Sydri: Make Artifacts Great Again [Primer]

Commander / EDH Artifact Combo Control Infinite Combo Primer WUB (Esper)

schmandarinorange

Land (36)

• 1x Academy Ruins
• 1x Adarkar Wastes
• 1x Ancient Den
• 1x Arcane Sanctum
• 1x Blinkmoth Nexus
• 1x Buried Ruin
• 1x Caves of Koilos
• 1x City of Brass
• 1x Command Tower
• 1x Darksteel Citadel
• 1x Flooded Strand
• 1x Forbidden Orchard
• 1x Godless Shrine
• 1x Hallowed Fountain
• 4x Island
• 1x Mana Confluence
• 1x Marsh Flats
• 1x Mutavault
• 1x Mystic Gate
• 1x Nimbus Maze
• 1x Plains
• 1x Polluted Delta
• 1x Reflecting Pool
• 1x Reliquary Tower
• 1x Scrubland
• 1x Seat of the Synod
• 2x Swamp
• 1x Tundra
• 1x Underground River
• 1x Vault of the Archangel
• 1x Vault of Whispers
• 1x Watery Grave

Instant (5)

• 1x Anguished Unmaking
• 1x Cryptic Command *list*
• 1x Enlightened Tutor
• 1x Utter End
• 1x Vampiric Tutor

Artifact (24)

• 1x Aetherflux Reservoir
• 1x Blinkmoth Urn
• 1x Caltrops
• 1x Chromatic Lantern
• 1x Coalition Relic
• 1x Helm of Obedience
• 1x Mimic Vat
• 1x Mind's Eye
• 1x Mindslaver
• 1x Mycosynth Lattice
• 1x Planar Portal
• 1x Scourglass
• 1x Sensei's Divining Top
• 1x Sol Ring
• 1x Spine of Ish Sah
• 1x Staff of Nin
• 1x Sword of the Meek
• 1x Thopter Foundry
• 1x Thran Dynamo
• 1x Time Sieve
• 1x Trading Post
• 1x Ugin's Nexus
• 1x Unwinding Clock
• 1x Worn Powerstone

Planeswalker (6)

• 1x Jace, the Mind Sculptor
• 1x Karn Liberated
• 1x Sorin, Grim Nemesis
• 1x Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
• 1x Tezzeret the Seeker
• 1x Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

Sorcery (6)

• 1x All is Dust
• 1x Beacon of Tomorrows
• 1x Bitter Ordeal
• 1x Demonic Tutor
• 1x Vindicate
• 1x Wrath of God

Commander (1)

Creature (21)

• 1x Arcum Dagsson
• 1x Baleful Strix
• 1x Blightsteel Colossus
• 1x Duplicant
• 1x Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
• 1x Ethersworn Adjudicator
• 1x Hanna, Ship's Navigator
• 1x Kuldotha Forgemaster
• 1x Linvala, Keeper of Silence
• 1x Master Transmuter
• 1x Metalworker
• 1x Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
• 1x Muzzio, Visionary Architect
• 1x Phyrexian Metamorph
• 1x Sharuum the Hegemon
• 1x Solemn Simulacrum
• 1x Sphinx of the Steel Wind
• 1x Steel Hellkite
• 1x Thopter Assembly
• 1x Triskelion
• 1x Wurmcoil Engine

Enchantment (1)

• 1x Leyline of the Void

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Deck Concept

This is a toolbox-y deck that involves comboing off and winning the game through several means. What's great about this deck is that it doesn't always rely on combo. Due to Sydri, we can win in ways that don't involve combo, but more on that in a minute.

Why Sydri?

For starters, Sydri only costs 3 mana. That opens up the possibility for all sorts of plays. But the biggest reason is the unique way she interacts with artifacts and artifact creatures. A Spine of Ish Sah becomes not only great targeted removal, but a 7/7 with lifelink and deathtouch. Caltrops becomes a force to be reckoned with. Ugin's Nexus leads to an extra turn after a wrath. Mana rocks become both blockers and a swarm. These interactions happen both in the interim between combo attempts or possibly even after failed combos. It's a very different kind of game that you play with Sydri, and it's a lot of fun.

