Plating. This is the most important card in the deck, attaching it to a Ornithopter, Signal Pest, or a Vault Skirge is an almost always a win.
The other ways to win are Ensoul Artifact and Tempered Steel. Having 4 of both of these is a good way to keep up the consistency of the deck. The main problem of Tempered Steel is the mana cost. Needing 2 white, it isn't likely to be put out turn 3, which is when it needs t be played. This is why I like the use of Springleaf Drum. Another artifact that is cheap, and it generates mana. This allows for playing important cards early, if you are mana screwed, or for surprise Dispatches. Tapping out makes your opponent think you don't have mana for a Dispatch, when Springleaf Drum lets you surprise them with one. It also lets you take out expensive mana base, which makes this deck extremely cheap. Going on to Dispatch, this is the best artifact removal, so putting four of these is best.
Thoughtcast is a easy way to draw cards, and being 1 U for 2 cards is very good. Always expect to play for 1 U. Another affinity cards is Frogmite. Always play for 0. Even though it doesn't do much, it can boast Cranial Plating, and it can be part of you giant army at the end.
Darksteel Citadel is land and an artifact, so it boosts Cranial Plating and works for affinity. You also can make it a 5/5 indestructible with Ensoul Artifact for blocking. Memnite is not that useful, like Frogmite but works also like Darksteel Citadel and can block.
Welding Jar, although a 0 mana artifact, is not as good as other artifacts that can take it's place. Blinkmoth Nexus, Etched Champion, and Master of Etherium, although good cards, are not extremely cheap, and are not needs for this deck for it to be good. Of course you can put them into this deck, but they are not needed for the deck to win. This deck wins turn 3-4 consistently, and with Dispatch can give you some breathing room against some fast decks like Infect or Blistering Rage. I have made both of these so take a look at nivek77!
A good turn 1 is consistent. An example is:
Darksteel Citadel
Any 0 mana creature (Ornithopter is better, but Memnite will do)
tap Darksteel Citadel for Springleaf Drum
tap Springleaf Drum and 0 mana creature for Signal Pest
proceed to play any Frogmites or any other things you can do.
A another good 1st turn is:
Darksteel Citadel
Any 2 zero mana creature
tap darkstee; citadel for Springleaf Drum
tap Springleaf Drum and 0 mana creature for Thoughtcast
A god hand is:
1st turn:
Darksteel Citadel
Any 2 zero mana creature
tap darkstee; citadel for Springleaf Drum
tap Springleaf Drum and 0 mana creature for Thoughtcast
play 3 Frogmites, Ornithopters, and Memnites in any combination
2nd turn:
play a Cranial Plating and swing for 8
3rd turn:
play a Ensoul Artifact or another Cranial Plating or a Tempered Steel and swing for game
