Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle Budget Commander Deck | MTG

Today, I'm going over a budget commander deck that I've built around Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle. This deck is a combination of small mana-cost spells that we can use to make Arixmethes a creature as fast as possible and some other large creatures such as Krakens, Leviathans and Serpents, and is intended for Kitchen top/casual EDH.
Decklist: scryfall.com/@EDHToolbox/deck...
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:02 Deck Goals
1:57 Ramp
2:48 Additional Critters
4:36 Combat Keywords
7:58 Protection/Interaction
10:04 Card Advantage
11:55 Lands
12:59 Price
13:14 Upgrades to Consider
14:48 Outro

[@TheSandwhichman108]

I like the artwork of this card. Imagine how awe inspiring it would be to discover a this “island” isn’t actually an island but a massive sea creature that’s been sleeping for so long that an entire ecosystem as formed on and around it.

[@0rcd0c]

You can definitely make this deck much stronger without even including combos and while staying at the same budget. First of all, it needs clarity because if it tries to do a bit of everything it will result in being bad at everything. From the goals it seems like a voltron style deck. In that case you don't need any of the "go wide" or kraken synergy cards: Ornithopter - it's a free spell but it also does nothing except remove a counter from the commander sometimes Goreclaw - a total of 7 (+commander) cards it could reduce which is not enough to play it Murkfiend Liege - deck doesn't play a go wide nor does it have enough (un)tap creature value Every Kraken and Leviathan - except for Spawning Kraken there are no other synergies with these creatures types, easy cuts and a ton of free budget Surrak and Goreclaw - almost 1/10 of the budget and there isn't much to combine it with except for occasionally swinging with a big hitter Stonehoof Chieftain - very expensive to cast and doesn't have that much of an impact for it's cmc 3 cmc ramps - not needed at all. If we ramp turn 1/2 into turn 3 Arixmethes we have access to 5-6 mana on turn 4 Colossal Majesty - not reliable and there are better cards that draw us cards Kefnet's Monument - with only 17 creatures in the deck it won't do much work Scepter of Celebration - very expensive to cast and equip and not enough synergies with go-wide (2 buff spells in the whole deck and 1 token generator) Dragon Throne of Tarkir - same here, the deck doesn't run enough creatures/tokens Tapped lands - we play simic, we have great mana fixing and early tapped lands can mean the difference of casting a spell or passing. Tapped lands should be kept at an absolute minimum Myriad Landscape - decent in non-green budget brews but we have better options Things that should be included Utopia Sprawl, Wild Growth, Fertile Ground - cheap in $ and ramps you very early into the commander Both Simic rocks - much better than the diamonds cheap $ 1 cmc Dorks - biggest strength of green, especially on budget. No reason not to play them Kiora's Follower and Voyaging Satyr - help cast commander on turn 3 and produce 2 mana afterwards Much more interaction - Decisive Denial being the only card in the deck that somewhat deals with a problematic creature is not enough. Blue has creature exile on a budget and even a semi board wipe in form of Curse of the Swine. Even something like a Snap would help and it synergizes with the deck Considerations You included Fellwar Stone for a good reason but where's Exotic Orchard? :) Overflowing Basin, Flooded Grove and Hinterland Harbor - offer some cheap, untapped fixing Bonders' Enclave - draw on a land Ghost Quarters - too many lands that can ruin a voltron strategy, definitely a must

[@JervisGermane]

I like this decklist, and it's in my favorite color combination, too. One card I would mention, that I seem to mention in every comment I make on blue commander decks these days: Deepchannel Mentor. That's enough to make Arixmethes unblockable right there, and it would then allow you to use shroud effects like Diplomatic Immunity and Steely Resolve since you don't need to target your commander. I think it's a flavor fail that Arixmethese isn't an ISLAND when it's a land. Maybe even a Forest Island. And that Stormtide Leviathan shuts it down. If there were ever two sea monsters that ought to play nice together, it's them.

[@tomaspavlik7922]

6:00 You can actually target Arixmethes with Rune of Flight even if it is a land since it says Enchant permanent.

[@echoesvayne9790]

I'm like midrange budget control on this deck... low power level because it is pretty much using combat damage as win con... but it is running cyclonic rift... I built this for my wife but I love when I get to play it or against it... all sea monsters and kraken with lurking predators for flavor even though the art is in the woods😂... it's perfect for sea monsters.

[@echoesvayne9790]

this guy should be as theme heavy as possible imo... because he isn't an OP commander, but is in the OP color combo that means subpar building can still play at most tables

[@sonsysy4195]

What about these cards? Uro lightning greaves Alter Ego Mystic snake and its ravnica functional reprint

[@wildernaut595]

He wanted to make it budget.