Sydri Pros

• Enables interesting card interactions and artifact synergies

• Allows for adaptation to an ever-evolving boardstate

• Cheap casting cost and cheap abilities

• Combo pieces can be used creatively

• Potential for interesting politics, as you can animate any noncreature artifact

• The deck isn't too reliant on Sydri, as it's powerful on its own, but Sydri bumps the power level up a notch or two in the right board states

Sydri Cons

• Abilities are color-intensive, requiring a good manabase

• Requires a decent number of artifacts to truly come online

• Weak against aggro/swarm strategies

• Not the fastest

The Competition

Oloro, Ageless Ascetic - The pillowfort general supreme. Although he can win through combos, he doesn't have as much synergy with artifacts as I'd like.

Ertai, the Corrupted - This is a really interesting general, one that I would like to build someday. But for this kind of strategy he's next to useless.

Dakkon Blackblade - I never see this guy get talked about. Regardless, if you look at him you could see why he doesn't fit for this kind of strategy.

Sen Triplets - I actually have quite a bit of experience with this particular commander. She was my dream general until I built a janky mess around her. It was a "steal your stuff" kind of deck that had little to no synergy. I enjoyed it for the time being, but I wanted to build something more refined, hence the present deck. Although she is an artifact, she doesn't lend herself to any particular strategy, making her a bit weaker as a general here.

Merieke Ri Berit - A lot of people seem to forget about here. Basically a better Rubinia Soulsinger , Merieke lends herself to more of a steal theme, perhaps even moreso than Sen Triplets. I didn't choose her for the same reasons as Sen Triplets.

Zur the Enchanter - Probably Esper's most hated commander, he just didn't have the artifact synergy I wanted. He is powerful no doubt, but not in the way I was looking for.

Sharuum the Hegemon - Esper's most famous combo general and the only other viable general for this deck. Honestly, in this deck the two are more or less interchangeable. They both interact quite well with my combo pieces and are part of combos and interactions themselves. However, in the current list, I feel that Sydri has the leg up on Sharuum because the latter prefers a much faster style of play.

Strategy

The main strategy with this deck is to combo out as quickly as possible. If that isn't possible, then the main strategy is to bide your time, outlast, and wait for a time to strike with all of your artifacts.

Combos, Wincons, and Interactions

Combos & Wincons:

Aetherflux Reservoir - We can blast the whole table to death by giving this guy lifelink. This only works if we have 50+ life, but since Sydri gives lifelink, I doubt that goal will be an issue.

Mindslaver + Academy Ruins - Lock one player out of the game. It's a bit expensive, and it experiences diminishing returns in larger multiplayer games, but it's a wincon nonetheless. Nothing is more satisfying than pulling this off, trust me.

Beacon of Tomorrows + Planar Portal - Infinite turns

Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Triskelion - Infinite damage

Sword of the Meek + Thopter Foundry + Time Sieve - Infinite turns

Thopter Assembly + Time Sieve - Infinite turns

Sharuum the Hegemon + Phyrexian Metamorph + Bitter Ordeal - Exile opponents' libraries

Helm of Obedience + Leyline of the Void - Exile one library at a time

Blightsteel Colossus - If you get him out at the right time he will just win

Interactions:

Staff of Nin / Caltrops + Sydri = Dead creatures

Mycosynth Lattice + Sydri = Dead lands

Card Choices by Type

Creatures

• Arcum Dagsson - Artifact tutor, just amazing.

• Baleful Strix - Cantrip and a rattlesnake? Sign me up!

• Blightsteel Colossus - A wincon in and of itself. Auto-include.

• Duplicant - 6 mana removal and copying is always nice

• Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - A great creature all around. Buffs your artifact guys and debuffs your enemies' creatures. Auto-include for me.

• Ethersworn Adjudicator - Removal on a stick, what's not to love?

• Hanna, Ship's Navigator - Solid tech in a deck like this, as it allows me to get back combo pieces and beaters alike.

• Kuldotha Forgemaster - Sacrificing three irrelevant artifacts to get a wincon is always strong.

• Linvala, Keeper of Silence - Shuts down my opponents' creatures and lets my own do what they want. Solid control

• Master Transmuter - This allows me to cheat my bigger artifacts into play for just 1 blue mana. Straight value.

• Metalworker - Self explanatory.

• Mikaeus, the Unhallowed - In addition to being a combo piece, Mikaeus also allows me to get back my artifacts if I reanimate them.

• Muzzio, Visionary Architect - Basically a more fair Arcum Dagsson

• Phyrexian Metamorph - A combo piece and a staple when it comes to copying things.

• Sharuum the Hegemon - A combo piece and valuable recursion if need be.

• Solemn Simulacrum - A great source of ramp, draw, and a good sac target for other cards that can also be recurred if need be.

• Sphinx of the Steel Wind - Another solid beatstick.

• Steel Hellkite - Solid removal on a solid creature.

• Thopter Assembly - A combo piece that offers us chump blockers/artifacts to sac in dire situations.

• Triskelion - Doesn't really offer us much outside of being a combo piece.

• Wurmcoil Engine - Self explanatory, an EDH staple.

Artifacts

• Aetherflux Reservoir - A wincon in and of itself.

• Caltrops - Given deathtouch by Sydri, this is a one-sided boardwipe.

• Chromatic Lantern - Great mana ramp in 3 colors.

• Coalition Relic - Same as Chromatic Lantern

• Blinkmoth Urn - I like the potential this card has. I might swap it out for Gilded Lotus, but for right now this card might be even better given my strategy.

• Helm of Obedience - I love this card outside of its combo. It's such a cool effect that we can use in a pinch if need be.

• Mimic Vat - I don't see this card talked about a lot. Even though this deck runs a bunch of creatures, this artifact can abuse ETB effects like Baleful Strix or Duplicant, as well as ones that aren't ours.

• Mind's Eye - Yay card draw!

• Mindslaver - A pet card of mine, and a combo piece.

• Mycosynth Lattice - Allows Sydri to blow up lands by making them creatures. Also color fixing and a 6/6 beater.

• Planar Portal - A tutoring stick on a 6/6 body is amazing, plus it's part of a combo.

• Scourglass - Asymmetrical boardwipe.

• Sensei's Divining Top - An EDH staple.

• Sol Ring - Also a staple.

• Spine of Ish Sah - Recurable removal that's also a potential 7/7 beater. Beautiful in this deck.

• Staff of Nin - Card draw and pairs with Sydri in the same way that Caltrops does.

• Sword of the Meek - Doesn't do much outside of combo.

• Thopter Foundry - Same as Sword of the Meek

• Thran Dynamo - Excellent mana ramp.

• Time Sieve - Works best with its other combo pieces but can give us advantage in a pinch.

• Trading Post - A hidden gem, this card gives us all sorts of value.

• Ugin's Nexus - This deck makes this card viable. It becomes a 5/5, and if it's a creature when it dies, it gives us an extra turn. What's not to love?

• Unwinding Clock - A 4/4 that untaps everything is great in my book.

• Worn Powerstone - A worse Sol Ring that can chump for me if I need to. I had a foil lying around so I figured why not add it?

Instants/Sorceries

• Anguished Unmaking/Utter End/Vindicate - All excellent removal options in Esper colors.

• Cryptic Command - A blue staple, there is so much value to be had with this card.

• Beacon of Tomorrows - At its worst, an extra turn for 8 mana. At its best, a wincon.

• Demonic Tutor/Vampiric Tutor/Enlightened Tutor - The best tutors in these colors for this kind of deck IMO.

• Wrath of God/All Is Dust - Mass removal is absolutely necessary in most EDH decks, and I figured that these two were the best options for what I'm going for.

• Bitter Ordeal - A combo piece. Doesn't do much else.

Planeswalkers

• Jace, the Mind Sculptor - I love this guy. So much versatility.

• Karn Liberated - I like Karn here because he's targeted removal at his best and hand hate at his worst. I'm sure that there are other cards that I could use but Karn is just a pet card of mine.

• Sorin, Grim Nemesis - Card advantage, life gain, removal, and a sick ultimate. His versatility and high loyalty make him excellent value for the mana investment.

• Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas - Wow. This card packs so much value in. Auto-include.

• Tezzeret the Seeker - Artifact tutoring, untapping, and a great ultimate to boot.

• Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - An alternative to All Is Dust with a mean ultimate.

Enchantments

• Leyline of the Void - Both a combo piece and a formidable graveyard-hate card.

Notable Exclusions

• Sculpting Steel - I took this out for Kuldotha Forgemaster. I believe that Phyrexian Metamorph should suffice for the sharuum combo, and I figured that extra artifact tutoring wouldn't hurt.

• Rings of Brighthearth - This doesn't actually synergize very well with many of the cards in this deck, thus the lack of inclusion.

• Etherium Sculptor - Although cost reduction is nice, I simply didn't have room for this guy. I put Metalworker in his slot and he's been pulling much more weight for me.

• Voltaic Key - Although this can be a combo in and of itself, I don't think I could accomplish anything with infinite mana here. That's not the kind of combo I'm going for.

• Akroma's Memorial - I see this in a lot of Sydri decks but I'm not sure why. It gives your creatures protection from black, making it impossible to give them deathtouch/lifelink by Sydri. I guess her abilities are good enough to warrant this loss of interaction, but it's just something I noticed and didn't want to to happen to me in a game.

• Ethersworn Canonist - I would've included her in this list if I didn't already have a Linvala lying around. I prefer Linvala's ability because it is asymmetrical and she only costs two more mana.

• Darksteel Plate/Lightning Greaves/Swiftfoot Boots - I don't really feel as though equipments synergize as well as I'd like them to here. They offer my commander protection, yes, but for these slots I'd rather have combo pieces or stronger artifacts that Sydri can animate.

• Darksteel Forge - I took this out for Planar Portal, as I felt that the latter had a bit better synergy with the rest of the deck. I may swap these two again, though.

Piloting the Deck

Given a higher average CMC, this deck is not suited for players who want to win on turn 2. That being said, this deck wins in a game where it is allowed to bide its time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It's not the fastest deck nor is it perfect, but it's certainly a powerderkeg that will explode if left unchecked.

Sydri isn't the most well-known general, so she's not as readily hated. You can use this to your advantage by playing politically through helping people attack by animating their artifacts or discourage them from doing so by giving yours deathtouch. When a board inevitably resets or the control player has tapped out, that is your time to strike.

Date added	8 years
Last updated	5 years
Key combos	Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Triskelion Thopter Assembly + Time Sieve Sword of the Meek + Thopter Foundry + Time Sieve Helm of Obedience + Leyline of the Void Beacon of Tomorrows + Planar Portal
Legality	This deck is Commander / EDH legal.
Rarity (main - side)	23 - 0 Mythic Rares 57 - 0 Rares 9 - 0 Uncommons 4 - 0 Commons
Cards	100
Avg. CMC	4.45
Tokens	Copy Clone, Goat 0/1 W, Spirit 1/1 C, Thopter 1/1 C, Thopter 1/1 U, Vampire Knight 1/1 B, Wurm 3/3 C w/ Deathtouch, Wurm 3/3 C w/ Lifelink
Folders	Favorites (from others), Interesting decks, Esper, Stuff to look at, My Wanted Decks, Potentially Build, Possibles